Everyone loved summer but I hated it. I hated everything that had to do with summer because during summer, most people are eager to flaunt their summer bodies in sundresses, bikinis and the likes.
I looked at myself once again. Turtlenecked top paired with a knee-length pleated skirt. A perfect outfit to keep my scars hidden from the pitiful eyes of people around me.
My colleagues think I'm a religious freak so wearing this to a beach party wouldn't seem out of the norms to them where I'm concerned.
After the car accident, four years ago, I changed my dressing style and took away everything revealing I had in my wardrobe and replaced them with less revealing ones.
As much as I hated attending summer themed events, there was no way I could miss this. Because it was a summer party organized by the company I work at, for party goers both far and near, and a means of publicizing the company. It just reminds me of why I hate anything related to summer.
Drawing my attention back to the present, Everyone stood before me, forming a semicircle around me.
The microphone I held in my hand, reminding me that I was still giving a speech. I quickly rounded up what I had memorized for the past few days, appreciated them for coming and walked off the stage.
I just want to be alone.
Be free alone.
I don't want to hide anymore, who I am under all these layers of fabric.
I know motivational speakers will tell you to embrace your scars.
Flaunt them.
That your scars are testaments of what you went through.
But it's not as easy as they portray it to be.
If they were forced to have their faces disfigured for a day and endure the eyes of every passing human constantly pitying you, holding back the words on the tip of their tongues - How did it happen? and to know if you're at fault, they would definitely reconsider their choice of motivation.
As those who came for the party began to disperse, I plastered a smile on my face as I mouthed a thanks for coming to those who looked my way.
When most of them had gone and just few were left standing around, I sneaked off and went into my tent. Luckily for me, I got a tent to myself as the manager.
Getting in, I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself with my outfit on. There was no indication that I was part of those that just hosted a summer party.
But I was.
I was even the manager.
How hilarious.
After few minutes of looking at my clothed self in the mirror, I walked back out, ensuring I had regained my confidence.
I walked out and saw the other staffs seated around a fire, inhaling the cool beach air.
I went ahead and sat with them for some drinks.
I'm very grateful that my colleagues don't have to walk on their toes around me, notwithstanding how aloof I act sometimes.
I sat on the mat and reached for a drink.
When my hand settled on one, I picked it up, twisted it's cover and gulped down it's content.
"Now, let's make a toast to more beautiful summers together and to our very decent, religious and amiable manager" came Luna's voice. She's the only one who doesn't mind calling me out even though I'm her manager.
Although I was halfway into the content of my drink already, I raised it and clinked it with that of those around me.
Everyone around me kept smiling and I could see the relief on their faces that this party we had worked so hard for was a success.
I couldn't help the feeling of relief that trickled it's way into my system.
When others began retreating into their tents, I decided to take a walk, savouring the chilly autumn air that was beginning to waltz in gradually, sending off the summer.
Walking further away from our tents, I kept on walking along the shoreline and that was when I heard it.
A soft groan coming from somewhere between the rocks.
Unsure if I heard right, I decided to saunter off further, probably it was just some couple doing their private business.
But something didn't feel right.
I walked towards where the sound had come from and I heard it again.
It sounded like someone in pain.
I hastened my steps and walked farther into the rocks.
It was pitch dark in here but with the help of my phone's flashlight, I was able to make out my way and trace the sound.
Then, I saw her.
An old woman sprawled on the floor, her right leg in an unnatural position.
But there was something odd about the situation.
The injury should have had blood oozing out of it but there was no sight of blood.
I crouched in front of her, appalled by the situation, not knowing how to handle it.
"Ma'am, this looks really really bad. Give me few minutes to go get a first aid kit." I said to her and stood to go get the box.
Then, she held my hand, mouthing some words I couldn't make out.
I bent back down, looked at her leg and raised my head back up at her.
Does she not speak English?
With my hands, I tried makings signs that I was going to get a first aid box.
That was when I noticed that she was pointing at the wheelchair behind me but because of the awkward position she lay in, I assumed it was her foot.
Although she didn't seem too heavy for me to carry, I struggled to lift her into it.
When I did, she looked up at me and smiled.
Taking my hands in hers, I heard her voice for the first time.
"You are a very lucky woman for you have been chosen by the heavens"
"Ma?"
I felt this strange warm feeling as something wrapped itself around me. I looked around me, wondering what was happening.
Then, the woman smiled again and rolled herself further into the rocks.
"Wait" I called to her and tried following the direction she had rolled in.
Not only did she fall from a wheelchair, her legs were bent wrongly.
She definitely needed to get that checked.
As I walked further into the rocks, my senses kicked in that there was no way she could have gone that far rolling her wheelchair and why wasn't I hearing the sound of her rolling the chair anymore?
Goosebumps appeared on my skin and I turned back.
I won't play dumb and act like nothing seemed wrong here.
I walked briskly, out of the rocks and along the shoreline, towards where we camped.
The chilly autumn air had already set in.
I walked into my tent, took off my clothes and prepared to settle in for the night.
Then, I noticed it.
I shifted my hair to one side. The scar that lined my neck down to my chest wasn't there anymore.
I looked down at my stomach, the different gashes that had been there from 4 years ago was no longer there.
I was a new person entirely.
I sank to the floor and my eyes glistened with tears as I remembered the words of the old woman.
This was a miracle.
A farewell gift from the summer to me.
This is definitely be a summer to remember.
I smiled as I lay in bed, looking forward to what the coming autumn held in store for me.
Cheers to an amazing summer next year.
)