ALASTAIR ARMENDAREZ

Chapter 12

       I CAN'T help myself but to feel happy as I pick some strawberries and put it on the basket. I'm enjoying picking ripe strawberries and eat it later. This is my first time also.

How I wish, my mother is with me. Matutuwa 'yon sigurado.

I let out a deep sighed. Nagpatuloy lamang ako sa pangunguha.

"Ara.." I lift my head as I heard a man's voice.

Nagulat pa ako ng bumungad sa harapan ko ang Señorito Hugo. 

"Señorito." Sandali akong tumigil at hinarap ito.

Kadarating lang ba nito? O sadyang hindi ko lang alam na dumating ito kasabay ang kapatid niya.

"...are you having relationship with him?" he ask me seriously as he look at me.

Awtomatiko akong nagulat sa kanya at nawalan ng sasabihin.

"Po?" napalunok pa ako lalo na ng maramdaman kong pumintig ng mabilis ang puso ko.

"I'm referring to my brother. Do you have any relationship with him? I saw you last night...." nakagat ko ang aking labi at natuod mula sa kinatatayuan ko.

Jusko! Paano? Saan?

".. that's why you don't want to work with me as my secretary kasi mas gusto mo ang kapatid ko?" he added.

Napaiwas kaagad ako ng tingin.

"No sir, it's not what you think." maagap na sagot ko.

"Really? I saw you last night, my brother was kissing you." pakiramdam ko ay nanlalambot ang magkabilang tuhod ko.

Nanginig ang mga labi ko sa sobrang kaba at hiya sa ngayon.

"Tell me, Ara! Do you like my brother instead of me?"

"Señorito..." I heard him laugh sarcastically.

"I get it!" he said. "I might be a playboy, but let me remind you one thing." he put his both hands on his pocket. "Take care of yourself! You don't know him."

Napatingala ako sa sinabi niya at agad naman sumalubong ang seryosong mukha nito.

"..why?" I stutter at him.

"You'll found out very soon, Ara. I'm just giving you a friendly reminder." he then turn his back.

"Señorito...sandali.." I bit my lip as he suddenly look at me.

"Why ara? Are you scared?" he ask. "..my brother is kind–but still, protect yourself from pain." he smiled at me and finally walk away.

Naiwan lamang akong nakatanga at nakatayo doon. Napaisip naman ako sa kanyang sinabi.

Anong ibig sabihin niya? Alin ba ang tinutukoy niya? Why do I need to protect myself from his brother? He's kind towards me naman.

Napailing ako at pinagpatuloy ang pangunguha ng strawberry. Pagkatapos ay nagpunta na ako sa pwesto ni Manang to help her.

"Manang I harvest a lot of strawberries." I giggle as I put the basket on the table.

Manang smiled at me. "Tuwang tuwa ka Ara!"

"Opo Manang. Ngayon lang ako nakaranas ng ganito."

"Ikaw talaga! Halika na, bumalik na tayo." aniya nito.

Iwinaglit ko na lamang sa aking isipan ang bagay na yon at nagpokus sa trabaho. Tinulungan ko si Manang sa ginagawa ko nito.

Bumalik kami sa tinutuluyan naming rest house upang magpahinga. Wala ang senyor at señorito ngayon, kaming dalawa lang ni Manang ang natira.