Destined, Destination

Chapter 14

LIBRA

I watched the field buzzing with activity, people tending to the flowers under the scorching sun. Some took breaks, sipping water to ease their tiredness, while others kept on caring for the blooms despite the heat. They're not the type to waste time; it's like they're wired to be productive every second, or maybe they have no other choice. They're just trying to get by, brushing off the sweat because that's how humans are wired - always fighting, always surviving!

Nakita ko si Maverick na tumutulong sa abot ng kanyang makakaya. Sinamahan niya ang mga matatanda sa pagbubuhat ng kanilang mga kariton na puno ng seedlings at iba pang kagamitan para sa pag-aalaga ng mga bulaklak. He tried to help cultivating earlier,  but he couldn't quite figure it out. After a few attempts, he gave up. Even though Tatang offered to teach him, he didn't want to mess up the plants. He felt bad about potentially wasting all the hard work people put into planting them.

"Instead of helping, I even wasted the flowers that should have been sold," he said quietly while looking at the damage plants.

Bigla akong tumingin sa ibang direksyon nang ititig niya ang tingin sa direksyon ko. Kunwari, tinitingnan ko lang ang mga seedling sa harap ko. Nang tingnan ko ulit siya, abala na siya sa pagtulong sa ibang grupo na mga lola.

I really like how he's considerate and how he took care of the people he just met today. I watched him closely while we were having fun and laughing with the elderly he helped earlier. He looked really happy, you could see it in his eyes, shining with genuine affection for the people around him.

"Ang bait naman nitong nobyo ng iyong inaanak Ben," biglang sabi ng isang lola na tinulungan ni Maverick kanina.

"Aba'y napakabait na bata, ang suwerte nang mapapangasawa ng batang ito," dagdag pa niya.

Nagulantang ako at na pa ubo nang marinig ko 'yon. Tinapik naman ako ni Nanang Josie sa likod, at sinubukan kong iwagayway ang aking mga kamay para ipakita na hindi totoo ang iniisip ni lola ngunit parang hindi niya ito naintindihan.

"We're not together po, lola," sabi ni Mavy nang mahinahon.

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang marinig ang lalaki, ngayon lang ako nagpasalamat sa gawain niyang pag sabat-sabat sa usapan. Ayaw ko kasi ng mga maling akala. I really don't like being linked to someone else, especially when it comes to their fame.

I don't want to be stain by the others popularity, I want to have my own ink that people will vividly see.

Nang mahimasmasan ako, agad akong tumingin kay lola at ngumiti ng mariin.

"Lola Narsing, hindi ko ho nobyo si Maverick, turista lang po siya sa aming agency," sabi ko nang magalang sa matanda.

"Bakit hindi?" dismayadong tanong niya.

Nakangiti si Tatang sa tabi, parang nanonood ng palabas kung paano ako nagpapaliwanag sa matanda.

Nakakainis, hindi man lang ako tinulungan!

"Dahil hindi po talaga kami lubusang magkakilala, lola. Taga ibang bansa po siya at dayuhan na aking inililibot sa ating bansa.  Kaya imposible pong maging nobyo ko siya," mahabang paliwanag ko.

"Sige, kung ganoon, future nobyo na lang 'yan," sabi ni lola nang mahinahon, may ngiti sa labi.

I looked at Mavy, hoping he'd help, but he just smiled back at me. He's just sitting there like he's not even part of the conversation. Why does it seem like I'm the only one bothered by this? Why does it seem like he's okay with being mistaken as my boyfriend? I gave him a what-are-you-doing look?

The last thing I need right now is to be rumored to be with him. We both have complicated lives— he's searching for his lost memories and past life, while I'm focused on healing and moved on with my past to go on with my life.