Break Fresh Ground

22: MA CHÈRE ARCHITECTE

I wake up to the sound of gentle clucking, the sweet melody of chickens outside my window. The rustling of feathers and soft coos fill the air, easing me into the new day. I stretch my arms, savoring the tranquility of the countryside and the fresh air that permeates Artemis' bedroom.

Yes, I slept in her room. But her being a gentlewoman that she is, she slept on the floor. Noong una ay hindi pa sana ako papayag na matulog siya sa sahig pero nang makita kong makapal naman ang foam na hihigaan niya ay pumayag na ako.

Napalingon ako sa banda kung saan siya nakapawesto at natutulog ng mahimbing. She looks like the person who loves sleeping based on how tight she hugged her pillow.

As I silently step out of bed, my feet feel the coolness of the hardwood floor, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of my cozy blankets. I shuffle over to the window, pulling back the curtains to reveal the rising sun. The soft, golden light paints the sky, announcing the arrival of a new day. And in the yard below, a group of chicken peck at the ground, searching for their breakfast.

Tahimik at maingat kong inayos ang higaan bago lumabas ng kwarto. I saw Tita cooking breakfast in the kitchen. When she noticed me, she looked at me ang gave a sweet smile.

"Good morning, hija, Scarlett. Mayroong nakapatong na jacket diyan sa sala. Isuot mo at malamig ang panahon," she said na kaagad ko namang sinunod.

Kung malamig na sa main town proper ay mas malamig dito sa barrio nila Tita. Mas mataas kasi ang lugar na ito bukod sa malapit sa bundok. Hindi na nga kailangang buksan ang electric fan na nasa loob ng kwarto ni Artemis dahil sa lamig.

"Black coffee ba o lalagyan ko ng creamer ang kape mo, hija?" Tita asked when I sat on the dining.

"With creamer po, Tita," I answered politely. She placed the coffee in front of me when she finished. "Thank you po."

"Gutom ka na ba? Pwede ka ng kumain kung gusto mo. Maya-maya pa kasi gigising ang mga anak ko."

"It's fine, Tita. Ako po ang nakikitira kaya makikisabay po ako sa inyo."

Tita sighed softly. "Okay, anak. Magwawalis lang ako sa paligid at mamaya ay magpapakain pa ako ng mga alaga."

As I followed Tita's sweeping figure outside, my eyes widened at the expanse of their land. It was as if we were stepping into a different world, where the earth was rich with life and the air was alive with the sounds of nature.

Everywhere I looked, there were towering trees, a testament to the family's love for the environment. And as we continued to walk, I was introduced to their animal companions - large black pigs with snouts buried in the mud, ducks and geese honking and flapping their wings, chickens clucking contentedly, and cows and goats grazing in the distance.

"Sino pong tagabantay ng mga alaga niyo?" I asked nang magpakain si Tita ng mga apat na baboy nila.

"Si Amy, Tita nila Sienna sa ama. Siya din ang nag-aasikaso kila Sapphire kapag nasa kila Letitia ako."

"If you don't mind me asking po, where's your husband, Tita?"

"Nasa ibang bansa, hija, sa UAE. Driver siya ng mga sikat na tao doon. Hindi lang basta artista, kung hindi mga royalty." Mahihimigan ang pagka-proud sa boses ni Tita.

I nod in amazement. "Uuwi po ba siya ngayong pasko?"

"Hindi eh." Tita threw some foods for the pigs.

"Bakit naman po?"

"Marami pang gastusin. Dalawa na ang college namin, saka may sasalihan pang beauty pageant 'yang si Sapphire. Isa din siya sa mga majorette ng DLC ng school nila. May mga gastusin pa para sa palayan at taniman namin," nakangiti si Tita but I felt the heaviness in her tone.