4.1 SUMMER LOVE: SANDCASTLES

"You're doing it wrong," shouted a five-year-old Jasmine to her friend. "You're supposed to mold it like this."

The girl showed the boy, Philip, how to build sandcastles. She ran towards the sea with the bucket and collected some water, then poured it on the sand. Soon, her hands were busy molding it into tiny domes using her bucket.

Seven-year-old Philip frowned at her.

"I don't like it to be like little domes, " he retorted. "It looks boring."

The girl raised an eyebrow and glared at him.

"What do you mean it's boring? This is how you build sandcastles, dummy!"

"Yes, and it's just the same as every other one had. While the one I'm building is different."

"Why does it have to be different?" and Jasmine stood up, rubbed her sandy hands together. She placed her hands on her hips. "Then how will you do it then? Your way was more difficult."

Philip shook his head and laughed.

"It's easy. You just see it's difficult because you did not even try."

Jasmine rolled her eyes at him.

"Fine. Show me then how you do it, " the girl challenged him, crossing her arms.

So, Philip eagerly dug his hands onto the sand and skillfully build sandcastles from scratch. He molded it, carefully adding details.

Jasmine's eyes grew wide to how accurate everything were.

"It looks exactly like Cinderella's castle," she commented, gasping. She never knew her childhood friend was a great artist in the making.

"How did you do that?" she asked, plopping down beside him and examined the sandcastles after he finished them.

He smiled, proud of his own masterpiece. Only his parents knew of his talent and now, Jasmine. He felt happy how her eyes lit up seeing what he made.

"I'm glad you liked it," he said. Little did Jasmine know, his little heart fluttered the moment he saw her smile. He had liked her ever since he met her and promised himself that when he grew up, he would make Jasmine his girlfriend. But for now, he was happy to be her friend.

"Let me call Mom to take a photo," Jasmine said and stood up. Running towards her parents, she told them about the sandcastle that her best friend, Philip, made.

"You need to come and take a photo,Mom," and she pulled her mother's arm.

"Okay, okay. Let me get the camera then," Carrie, her mother, replied and pulled out the camera from her bag. She then walked with Jasmine, and upon seeing the sandcastle, she was amazed.

"Wow, Philip! I didn't know you got a talent for art. I mean, this is amazing!" Carrie commented.

"Thank you," replied Philip, shyly.

"Okay, let me take photos," and Carrie started taking photos.

Soon, one masterpiece led to another because from that one photo, Philip had been one of the famous sand sculptors all over the world. He travelled everywhere, and he became very famous. He became known as "The Sandpiper," because of one his greatest creations, a giant sandpiper in Coney Island, New York.

But there was a price to pay with all that fame. Eventually, he lost contact with Jasmine throughout the years. But even with that, he never had forgotten about her. He always longed to see her again... and perhaps fulfill the little promise he made in his heart.

Summer came and he was back to the same beach he first made sandcastles with Jasmine. It was also his thirtieth birthday, and as a present, he had requested a day off. He had heard that Jasmine had taken after her father as one of the great surfers in the world and decided to see for himself.

"She still frequents in that beach every summer," Lucas, Jasmine's cousin, had once told her. "I heard she will be taking a break from the competition since uncle passed away, so perhaps you can see her there."

"Thank you, Lucas," he said on the phone.

Jasmine lost her mother in a car accident three years before and it deeply hurt their entire family. Though it was hard for both her and her father, she still continued going to competitions. But her father had never been the same again. He would often be seen drunk and sad and then one night, he had met his end. He was so drunk and tried to surf. The waves were too high that time and Jasmine was too exhausted from the training that she never felt him leave.

The next morning, the body of his father was washed off the shore, lifeless. Her whole earth shattered into pieces and since then, she never wanted to go back to surfing. Thus, her fans felt sad and yet, still waiting for her to come back. But Jasmine did not know when that would ever happen... because now she felt the pain won't just go away.

"Jasmine..." a call from a familiar male voice had her turn towards it. Her eyes widened in surprise upon seeing who it came from and she ran towards him.

"Philip," she cried and hugged him tightly that made him step back from the impact.

"Whoa! I guessed you miss me a lot," and he chuckled. He felt her nod and she buried her face on his chest. Soon, small sobs came out of her and he couldn't help but held her tightly.

"Jasmine," he whispered. "It's okay. I'm here."

That made her cry even more and they held each other for as long as time allowed.

Philip felt the pain. This was what he had felt when his own parents passed away when he was only sixteen. It felt suffocating. Though he was later adopted by a wonderful couple, he still missed his parents from time to time.

After some time, Jasmine had calmed down and pushed herself slightly away from him. She then met his eyes and smiled.

"Welcome back, Philip," she whispered.

He smiled. "Thank you."

They held each other's gazes longer than they expected. Philip could see the questions lingering in her eyes. Words that were never spoken for years that they had been apart lay in them.

She needed comfort and he was here to offer it but also, he wanted to let her know how much he missed her and that he wanted to be a part of her life forever from now on.

Philip cupped her face and wiped her tears with his thumbs. He held her like a delicate flower that needed lots of care. Moved by his own emotions, he leaned and planted a sweet soft kiss on her lips. He felt her pushed him slightly and he let go of her lips. Feeling embarassed, he let her go and touched his nape.

"Shit!" he cursed as he slowly pulled himself away from her.

He should not have kissed her. Not now when she was feeling so low. He knew it was not the right time to let her know how he felt. Jasmine was in a state of grieving and he felt like a fool taking advantage of her vulnerability.

Jasmine was a bit shocked by what her friend did. She never expected him to kiss her and yet, she felt her own heart longing for it to happen again. There was a small spark that lit up the moment their lips met and she knew this was not just an impulse but rather, a life long wish that perhaps both of them had been keeping from each for so long.

She loved him since they were kids but she never knew how to tell him. He had gone through so much as well and she had tried to be there for him... until he moved overseas to stay with his adopted family.

Since then, they never contacted each other but she always made sure she followed his work. She often went to his exhibits, trying to see if she would be able to find him there. But she always failed.

Soon, she gave up and they both became successful to each of their own works.

She never expected him to be here at the beach they grew up together and yet, he came unexpectedly.

And now... what should she do? Should she follow her heart? Was this the right time?

"Jasmine, I... I'm sorry. I shouldn't-" and his words were interrupted by what she did next which surprised him as well.

She had pulled his neck and kissed him on his lips. Sighing, his hands went on her waist and pulled her close, responding passionately to her kiss.

Soon their hearts ignited with so much joy as their lips continued to graze each other. The longing they both had for so long had suddenly been fulfilled. A confirmation of what they felt for each other was written on their hearts and the beach had been the witness to it all.

Breathlessly, they let go of each other and gaze in each other's eyes, looking for answers to what just ocurred moments ago.

"I love you," he mumbled and waited for her response, hoping she felt the same. "I have loved you for so long, Jasmine. Even when we were apart, my feelings for you grew stronger every time."

"I love you, too, Philip," Jasmine replied. "I was wishing you'd come back and tell me this. Now, I'm happy you're here. Thank you."

"This time I'll stay no matter what."

She smiled. "I'll hold on to that."

And they held onto each other tightly with a promise to never part once again. Finally, Philip had fulfilled his promise. He did stayed with her forever.

Every year, they would come down to their beach house and every time, he would build a brand new sandcastle that would last all summer.

A reminder that no matter what life brings, like tidal waves who wash the once built sandcastles, there would always be opportunities to build new memories and make life exciting and worthwhile once again.

Like their love for each other. No matter what circumstance, they still found their way back home... In each other's arms.