My flight to Tagaytay took two hours from Manila. But it took another hour because I asked more questions about where Aunt Magda's Hacienda was. SHe is known here in Tagaytay. From the city I traveled to their town,which is called Hacienda Paraiso.
This is the name of my aunt's Hacienda. According to papa, when he called in the morning, he talked to aunt Magda and said they were excited to see me.
When I saw the sign on the side of the road where it had the name ‘Hacienda Paraiso’ and it still had an arrow. The sun was shining brightly and I think it was twelve o'clock at noon.
I was also not hungry because there was piles of food in the front seat by my side and water. I am just a little tired .
The road to get there is bumpy and the grass grows on the side of the road. I even passed a wooden bridge under a stream that was very clear. I was amazed because it was so clear and I even saw small fish there.
I smiled all night and my car was moving slowly and the car window was down.
The air is also different because it is very clean and refreshing. Not like in Manila. Dad was right about the idea that I was more okay here.
When I crossed the bridge, the road was bumpy again. It is not cement but only muddy. I even came across a truck of mangoes. It looks like a new pick and will be deposited in that market. I could almost see a star because of the mango I saw and I suddenly turned sour! I like to eat those!
Next to the truck was a truck of coconuts. Wow. I'll be right there but it looks like I'll be happy here because there's a lot of fruit.
I continued to bite my lip and I saw a house made of organic ingredients only. The roof is made of wood and the rest is wood. Very good!
As I continued to drive I turned because there was an arrow placed on the side 'this way'.
When I turned around, the road was already paved, so I adjusted my driving. From here I could see in the distance the vast land full of mango, coconut and various kinds of flowers. The advantage I think is the sun flower which distracts attention to the extent of the hectare it covers.
"Wow." I said in great amazement. I can't imagine that there is a town here in Tagaytay that is far from the city that is so beautiful. I would prefer it compared to Manila.
The climate here is not hot because the cold prevails.
When I reached a high white gate I stopped the car. I don't have the courage because the gate is beyond people and the wall is broken.
I rang the doorbell three times and security came out of the gate.
"Who are they?"
"Kylie Hernandez . Aunt Magda's niece." I said to it and it immediately touched its walkie talkie.
"Come on ma'am. We'll take care of your luggage." he said so I went in.
Entering I was immediately amazed. The house was so simple that it looked like a resthouse. White all below and above with fragile columns.
It has a balcony before entering. On the side of this house there are three trucks similar to the one I saw before. There are baskets with only flowers and fruits. Suddenly I spat.
On the balcony, I saw a lady who looked like papa come out of the door. turned brown dress it up to the knee and with glasses. Far away there is this smile on his face.
"Hija! Is that you?"
She said to me and hugged me and caressed my face.
"Good day, aunt."
"Oh. You're so big! I was still watching over you back then, Wait, come in first. Are you hungry? I have food ready. "
I smiled at him because I was very welcome here in his house. Even inside the air is fresh.
This house turned out to be at the top of the hill so I saw the shrinking town below where I came from before.
Inside I saw three helpers cleaning and greeted us as we entered. The security forces immediately entered my luggage.
"Have a seat hija! I just cooked this because I'm from a hacienda and I'm gathering because I'm looking for an extra haciendero."
I smiled at its spoonful of rice and stewed pork. She also put a banana on my plate.
"There's nothing my aunt should be ashamed of because I'm a nuisance at your work."
She laughed and sat in the chair opposite me.
"I’m alone here no so I also need a companion. Its so boring here. It's also boring because there's no lovelife. "
I was amazed because she was talkative and happy.
"Thank you very much."
"That's okay. I'm in favor of you being here..I heard you're pregnant, timing! because we harvest a lot of fruit. "
"Really? I can help, aunt. It's probably not difficult."
"You can do hija. Just pick up the light ones. If you want to help, we have hacienderos and haciendera there."
"Are they working for you?" I will ask.
"Yes and they have free accommodation there behind the mangroves is their residence that I built. Because I love them."
"You’re so good."
I haven't been here a day and I'm enjoying it. after we ate he dragged me to my room.
"This is your room. If you need anything just call me huh? Don't be shy." Aunt Magda said so I hugged her. This is true. Even I don't know why but I feel like I'm excited about a mother's care.
"Thank you so much aunt. I don't know what to do without you and papa." I cried in tears. .
" Feel at Home. I used to tell your father that you were here with me first but he didn't want to because he said you prefer Manila."
I could not speak because of crying.
"Oh okay.Take a break so you can visit the hacienda this afternoon! Lots of flowers there. "
I was excited by what he said because I was full and felt drowsy.
I arranged my clothes and put them in the closet. I also showered and got dressed.
I hear the chirping of birds and the gentle gusts of wind. It’s so quiet here and that’s all I can hear. There was also the noise of trucks and people passing by.
I was suddenly sad and caressed my tyan.
"So let's do this baby." I say . I close my eyes when I remember Clinton again and I am so eager to smell him again.
There was a part of me that softened for him. There is also a part of me that is stubborn. But I know very well how much I love you but pride prevails.
A week has passed since I got used to it. They wake up early. Sometimes I help them pick flowers for sale.
I also taste fresh fruit every day. Aunt Magda took good care of me. he said that my cheeks were already red and my body was getting full.
He said he would have me check up in the city when he finished looking for an additional haciendero here because there was a shortage because the person he used to be here was old.
It's afternoon and I just woke up. My eyes were still full of tears and I looked at the picture of Clinton and imagining his smell.
I put on a mustard colored romper and let my long hair fall out. I looked at my face in the mirror. My cheeks are pinkish and my skin is shiny .
I went down and as usual I took a basket and walked to the hacienda. It's not far. It's just in front of my aunt's house.
In the distance I saw the maiden haciendera resting in the shade of the mango tree. It eats fruits and has a look.
Well there are five of them. I've seen them here once but I can't talk to them. I approached them with a basket with a few pink flowers.
"Our new haciendero is very handsome. I heard that manila boy."
"The abs oh! That's so hard! There's still sweat!"
"But the naughty ! He was snobbish earlier "
"Because I'm his type!"
"You are sk ambitious."
My forehead furrowed because only now did they become interested in the new haciendero.
I approached and set the basket down on the table.
"What's up?"
They immediately straightened up and took a sip.
"Nothing, ma'am. There's just someone new as a haciendero." stammered by the one.
I pouted and nodded.
"Where is he?" let me see if he's handsome. They are very nervous huh.
"Agreed madam." said one of me so I turned my back.
I slowly turned around.
Sweaty man loading mango baskets into the truck. Every load he puts in the big basket tightens his muscles and moves his abs. The sun heats him up and his sweat drips from its hair to his neck.
He wiped the sweat off his forehead with his arm and stopped and looked at me who had previously been gaping and in disbelief.
Those serious face.Those eight packs of abs that I once caressed and his stuck face.
What is he doing here and why did he apply to be my aunt's haciendero ?!
"Clinton..." I said softly in emptiness .
I stared from his handsome face to his adams apple and down to his rocky abs and handsome shoulders. I just bit my lip so hard.
He looked at me seriously and I couldn’t tell the hint of his eyes.
"Oh isn't he ma'am? He's so cute isn't it? He’s my crush!"
"Oi. What are you? I'm the first to see him no!"
"You are so ambitious."
They were stopped by my violent glare at them and shot an evil look.
I raised an eyebrow at them.
"He's my boyfriend! Back to work! Before I fire you!" I shouted at them and they immediately stood up and left my sight.
I even heard Clinton laugh not far away.