If Only

things upon the stranger who had crossed my path, I couldn't help but feel like I ha

ho does he t

iliar voice spoke behind me, causing me to p

look like you're

ly familiar, and it stopped me dead in my tracks. I turned aro

arms around her so tightly I was

kled, complaining about my tight embrace. But she knew sh

estions. "Since when did you come back? How was UNI? Gosh,

ame mix of ethnicity and from my father's side, it was only my father and her father who bore kids, making us practical

d became a real estate agent, which my father considered beneath him. He discouraged Lizzy's dad from pursuing such a career, but it provided enough for their family, including sendin

h Lizzy, fearing she would "influence" me, but I didn't want to be part of the Legacy anyway. I was born into it, not because I chose it. Despi

om hanging out with Lizzy. My mother and I both appreciated Lizzy's company

University sucks, and even in the summer, it's no

ways been the funny one between the two of us,

bit," I said, grinning

ted us from inside the gate. "Jade? W

road smile lit up her face. "Elizabeth! It's so good

as my mom made a lighthearted joke. "I knew it w

my mother's voice carried throug

I wanted to drop by, but the jet lag ha

Aren't you heading home to C

," Lizzy joked, but we all knew it was true. While I wished she could stay with us, I didn'

ing she understood where my father was coming from. But I didn't t

tle bear," she gestured to me, and we both laughed. "Then I'll

er, almost like another daughter. I watched as they held

them. My mother eventually suggested that Lizzy stay for dinne

car, I seized the opportunity to ask

stay in the Phili

ed sigh and tossed her hair, excl

tempt to mimic our grand

ove that, hu

e's nothing wrong with speaking like a Filipina. I'm still

w fluent she was in speakin

ctually good at it!"

, mouthing "

er's seat without takin

ng it, Jade? I've heard y

you guys. I don't even remember which word

an me when we were young," Lizzy inter

Now, I can't even remember the words,

e skeptically, no

" she teased, furrowing her e

hmmm... Sali-ta ng tagalog (I've already forgotten how to speak Tagalog)," I

hing at my comical attempt to spea

alog anymore," I declared, joining in o

*

happier to have spent even just a short time with her. It might be

r driver waiting inside t

, taking hold of my hands. The mention of my grandfather's nam

ut it," I replie

I left flowers for Gram

ave allowed her to attend the funeral, but it still meant a lot to me

have loved the flowers,

find. Just like me," she said, playfully winking at

both laughed before saying our final go

nter with the guy from the store who vandalized my grand

to form in my mind - one that didn't involve m

I couldn't believe I still had to pass by the pool to get there. The

knew this was where mom stored the remaining things we hadn't used for the day's activity. And I was

ible to avoid drawing attention from Glenda and mom. After a few minutes, I found t

ndalism myself? Or should I find the guy and make him clean up h

wasn't what my grandfather would want me to do. It wasn't

opted for my

finding one, I left the garage closed and made my way back inside the house

*

xt

it off. Eventually, I gave up and opted for a bandana, tying it behind my head to keep m

her tea, already dressed up for the day. I found it strange that my parents would alw

. Is that okay with you?" I tried to sou

n. "Of course, you can go. Do you need the car? The ke

I haven't been getting enough exercise lately

me stepping out of my shell. It

e before I kissed her on the cheek and headed towards the door. I checked

se with a huge can of paint in one hand and a roller in the ot

t pouring down my face, and by the time I arrived at

e, absorbed in his phone. He heard the clanking

nd extending his hand. But then he noticed my hands were full and quickly pulled his

and placed it inside the gate.

ething?" he asked as

he wall yesterday. How did you not see him?"

ead. "I'm really sorry, ma'am. I had to take a call yesterday and didn't get the c

"No, it's fine. I can do the painting myself. Just don't let it happen again, okay? And ple

nodded his he

of mixing bowls on the side of the road. I scooped them

anger once again. The culprit's smirking face flashed in my mind, m

the thought of the jerk and focused on the wall in front of me. With each roll of the pai

**

chool year approaches. While everyone else is excited to show off their tanned skin and

y. Will I be able to handle being around so many people again? Will I be

ol will be a good distraction. Maybe it will help me move o

encounter I had with that shameless man at Gramps' house. His infuria

py my mind with anything else. I tap my fingers on the counter, thinking of w

mps' house again, sweetie?" I scrunched my nose, unsure of how to respond. I didn't wan

I finally replied,

out once in a while," she suggested.

what, mom? You know

eeling like those days were gone forever. "I just don't see myself getting out to ha

over new things?" she a

He made every adventure easier and more fun to learn.

er of my eye and saw how her expression fell. I didn

e she spoke softly, "Have you considered discovering thing

self smiling in response. I wondered why

n your sorrow," she continued. "He would wan

e reality that I needed to make a change. My mind began t

knew deep down that my mother had my best intere

nd said, "Can I borrow your car?" Her smile widened, and I

*

ps' house, parking my mom's car out of sight from the front gate.

. The sidewalk, the tall trees, this was where my Gramps and I used to take our mo

g towards the front gate of Gramps' house, passing the walls that had seen better days. Green vi

glimpse of what lay beyond it. Now, as I saw what was right in front of me, my heart raced an

up the ugly graffiti had transformed into a mesmerizing work of art. Swirling colors and intrica

rs and intricate patterns. It was a rose, abstractly painted with hues of red, pink, and orange. The

h a beautiful and unique interpretation of a rose. It was as if they had captured the

hing but bad upon. But at the same time, I couldn't help but feel a sense of respect and awe for t

avered, sounding more

and the beating of my heart. I tore my eyes away from the mesm

I called out again, my vo

espo

ing in every detail once again, when a voice spo

heart stopped as I realized that t