Beyond Distance

Beyond 3

Chapter 3

Bago bumaba ay nag-ayos na 'ko. Balak ko kasing maglibot ngayon kung saan. Maybe, with the driver or alone. I can drive but they still want me not to by myself. Lalo na daw at careless ako most of the time. Isa pa, kelangan ko rin talagang mag-ayos. Dahil hindi ko alam kung nandoon ba siya ulit sa baba.

Here downstairs, the dining area is empty. Nabanggit kasi ng mga kasambahay na mas gusto daw nila Mommy sa gazebo lagi kumain. I understand them. The atmosphere there is good.

Lumabas na 'ko at nagsimulang maglakad sa stone path. Inayos ko ang shoulder bag na dala ko sa balikat ko at wala sa sarili akong napabaling sa pool. Uminit ang pisngi ko. His large frame and muscular body registered in my mind, detailing the reflexes and controlled movements.

Bumuntong hininga na lamang ako ng sila mommy at daddy lang ang bumungad sakin. I kissed and greeted them.

Tahimik akong naupo sa hapagkainan dito sa gazebo. I felt somehow relieved when this time, Sid is not around.

I don't think I can face him after the incident in the pool. Nanginginig ang mga kalamnan ko tuwing naalala ko ang interaksyon namin na 'yon.

Pinukaw ni Dad ang atensyon ko na siyang nagpatigil sakin sa malalim na pag-iisip.

"Gusto mo bang sumama sakin at pumasyal sa farm pati sa plantasyon? Lagi ka na lang nagkukulong dito sa rest house."

Mabilis akong tumango pero agad ding napapikit ng mariin ng maalala kong nandoon nga pala ang binata dahil nagtatrabaho ito.

"Ah, Dad......I can't go with you. I've already planned to roam around today in the tourist spots here in town." his wrinkled forehead furrowed.

"Mas mabuti kung uunahin mong libutin ang lupain natin." pinanood ko ang pagsalikop ng dalawa nitong kamay.

"Dad, siguro sa susunod nalang."

Hindi kami pwedeng magkaharap ngayon. Ni hindi pa 'ko nakakalimot sa kahihiyang natamo ko. Why do I have this feeling that I'm the only one who can't move on from what happened? Grabe naman kase talaga ang distansya at interaksyon namin n'on. Even though I had a lot of boyfriends, i'm not used it!

"No, you're coming with me."

"Don't oblige her, honey. She can surely handle herself." mom said in a sweet tone as her hand touched dad's hand.

Dad was already affected by mom's touch but he saw how she winks at me.

"Kaya nagiging spoiled ang anak mo kase kinukunsinti mo, Merissa." tinanggal nito ang pagkakahawak ni mommy sa kanya pero muling naglambing si mommy.

"Honey........" tuluyan ng lumambot ang ekspresyon ni Daddy sa pagtawag sa kanya ni mommy.

"Kelangan matutuhan ng anak natin ang pamamahala ng farm at plantasyon. She's the heiress, wala namang iba." nagbago bigla ang timpla ng muka ni Mommy sa narinig. She go paled as she quickly turned to me.

"Your Dad is somehow right. Dahan-dahanin mo muna. See how the farm and plantation go. Then see if you want lead it than the MFC."

That will never happened. Trying to love the farm and plantation is a waste of time. Hinding-hindi ko kailanman magugustuhang pamalakaran iyon. What I want is the Moratella's Furniture Company, office works and not burning myself under the sun while digging soil and planting crops.