Love in the Hacienda [Completed]

Chapter 10

"You look even prettier than the last time you were here, hija," bati ni Mercedes, ina ni Alejandro, sa kanya. The woman was in her late fifties but she still looked as glowing as ever. Nag-iisang anak nito si Alejandro at naging kasa-kasama na ng binata simula ng mabyuda ito ilang taon na ang nakalilipas.

"Salamat po, Tita," pasasalamat niya.

"Pasensya ka na at hindi ako nakadalo sa graduation party mo. I was out of the country a few weeks back. Hindi na tayo bumabata kaya sinasamantala ko na ang pag-iibang bansa kasama ng mga kaibigan ko."

"No problem, Tita. That's why you look even more glowing. You were fully rested!" puna niya.

"Come, sit. I had some special main courses prepared nang sabihin ni Alejandro na dito ka daw maghahapunan," makahulugang wika nito at hinila siya sa isang silya sa mahabang dining table nila. The dining room was big. It housed antique dining room furniture at nasa gitna noon ang isang mahabang narra table na kayang mag-upo ng labing-anim na katao.

Alejandro sat in the head chair samantalang ang Mama naman niya ay nasa kanan nito. Siya ang nakaupo sa kaliwa. 

"My mother might have overdone it," kumento ni Alejandro ng makita ang mga katulong na sunod-sunod na pumasok at naglagay sa hapag ng iba't ibang mga putahe.

"Oh, of course. Minsan lamang maparito si Clara. Syempre naman!"

"Wow, tita, you really didn't have to. Pero salamat po!" 

"Dig in," Alejandro ordered her at nilagyan siya ng serving ng lechon at kanin. Well, he knows her so well.

The dinner went well. Mercedes was very accommodating at ilang beses itong nagparamdam na bumisita siya ng mas madalas sa bahay. Wala kasi itong anak na babae at hindi pinalad na mabigyan ng pangalawang anak kaya gusto daw sana nitong maging malapit silang dalawa.

At nang magde-dessert na ay tumayo na si Mercedes at iniwan silang dalawa dahil may bisita itong dumating para sukatan siya ng gown for an event.

"Your mom is really sweet," she commented. "Makes me think why I don't visit here often enough."

"Well, you love the city," pagdadahilan ni Alejandro para sa kanya. "You're never here. Or kung magagawi ka man dito, siguro mga isa o dalawang araw lang at pabalik ka na ulit sa Maynila."

"What can I say? Today was an amazing day."

"So are you slowly changing your mind?"

Tyler calling.... Clara's phone was ringing. Nakapatong ang phone niya sa mesa sa tabi ng platong kinakainan niya kaya nakita kagad ito ni Alejandro. 

"What brings him here? Sinusundo ka na?" iritang tanong bigla ng binata sa kanya.

"I don't know. I was honestly shocked he's here." She cancelled Tyler's call.

"Well, sasama ka ba sa kanya pabalik ng Maynila?"

She looked at him and then back at her phone. "I promised to stay here for two weeks. And I stay within that promise." 

"Good, because I plan to take you to the beachside tomorrow," he said with finality.

*****

"Thanks for the lovely dinner by your Mom," pasalamat ni Clara habang naglalakad papasok ng patio ng bahay nila. 

Alejandro was walking close behind her. "Sure, she hopes to see you more often. Make sure to visit her before you leave. Palagi ka niyang natatanong sakin tuwing alam niya na nandito ka sa hacienda."

"Sure, I can make time." And they were now at the front door. "So what time are we going to the beach?"

"Better if we get there before sunrise. You want me to pick you up around five thirty in the morning?"

Nanlaki ang mata niya sa gulat. "That's too early but fine. I'll try my best."

"I can call you at five so you can prepare a bit. Bring a swimsuit. We'll swim," he said. 

"Okay," Clara agreed. She was about to open their double-doored front patio ng magbukas ito bigla and out  came a confused Tyler.

"Clara!" masayang bati ng binata pagkakita sa kanya. "God, your house is huge. I can't find the pool area. Your househelp said it was on the west wing."

"This is not the west wing," iritang wika ni Alejandro, obviously annoyed at the stranger for intruding in their conversation.

"What do you need the pool for?" takang tanong ni Clara.

"I just need to smoke for a bit. I was waiting for you," Tyler said.

"Oh," she exclaimed.

"But you're here now so it's fine. We can just-" But Tyler was quick cutoff by Alejandro.

"I'm sorry but she has to sleep early. We have something planned tomorrow early morning."

Tyler glanced at Alejandro, looking annoyed now as well. "May I just remind you that she's my girlfriend?"

"What?!" gulat na gulat na wika ni Clara. "Wait, wait-"

"She's not your girlfriend!" Alejandro declared.

The two men were now facing each other while sizing each other up. 

"T-Teka, sandali nga. Ano bang ginagawa mo dito, Tyler? Bakit bigla ka na lang sumulpot?" tanong ni Clara at pumagitna sa kanilang dalawa.

"Well, sweetheart... I just have no more place to stay. Pinuntahan kita sa condo mo pero wala ka na doon. So I just went here instead."

"Why? What happened to your condo?" tanong ni Clara.

"My parents cut me off, saying na graduate na daw ako and it's time for me to make a living. But what the heck - they weren't even planning to support me and my studio. How can I even live?" pagmamaktol ni Tyler na parang bata.

"And... you went here to see me because...?" gulong-gulong tanong ni Clara.

"I was hoping I could stay with you until I figure things out," hiyang-hiyang pag-amin nito.

Alejandro looked even more annoyed now. 

"To clarify things, I am not your girlfriend. Yes, we dated for a while but I just can't be in a relationship now.  I just don't have the time for that for now," Clara said firmly. "But you can stay here for as long as you want. I'll let my parents know. But please, stop claiming that you're my boyfriend, okay?"

"Yes, yes, I'll stop," he said with resignation, then looked at Alejandro annoyingly. "But that doesn't mean I'll stop pursuing you, sweetheart."

Clara just shook her head in resignation and looked at Alejandro. "Anyway, Alejandro, it's late. I think you should go." 

Alejandro looked at Clara briefly, and then back at Tyler. "Pursue her all you want but I'm her supposed fiance. So beat that."

Clara saw the shock at Tyler's face. 

"Is this for real?" gulat na gulat na tanong ni Tyler.

Clara was also dumbfounded with what Alejandro said.

******

A/N: Mga siz, kamusta na tayo? I'm baaaaack dahil long weekend. Here's an update. Sana magtuloy tuloy na mga updates ko hahaha prayer ko rin to sa sarili ko. <3 Comment below kung ano gusto nyo mangyari sa beach. HAHA