Along the way ( Province #1 )

Kabanata 16

Pinalipas ko ang isang gabi bago muling tawagan ulit si Abel, pakiramdam ko kapag tinawagan ko si Abel nang oras na iyon, mas lalo lang lalala ang sitwasyon. Kailanman hindi matutupok ng apoy ang isa pang apoy, when you're both furious, and talk to each other. You're just adding another fuel to the fire.

It took a couple of rings before the line got answered. I swallowed the lump in my throat, I hope he's not mad this time, does he really is? Or my cousin Christian was just playing with me? Kahit na! Dapat tumawag na lang ako kahapon ng gabi! I was dismissed on my thoughts when I overhear a soft and a low voice.

"Who's this?"

A girls voice... Abel's with a girl?

"Hello, who's this?"

With my trembling hands I hurriedly turned off the call. I shouldn't bother to make a call, ano ka nga ba Gracia? Sino ka nga ba? I shouldn't let my self be deceived in my own thoughts. Of course! Hindi niya aabangan ang tawag mo, he's busy with other girls. Better suit yourself together. And pick yourself up!

After that call, I didn't attempt to call Abel again. Anticipating that the girl will answer the call, it's better not to call. I turned off my phone and focus on what we were doing for the past few days. Nilagay ko ang mga panggatong na kakabiyak lang kanina ni Christian galing sa likod.

We've been busy lately, thanks to that I almost forgot Abel. Medyo lumuwang na rin ang likod ng bahay dahil nagbawas sila ng puno at ginawa nilang panggatong ang mga ito. I couldn't believed that you will never run out of things in province.

Umagang-umaga pag sikat pa lang ng araw kasabay ng pag tilaok ng manok, you need to do things that had been assigned to you. The morning breeze will give you enough satisfaction in all the things that you do. Have a breakfast along with the coffee. The aroma of the coffee will make your mind awakened. The fried rice along with the simple dishes. I now understand why they called it a simple life.

"Good morning, hija."

I turned my head and saw Aling Flora with her coffee in her hand. I nodded and greet her a good morning too. Goodmorning world, good morning Gracia! You need do a lot of things today. Wake up! I told myself.

And as a usual day, after having a breakfast. I did my task to do. Fed the ducks and chickens, house chores. And because I have nothing else to do after some house chores. I decided to water the plants. Gawain ito ni Aling Flora, siguro ako na muna ang gagawa. Masyado akong ginaganahan at sinisipag ngayong araw na ito.

No, In my head actually, I'm trying to kept myself busy so there's no time I could think of him. That's the sad truth. And I badly need to deal with this. Hearing a girls voice answering his phone got me thinking of different things. At ayoko ng dumating sa puntong aabot sila doon. Ayoko ng mag-isip ng higit pa doon.

Sa kakaisip ko, hindi ko namamalayan na napapahigpit na pala ang kapit ko sa hose. He's like an Alpha male Gracia, what do you expect!? A man like him needs a sex! napaulunok ako ng malalim sa iniisip ko. What if their really doing it? No! binagsak ko ang hose sa lapag at pinatay na ang gripo. I need to do something. Naiisip ko pa rin siya at yung babaeng sumagot ng tawag. I need to divert my attention. And luckily.

"Gracia?"

I know that voice, I turned around and saw Joshua wearing a white shirt that hugged his body, a coiffed hair that perfectly fits his welcoming aura. And a perfect set of teeth that will make you feel welcome. It is... No doubt, it's definitely Joshua.

"Hey, Josh." kaway kong sabi.

Josh eyes landed on my foot. Tinignan ko rin kung bakit siya nakatingin rito. I looked at it and I saw that I'm still barefoot. Oo nga pala! Sinadya kong hindi magsuot ng tsinelas. I wanted to feel the little grass that feels tickling against my barefoot.

Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Josh. I smiled shyly. "Ahh--Naisipan ko lang mag paa, nakakakiliti kasi yung mga damo." pag kumbinsi ko.

Josh crossed his arms. "Ganun ba," he rolled his tounge inside his cheek suppressing a laugh.

Tumango ako ng nahihiya. Umalis ako sa harapan niya at pumunta kung saan ko huling iniwan ang tsinelas ko. When I finally have my slippers. I went back to Joshua, who's waiting for me.

"Ba't ka nga pala napa punta?"

"Gusto mo ba makita si Brown? Kung sakali lang na gusto mo," he offered.

The sudden excitement rushed in me. Makikita ko ulit yung baby na kambing. How great is that! mayroon na akong pagkaka abalahan. I nodded at him without hesitant and we're now off to go. When we arrived I saw the mother and baby goat. The mother goat was eating grass while the baby keep sucking her mother's peak for some milk.

"I could live like this," I suddenly blurted out of the blue.

I saw Josh tilted his head confused. "Gusto mo mabuhay ng?"

"Ganito. I could live like this Josh. Honestly, I can't imagined myself living here," I sighed and look at him. "Way back then, I was forced to come here. For some family reasons perhaps. You know Josh, I hate the Idea of province, everything about it. Ayokong iwanan ang nakasanayan ko na. Ayokong iwanan ang buhay na meron ako sa Manila."

In a most silent manner, Josh continue listening to me as I tell how I hate coming in here. We walked until we reached the big mango tree. Umupo kami doon at tinuloy ang kuwentuhan.

"Ayaw mo talaga dito?" he said.

"Noon. now, I found so many reasons to stay Josh,"

And I know. One of those reason's includes him. Abel, I hated to admit that I'm still confused between the two of us. But, I can't still ignored the fact that even we're like this. I know where I should put myself. Alam ko kung saan ilulugar ang sarili ko.

After some talked with Joshua, I went home by myself. May tumawag kay Josh at hinihingi ang tulong para daw mag buhat ng mga abono fertilizer. I'm happy that I spend my time with him for a while. For a while, I forgot about Abel.

Wala namang magbabago, tingin ko. Kapag lumipas ang araw na wala siya rito. Ganoon pa rin ang magiging trato niya sa akin. Kung sakaling babalik na siya rito, I must think a better reason when that time comes. I didn't call him for quite some time now. But wait! why do I need to explain? I'm not even his girlfriend for christ sake! wake up Gracia! Nahihibang ka na!

Siguro nahihibang na nga ako. Lumalampas na ako sa pagiging ganoon, hindi na dapat sumobra. Hanggang doon na lang dapat.

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