Sumasayaw sa ritmo ng hangin ang mga palay at mukhang malapit na itong anihin dahil sa hitik na bunga at kulay ginto nito. I could clearly see from here that the farmers working under the Cattaneo's are harvesting the mangoes with two different variety... the indian mangoes and the carabao mangoes.
"My family also owns mango plantation in Guimaras. I'll take you there someday," Rafus softly said as he noticed me watching the farmers.Lumingon ako sa kaniya, "Magagalit ka ba kung sasabihin ko sa'yo na hindi ako nagulat?"He chuckled genuinely before shaking his head. Bumilis ng kaunti ang sinasakyan namin at maraming tanim pa akong nakita dito sa farm nila. I'm really enjoying this and I can't stop taking pictures of the crops and taking pictures with Rafus. On a second thought, what I'm seeing right now is making me hesitant to leave Antique once I graduate in college.I saw a vintage-looking gazebo situated near the stream and just a five meter d"Tangina! Kailan nga uli 'yon? Third week of October 'di ba? Shit, nawala sa isip ko!""Chill, we'll do a group study. Don't stress yourself too much about it. We can survive the finals!" I said in a cheerful and hopeful voice. I suddenly feel guilty because I've said that, and I don't have any intention to make her panic.Ilang minuto ang ginugol ko hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang kumalma. Nalihis ko ang pinag-uusapan namin ni Jean at nang tumunog ang bell na hudyat na lunch time na ay nagpaalam kami sa isa't isa.Genuine smile automatically broke into my lips as Rafus' name flashed on my phone when it rang. I immediately answered the call while walking in the corridor and heading my way towards the cafeteria."Hey there, mister Rafus Matthieu Cattaneo."I heard him chuckle on the line, "What's with the full name greeting?""Nothing... I just feel like your name sounds sexy when pronounced in full name.""Let's just say I
"You really made my night, Rafus... and I don't know if I can thank you enough for everything."He cupped my face and gently caressed his thumb against it. "No, I should be the one thanking you, baby... for staying with me, for letting me prove that I love you, and for knowing your priorities before me and our relationship came into the scene."Umawang ang labi ko kung paano pumungay ang mata niya at marahang kinuha mula sa bulsa ang isang blue velvet na box."Hey Rafus Matthieu Cattaneo, ano ba'ng ginagawa mo?" Kinakabahan kong tanong at nagbabadya ng tumulo ang luha ko sa tuwa nang lumuhod siya sa harapan ko."I know you have dreams to chase in your life. I know for a fact that we don't know what tomorrow brings and to our future plans. You know I love you and this is not some sort of transient diversion or short-lived feelings. We've been together for a year now and still our relationship remains strong since we both know when and where to admi
Kahit na natapos ang paghuhugas ni Shey at dumaan siya rito sa sala ay walang siyang sinasabi. Noon kasi ay kadalasan siyang nagdadabog, nagpapakita ng pagkadisgusto niya kapag nandito si Rafus.Pending parin ang thesis namin ng kagrupo ko nang mag-holiday break. After the Christmas party of our class, we decided to send what we've started on the thesis to our group leader for review. I did my part but I also have a lot to do.The plans Rafus and I made were only for ourselves. I wanted to ask Shey if she wanted to come with us but she declined saying, "That's your holiday break, enjoy and unwind to the fullest, Ate."Hindi ko nalang siya pinilit baka may plano rin siya para sa sarili o doon siya magdadaos ng Christmas at New Year niya sa Iloilo. That night, Rafus came over to our house to help me pack my clothes."I thought you're going to help me?" I asked with furrowed brows while both of my hands were on my waist.He just laughed befo
