5

I do not know if I should be thankful about the thought that it has been a whole month since the last time I felt scared. Now, I feel like I am safe. Maybe whoever that was had already stopped or they probably realized that the they won't get anything from doing that.

"I bought you some food. I cooked more than enough," Sol said as she visited at night with a plastic container in her hand.

I smiled before taking the container.

"Thank you so much, Sol. Have a seat for. My mother cooked some sweet potato. I will get you some," I uttered but she just shook her head and smiled.

"Thank but no need, Yula. I just finished having dinner. My stomach can't take another food anymore, dear."

"You might want to bring some so you could try it tomorrow."

"Oh. Yes! That is perfect. That is my nephew's favorite."

I moved quickly and went to our kitchen. After putting the sweet potato in the container, I went back to the living room where Sol was.

Sol thanked me before she went home. She always brings some food. Almost everyday she goes here and offer some food that she cooked.

"Why is Sol always cooking this dish? Isn't it she also brought us this dish the last day?" Mama asked with a knitted brows.

I shrugged my shoulders while washing the dishes.

"I am so tired of eating that dish," my brother, Kevin, said as he entered the kitchen. 

"You are so bad," I said between my laugh.

"It seems to me that that is the only dish which Sol knows how to cook. Isn't Rael getting tired of it? If she ever cooks that dish next time, tell her to not give us some at all... ouch, Ma!"

"Sol might hear you, you asshole."

I washed the container to give to Sol. I did not stay any longer there. I noticed that Rael was not home because I did not notice his motorcycle. As soon as I gave the container to Sol, I went back home.

The scorching heat of the sun was stinging my skin. It was a month of March so the weather is sunny.

We were at the small hut. We brought the lunch of the farmer who are under the scorching sun now. The two women that I was with are very talkative. I was silently preparing our food as I listened to them. They were talking about this particular farmer.

No... they were fantasizing about him.

About Rael.

Whenever we go here to bring lunch for the farmers, they will never let the opportunity to fantasize the clueless farmer. They were always talking about him.

I glanced at Nessa when I heard her giggle.

"Rael really makes me weak. I do not want to look at him! Gosh! I am making a sin!"

"What do you call his condition again, Yula?" Lucille asked curiously.

"Heterochromia..." I responded in a soft voice.

"Right! Is there a pink and violet for that case?" Lucille uttered as she furrowed her brows.

"I am not sure, though. But I think there is none."

"Really? Is it just always blue and brown?"

"You will not look good with those eye color, Lucille! You will just look like stupid!" Nessa said.

I could not help but glanced at the direction of the man who these girls were giggling about. My father was there and also my brother with the other farmers, and of course, the tall man. He was wearing a faded jeans, thin red long sleeves and black boots that were covered by mud, and a native hat.

He is Sol's nephew, Rael. After that day, he started to avoid me. He never talks to me and I never talk to him either. If we ever have a conversation, it was just when he asks something about my father.

"Oh? Why am I seeing some regret in your face, Yula?" Nessa commented which made me glanced at her. Her cousin, Lucille, looked at me also.

"Oh my, Yula! Rael is yummy, yes, we definitely know that but if I were in your situation, I would rather choose someone who has a profession, of course! In this difficult life, you have to be wise enough. Your eyes would only be the one to be full by Rael's gorgeousness. But what about your stomach? So, be happy with Simoun. He is kind and well, he is handsome somehow." Lucille held my hand dramatically.

I laughed softly as I shook my head. They are always like this whenever we are together so I got used to them.

"What are you guys talking about? You are the only one who's thinking that. Can you please leave the man alone? He might hear you." I pouted.

She let go of my hand and now, she played with my hair.

"You are so beautiful, Yula. I know that you are aware about that. You are lucky with Simoun. He is rich. A teacher! His family owns a big grocery store! And if he would ever ask your hand for marriage, do not hesitate to say yes! Your future is secured!" Lucille smiled at me.

