Love in the Hacienda [Completed]

Chapter 8

This was the first time in a long while na naghanda si Clara ng isusuot habang nasa hacienda. When she's there, all she ever thought about was leaving. Wala siyang ganang lumabas o makihalubilo sa mga tao doon.

But today was different. Today was all about her claiming back what was originally hers - Alejandro's attention. She doesn't like him but she wants his attention back to her dahil naiinis siya sa pinsan na si Winnie.

She wore a white button down shirt and a pair of jeans. Pagkatapos ay nagsuot siya ng riding boots dahil mangangabayo sila ngayon papuntang Hacienda Deogracias.

She excitedly hopped down the stables para puntahan ang kabayo niya ng makitang nandoon si Winnie. And what's worse, Alejandro was helping her climb up the back of a horse.

"Good morning," masayang bati ni Winnie ng makita siyang papalapit.

"H-Hi, it's so early. I didn't know you'd be here," ganting bati niya kay Winnie. "Hi, Alejandro."

Alejandro smiled at her pero nakaalalay pa rin kay Winnie. "She said she wanted to try horseback, too. I figured she could ride with us to Deogracias. That is if it's alright with you."

"I wanna come, please," singit ni Winnie.

"S-sure," she said, trying her best to give a genuine smile.

"Do you need help saddling up?" tanong ni Alejandro ng makitang papunta siya sa kabayo niya.

Clara just shrugged. "I'm used to this. Don't worry."

"What's with the bratty mood again? You were just so sweet last night," bulong nito bigla ng makalapit pa lalo sa kanya.

She saddled up her horse and ignored him.

"Clara," he called out to her again and followed her ng ilakad niya ng kaunti ang kabayo. 

"I just... I'm annoyed you had to bring her."

"What can I do? I was here early para sunduin ka. Nakita niya ako sa sala habang naghihintay sayo. I was honest when she asked kung bakit ako nandoon. At nang malaman niya na bibisita tayo sa Hacienda Deogracias, she wanted to come. Of course, I won't say no. What's wrong with bringing her anyway?"

Tinitigan niya ng masama ang binata. She didn't know why but she just didn't want Winnie around. Simula ng dumating ito sa bahay, ito na lamang palagi ang sentro ng atensyon.

"Clara," untag muli nito sa kanya.

But she ignored him at sumakay na sa kabayo. "I think we should go. Ayokong abutan ng tirik ng araw."

*****

"This is amazing," blurted Winnie out. Nakaupo sila ngayon sa isang picnic mat set up by Alejandro's workers. They were on a little hill overlooking the coffee plantation. Kitang-kita mula roon ang dami ng coffee beans na nasisikatan ng araw. They were planted according to coffee seed types.

Clara was immensely impressed. Hacienda Deogracias was indeed far bigger and better versus her family's. Kaya pala hangang-hanga ang ama niya sa pagpapalakad ni Alejandro sa mga lupain nito.

Now, she's starting to admire him as well. Hindi lang pala ito gwapo. May angking galing din pala sa negosyo. But of course, she didn't want to admit that to anyone even herself. Kaya ngayon, tahimik lamang siya habang nakaupo sa tabi ni Winnie. 

"Thanks," Alejandro answered, as he sat down the picnic mat beside her.

Winnie started grabbing fruits and some meat na inihanda ng mga tauhan. Nasa lilim sila ng isang puno at mahangin dahil nasa mataas na parte sila ng lupa.