Emancipating The Love (On-going)

Chapter 27

Break

The clean swift of air raised Elli's hair as she leaped and ran from the back seat of the Raptor car and sprinted her way to the two people who were waiting for her.

"Ate Francescaaa!" Pure enthusiasm echoed as the tiny high-pitched voice of the little girl called the name.

She was welcomed by two arms, being lifted in the air as she giggled.

Elli couldn't help but talk a lot about their visit to the place when she was told about it. Her return was indeed the perfect time. She got to be with her parents back to Lea's hometown.

"Hi, Elli! Na-miss kita!" With the same cheerful energy, the lady excitedly cocooned the 6-year-old child. She couldn't help but squeeze Elli's blushing and chubby cheeks as the little Galvez had put on a little weight.

"I missed you, too! So much!" Elli said with her arms wide she was put down. She looked up on Francesca then to the old man behind her.

"Bless po, Tatay Sito. Kumusta po kayo?" She reached for his hand and placed it on her forehead, showing her politeness.

"Kaawaan ka nawa ng Diyos, apo. Ayos lang ako. Ikaw? Ang pag-aaral mo?" Tatay Siro then interrogated as his face stretched at the sight of the little Leayla Arwell, entertained with her bubbly personality.

"Doing better po! I pray po na by this quarter, top 1 naman po ako para mas proud sina nanay." Elli shared her visions, optimistic of what she wants to attain.

Not as if she's pressured, but deep inside, there's a push that makes her want to attain the highest place. Her mom's an influential woman who reached her dreams without anyone's help, she wants to be able to do as good as her or at least, do something memorable like what Lea has done.

"I am proud no matter what, anak." Lea butt in as they finally caught on her child's ninja moves.

Her endearment towards Elli stimulated the awe on Tatay Siro at Francesca's faces which has escalated into large grins when Lea greeted them with a sweet tone.

"Hi, tatay, Francesca. We're back!" She smiled then did the Filipino tradition of 'mano' to the elderly. She was then approached by Frances with a tight wrapping of arms.

"Buti nga, ate eh! Wala pa naman akong gagawin masyado kasi nga sem-break namin, ito bang si baby girl?" Francesca replied as she detached and marched towards Elliana, placing her hands over her shoulder while standing at her back.

"Their second quarter examinations just finished so it's their break, too. I heard you topped the school board. You really held onto your title, didn't you? I bet tatay's so-so proud! Aren't you po? Like how proud I am of this little one." Lea then ruffled Elli's hair which made the kid giggle and tuck her head a little downward.

While their conversation continued, Lea couldn't help but notice that her dearest other-half hasn't still shown his face.

"Kumusta naman po dito? How's the farm?" Lea's thick-english-accent was dominant as she spoke in her mother tongue.

"Ito nga at nananaba. Ayaw akong pagsakahin nitong apo ko simula nung na-mild stroke ako. Kesyo raw kailangan ko nang magpahinga. Eh para ngang mas lalo akong magkakasakit nito, hindi sanay katawan ko na walang ginagawa. 'Yung bukirin naman, ayun, sa awa ng Diyos, napakalago ng anihin." Lured in his voice were longing for his old-active life.

Even before he started a family, tatay Siro was already dependent on farming. His brown complex reflects his devotion and loyalty to his job that was given by the Galvez.

And now that he's told to do less heavy work, he feels as if he's somewhat a... burden. He's itching to once again drench in sweat under the scorching sun, that's what made him reach the old age of him, not resting and fearing illness.