Chapter 7

"Is Dad home already?" I ask softly while we're walking inside.

"Wala pa ang Daddy mo, pero nag alala ako dahil sabi ni Tobias umuwi ka mag isa" sagot nito at bakas sa boses niya ang pag aalala with a hint of irritation.

I just don't know if she is irritated with me or to Kuya Tobias because he didn't fetch me on time and I end up going home alone.

"I don't want to go home late" I explain.

"Maiintindihan naman yun nang Daddy mo hija, sana nag antay ka na lang sa school. Lalaki pa talaga ang nag hatid sayo dito"

I bit my lower lip because of what she said. I know it's really inappropriate for her na lalaki ang nag hatid sa akin. My family is really overprotective to me kaya naman kahit sila Nana Rita ay ganon din. I understand, nag iisang babae ako sa pamilya ng mga Dela Huerta. And I am also the youngest.

"You know Daddy, Nana" I whisper softly as we stop in the doorway "He's not gonna accept any explanation once you break his rules. And besides, the guy I was with is really kind. Gia knows him too" I told her, although I was not sure if Gia knows that guy.

"Kaibigan niyo rin ni Gia?" She confirms.

I bit the inside of my mouth and conceal my nervousness with a gentle smile.

"He's acquainted with Gia," I replied na kinataas ng kilay nito.

"At paano mo naman nakilala yun?" She query.

She sounds as if she's interrogating me. She sounds suspicious and I honestly don't know what to do or what should I say to dodge this topic. I'm not used to lying because my father hates people who lie.

"Bakit andito ka pa sa labas?"

I flinch when I heard the familiar hardening tone of my father's voice. I instantly turn my head behind me and there I saw him standing while looking at me.

"D-Dad..." I said to acknowledge his presence.

He creased his forehead when his eyes trail into me. I heard Nana Rita greeted him but he didn't gave her a glance.

"You just arrived?" He strictly asks sound displease with what he saw to me.

I nervously nod my head and bit the inside of my lower lip.

It's always like this. There's always a thin line between me and him although he is my father. I just can't understand why do I feel like this. Although I crave for his attention, his affection, his love- still I can't help but to feel nervous every time he's around while giving me that intimidating stare.

"It's still 6:35 Dad..." I dare to say.

I don't want him to think that I'm disrespecting him and his rules.

"Where's Tobias? I didn't saw the car outside" he ask instead.

My heart skip a beat with his question and I nervously eyed Nana Rita.

What should I say?

"Nasa talyer po si Tobias ngayon Señor, nasira kasi ang SUV na puti kaya nga ako na lang ang sumundo kay Eline" Nana lied.

I gulp and tighten my grip on the hem of the blanket around my shoulder. She sound natural and she didn't even stuttered na para bang sanay na sanay siya mag sinungaling.

But thanks to Nana, she save me.

Mas lalo naman kumunot ang noo ni Dad. He even look back and check those cars that was park on the front yard before he turn his gaze at Nana Rita again.

"Ayokong maulit pa ito, alam mong hindi ko gustong pag usapan ng mga tao dito sa Tierra Veloz si Elizabeth" masungit na sabi ni Dad.

I mentally furrowed my brows. Bakit naman ako pag uusapan?

"Opo Señor, pasensya na" Nana Rita apologize that made me held her arm.

She didn't do anything wrong. Why would she apologize? I sometimes cannot understand what's happening around me.

"Pupumunta ka na sa kwarto mo Elizabeth" Dad authoritatively utter that I immediately oblige.

"Yes, father..." I replied politely before I head upstairs and didn't dare to look back.

MORNING

I roamed my eyes around while walking downstairs. I didn't saw anyone on the living room that's why I walk fast towards the kitchen hoping I would saw Nana Rita. Luckily, she was indeed there preparing for my breakfast.

"Good morning Señorita" a woman greeted me that made me look at her.

I blink my eyes when I didn't recognize her. Instead of asking her name, I just gave her a smile and nod my head before I walk towards Nana Rita.

"Bakit ka pa pumunta dito, dapat sa hapag ka na lang nag antay nang almusal mo" Nana Rita said without looking at me.

I purse my lips at hinawi ang ilang hibla ng buhok kong humaharang sa mukha while watching what she's doing.

"Where's Daddy po? Is he awake already?" I query.

Bigla namang natigilan si Nana Rita sa ginagawa niya kaya nag tataka akong napatingin dito. She face me and smile gently that made me smile to. She pinch my cheek lightly at bahagyang tinapik ang pisngi ko.

"Maagang umalis ang Daddy mo, ako na lang ang sasabay sayo mag agahan" she hesitantly said that made my smile disappear.

Disappointment reflected on my face and I can't help not to flaunt the sadness in my eyes. I shook my head and bit my lower lip.