Lucille was a petite woman with bronzed skin. Her shoulder length hair perfectly highlighted her features. Nessa looked like her because they are cousins. Their facial features are not far from each other. The only difference was Nessa is taller than Lucille. 

"Marriage is not yet in my priorities right now, Lucille. I still have a lot of things to do in life. And Simoun is still not yet my boyfriend. He is still courting me."

"Sus! But when you were still the mistress of mayor, you were always telling us that you were ready to marry him for your family." 

"That was before but my situation now is completely different. Especially now that I do not remember anything that happened in my life before."

"Isn't it so surreal?" Nessa commented as her brows furrowed while watching me. "I did not expect that I would witness an amnesia in real life. I thought that it only happens in movies."

"Why? Do you also want to have amnesia? Come here. I will shake your brain."

Nessa frowned at her cousin. I just smiled at these two.

"Anyway, Yula. I have a quick question. We have never asked this one before. Simoun? Is he big?" Nessa asked nonchalantly.

I knitted my brows in confusion but she just laughed at me. So hard that her face turned into red.

"Big! Is it big?!" Lucille said, laughing with her cousin.

My eyes widened when I realized what they wanted to imply. My cheeks turned red.

"W-What are you talking about? I do not know! Why are you even asking that kind of question!"

I couldn't even look at them because of embarrassment. That was not pleasant to hear! Is it even necessary to ask that kind of question? 

I massaged my temple.

"God, Yula! Stop acting so innocent! You are acting like a virgin! As if you did not become the mayor's mistress!" Nessa rolled her eyes in between her laugh.

That was what I always hear from the people. But because I can't remember anything, I am not able to answer whenever I hear about that.

I just continued preparing the foods while the two cousins were still not done fantasizing Rael.

"If I ever have a next life, I would pray to be a rice crop. But Rael should be the one to harvest me," Nessa uttered and giggled.

"That is the most nonsense wish I have ever heard! Who would ever want to be a rice crop? Only you because you are stupid!" Her cousin frowned at her.

I glanced at the farmers once again. My brother was talking to Rael and they seem to have a fun conversation.

I blinked multiple times when Rael's eyes suddenly drifted at my direction. I did not even notice that I was staring at him a bit long and he caught me!

I immediately looked away, cheeks burning red. I wanted to hide in shame! He might think that I was fantasizing him like these two girls!

I tried to focus my attention on the foods. Everything was prepared and we were only waiting for the farmers. Fried eggs, salted egg, longganisa and of course, rice.

After a few moments, I saw the farmers walking towards the hut. I suddenly felt so nervous when I glanced at Rael. I could not forget about the fact that he caught me staring at him awhile ago! 

"You did not even buy a soft drinks?! What are you?!" My brother hissed when he looked at the foods.

"Wow! Why? Did you give money?!" Lucille rolled her eyes.

"Here! Ten thousand! Buy yourself a shampoo! Your hair smells so bad! Get out of my way!"

"Fuck you! Pa! He is so arrogant!"

I just shook my head at these two. They just stopped when Lucille's father scolded them.

"Rael! Here is some water. You can sit here beside me," Nessa said shamelessly as she tapped the space beside her.

I swiftly glanced at Rael who was now wiping his sweat using his towel. He took off his native hat. He just smiled at Nessa and sat beside her.

While I occupied the space beside my father. I wiped his sweat. He thanked me and smiled.

"Dante invited me to go to his son's party. It is Danica's birthday on Saturday." My father said when we started eating.

"Gosh! I did not know that ugly gay is celebrating birthday? I am not going!" Nessa rolled her eyes but when she looked at Rael, she smiled sweetly.

I pouted when Rael smiled a bit at her. I immediately dropped my gaze on my plate when he glanced at me.

"I am not also going. And also Yula, of course," Lucille uttered.

I raised an eyebrow. "It is fine with me to come."

Lucille rolled her eyes. "That bitch is fake! She is insecure to you! Can't you see it?"

