"What Keeps Us Alive"

PROLOGUE

Have you ever had that one place that forever holds onto you? A place where everything seems to heave into place when you'll find yourself at it. A paradise, as most people call it, keeps all the bitterness of reality away from the thought for a moment. And when recalled, it possesses the most beautiful collections of memories to tell. We know it’s always not just about the place where it happened, it’s the people we’d met. And those people made that place a lingering shadow.

It’d all happen after we’d moved to another town, as my family decided to settle for a new life, away from everybody else but not seeking for cosmic change.

“How do you like it here?” My sister, Pat, sat beside me after I’d decided to finally settle in for a seat along the benches made of concrete blocks, where an overview of the school field and building could be seen from the vantage point.

“It’s not at all bad. This school has this fresh air, greenness I rarely see at public schools, and well, you know me I’d like to be surrounded by nature. I could settle here.” I replied to her. A smile was plastered on my face as I’d enjoyed the scenery of the campus telling myself, ‘I will always remember the breeze of this place’s comforting companion.’.

I was certain when I said it.

“Finally weekends! Where should we go after this class?” Lou, a classmate and a friend of mine exclaimed. We looked back at him, beaming.

“Usual spot! We’re bringing snacks and everybody’s coming along whether someone’s parents might go against it.” Rudden jumped from his seat as soon as the school bell rings. I stood but stopped when I realized I lost a missing part of my school I.D. leaving only the sling that was around my nape the whole day.

It didn’t took a second before I figured I didn’t actually lose it, but of course they hid it!

I smacked back of Rudden’s head, glaring at him, “I.D. or I am not going.” He glared at me back ‘pretending’ like he didn’t have a single idea,

“Hah! Just because you lost something doesn’t mean it always has to do something with me. Plus, It’s not my fault you are just naturally dumb and didn’t see how I sneaked it into my pockets!” He ran away like a maniac while swinging my I.D. around outside our classroom. He was then joined by Lou’s laughing ass.

I rolled my eyes at them, shaking my head.

“School gate’s open! Let’s go!” Adrian called out to us from the corridor. I followed them out with France, also a friend, alongside with me. I seized my I.D. as soon as I got a hold of it while we are taking our steps together outside getting to our usual spot.

Our toes were covered by the course of soft and most gentle hue right enough to bring warmth underneath the surface of the arches of our feet in every step, while the wind blew through our hair. The sound of the rushing waves played along the melody of shared laughter, with a taste and smell of salty untainted kisses hover over the sun’s calming heat.

The shore could be seen from view as we made our way along the striped rocks, where a couple of seaweed garlands scatter from gusting sea water.

I pushed my shoulder bag just as I curiously peeked over the distant spot we often hanged around. It’s just as bracing as I first saw this place with the same people.

We continued to amble along while I keep my eyes on the same angle, expecting somebody.

I looked forward, squinting my eyes, my arm against my forehead to block the rays of the setting sun that hits my face.

I got a clear view from the figure standing upright just not some distant away from us while we’re walking closer. I immediately smiled when I saw who was waiting for us, or rather who was waiting for me.

I extended my arms up and waved at him gaily. The guys saw him too and they were sneering, also expecting him. We took a couple steps closer and finally reached the spot that feels like home, finally.

We were greeted by gushing wind and a welcoming smile. We sat side by side facing the depths of the ocean right below us. We shared a couple of chitchats, snacks, and chuckles until the sun starts setting.

I closed my eyes when a rushing wind came right through us, and knew from this split second I am living fleetly. With the surrounding I got to see, smell, and experience. With this friends to have on your side, and the moment that you get to live unto. I knew, this, right there, is one of the things that keeps me alive. So I’ll keep it.

CHAPTER 1

“Urgh! Couldn’t be this day get any more boring?” I whined kicking my feet off. I smashed my head against the table, snorting. My head were full of grumbling thoughts because of the desire for this day to end. And so I could brace weekends with grace!

“Francheska, can I borrow your phone?” I called out to France which he responded with a roll of his eyes along with his audible murmurs.

I gave him a mild cuff to get his attention and get him to let me use his phone to open my social media account.

“Pretty please?” When he looked over my way I then glanced at him with a pair of puppy eyes. He rolled his eyes all over again then drew his phone out.

“Thank you. You’re the best!” I snatched his phone away from his grasp and scrolled through my socials staving off boredom.

Then I received a message notification.

It was almost my spirits was lifted high-up when I read what was it all about.

It’s a text for a hang-out!

I was tapping for a reply, my lips stretched into a grin , and no doubt sent a ‘yes!’.

“What are you so excited about, bummer?” France peeked with a raised eyebrow, inquiring. I showed him the text and squealed to irritate him.

“Ew! Shut up!” He shoved my face away from him while I was tittering. The other guys looked behind their shoulders and exchanged glances.

“Somebody’s going to get killed by their parents! I am not saying it’s you, but it is clearly you.” They sneered at me which I shrugged off. I am not going to get home late, so it should be fine. Plus, I’ve been working hard as a student, I deserve a break and a breath.

