Love, Lies and Alibis (Henares Series #1)

One

Hacienda Henares

Habang tuloy tuloy ang pagpasok ng sasakyan ay hindi ko mapigilang mamangha. On either side of the road just a few meters away, were short fences painted in dark green. Sa loob ng mababang bakod ay ekta ektaryang puno ng niyog. Sa kabilang bahagi naman ay malawak na taniman ng punong ng manga.

Halos mamilog ang aking mata habang inaaninag ang hangganan ng malawak nilang lupain. Workers were scattered on their very extensive land.

Ang ilan ay umaani ng mga bunga. While the others do some farm whatnots that apparently, I have no idea what for. I wonder how many workers they have here? Sa lawak ng lupain, kulang ang tatlong daan!

Nilingon ko siya na may kausap pa rin sa phone. He said his family just owned 'some' land. He didn't tell me it was a freaking large estate! I thought the 'señorito' was just some stupid honorific because he is of Spanish descent. 'Yun pala, he truly deserved the title!

Sa hacienda'ng ito na pag aari ng pamilya niya di umano ako naninirahan kasama niya. But I just don't understand myself.

Parang may mali. Parang may kulang.

Mahaba ang daang binaybay namin bago narating ang kanilang ancestral house. We passed by wide rice dryers before we turn to the left where an old and outstanding Spanish-inspired palace stood proudly.

We circled around a huge fountain before coming to a halt. Estatwa ng babaeng bumubuhos ng tubig gamit ang palayok ang naroon sa gitna.

Nalaglag ang aking panga nang nabungaran ang kabuuan ng mansion. There were five rungs before reaching the wide veranda. And another five wide steps towards the closed double doors. The heavy looking doors were carved with flowers and vines.

Hindi ko na alintana ang walang paalam na pagpangko ni Voyd sa akin. I was so preoccupied admiring the place!

In either side of the door were classic Spanish style lamps attached to the walls. Ang barandilya naman ng hagdanan at buong veranda ay animo malalaking alon sa binabagyong karagatan. The whole ancestral house was painted with classic white.

Their house—despite vintage—looked very majestic and classical. Parang ang kalumaan niyon ay lalong nagpadagdag sa gilas nito. As if it stood beautifully for years and it can stand for more.

Lumikha ng tunog ang pagbukas ng kanilang double doors. An old woman was walking regally in her dark green batwing dress. Bakas ang kagandahan kahit may kakaunting kulubot at linya na ang mukha. While the old man beside her has a very authoritative aura. Matikas ang tindig kahit matanda na.

Now I know where Voyd got his thick brows and piercing stares.

Nakangiti ang matandang babae habang bumababa at sinasalubong kami sa veranda. Nilapag ako ni Voyd sa wheel chair nang nasa veranda na kami.

"Si-" bahagyang natigilan ang matandang babae bago muling sumilay ang matamis nitong ngiti. "M-margo! Welcome home, hija!"

Sinalubong niya ako ng beso at yakap. Sa kanyang likod ay nakasunod ang matandang lalaki na at seryosong nagmamasid lamang.

"I am sorry for what happened to you, hija. We're all praying for your fast recovery." Masuyo niyang sabi matapos kumalas sa yakap.

"Thank you po."

"Margo, these are my grandparents. Don Gabriel and Doña Dulce Henares. You already met them before." Voyd said.

"Nice meeting you again, Don Gabriel and Don—"

"Oh shut it! Call me Lola Dulce." Her perfectly arched eyebrows slightly met. "You are already part of the family, Margo. Kung hindi sana nangyari ang aksidente ay alam kung kasal na kayo ngayon."