Five O'clock Sky (Nueva Caceres#1)

CHAPTER 25

Chapter 25: Visitor

"Senyorita..." Larren acknowledged when he saw me approaching. He's inside a Ramada, the ranch's washing station for horses equiped only with cogon roof but no walls.

Hininto niya muna ang pagpapaligo sa kabayo nang lumapit ako sa kanya. I stopped a meter away from him and handed him the paper bag that I was carrying.

Kahit nagtataka ay kinuha niya iyon mula sa aking kamay at sinilip ang laman.

"That's ten different pastries." Sagot ko sa katanungang hindi niya naisatinig marahil dahil namamangha. "That's the sample of the pastries that I will put in my menu soon when I open my pastry shop. I want you to taste it and give me your honest feedback afterwards."

Larren bit his bottom lip. I could tell that he's doing that to stop himself from smiling too widely. "Ito ba ang paraan ng pagpapasalamat mo sa akin sa pagtulong ka sa iyo nong gabing iyon, Senyorita?"

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I was thankful to you for helping me, but not thankful enough to be thoughtful." I bend my upper body towards him in mockery. "Uunahan na kita dahil alam kong iniisip mong I'm doing this out of thoughtfulness." I hissed and rolled my eyes. Itinuwid ko pabalik ang katawan at sunod na itinaas ang kaliwang kamay na may hawak pa na isang paper bag.  "This one is for your family. I want to know their feedbacks too, so tell me what they think about it when they got to taste it."

Tila mas nagningning ang amusement sa kanyang mata. Dudugo na yata ang kanyang ibabang labi sa pagkakakagat. Pinipigil na ngumisi habang nakatitig sa inaabot ko.

Jesus, he looked kinikilig!

"Oh, please..." Dramatiko at sarkastiko kong usal. "Don't feel too special. I'm really giving free samples to a random worker. Kung hindi ikaw ang naabutan ko dito'y sa ibang stable boy ko ito naibigay. So stop giving me that stupid flattered look. Just accept it already dahil nangangalay na ako."

Maingat niyang kinuha ang paper bag mula sa'kin. Sa kabila ng aking sinabi, he still smiled genuinely. "Salamat, Senyorita, ha. Swerte ko naman at isa ako sa mga random worker na iyon." He was genuine, but a tiny playfulness was also in his tone.

Mataray na umikot ang aking mata.

Ang totoo, kahapon lang ako namigay ng mga free samples sa iilang katiwala ng hacienda. Then I remembered him telling me na sa tuwing sabado at linggo ng umaga lang siya nagta-trabaho sa rancho. So I baked the same set of pastries last night so I could give it to him this morning. I just feel indepted with this boy. I tried paying him cash that night pero hindi niya naman tinggap.

"Mukhang masarap to. Kung malinis lang ang kamay ko'y kanina pa ako dumukot." He chuckled.

I offered a hand on him. Nagtataka niyang tinitigan ang aking nakalahad na kamay. Then, he looked at me with a sheepish smile. "Magpi-prisenta kang subuan ako, Senyorita?"

I raised an eyebrow. "I'm referring to the paper bags. Akin na muna 'yan. I'll hold it until you're done bathing the horse, delusional jerk!"

His laughter echoed in the whole ranch.

I don't know if I would feel irritated or be amused by how much the boy has grown. I must admit that he grew up so charmingly. Both physical and character. Parang hindi ito ang batang Larren na inutusan ko noong kuhanin si Paris sa rancho. Tila ba hindi na siya naiintimida sa aking presensya hindi kagaya ng patpating binatilyong nakilala ko noon.

"Hey..." Kuha ko sa atensyon niya. Tinuloy niya ang pagpapaligo sa kabayo matapos kong hablutin sa kanya ang dalawang paper bags. "You're neighbors with S-Sandro, right?"

He glanced at me shortly. Nakita kong may laman ang pagtitig niyang iyon.

"Pareho kaming nasa baryo ng Peñafrancia, Senyorita. Subalit malayo ang amin sa kanila dahil nasa pinakadulo kami."