KABANATA 8 — Roses
Reyna Rosetta Firma. That was the name carved in an arch wood above the huge and tall gate of the rose farm.
"Inyo ito, Veign?" Lavina asked, amazed by what she was seeing.
Our van entered the gate when it opened for us. There was a short pathway before the parking area of the farm. It was suggested that the entrance to the farm must be far from the actual rose farm to protect the roses from pollution. There was also an assigned area for cars and delivery trucks where they could park.
"It was mom's, Lavina. Itinayo niya ang rose farm noong ipinanganak ako," kwento ko sa kaniya habang namumungay ang mga mata dahil sa alaala ng aking ina.
Both Lavina and Minerva were excited to visit the rose farm. Minerva had been here for a few times already but every time she would visit the farm, she would get so thrilled.
"Wait till you see the the inside, Lavina," Minerva told her enthusiastically.
Hindi na ako magtataka sa paghanga niya. Kahit ako naman kasi ay humahanga sa ganda ng rose farm tuwing bumibisita ako rito.
Matagal ko nang plano na dalhin si Lavina rito. From the day she and her siblings lived with us, I'd been wanting to bring her here so she could see how wonderful the farm is. Siguradong nakita na niya ang iba pang lupaing pag-aari ng aming angkan dahil nadadaanan naman ito at natatanaw mula sa labas. But the rose farm was the only one that was left unseen by most people. Hindi ito bukas sa mga taga labas kaya naman nananatili itong espesiyal at misteryoso para sa iba.
I glanced at Lev who was sitting in front of the van. He was also peeking out through the window. Hindi sapat ang nakikita ko upang makita ang ekpresiyon sa kaniyang mukha. Tagiliran lang kasi ng mukha niya ang kita mula sa direksyon ko.
Lev joined us when he learned that we were going to the farm. Gusto ko rin namang makita niya ito ngunit hindi ko siya magawang yayain katulad ni Lavina dahil nakakahiya. Kahit naman nakakausap ko na siya ay hindi pa rin ako lubos na kumportable tuwing magkasama kaming dalawa. He was just so different from his siblings. I got along with the others really well but with him, there's always this line separating us. We didn't usually talk and he's always out studying or with his best friend, France. Kaya naman kulang ang oras upang mas makilala ko siya.
We all went out and that's when I saw that Lev was also amused by the surroundings. Sa labas pa lang kasi ay napapalibutan na ito ng mga rosas na nakatanim sa paligid. It was harvest season that's why the flowers were all blooming and glowing, making the surroundings a lot more lovely the eye. It brought life to the surroundings.
Pagpasok naming lahat ay nauna na si Minerva at Lavina na magka-angkla pa ang mga braso. They were both giggling about something funny.
I was so glad that they became closer than I expected. When they first met, Lavina was very shy at Minerva because she thought she was a snob and unapproachable. But of course, Minerva wasn't. She immediately showed Lavina how friendly she could be and they became close afterwards.
Nilingon ko ang taong naiwan sa aking tabi. With his hands in his pockets, Lev watched the entire area. Nakita ko ang kislap ng pagkamangha sa kaniyang mga mata. When his eyes landed on my face, I smiled.
"Uh, pasok na rin tayo," I invited him.
Tahimik lang siyang tumango at sumunod sa akin patungo sa loob. Pagkapasok ay sumalubong agad sa amin ang tagapamahala ng rose farm na si Mang Tonio. He was the head of the employees in the rose farm and he mainly manages the planting and harvesting of the plants.
