The Ex-Marine

8

Mess

"Hinog na hinog ang isang 'to. Where do I put this?" Uno raised an eyebrow. Si Rexes naman ay inabutan siya ng isa pang basket. "Dito. Hindi na iyan isasali sa ibebenta. Pamimigay nalang yan mamaya sa mga trabahador, Uno."

"Okay."

It's a surprise when Uno offered he'd help with the harvest. She knew he didn't like the crowd that much, kaya naman hindi maiwasang tumaba ng puso niya tuwing ngumingiti si Uno sa mga trabahador at nakikipag usap.

For someone with PTSD, he's a lot better.

"You're having fun, aren't you?" Napatingin sa kanila ang isang trabahador. Tumango si Rexes, "Oo naman. It's been years since I last did this, siguro, highschool."

"Hmm. So did someone help you too?"

"Yup. Si Marco, kaklase ko noon na mahilig sa agriculture..."

He stopped putting mangoes in the basket. Tumingin ito kay Rexes at nagtaas ng kilay. "Manliligaw?"

Damn, Uno! "He's gay."

Namula ang mukha ni Rexes, why is he asking about that, anyway? He almost sounded Trevelyan.

"Oh. Right."

Doon sila sa kubo kasama ang iilang trabahador kumain ng tanghalian. Rexes' mom made sure everyone can eat their lunch. Nagpadala ito ng maraming pagkain para sa lahat. Mukhang natuwa naman ang mga trabahador. Dahil nakakamay silang lahat ay nagkamay nalang din si Rexes. Uno's eyebrow shot up ng magka tinginan sila.

Why does he look so cocky today?

His personality is very different today, maganda din ang modo niya. Kahit sa Facebook, he'd chat her late night sometimes. He's even learned how to send gif's... Rexes knows now, hindi lang naman pala ito puro kasupladuhan at snob. Uno knows how to be playful sometimes.

Next thing she knew ay nagsasalin na ito ng juice sa kanyang baso. Kahit pawisan ay ang bango pa rin nito, ang gwapo din. "Ang lalim ng iniisip niyo, Señorita." He said, teasing.

Nang makabawi ang tumikhim si Rexes, "anong nakain mo ngayong araw, Uno? You're really in a good mood. Sarap ng ambiance dito sa labas, ano?"

"Yeah. Maybe? Why, don't you like me this way, Estelle?"

Ngumiti nalang din siya. "Syempre, mas gusto kong nakangiti ka."

Matagal pa silang nagtitigan, his eyes were unguarded, she can almost see his soul in his eyes. She didn't know why his eyes were dancing, either. Mukhang masaya talag ito. Damn, kung ito lang ang magpapaganito sa modo ni Uno, screw those furniture, lalabas nalang sila parati.

"Uhm."

Nag unang bumawi si Uno at tumikhim. Nag taas baba ang adam's apple nito at napatingin sa ibang trabahador na napatigil na rin pala sa pag kain para pagmasdan sila. There was something about their smiles, nanunukso iyon.

Namula ang pisngi ni Rexes.

Uno can do everything. He can make furnitures, he can cook, he's good at fishing and he can fix his car. Tapos magaling din siya sa harvest. What else does he know?