Breaking the Rocks (Provincia de Marina Series #1)

Kabanata 34

Kabanata 34

Breaking the Rocks

After a week in Manila, we went back to Marina and continued with our duties. Halos araw-araw ng wala si Exodus sa bahay dahil tumutulong siya sa Pueblo. He said it was important to show more appearance to the public for them to know him more. Hindi raw sapat na apo siya ng Gobernador para makuha ang boto nila kaya tumutulong siya roon.

Since he can't go to me immediately, nagpapadala siya ng pagkain mula Pueblo patungo sa site para makakain ako. He never fails to remind me to eat on time kaya kahit na ang dami kong ina-outline ay hindi ko naman pinapabayaan ang sarili.

A month passed by quickly. Maganda ang progress ng proyekto at umaayon naman sa plano. We had to add some materials because there were some limitations to some that were essential. Mayroon kasing ilang weeks pa ang aabutin bago mapalitan o madagdagan kaya may naiiba sa plano.

I had to meet with Wyatt Balsameda if ever he wanted to add something else on the hotel para naman maidagdag na habang hindi pa tapos.

"I like the hotel's simplicity. Siguro sa interior na lang din babawi to make the guests more comfortable," aniya habang sinisipat ang dala kong plano. He was inside the office of the site and he told me that he wanted to visit para makita niya rin ang progress.

We agreed on some changes. Minimal lang naman iyon and I took note of it. Sabay kaming lumabas ni Wyatt sa office at nilibot ang site.

"Ngayon ko lang nalaman na ikaw pala ang asawa ni Exodus," panimula niya habang naglalakad kami.

"Ah yes, we got married nine months ago. Civil wedding."

"Hmm, must be hard to belong in that family, huh? Tatakbo bilang Mayor si Exodus sa Pueblo, hindi ba? "

"Yes, he is. By the way, do you also have businesses in Manila?"

"Yes, we have. We also invest in some companies."

I figured. Investments are common these days, lalo na kung hindi mo naman hilig na lumabas-labas talaga at mag mando ng mga tao.

"How's Pueblo?" I asked Exodus over our dinner. Late na siyang naka-uwi ngayon at siya na lang ang hinihintay ko sa hapag. Pinauna ko ng kumain sina Manang Bella na madalas namang sumasabay sa amin kapag nandito sila.

"Doing good, Honey. How's work? I heard Wyatt's been on the site lately?"

"Yeah, he's checking on the site. May piandagdag siya sa plano kaya binabalik-balikan niya."

"Hmm, baka nililigawan ka no'n?" I rolled my eyes instantly. Ano ba namang paratang iyan.

"What? He's single at siguradong naghahanap na 'yon ng mapapangasawa."

"If he's a proper man, he won't hit on me, Exodus. At sigurado naman akong hindi siya pumapatol sa may asawa na. You're paranoid."

"I'm just teasing you, Honey. Wyatt's younger than you." He grinned at me before he pinched my cheek.

Normal na talaga sa kaniya na panggigilan ako.

I took a leave from work the next day. Ang sabi ni Exodus ay mayroong clean up drive sa iilang bahagi ng Pueblo kaya napagpasyahan kong sumama at tumulong. The Pueblo was not as big as Arroyo. Sa totoo lang ay pinakamalawak na ang sakop ng Arroyo dahil nga sa mga sakahan at mga lupaing hindi pwede for commercial use. Marami ring kabahayan doon.

I was wearing a blue polo shirt and tokong shorts for the clean up drive. Naka-itim ako na sapatos para ligtas sa dumi kasi kawawa naman kung puti ang susuotin ko.

The people of Pueblo were warm and welcoming. May iilang barangay kaming nilibot at ang iba ay medyo masikip ang daan. There wasn't much squatter's area as they were given possible housing na doon lang din naman sa kanilang dating area. Ang sabi sa akin ni Exodus ay hindi raw payag ang kaniyang Abuelo na gamitin for commercial use ang lugar ng mga tao kasi nga kanila naman iyon. They were trying not to put chaos on the place between the people and the government.