Mizpah: Jillian

Chapter 23

"You know how to ride a horse?" Vaughn asked.

Napatingin ako sa mga kabayo dito sa rancho nila. May mga klase-klaseng uri at iba't-ibang kulay. My eyes focused at a white horse that's standing not far away from us.

I'm amazed at it. Rare lang ang puting kabayo. I'm sure it's pricey.

"Marunong ka ba?" Tanong ko pabalik sa kanya habang pinagmasdan ang puting kabayo.

"Yes," he answered.

"Then teach me."

He glanced at me. "Promise me that you won't get uncomfortable."

Napatingin ako sa kanya habang nakakunot ang noo ko.

"What?"

"Sasakay din ako sa likod mo," he said seriously.

I slowly nod my head.

I felt my cheek flushed. Hindi pa nga kami nakasakay sa kabayo pero sobra na ang pagkailang ko sa kanya. I can't keep my heart calm from beating hard.

"You like it?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Like, what? Na sasakay din siya sa likod ko? I don't know. Maybe?

"W-What? Hindi!"

He nodded. "I thought you like it. Kanina ka pa kasi nakatingin sa puting kabayo."

My mouth gaped open. "Sa kabayo?"

"Yes. That's Arthur. It's one of the best horses here and also the youngest," he explained.

I bit my lower lip. Nahihiya ako sa sarili at sa naiisip ko.

"L-Let's ride him."

"Akala ko ayaw mo sa kanya? Marami pang mga kabayo dito. See that brown horse? We can ride him," he said while pointing the brown horse.

My lips formed a forced smile. "Arthur caught my attention here, Vaughn. He stands out among all of them."

Tumango siya.

We started walking towards the horse. Nang nakalapit na kami sa kabayo ay agad hinaplos ni Vaughn ang leeg nito.

Pinagmasdan ko lang siya ng ilang segundo. Nagulat nalang ako nang hinawakan ni Vaughn ang kamay ko at inilagay sa ilalim ng baba ng kabayo.

I started stroking its jaw. Bumitaw si Vaughn sa paghaplos sa kabayo. He checked the straps and ropes around the horse. May nilagay siyang mga accessories sa kabayo na ginagamit para kontrolin ito.

"Sumakay ka na," he said when he's finished putting and adjusting the accessories.

Pumunta ako sa gilid ng kabayo at inapakan ang stirrup. Medyo nahirapan ako dahil sa kataasan nito but Vaughn held my waist to support me.

Nang nakasakay na ako sa kabayo, sunod na umakyat si Vaughn. I felt my cheek heated up when I felt his warm chest on my back. I'm between his both arms since he handled the rein.

He started to maneuver the horse. Medyo mahina pa ang pagpapatakbo niya sa kabayo pero habang tumatagal, nagsimula nang bumilis ang takbo nito.

We roamed around their farm. Magkalapit lang ang farm at rancho nila Vaughn. My eyes sparkled upon looking the exquisite view of clear landscapes and the planted landscapes.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" He whispered in my ear.

I smiled while looking at the scenery. "Yes."

"Just like you."

He controlled and pulled slightly the rein so that the horse can walk slowly.

"Vaughn."

He leaned closer to my ear. "Hmm?"