The next few hours I found myself stimming while impatiently waiting for the school bell to ring. And when it did, I fleeted right off from the classroom.

Students were all over the school ground, when I was called out by France with the others behind.

”Your Romeo is waiting outside the campus. He just texted.” He bitterly announced while making a face.

I quickly bid my goodbyes to them, kissed Francheska on his cheek that made him scowl every time, before finally finding myself on a motorcycle.

“Same place?” His eyes was fixed on the road when he asked me at the middle of our ride.

I delightedly nodded, and stretched my arms care-freely embracing the air that maybe can’t be seen, but brought so much joy in me.

The ride gone on and before we knew it, we arrived at the place.

It was a glowing orange with a mix of just a right tone of red flare peeked over the side of the mountain, leaves of the nearby trees rustled as it hits me almost in a tangible force, and with a company of someone who grasp this moment with me. A Pair of two eyes were looking at the distant calm shallow turquoise below the dusk, when I felt an arm embracing warmly on my shoulders.

“You’re being a total cringe, you know that?” I said to him as I rolled my eyes in jest. He replied with a chuckle,

“It’s getting dark. We should be going or you’d have no house to return to.” He smiled like how he is always. He then mounted off to his motorcycle and started it. I got onto the back when he got off,

“What?” My brows creased in curiosity, then he pulled out his helmet.

“Safety first,” He wore it on my head and I didn’t bother to move. A sly smile appeared all over my face as I let him finished buckling the road bike helmet on my head.

He rode again and squeezed the clutch lever of his motorcycle to drive both of us home.

The swift breeze with a sense of freedom met the tips of my fingers when I extended it above to play into the soft wind. We were going down a slope that flutters my heart every time we drove down. The headlight of the motorcycle flashed when the sky slowly enveloped darkness. Mountains’ silhouette shaped in cone form and the chirps of the crickets took over. My heart were full and so as the moon above- ‘this couldn’t be any perfect’, I say.

CHAPTER 2

Life doesn’t always gives us only easy street. Along the road, we’d go through bumpy or sloppy ones and even get lost on the way. But we still get to get there, to our destinations— and that’s what matters.

“How many times should we repeatedly tell you, you are not to hang around, going out especially with guys! You will never know if you could trust them. And for goodness’ sake, stop making-up lies!” My mother was raging in distress when she found out one evening I am not out for a group project, but instead was hanging around with my friends. I mean what would I expect? After all, I was going against them.

“As parents, we are only looking out for our children. Remember that.”

Just like that, I found myself staring blankly at my room’s ceiling. It was never high enough, but it’s just right for me. I thought, maybe I was taking everything around me for granted. I have a father who provides for my needs, a mother who took good care of me, a family that are always there. But then again, I just wanted to feel the most of being alive. Is it so wrong? To have dreams, and savors the every step I take to get there. Making the most out of it?

I let out a heavy sigh. I glanced once at the ceiling, before I got into the night of somber.

“Oh dear, dear, dear. Why so low? Would you want to go for a swim to dive the depths of your thoughts? No? No? No?” Lou belt out. The upper front portion of my head was against and untouched on the desk. It is always the lingering thoughts that keeps us faraway from where we’re actually at.

I didn’t move an inch and let them make a raucous.

“So? What actually happened to you? Mind telling?” France settled in to a space behind me. A sullen look was evident on my face when he turned to me.

“Mom. Doesn’t like me hanging with you guys.”I replied shortly.

“I mean I wouldn’t be surprised, really. Just by looking at these faces” He pointed to the three guys, “It would give a heinous first physical impression.” He said mockingly that made Lou, Rudden and Adrian’s faces frown. I can’t help but let out an amusement.

Even sometimes in some things feel like a cosmic void, I just couldn’t discern the fact that friends does make it a space of spectrum. They may not afford to completely control the situation but they’ll help you patch it up to avoid a gush.

Sunday came, the family decided to have a picnic on the town’s known overlooking view. The azure blue ocean far from the mountain point met with the sky in the outlying horizon, and couldn’t forbear to mention the stunning capital city of the island that could be seen from view.

My mother with father, laid down the carpet over the soft grass and the food items that are sealed by containers. My sisters were all over; walking, running, and doing selfies on the wind-flattened coarse underfoot. While I, scanned the panoramic broad with an iPad to capture it.

I was filming when my sisters appeared on the screen to pose for pictures. I adjusted the angle to get a hold of a better view brushing my sisters’ grimacing faces aside. They tailed after it and I got away from them, but I ended up being chased.

“Let’s eat!” Father called out from a few meter away. We we chuckling, catching our breath when we joined them to start the feast.

The smell of the dish lingered that made my stomach rumble. They were different variation of viand, not just a snack, street foods and a soda on the middle. I savor the crisp of the roasted chicken, a handful amount of white rice on the other hand, and also had the lightly battered and deep-fried seafood that left my mouth watering for more.

