Along the way ( Province #1 )

Kabanata 19

For the past months, I have conquered being in here. The thoughts of living this place, has come to an ends. Though, the first time I went here, seems I can't figured out why I hate so much being in here. Presently, I do not want to liberate this place.

"Hindi ka ba lalabas Gracia?" 'nang Flora asked while cleaning.

"Hindi po muna siguro," still thinking about the poor baby duck.

"Ay, ganoon ba? Sayang naman," panghihinayang niyang saad.

I got curious that's why I went to her and leaved my comfortable sitting at the sofa. Bakit naman sayang? Wala naman kaming pagkakaabalahan na ngayong araw. Lagi lang naman kaming naglilinis at wala ng bago.

'Nang Flora looked at me and smile. "Hindi mo pa tinitignan ang likod. Kanina ka pa lang pasulyap-sulyap,"

My forehead ceased out of confusion. "Ah, kasi po may naaalala lang ako."

"Ganun ba, sige. Kapag naisipan mo na, subukan mo lang sumulyap kahit sandali. Hindi ka magsisisi hija," assuring me.

I can't dismissed the thoughts the words that 'Nang Flora said to me. What's with the backyard? Kung hindi puno ang makikita ko doon, manok at bibe lang naman. I sighed and decided to come out and went to backyard. Mula kanina, nasa harapan lang ako ng bahay at pasulyap-sulyap lang dito.

I still can't forget the poor duck. And that Abel! Hinayaan lang niyang kainin ng pusa yung bibe!? Kung normal ng nangyayari iyon dito. Then, they've been letting that cat to eat the freshly born ducks? How ungrateful!

Tinago ko ang katawan ko sa malaking nara na pintuan. Should I come out? Kung hindi na lang ako lalabas, maybe I should try to take a little peek instead. Siguro nga ganoon na lang. I slightly opened the Nara door and peek my head from the backyard.

I caughted my breath from what I saw. Ang dating nakikita kong lugar ng mga bibe at manok, ay ngayon mayroon ng mga matitibay na bakod. Each fence enclosed with a screen net. It looks sturdy though. Tuluyan ko ng binuksan ng malawak ang pintuan at lumabas na mula sa likod-bahay. Wow! I went on the door enclosed with the fence and saw some of the chickens fighting over the food. And some ducks drinking from the culvert.

Naalala ko bigla ang mga bibe na bagong silang kahapon. My eyes landed at the broken iron, I saw the mother ducks together with her baby ducks. Cuties! Sinundan ko lang ito ng tingin hanggang sa makaabot sila sa imburnal at doon uminon ng tubig.

I turned my head and looked at the fence enclosed with a screen net. Kung ganoon, hindi na makakapasok ang pusa dito at makakain ang mga bibe. Great! Sino naman kaya ang gagawa nito?

"Hey! brat couz!" my cousin Christian called with his annoying smile.

Sumimangot ang mukha ko pagka-kita ko sa mukha nito. Panira ng araw! I turned around, hindi siya pinansin. But he suddenly blocked my way. Mas lalong lumalim ang gitla sa noo ko ng mas makita ko ang nakakainis nitong mga ngiti.

I crossed my arms and raised my brows. "What do you want?" impatiently asked.

He looked around and his lips curved upwards. "Did you like it?"

If he's talking about the fence, I like it a lot. Malaking pabor ito para sa mga bibe. At hindi na makakain ang mga bagong pisa na mga itlog ng bibe.

I nodded. "Why?"

He burst out laughing because of my question. " 'Yun lang sasabihin mo?" he touched his chest, looking hurt. "Pinagpuyatan niy-- ko 'yan!"

Pinagpuyatan niyang gawin ang buong ito? Seriously!? Hindi ko alam kung dapat ba akong maniwala sa pinsan kong ito, kasi sa mukha lang niya. Hindi na katiwala-tiwala.

"Asked 'Nang Flora then," paghamon niya.

I hurriedly find 'Nang flora and saw her at the garden. Winawalis ang mga tuyong dahon. Nang makita niya ang presensya ko, tumigil ito sandali.

"Bakit hija? Nakita mo na ba ang likod?" with her warmest smile.

"Opo, ahmm- my stupi-- Tiantian said, he's the one who made the fence."

Bumaling ang tingin ni 'Nang Flora sa likod. Sinasabi ko na nga ba hindi siya ang gumawa noon! Napaka sinungaling!

"Siya ang gumawa no'n hija, pinagpuyatan niya 'yan kagabi!"

My lips turned up and down, not decided on what will I gonna say. I sighed. At least kahit siya o hindi ang gumawa. Hindi na makakain ang mga bibe, that's what I'm aiming for anyway. The ducks are now safe.

Dapit-hapon ng mapagdesisyunan kong pumunta at tumambay sa duyan. I need a break. These past few days, masyado nang nakakapagod. Sunod-sunod ang mga pinag gagawa dito sa loob ng bahay. Kung hindi naman dito, sa palayan maraming ginagawa.

"Gracia."

Lumingon ako at nakita ko si Joshua, he half-run with white towel hanging on his broad shoulder. The sweat on his forehead and neck was visible. At least he's not topless. I can talk properly at him. The last time, It's a little bit awkward talking to him with his toned chest cladding me.

Umayos ako sa pagkakaupo sa duyan at hininto ito mula sa pag-ugoy. "Oh, Josh, ikaw pala. Bakit?"

"Napadaan lang, sakto nakita kita. Yayain sana kitang sumama sa Minalin, fiesta."

Fiesta? I've been hearing that word eversince, but I never experience it once. Kung sasama ako sa kanya. Then I will know what it feels like.

"Sure, kailan ba 'yan?" I eagerly said.

"Sa susunod na linggo." he answered.

The thought of hearing fiesta, made me think a lot of things. I'm excited. I hope there's a lot of different food in there. Naririnig ko lang ito dati. Ngayon mapupuntahan ko na!

KEYMEMOIRS

PLEASE DO VOTE AND COMMENT
Thank you and godbless!