Longingly Into You (Province Series 1) [Project 2000]

Chapter 9

Horse

I stayed seated silently in my chair as I watched Howl finish his things. He moves swiftly and with precision, to my great amazement. His arm muscles would flex and protrude in his every movement, making him so manly while working. I've never seen someone before who can be so manly with only white shirt and shorts while working.

And the fact that he's just a poor guy, parang mas manly ang gano'n.

Maingay na naliligo at nagbibiruan ang iba, nakabikini na lamang ang mga babae at naka-shorts ang mga lalaki. Walang tapon lahat dahil puro magaganda at gwapo, maganda ang katawan na pang model. Masyado nga lang wild kaya lumayo ako baka mabasa ng tubig.

Howl finished his work and arranged the table again, I'm like a scared kitten when I ran away from the lake to avoid the splashing of waters. Nang napatingin ako sa kaniya nahuli ko siyang bahagyang nakangisi dahil sa pagtakbo ko.

My heart pounded at his teasing grin but then it vanished like a smoke when he seemed to realize that I'm watching him. His eyes squinted and he wiped his hands with a clean cloth.

"We can talk under the mango tree, Miss Sandra. Medyo maingay sila, baka hindi kita marinig ng maayos."

I looked at the nearest mango tree, may pang-isahang duyan do'n na gawa sa kahoy. I nodded and went there first, he dragged a chair with him and a plate of sliced fruits. I should've took a plate of foods, too.

"Sandra na lang, don't be so formal," I said as soon as we reached the swing.

He nodded and placed the chair beside my swing, he then put the plate above it. My forehead creased because I thought he will sit there. Hindi pala, nakanguso ko siyang tiningala at nahuli ko ulit siyang nakangisi. Or was it just my imagination again? For in split second, he was serious again.

"Hindi ka mauupo?"

"Uupo."

Lalong kumunot ang noo ko dahil wala namang ibang upuan, unless kukuha siya ulit.

Napapaos siyang tumawa at tumingala sa itaas, umawang ang labi niya at gumalaw ang kaniyang lalamunan. From where I'm sitting, I can clearly see his defined jawline, his pointed nose and carefully curved lips. I was mesmerized for a moment until he looked down at me.

My throat ran dry and I bit my lower lip to hide my smile and will not embarrass myself. Can't tell how much I'm enjoying this but I do, never thought we could be this close to each other and we're actually talking smoothly and peacefully. Unlike the other encounters, this one is really new to me.

"Saan ka uupo? Sa lupa?" I asked in low voice, trying to imitate him.

Pero nagtaas siya ng kilay at tinignan akong mabuti.

"Pwede kitang kandungin, Sandra. Maliit ka naman, e."

"Huh?"

Medyo nagulat ako pero humalakhak siya at umiling na.

"I'll go get another chair, I was just kidding."

"Okay..."

Nang tumalikod siya saka lang ako nakahinga ng maluwag, parang hinika ako kanina. Saka ko lang din naintindihan ang biro niya. My face heated up when I realized what he meant.

Kakandungin niya ako dahil maliit lang naman ako. I can't! Was he joking then? Hindi ko alam na marunong siyang magbiro.

Tahimik ulit ako at nakanguso lang nang makabalik siya, hila-hila niya ang mono bloc chair at nilagay 'yon sa harapan ko. Saka siya paharap na naupo. His thighs wide apart, his arms above the backrest of the chair and his huge figure was even more defined.