We drove for another hour until I could see some mountainous terrain. The scenery was so beautiful, we passed by a sea that was so blue in the middle. There are rarely any cars passing by. "Dad, can we stop here for a while? Subrang ganda kasi dito" I said happily while looking out at the vast ocean.
Ipinarada ni daddy ang sasakyan sa gilid tsaka pinayagan akong lumabas. Mom and Uncle Fe were awake and I didn't have any difficulty getting out. As soon as I stepped outside, I immediately felt the cold breeze, fresh air. Lakas maka probinsya vibes.
"Kuya, Take a picture of me." Sabi ko habang nakatalikod at nakahawak sa barrier ng kalsada. Kuya Jacob got out of the car, followed by Manang Fe, mommy and kuya Ash. "Look honey, Do you remember when we were still in high school?" Mom said happily to dad. "Of course, sino ba ang makakalimut no'n?" Dad smiled.
We watched the ocean waves for a few more minutes and decided to leave. Within a few minutes, we passed horses walking along the side of the road, along with goats and a few cows. Probinsya na nga talaga.
"Reign, manghang-mangha ka, baka ayaw mo na bumalik sa atin." Napapangiti si Kuya. I'm already smiling, what if I grew up here? what if I just stayed here? I really want to be here.
Ilang minuto ang dumaan ay nadaanan namin ang isang malaking gate na may nakalagay "Hacienda Del Alvarejo". May malawak na lupain at tanaw mula sa labas ang maraming kabayo, kambing, baka at may iilang mga hardinero. I also saw a large mansion, new but with an ancient design. Ibig sabihin mayaman ang nagmamay-ari nito?
"Dad, parang gusto ko na lang maging probinsyana" I said while looking from outside. Parang sandali, nakalimutan ko na kasal ni Uno ang ipinunta namin dito.
"Di'ba dad, sabi na sayo eh". I heard what Kuya said, I felt mom caress my hair so I turned to look at her. She smiled at me so I smiled back.
Two minutes later, the car stopped in front of a house. Large and had ancient design, maganda kasi malinis at maraming bulaklak at puno sa likod. "We're here" ika ni daddy kaya bumaba na si Kuya at binuksan ang pinto para sa amin. When Manang Fe got down, she smiled. Siguro nagandahan rin siya sa lugar na 'to.
"Reign?" tawag sa akin ni Kuya. Ako na lang kasi ang hindi nakakababa ng Van. "Bakit ayaw mo bumaba?" he asked seriously. "Baka kasi pagka baba ko, hindi na ako makabalik sa atin" I laughed a little. I saw how he smiled. "Nako, sinasabi na nga eh." Aniya.
I chose to stay inside the van first, they were already inside the house. "Omg! Reign. Kung alam ko lang na lakas maka probinsyana 'yang lugar na 'yan sasama ako." Tili ni Madi sa video call, magkasama sila ni thalia. I told them about this place. "Subrang nakaka-amaze dito Madi, kung alam mo lang." Sabi ko tsaka kinain ang natitirang french fries.
"Oh bakit ka nakatambay sa loob ng sasakyan?" Pagsali ni Thalia sa usapan. Hindi muna ako nagsalita at inubos ko muna ang kinakain ko bago ulit nag salita.
"Pagod, mamaya na. Sila kuya na muna ang bahala do'n" Sabi ko. "How about, Uno? Nagkita na ba kayo?" Tanong ni Madi. I looked outside. "Wala— I-i mean, wala pa. Busy pa raw kasi siya kaya hindi siya makapunta dito." I said and drank the remaining coke. I saw how the two of them smiled, I knew their smiles meant something.
"Alam ko 'yang mga ngiti niyo" Umiling-iling ako sakanila. "Guys, I accept it. That's why the Lord did this, because he has something better for me." Ngumiti ako ng malapad. I've realized so much these past few days.
"Mabuti naman kung ganon. Oh sya, aalis pa kami ni Thalia, mamili ng school supplies." Madi told me so I said goodbye to them and hung up. I got out of the van because I was feeling bored. I went inside and saw the size of the house. It was beautiful and clean, there were paintings, large vases and there were books, lots of books. I saw Mom and Dad talking to someone. He's familiar to me, I just can't see his face because I'm a bit far from them. Lumapit pa ako ng kaunti hanggang sa napansin na ako ni dad.
CHAPTER 15
Start from the beginning
