moirai

farm

Maine was like a tourist in her own province. It had been almost 8 years since she last went home so there were a lot of changes that happened over time. Rj, too, had not been able to go home to Bacolod for some time so he was always in awe when Maine would tell him about her discoveries and adventures.

During her first weeks in Bacolod, she was toured to the different out of office sites that their company had connections with. She was quite busy everyday and so was Rj, who, though in Manila, was also battling it out with projects that were coming into their little company. It was stressful but it was a 'happy' and productive stress. Every evening, the couple enjoyed at least an hour or two of Facetime chat aside from their constant text messaging throughout the day. It was as if Maine hadn't left Manila at all.

"Hambal ni Tita, makadto kami sa farm sa weekend....I'll meet my other cousins and relatives kuno..." (My Tita says we're going to the farm on the weekend....)

"Oh wow! That's nice! Enjoy ka to for sure!"

That weekend, Maine woke up really early upon the invitation of her Tita that they would go to the family punong. Her family back in Manila always prepares for out of town trips at least 2 or 3 days in advanced but somehow, this one seemed like an even bigger fiesta! The whole house was abuzz as early at 5am (she went out her room at around 7am). During breakfast, the other helpers were busy and there a few other people who seemed to know who she was but whom she was unfamiliar with.

"Tita....mapa-farm man sila?"

"Yes! Actually, ang iban sa ila, taga-didto sa farm....nagpa-banwa lang to help diri...." (....most of them are from the farm, actually...they came to the city to help out...)

"Ahhh...."

"Nang Gette....why are they looking at us?" she asked her cousin who was also having breakfast at the dining table

"Te, kay kilala ka nila....they're all from the farm....Lola's farm....."

"Maayong aga da "Day....Maayong aga Inday Maine..." they would greet her as they passed.

She would smile and greet them, too.

At around 9am, Maine, Tita Jeannette, Manang Gette and some cousins and nephews and nieces all rode the van. Another van had even more relatives and a third vehicle had the helpers and farm people. The huge convoy travelled for about an hour to the farm.

Once there, Maine was surprised to see a wonderful set up of a hut with a long bamboo table covered with banana leaves. As soon as they arrived, the helpers and the farm people took care of all their belongings and food.

"They built this hut the other day..." Tito George, Tita Jeannette's husband, explained. "Waay na di....didto sa pihak kami normally ga-dayon pero kadako sang pamilya, diri nalang ginpatindog ini..." (this hut wasn't originally here....we normally stay in the other side but because the family is too big, we had to have this built here temporarily....)

Together with the cousins and kids, Maine was toured around most of the farm. She saw the school and church. When they passed by a group of people working the fields, Maine was greeted by the people,. "Maayong aga, Inday Maine!" Maine felt a bit awkward but at the same time happy. She was "popular" for reasons she couldn't figure out why.

When they got back to the hut, even more relatives had arrived. Maine graciously greeted each one and tried to recall all their names! There were just too many.

When the food was served, Maine was shy at first but gamely joined in when she saw her little cousins and nephews and nieces dig in their food with their hands.

"Ta, ma-swimming kanday Marco sa suba....let's go!" Manang Gette invited.

Maine had missed swimming in the river so she gamely joined and got into the water without hesitation when her cousins splashed her with water and invited her to join in the fun.

In the afternoon, they had merienda by the river – local kakanin which they bought from a vendor who happened to pass by. Tito George called for the guy who sold scramble so the kids could enjoy. Fresh buko was also prepared for those who wanted some.

By late afternoon, everyone was tired but happy and ready to head back to the city. Maine and her cousins headed for the house to change out of their wet clothes. She was surprised to see everything set up and ready to go as soon as she finished dressing up.

"Si Tintoy nalang ginahulat and we're going na..." one of the Tita's son's, Vincent, was still in the bathroom.

By around, 9pm, Maine called Rj on facetime...

"O, Pangga....ka-early haw? Is everything okay?"

"Yes!"

"Wow! Daw nag-enjoy ka sa farm ah...."

"Hu-o gid! Kasadya! I met a lot of my Tito's and Tita's and cousins....kadamo! Hahahaha! I don't think I can remember all their names, though...."

"You look red....nag-swimming ka?

"Yeah! We were at the suba in the afternoon....swimming dayon merienda....I remember I used to do that when Lola was alive...."

"Inggit naman ako...." Rj teased

"Kung magbisita ka, maybe we can ask Tita Jeannette if we can go to the farm again...."

"I'd like that....pero kelan kaya yon?"

They talked more about her day at the farm. She kept on yawning but insisted that she wasn't and kept on talking, much to Rj's amusement.

".....Haaay Pangga....i was sitting nga on a big rock kanina, looking out at the scenery....katahum! And I thought na tani, you could see it too....I'm sure you'd like it!"

She had been sitting in bed when she made the call. In time, she was lying down after propping her phone against the stand. She stretched and yawned some more.

"Pangga, sleep na....natuyo ka na o...." he said

"Not yet...." she insisted but her droopy eyes kept on closing....

"Sige na....close your eyes na...."

"I'm not sleepy pa....." she insisted once more but her eyes closed as she lay on her hands while lying on her side, facing her phone...

She fell asleep as he watched his pretty princess. He kissed his phone screen, "Good night, Pangga....makit-anay man kita...soon..." he said as he watched her sleep.