A Summer Dream

April, the month that sparks the beginning of the summer break. It is a month that all students thirstily await every year. A month where they enjoy the freedom from the exhausting school days and live each day to do whatever they want. It was also the same for the 19-year-old Lovely Jade Diaz. Since she was little, she was also so excited for the month of April to come as she spends each summer break at her maternal grandparents' home in a town in the countryside. Yet, it had been 3 years since she last visited that place and it has also been 3 years since their death.

Last year, her mom and dad moved to that town, specifically to her grandparents' place. Her parents retired from their work and moved away from the city to enjoy a peaceful life in the town. Lovely can't deny that her parents are getting old and they must've wanted to live the rest of their lives in a peaceful and calm neighborhood, unlike the chaotic city. Lovely took a part-time job to be able to provide for herself, she knew she was old enough to be independent and provide for herself. Due to her part-time job and school work, Lovely wasn't able to enjoy a decent summer break for the past 3 years. Little did Lovely know that she'll spend this year's summer break differently from how she spent it in the past 3 years.

On the last day of March, in the year 2021 at 8: 30 in the morning, Lovely received a phone call. It was from her father, telling her that her mother is sick. At that moment, Lovely decided to visit her parents and give herself a break from the stress she's been living with each day. She took a bag and packed her clothes, essentials, and other necessities she would use. She left her apartment and headed straight to the crowded bus station. Lovely could see everyone smiling happily and excitedly as they pile up in a line to enter their respective buses. Each bus with its own routes to the mountainous province, the next city, or the countryside towns had long lines of exhausted people with suitcases or big boxes in tow. Yet you could see in their eyes the life and sparkle that they'd be enjoying their summer breaks alone, with their family or loved ones.

It took an hour for Lovely to board the bus and 3 hours to arrive in town. From a distance, she could see the big signboard with text written on it saying " Welcome to Eirene Town''. The bus drove into town and passed the streets. Memories of her childhood came flashing into her eyes. This town was her favorite vacation spot since she was young. She loved this old town more than the developed city. Lovely got off the bus when it stopped at the station, before she could take a step onto the streets, she breathed in and out and the fresh scent of nature seemed to clear out the stuffy feeling she felt inside.

She walked along the streets to her grandparents' house or should she now call it her parents house? The house was just a couple of blocks away from the bus station so it was within walking distance for Lovely. When she reached in front of the house, a memory of her grandparents' sitting on the porch waiting patiently for their dear granddaughter to come each summer flashed in her mind. Her heart began to feel heavy as she regretted not coming in the April of 2018 to spend her summer break with them. Because in the same year in the month of June they both died due to old age.

"Lovely, Dear?"

Lovely snapped back to reality when she heard the concerned voice of her father. Her father was standing worried at the front door, he came out when he saw her daughter staring blankly outside the window looking at the front porch. The sun had begun to set behind Lovely, she didn't realize she was standing blankly for a long time. She looked at her worried father and flashed a gentle smile.

"I'm okay, Father. I just remembered grandma and grandpa. We should go inside, it's getting darker. Mom must be eagerly waiting."

She accompanied her father into the house, where she noticed her mother slowly descending the stairs. She raced up to her and supported her as she was bombarded with questions from her mother, whom she hadn't seen in a year. The family of three enjoyed a very long dinner as Lovely talked about her adventures during the past year, although her everyday life flowed like a routine from school to her part-time job, her parents still enjoyed listening to their healthy and energetic daughter. The long dinner passed like seconds for the happy family and it was already time for them to retire for the night. Lovely's mother was still sick and doctors recommended that she rest more because her body is fatigued due to overwork.