Dandelions in the Wind

11

"This is the mango farm; we produce a lot of fruits here in San Mateo. Big companies also get their supplies from here, buying them at a cheap price before exporting," saad ni Charlotte habang namamasyal sa malawak na taniman ng mga mangga, sakay ng kabayo. Thoroughbred horse ang sinasakyan niya, isang uri ng kabayo na madalas ginagamit sa karera dahil sa tikas at angking bilis. Barney ang pangalan ng kabayo, kahit may pagkabugnutin at malayo sa ugali ng sikat na Barney.

"Are there other fruits too?" tanong ni Dionne, nakasunod lang siya kay Charlotte habang nakasakay din sa kabayo. Kumikinang ang kayumangging balahibo ni Strawberry nang masinagan ng araw.

Lumingon si Charlotte sa dako niya. "Yes, we have a lot of other fruits, like bananas, pineapples, and watermelons. But those are just for personal consumption. Mas marami kaming mangga." Mabagal lang ang lakad ng dalawang kabayo sa gitna ng manggahan.

Mistulang malawak na soccer field na may hilera ng mga punong mangga ang taniman. Wala pang bunga ang mga puno dahil hindi pa napapanahon. Maginhawa ang simoy ng hangin at maliwanag ang sikat ng araw. Natatanaw ang maliliit na burol at kakahuyan sa paligid ng taniman. Kumaway si Charlotte sa ilang trabahante. Ang ilan sa kanila ay nakasakay sa golf cart habang binibisita ang ilang taniman. Nakangiting tumugon din ng kaway ang mga trabahante. "Some of them were my classmates in grade school," pahayag ni Charlotte.

"Do you hang out with them?"

"Yes. We've known each other since we were kids."

"Was being a lawyer your first choice? You know, as a career?" interesadong tanong ni Dionne.

Umiling si Charlotte. "Gusto ko maging veterinarian. Alam mo, some kids get to have a dog, a cat, or other pets. My first pet was a pony. His name is Mallows; he was so fluffy and cute." Napabuntong-hininga siya at sabay hinawi ang buhok. "But I'm not really up to it. I think I'm just too good at organizing things, and I want everything to run smoothly. What about you? Do you really like art?"

Nasabayan ni Strawberry ang paglalakad ni Barney. Lumingon ang itim na kabayo sa katabi at umirap ito. Tumugon lang ng halinghing si Strawberry na parang tumatawa.

"When I was young, I never really had an interest in painting or arts. One time, my dad brought me to a museum, and I saw one of Monet's paintings. That's where I fell in love with art. Although I don't do the artist stuff, I like to know more about the art world," sagot ni Dionne at bahagyang hinatak palayo ang renda nang makitang masyadong lumalapit si Strawberry kay Barney. "What's up with these two? Are they having a silent argument or something?" naaliw na wika ni Dionne at hinatak ulit palayo ang renda. Nagkaroon rin ng agwat sa pagitan ng dalawang kabayo nang lumayo si Strawberry.

Tumawa si Charlotte. "Barney has a temper. She's a bit hot-headed. There are times when she's in a good mood."

Marahang hinaplos ni Dionne ang ulo ng kabayo. "For a famous, lovable dinosaur named Barney, she's the opposite. Why did you name her Barney?"

"One of the kids from the orphanage used to call her that name. Lumalapit siya kapag tinatawag na Barney. She will ignore you if you call her any other name," naaliw na sagot ni Charlotte.

"And Strawberry?" tanong ni Dionne.

Tumawa si Charlotte at lumalim ang dimples niya sa naalala. "He ate all the strawberries in the garden."

"Was art always your first choice? I mean, did it never change your mind?" interesadong tanong ni Charlotte.

Umiling si Dionne. "My aunt, grandparents, and other relatives never expected that I'd take arts seriously. They thought I'd tag along with my cousin, tour the country, and live a carefree life." Tumawa rin siya at hinawi ang buhok sa pag-ihip ng hangin. "I have this cousin who is like a rebel; he had this band and sometimes he would let me jam. Kaya siguro naiisip nila that I wouldn't take my studies seriously. Those were the days when I was young and stupid, not thinking about the future, and having responsibilities never crossed my mind. My list of priorities, mostly hanging out. But there's always a time when we outgrow and eventually change our minds."