My following days were never the same. And I'm aware that it slightly affected my relationship with Rafus. I often spaced out and rarely communicate with him. I'm just too drowned with my thoughts about Shey. I'm ignoring her right now because I'm still feeling the pain and the disappointment, but I noticed Shey's doing her best to make up with me. I would be glad yet I can't force myself to accept it now. Even when we welcomed the New Year, I just greeted her then returned to my room to sleep the heavy feelings."Baby, are you okay?" Rafus worriedly ask.I was pulled out from my deep thoughts. I shook my head and a reassuring smile crept my lips. "Uhm, yeah. I'm okay.""Are you sure?"I sipped from the iced coffee he ordered for me. "Hundred percent."We're in a particular coffee shop here at El Paso. Kabubukas lang nitong business kaya nag-aya siya na pumunta dito lalo na't alam niya na medyo adik ako sa kape."Anyways, do you
"Kaya mo ba ang responsibilidad na maging batang ina, Shey?!" Dumagundong ang boses ni Nanay kahit na sa tarangkahan palang ako ng bahay.My heart sank when my eyes landed to Shey. Her eyes are full of tears mixed with different emotions. Regret was deeply etched. And she seems helpless.This is when the moment I knew... that I have to defend her.I had to defend her even though it means I have to be slapped by my mother for accusing me that I tolerated this matter and not telling them after I found this out.After that day, Shey's been grounded. Kailangan ko pang magmakaawa kay Nanay para pigilan siya sa pagsugod sa pamilya ni Norman.Buti nga at pumayag si Norman na subukang kumbinsihan ang magulang niya na kausapin sina Nanay at Tatay. Nagkaroon ng hidwaan sa pagitan ng pamilya namin at maging si Tatay ay mayroong hinanakit sa akin at kay Shey. Naiintindihan ko naman kung saan nanggaling iyon pero ang sakit lang kasing isipin na parang
"Good afternoon, Ma'am," I greeted in almost formal yet in polite way."Have a seat," Mrs. Cattaneo said and gestured her hand to the seat across to hers."Pwede po ba akong magtanong kung ano iyong pag-uusapan natin?"She just smiled, totally ignored my question. She then softly pushed the menu to my side using her middle and forefinger. "Have yourself something to eat or drink first.""Uh, busog pa po ako sa pagkaing ibinigay niyo kanina." Magalang kong pagtanggi at medyo ilang na ngumiti. "At salamat po pala sa pagbigay no'n Mrs. Cattaneo, hindi ko nagawang magpasalamat kanina kaya sasamantalahin ko ang pagkakataon para magpasalamat sa inyo ngayon."She just nodded and sipped from her drink. The moment she putted the cup back to the table, I feel like my mind was gone haywired.Mrs. Cattaneo looked at me as if magnifying my flaws and my heart skipped a beat after hearing her question. "You're my son's girlfriend?"I n
I hastily wiped my unending tears. My lips trembled and a sob escaped my lips. I was never a gold-digger... and the thought of taking advantage of Rafus' riches never ever crossed my mind.Why do they have to be this cruel? Just because my social standing differs from Rafus, doesn't mean I'm only chasing after his money. Why does people view this that way? This society is goddamn fucked up!Mugto ang mga mata ko nang bumalik ako sa pagtatrabaho. Nawalan ako ng paki sa estado ko ngayon matapos marinig ang mga salita ni Mrs. Cattaneo kanina. Oo, nirerespeto ko siya, pero sobra naman ata ang pagtingin niya sa akin. Nanliliit ako at kahit gusto kong ipagtanggol ang sarili ko ay hindi ko nagawa dahil nalunod ako sa sinabi niya.I ended my shift earlier and rushed to Tito Edison's house for confirmation about our land being purchased by the Cattaneo's."Oo, Slaine. Ibinenta ng Nanay at Tatay mo 'yong lupa niyo bago pa man sila pumasya na doon na manirah
"Ma'am Slaine, nandito na po ang delivery ng mga stocks." Imporma sa akin ni Krizza nang makapasok siya sa opisina ko."Sige, susunod ako." Simple kong sagot at pinatay ang laptop bago lumabas ng opisina.Naabutan ko na nagdidiskarga ng mga box ang tauhan ko at ang nagdeliver. Binati nila ako at tipid na ngiti ang iginawad ko sa kanila."Sandali lang, huwag mo munang ipasok sa loob, Leo." Pagpigil ko sa empleyado at tumango siya sa akin bago ilapag ang box.I opened the boxes easily with the cutter I'm holding. Isinuri ko ang isa sa produkto sa kada kahon at nang makontento na ay pinahintulutan ko iyong ipasok sa café."Ma'am, pakipirma nalang po nito." Tinanggap ko ang papel na inabot at pinirmahan.Hinintay ko munang maubos ang mga kahon bago ko binalik ang papel sa driver at nag-abot ng isang libo bilang tip para sa kanila. They extended their gratitude, and I gave them a sweet smile before returning to my office to continue m