Lost In Paradise (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4


IT’S BEEN three days since I got suspended. Mas madalas akong pumunta sa cottage nila Monina Lila. I don't also know why but I just constantly found my way back to that fairytale cottage.

"Hindi gan'yan ang tamang pagdidilig ng mga halaman, Leighton! Pinapatay mo ang mga bulaklak ko." Ngumiwi ito at binawi mula sa aking pagkakahawak ang sprinkler.


"H'wag ka masyadong magtatagal sa pagdidilig ng isang halaman. Just like us, they need the right amount of water and sunlight. If you give them too much of it, they'll wither..." aniya at nagpatuloy sa pagdidilig ng mga bulaklak sa hardin.


I can see how fond she is on taking care of those flowers. Magandang namukadkad ang mga ito nang sabay-sabay. Kung gugustuhin niya nga lang ay pwede na niya itong ibenta. All those flowers planted in her garden are just beauteous.


"It looks like you really love them."


She lifted her gaze and smiled at me. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I bet her smile was more beautiful to look at more than those blooming flowers in her garden.


"Oo naman. Mahal na mahal ko ang mga bulaklak na ito. They're the one who makes me happy when I feel like I'm feeling lonely again."


"I thought you're with your Uncle Sam?"


Tumango ito at muling nagpatuloy sa kan'yang pagdidilig. I remained watching her every move while both of my hands were inside my pocket.


"Yes. Pero masyado kasing abala si Uncle sa farm kaya madalas ay hindi siya nakakauwi at doon na lang natutulog," aniya.

"Where is it located?"

"Dito lang din sa Amaranthine. Pero masyado kasing malawak ang Amaranthine kaya may kalayuan pa rin ang farm mula rito sa cottage."


Matapos niyang magdilig ay buong atensyon niya akong hinarap. Tumingin ako sa aking relong pambisig at nakitang alas syete pa lamang nang umaga.


"You told me you were suspended for seven consecutive days, right?"


Tumango ako sa kan'ya. Mas pabor pa nga sa akin ito. Yes, I told myself that maybe it's best for me to join such group and experience different events and activities and also, to get along with people well.


But they're just so nonsensical to talk with. They have these expressions plastered on their faces saying that, 'hey man, we'll win so you better back off.' Hindi ko lang talaga makita ang sarili kong magkakaroon ng magandang relasyon sa kanila. It seems like I can't vibe with them, end of the story.

"Yeah, why?"

Sinundan ko siya nang magsimula itong maglakad pabalik sa cottage.


"I'll tour you around Amaranthine. Gusto mo ba?" Ngumiti siya sa akin nang malawak. I got startled. I don't know what to exactly say.


"No," I replied. Nakita ko ang pagkawala ng kislap sa kan'yang mga mata kaya agad akong nagsalita muli.


"I mean, no. If you're asking me out for a date, I think it's just inappropriate for a woman like you to ask a guy out when in fact it should be the other way around, right?" I bit my lower lip.


Realization dawned on her angelic face. Agad siyang tumango pero kalaunan ay napapitik sa ere na tila ba may nakalimutang sabihin.


"By the way, Leighton, I'm not asking you out for a date," aniya at pumasok na sa loob ng cottage.

Naiwan akong bahagyang nakaawang ang labi sa labas. I thought she's asking me for a date?


"Damn, did I get it wrong?" Napahimas ako sa aking pang-ibabang labi at napapailing na naupo sa high stool chair sa terrace ng cottage na gawa sa isang magandang kalidad ng kahoy.


Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay lumabas muli si Monila Lila na may dalang tray ng pagkain. Inilapag niya ito sa lamesa at naupo sa aking harapan.

"Pagkatapos natin kumain ay dadalhin kita sa countryside."

I looked at her not knowing what to respond at the moment.


"H'wag kang mag-alala! Maganda roon dahil may malawak na lawa at malakas ang simoy ng hangin..." She smiled at me and started eating her own food.