"Have he eaten his breakfast?" I query.

"Kumain naman ang Daddy mo bago umalis, huwag ka na mag alala" she assure me.

I mentally sigh. Dapat siguro mas agahan ko pa gumising para makasabay ko siya kumain. I moisten my lips and force myself to smile at Nana Rita.

"Let's go na po? I remember, I need to go to school early to pass my report" I said instead.

"Pero kailangan mo kumain hija"

I glance at the chicken sandwich she made and I grab it.

"I'll take this. Let's go na po?"

She sigh at napipilitan siyang tumango. My smile widened when she finally take off her apron and fix her hair.

"Ikaw talagang bata ka" she hissed.

I giggle and clutch my arm around her arm and then I drag her out the kitchen. I greeted Kuya Tobias when I saw him already waiting for us on the front door.

I roamed my eyes around and my force smile was replace with a gape when I notice the beautiful sunrise.

Maaga pa naman talaga, gusto ko lang agad na umalis para hindi ko masyadong isipin na hindi man lang ako magawang antayin ni Daddy. We're already living on the same roof and yet, he's still unreachable. I don't know what's wrong with me and he seem so distance to me.

"Pumasok ka na sa kotse Eline, mahamog masyado" Nana Rita snap.

I shifted my gaze on her and nod my head. Kuya Tobias open the backseat door for me and I immediately step inside. I fasten my seatbelt instantly and check my things to make sure na wala akong naiwan.

Seconds later, I heard the driver seat and passenger seat door open at sabay na pumasok si Nana Rita at Kuya Tobias.

"Pasensya ka na kahapon Eline ha, babawi ako mamaya" Kuya Tobias said at nahihiyang ngumiti sa akin.

I smile back at him "You don't have to say sorry po. Hindi niyo naman po sinadya na masira ang car" I replied.

I heard Nana Rita laugh that made me look at her. I pouted my lips when I realize what's the reason of her laughter. For sure it's because of my tagalog words.

"Masasanay ka rin mag tagalog hija" Kuya Tobias chuckle before he start the car engine.

I bit my lower lip and smile shyly before I look out of the window when the car start moving. I mentally smile when I saw those people who's cleaning the front yard of the mansion. They were so busy every morning, at ganon din tuwing hapon. They were always alive and smiling although nakikita kong parang wala silang pahinga, because after they clean the front yard lilinisin naman nila ang ibang parte ng mansion.

I open the window beside me nang makalabas na kami ng mansion. The heat of the morning sunbeam hits my face together with the cold morning breeze. The mixture sensation of warmth and cold gives me an overwhelming feeling. Nilabas ko ang kamay ko tulad nang madalas kong gawin to feel the cool breeze while staring the wide field that belongs to my father's hacienda.

I am not sure how huge the Hacienda Dela Huerta. Pero sigurado akong sobrang laki nito, because even my eyes couldn't reach the end of my father's land. At hindi lang ito ang pag mamay ari niyang lupa.

"Hindi ka nilalamig?" I heard Nana Rita ask.

I briefly glance at her and shake my head. I'm trying to focus my gaze on the wide field, I suddenly wanted to roam the hacienda. For a month staying here in Tierra Veloz, all I did was to focus myself in studying. I didn't even take time to enjoy myself with the beauty of nature that Tierra Veloz offer.

"Nana is it true that Daddy has a barn here?" I curiously ask.

I remember, I heard Abuelo and Daddy talk about his barn. Dad even told Abuelo that he spend hundred thousands just to buy a different breeds of horses na gusto niyang paramihin. I was 12 years old back then, but maybe andyan parin naman yung barn.

I wanted to go and see it.

"Bakit? Gusto mong pumunta dun?"

My gaze automatically turn to her.

"Yes po, I heard he has a different breeds of horses. I miss horse back riding" masaya kong sabi.

She laugh "Sige, pupunta tayo dun sa Sabado" she agree.

My smile widened even more pero natigilan ako when we pass the T-junction road. I saw a man standing on the ginkgo biloba tree. He's holding a bouquet of flowers and a basket of fruit. I tilt my head when I saw him bend down and put the flowers on the tree together with the basket of fruits.

"Why did he offer a flower and fruits on the tree?" I mumble to myself.

"Isarado mo ang bintana Eline" Nana Rita suddenly utter in firm tone.

"But-"

"I said close it!"

I flinch and immediately did what she said. My eyes widen while looking at her back surprise with the sudden high pitch of her voice.

"Tandaan mo ito Eline. Bawal mong lapitan ang punong yun, dahil magagalit ang Daddy mo kapag nakita ka niya na lumapit doon" she warn me.

Unconsciously, I turn my head back and look at the tree again. Why? Anong meron sa puno na yan?