Along the way ( Province #1 )

Kabanata 13

Pagkatapos mananghalian, nagbalik na kami sa kanya kanyang pwesto at gawain namin kanina.

Para malibang ang sarili ko sa nakalipas na oras kinakanta ko ang Magtanim ay di biro, It seriously worked.

That song, kept me alive until it's already 5 in the afternoon. Nawala na ang init ng araw na tumatama sa balat namin kanina.

We were already walking towards the huge tracer, habang papalapit kami mas lalong lumalakas ang tunog na nanggagaling dito. The sounds was too loud that even my heart even sync to the same beat that was coming from the tracer.

I was all smiles and feel like a happy kid, because these things around me was a wonderful experience. It's fun more than spending my time at the bar.

"Ang saya mo,"

Napalingon ako kay Joshua na nakanguso at naka angat ang isang kilay habang sinusuri ang mukha ko.

Tumango ako. "Hmmm, sobra. You know Josh, I used to spend my time at the bar, hindi ko alam na nagsasayang pala ako ng oras sa loob noon ng masaya, not knowing that others spend their time struggling until noon."

"Hindi mo kasalanan kung sila naghihirap, tapos ikaw masaya," He pinched my cheeks.

"Even so, pakiramdam ko nagsayang ako ng oras sa isang walang kwentang bagay, It's not worth it, but this... It's worth it Josh,"

I close my eyes and Inhaled the fresh sunny air. Araw ng marso, abril ang pag ani ng palay, It's also the time of the month for someone like me for a beach, I used to do that, bago na ngayon.

"Nahuhulog ako, itigil mo 'yan,"

I heard Joshua baritone voice as he walked passed by me. Huh? Nahuhulog? I shrugged it off.

Tumakbo na lang ako at sinundan siya. Nang marating namin ang pinaglalagyan ng tracer, marami ng mga nakapalibot dito. Kinakausap ni Joshua ang isang lalaki na nag aasikaso rito at binigay ang isang sakong napuno namin ng palay.

The guy placed it at the back of the tracer and the rice grain will come out in the front of tracer without it's petiole. Wow! ganoon pala ang pag tanggal sa sanga ng palay, akala ko mano manong tinatanggal ito.

Nabaling ang atensyon ko kay Abel at sa pinsan ko ng dumating silang may dalang tatlong sako ng palay.

Abel's sweat dripping from his forehead, sliding down from his neck and hard midriffs. Napalunok ako at umiwas ng tingin, malamig na ang simoy ng hangin pero mas lalo akong nag iinit. Pinay payan ko ang sarili ko, habang nakatingin parin sa kanya.

I thought you're mad at him Gracia?! Stop looking at him! I didn't listen on what my mind was saying and my eyes was stuck with him.

I swallowed hard when he tooked off his white shirt. Is that abs? Shit! mainit, gusto ko ng tubig.

"Ayus ka lang?"

Napatalon ako sa gulat ng sumulpot sa harapan ko si Joshua. "A-hmm oo, m-mainit lang,"

Sabi ko habang pinapaypayan ang sarili ko. May inabot siya sa aking bote ng tubig at pera na halagang 500. Naguguluhan ko siyang nilingon.

He gave me his warm smile. "Bayad sa'tin kasi nanguha tayo ng palay,"

Binabayaran rin kami? Tinignan kong maigi ang limang daan na hawak ko na akala mo ngayon lang nakahawak ng ganitong pera.

No It's not my first time having this kind of money. But, it's my first time having a money freshly ripped from my own effort.

"Thank you Josh,"

Lumingon ako sa kanya at tinapik ang balikat niya. He face flushed and scratch his head shyly.