Ashes in the Dusk [CBS#4]

Chapter 34

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Magaan ang pakiramdam ko na wala na sakin ang singsing na nagdadala ng mga pangako ni Rahma sa akin noon. For years, I meticulously cared for it as if it was the only wealth left in me. Since it became clear to me that we could no longer bring back the old us, I don't regret returning it to him. Ano man ang paraan ng pagsasauli ko nito, ayos na sa akin. Siguro'y ibinigay na iyon ni Dana sa kanya dahil dalawang araw na naman simula n'ong ibinigay ko iyon sa kaibigan. I trust that Dana gave it to him for me.

Hindi na ako bumalik pa sa sakahan ng mga Sellozzo. I'll just thank them in person for accommodating me warmly. Kung sa kanila lang, talagang tumagal ako roon at tinapos ko ang ilang buwan na internship. It's just that, there's Rahma, and I never imagined that it's going to be that hard. I should've thought my decision over and over, nakakahiya tuloy kay Kuya Eadselle dahil sa biglaan kong pag-atras.

I decided to meet Brunetto Alighiere to consult him what to do in my farmland. Gusto ko na kasi talagang simulan ang farming. Duncan helped me set an appointment with Brunetto and luckily, he's free today. Pagkatapos naming i-check ni Dana ang sales at stocks sa café at sa aming printing and photocopying shop, I told her that I'll meet with Brunetto Alighiere. She encouraged me further to go to him. I couldn't be happier because I knew that Dana and Duncan had always been supportive to me.

"Which area of farming do you want to focus on, Ms. Zalameda?" pormal na tanong sa akin ni Brunetto.

He suggested we meet at the Lucero's Roadhouse. Unang beses kong nakapasok sa resto na ito at hindi ko akalaing may magandang kainan palang ganito rito sa downtown. It's just made up of dark woods and the environment was just glittered with fairy lights. It's breathtaking. The owner is so genius for maintaining the identity of El Camarico, ang daming designs na pang-cowboy. Tapos ang sasarap naman talaga ng mga putahe nila. Anyone would certainly get full if they grab their meals here.

I sipped on my juice. He looks intimidating, just like Kuya Montressor. Sellozzo and Alighiere both have a Texan beauty. Kaya naman talaga pag-aagawan sila ng mga babae. I could just imagine their young days. Ngayon ngang may mga asawa na sila ay mayroon pa ring mga nagkakagusto sa kanila, paano pa kaya nung mga binata pa sila?

"Uhm, gusto ko sanang sa poultry, fruits, and veggies. My friend and I own a café, we make smoothies so fruits are our highly demanded supply. Doon kami kumukuha sa mga Sellozzo, kaya para sana medyo makatipid kami, and for the sake of business na rin, na sa akin na lang kami kumuha ng supply. I know that it could perhaps take long months first before such tree yields its fruits, pero mas mabuti nang masimulan habang lumalakad ang panahon."

The corner of his lips lifted darkly. Wala naman siyang ginagawa pero talagang nakaka-intimidate ang Alighiere na 'to. Mabuti't hindi nag-aalangan sa kanya ang asawa niya?

"I get your point. Do you have a basic knowledge of farming?"

"Yes po, around 2-3 months din akong naging intern sa mga Sellozzo, hindi ko na nga lang natapos. I'm just planning to hire a farm manager so it wouldn't be hard for me. Hindi rin naman kasi ako makakapag-hands-on dahil sa aming café."

He nodded and glanced at his cellphone while pursing his lips.

"So you just want to ask me what outbuildings you need to put up, the number of chicks you need to purchase, and the best feeds for them, the farm equipment also that you should purchase, and how many laborers you need to have as you start your farming business."