War Upon the Sunrise | HS Side Story

Chapter Six

I was sitting on the bamboo chair inside the open wooden house with the wind playing upon my curly waist-lengthed hair. I watched how the green trees dance and its leaves wave. I watched how the tiny birds landed upon the branches and sang together with the breeze of the wind.

The rays of the sun peeked on the tiny spaces upon the branches of the trees. The clouds that are as white as a cotton, kept on running forward like a clock—unstoppable. The blue skies reflected upon the waters of the rice field where Lucas and the other men are planting rice.

I was the only one who was left behind resting under the grass-made roof of the open hut. Even the women are planting rice as well that amazed me so much.

I love the fact that women can do what men can do. I love how this type of work equates gender.

“Lucy, hija, hindi ka pa ba nabuburyo diyan?” The man on his 30's which I heard Lucas called Ton asked me.

I smiled timidly at him and shook my head. “No po. I'm maayos lang po here.”

He let out a small chuckle. “Oh siya. Kung nauuhaw ka, may tubig na nakahanda diyan. Huwag kang mahihiyang uminom.” He pointed at the wooden table in the middle of the open hut.

I nodded and smiled back at him. “Okay po.”

“Siya, sige,” he said then walked back towards the field.

It took them almost six hours of planting. I saw how hard working they are, especially the fact that I never heard them complain even though they have been bowing the whole time. And what amazed me is that, they are laughing together amidst how hard the job is.

Watching them, I suddenly realized how tiring their work is. If I was in their position, I will probably not survive all the bowing and planting. I will probably give up easily.

So, salute to these amazing people who made sure to plant rice right to feed the hungry stomach of the community.

It was during lunch when Lucas and the others went out of the rice field. He went straight to where I am and I can smell the mud on his body.

And oh! He is not wearing a shorts. He is only wearing briefs.

“Are you done?” I asked him when he arrived.

He immediately took out his tumbler from his bag, drank from it, then answered through nodding.

“So, we're going home already?” I asked as I looked at him.

His breathing is fast as he placed back the tumbler inside his bag. “Oo.”

“Should I cook for you then when we get home? The network in your place is good so I can search some recipes to cook for you,” I said and smiled sweetly at him.

He glanced at me with those lingering eyes. “Iuuwi na kita. Ihahatid kita sa terminal.”

My smile immediately faded. I immediately stood up from my seat and put my hands on my waist. “What do you mean by that? Did I ever allow you to bring me to the damn terminal?” My voice louden.

Good thing is we are not that near from the other workers who I think chose to stay under the trees to give us privacy.

His brows crossed and looked back at me. “Hinaan mo ang boses mo, Lucy. Baka anong isipin ng mga kasama natin rito,” he whispered.

I glanced at the others but they were just busy talking and laughing to each other. “They can't hear us. They're far from here. And don't change the topic! Since when did I ever allow you to send me to the terminal? Did I ever gave you permission to do so?” I asked with confidence, hands still on my waist.