After the supper, I stayed behind the car for awhile because I was too full to be wandering around. I reached for the water container placed on the top of the car’s dashboard, but it was empty.

“Here.” Mom handed over a bottle of water that I accepted with a thanks. She sat beside me and started to talk,

“You could have your friends over at the house. You could hang with them, sing karaoke or have a snack something, if you want to.” She casually but unexpectedly uttered. I’d turned to her wondering if she’s the same mother I was talking to.

“What changes your mind? I thought you don’t like it when I hang with my friends-”

“I only dislike that you kept things from me. I want to know your affairs, who you’re actually with, and you not lying to me. Just promise me you’d tell me all about it, so I’d know.” She stated. I could feel warmth clasped to my chest hearing the words she let go.

That’s when I learned that my mother is also a friend. I was occupied by the things that I shouldn’t fear at the first place. What I slipped on my mind, was that I could be heard to. It takes a broad willingness to speak my heart out and shouldn’t be timid in my shell.

I stared at mom for a few second, then got a nudge when I leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek in a joking manner, because I knew she doesn’t like to be all intimate. Such an anti-romantic mom.

Beyond question, I am lucky as a daughter.

CHAPTER 3 (EPILOGUE)

The jazz music danced with the sound of pouring rain outside the misty window from a cafe where we’re passing time. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee hanged around all over the secluded area, just right for the frigid weather. They were an ambience of light in a warmer tone along with friendly chatters. The setting was full of antiques displayed, even the ceiling were well-built from wooden supplies. Even with the building blur on the pane of the window glass, the rushing waves brought by high tide was noticeable in a glimpse.

A movie was playing on my laptop’s screen when a thunder rumbled. I peeked over the guys who were too invested on the movie with their eyes popping out,

“Play this on 2x speed. They’re so slow.” The zombies on the playing screen and the sequel of the movie went faster, making the scenes worth busted up laughing for.

“Seriously though, I am doomed.” I commented checking the time on the screen. 6:40 P.M.

“I already texted your mom. You shouldn’t be worrying a-lot about it. And, we’re pretty stranded so we got to wait until the rain stops.” France replied without getting his eyes off from the screen.

I forgot all about my worry when we had ice cream as a treat. I had a spoonful of it ignoring the fact that I am already shivering from the coolness of both the weather and the air-conditioned shop. We were half-way of finishing the movie when we finished the bucket of ice cream.

“Easy with clicking fast-forward, idiot. We all have the time of the world.” Rudden smacked my hand and pulled the laptop to his way. Adrian and France were still too focused on the screen.

I sulked on my seat and looked around to see if the rain has stopped, but it was still gushing rain. I stretched and yawned, starting to get drowsy.

Finally. When the rain halted, the movie ended too. We packed up our things and headed outside to catch a ride of the passing jeepneys. It was predictably dark when we stepped out from the shop. The road were damp from the passing rain and the air was quite humid and saturated. Yet, the smell was just right for an earthy scent.

Lights was on full beam from moving cars as they pass. We chattered while we waited. And when we got to rode in to one of the commuter vehicle, we bid our goodbyes and it drove away. The seats was almost occupied but not full, fitting to tilt back on the cool highway.

The vehicle were on an average pace. My hair was rumpled by almost blowing gale. I looked up and saw the stars starting to form as dusk of clouds moved to a direction. On top of that, the night was aglow with bright city lights. The people we drove past was still on their active state, well some have the look of grim on their faces but there was more people who are wearing contagious smile.

I got off from the vehicle when I reached my destination. I decided to stop to a convenience store to buy something from the counter. When I already paid for my juice, I chose to stay inside for a minute and a had a self-contemplation.

Metal click noises could be heard every time there is a new customer. The air conditioner inside was as well as cool as shop I came from awhile ago. The chatters were low and fading as it already passed 7 P.M.

My mind was really not thinking of anything as I sipped from the straw of a cartoon juice box. When I already finished the drink, I’d thrown it into the bin on my way outside.

I chose to walk the rest of the way home. The road was still damp, and the lampposts radiate the alleyway. I ambled along passing structures, mostly neighbouring homes that are still awoke. Dogs from different yards were howling and barking. I walked passed through a bakery that’s already closed and an eerie gymnasium with no people inside or activity going on.

I gazed upward and admired the celestial expanse full of flickering stars, and the crescent shaped moon were also glowing from the starry night. For a few minutes, I arrived home with my mother and sisters watching a drama on the living room. I greeted them and was expecting a lecture but mother was too entertained to do so.

I joined them for a little awhile before I got into the bathroom and bathed. Afterwards, I changed into my pajamas and finally settled in on my most comfortable mattress.

It was a long day for me, I had spent my day mostly at school, but got to hang after class.

This kind of day, if I’d be already in the future, I will be looking back on my past as if it is a collection of memories and comfort. Emit a brief burst of light and illuminate cherished memories or have me reminisce.

I let a heavy sigh and thought of opening my laptop to check messages but failed to do so, because, the night eats me whole just before I knew it.

And I was wandering in my dreams of full fancy.

END