Fourth of October (Juntarsiego Series #1)

Chapter 18

The feeling of coming back to where you started is just so happy and content with the thing you are used of. The place that taught me how to be the real me, the one that gave me so much natural riches that no other people can appreciate.

Para akong nagtagal sa Manila sa kalagayan ko. I missed the fresh air, the serenity not just at night and seeing only those resources where my parents used to get for a peaceful leaving. It feels about a year for me when I finally came back after such a long time of disappearing here.

Gustong-gusto kong kausapin si ma'am De Jesus nang makababa na kami kaso mukhang tulog na sila. Patay na lahat ng ilaw at iyong sasakyan ni Jaeden ay sa labas lang ng kanilang bahay pinark. We, then after went to the rice fields and his phone serves as our light.

"I didn't inform Ms. De Jesus to surprise them. And I am sure you don't want to bother them at this time," saad nito nang sandaling tumapak na kaming dalawa sa pilapil. Nasa likuran ko siya. He's carrying my bag which I am uncomfortable.

Ang rason niya, pagod daw ako kung kaya't siya na ang magbibitbit kahit hindi naman talaga ako nakaramdam ng pagod. He's being gentleman. Hinayaan ko na lang siya.

"Okay lang. May bukas pa naman. Time can wait. Makakapaghintay din naman ako," tugon ko habang naglalakad. A not so strong wind blew and I inhaled it, letting myself savour the moment at this time.

It was so cold that it entered my insides, almost giving me a shiver. Dumako ang paningin ko sa malayuan. Orange lights welcomed me, probably from the candles and the only light that people only use every night. Sa amin iyong may pinakamaliwanag. My parents look like they are excited to see me.

I miss them too.

We only want the best for us. Hindi man ako nangako sa kanila na iaahon ko sila sa hirap, nakatatak naman sa isip ko ang mga pangarap ko para sa kanila. I will do everything for us, for the future that awaits because I want them to know that escaping something from the past and choosing a simple life to live will give them benefits that they deserve.

"You won't pick daisies? I thought you miss picking flowers here?" Huminto ako sa paglalakad. Hindi ko namalayang nalagpasan ko na iyong hardin. My eyes were busy looking at the houses.

Nilingon ko ito ngunit imbes na kumuha ako ng bulaklak, siya na iyong namimitas. He's crouching and his silhouette can be seen on the wide garden of the place, like giving them the darkness they deserve. Iyong shoulder bag kong ginagamit palagi ay nasa balikat niya. Nilapag niya iyong isa sa kanyang gilid upang maayos na makapamitas.

The daisies are in a full bloom and I can see how much flowers he's been getting from here. Iyong sarili ko ay hindi mapigilang humanga sa tindig niyang kahit nakayuko ng kaunti at pilit inaabot ng kamay ang isang piraso ng bulaklak ay ang lakas ng dating. He's still in a posture and I wanted to thank God for giving Jaeden a chance to live in this world.

Umihip ulit ang hangin sa gitna ng gabi. Nakapanood lang ako sa kanya buong minuto nang hindi man lang nakapitas kahit ilan.

He stands up after getting much number of the daisies. Ginawa niyang parang maliit na palumpon ang mga iyon. He improvised a small rope to tie them all and gave it to me by not wearing any expression but I am feeling his sincerity.

Malugod kong tinanggap iyon saka nagpasalamat sa kanya. I suddenly wished that even for once, he should give me his real smile.

"That became my habit while you're not here. You know sometimes, these daisies remind me of you. Every time I see them, I can only picture you inside my mind, smiling sweetly while picking all of these," he said softly.

How strange to receive these daisies on here, on where every time I am going home, I was the one who's picking. Now, this drop-dead gorgeous man is now taking my position. Jaeden Luis is now giving butterflies to my stomach.