I pouted and shrugged my shoulders. Danica is kind to me so I do not know why Lucille is saying that. Danica shows nothing but kindness. She is a great friend.

"I will help you," a deep voice whispered beside me. I was a bit shocked and looked at him. I was not able to refuse his help because he started moving.

I could not help but smell his scent because of our distance. It was a warm subtle woodsy with a hint of earthy smell. My lips parted a bit.

Why can't I smell any trace of tiredness from him consider that he was working under the scorching heat of the sun?!

I glanced at Lucille and Nessa. I caught their malicious stares at us. The other farmers were outside, smoking cigarettes.

"Uhm, thanks," I responded in a small voice. He did not answer. He didn't even glance at me. I was starting to think that he hates me for some reason. He is not like this to other women. He is smiling at them but to me... he never did, even once.

I noticed that my head was only reaching his shoulder. That is how tall he was. I put some distance between us when I noticed that we were quite too close.

"Sorry," he uttered in a cold voice when he noticed that I took few steps away from him. But he was still not looking at me.

I bit my lip. I scratched my forehead. He might think that I do not want us being close to each other. He might think that I am being over dramatic. But I should not care about whatever he is thinking, right? Suit himself! And one more thing, we were not even close!

That was our only interaction until we finished cleaning the table. It is not like I wanted us to have a conversation. I was just wondering why he treats me differently compared to other women here. I do not know if I was just being paranoid or what.

Simoun visited at night. Every night he is always here, bring a lot of foods that we can't even consume. 

"Thank you for the foods, Simoun. But next time, you do not have to bring so many." I smiled.

I accompanied him outside because it was already quite late. I think it will rain because it has been thundering.

He smiled and gently caressed my arm. My eyes dropped on his hand and I can't help but feel uncomfortable. But I did not let him see it. I opted to smile instead.

"Yula, what I am doing right now is still not enough. I would give you the world if you want me to. There is nothing I can't give to you. That is how much I love you, my love." His eyes became hooded as he stared at me intently.

My lips parted a bit. 

"Simoun..." I suddenly felt uncomfortable with that endearment. 

"Do you love me as much as I love you?" he said sweetly while his palm remained on my arm and caressing it every so often.

I blinked multiple times and everted myself from his touch.

"S-Simoun, you know that I am still ready for that. I am still not complete." I replied softly. 

He nodded. "I understand. But I know that I am the one who has the power to complete you, Yula. You will not just be complete. I will make sure to make you more than that. And I know that you will fall for me eventually," he told me with absolute certainty. 

I massaged my temple but smiled at him.

"Aren't you going now? It will probably rain," I told him, secretly telling him to leave. I do not know why but this conversation is draining me.

"Can I at least get a kiss?" He tilted his head as he waited for my response. 

"Uhm..." I massaged my temple once again.

"Please?" He even gave me a pleading look. 

He is always asking this but I do not know why until now, I can't get used to it.

I immediately tiptoed to kiss his cheek but he suddenly moved his head making our lips touched for a bit. My eyes widened. He immediately pulled away after that kiss. His smile was huge when he looked at me.

But I almost jump when I heard a loud horn. Simoun and I looked at where the horn came from.

I saw a motorcycle and the man riding on it.

"Move your car, bro. It is blocking my way," Rael said in a rough and imperative voice. His eyes were glaring at Simoun. When he looked at me, he immediately looked away as though it burned him.

Simoun seemed to be not affected by the tone of Rael because he was still smiling largely when he bid goodbye.

"I gotta go, love. I'll see you tomorrow," he uttered sweetly before he jogged towards his car. He horned before his car moved. 

When I looked at Rael, he was still glaring at the car before he glanced at me.

"Next time, if you are going to flirt with each other, do it in more appropriate place. Not in the middle of the street," his voice was hard and he did not even wait for my response as he started his motorcycle and left.

My lips parted, shocked by his rude words. My eyes followed him until he went inside their house. While I was left with annoyance.