CHAPTER THREE
THINKING about what they going to do for the rest of the day and where Zacariel Guerrera will take her, stopped her from having a siesta.
Yelena took a cold shower and put some powder on her face after. Pinaghandaan niya rin talaga ang mga susuotin na damit sa bakasyon niyang 'yon at hindi mawawala ang mga jeans at long sleeves to protect her skin from the heat of sunlight whenever she's in the field. She also bought equestrian clothing so she would feel comfortable to ride a horse.
Kinatok siya ni Lupita nang pumatak na ang alas-tres ng hapon. Nagbilin siya rito na gisingin siya sa ganoong oras dahil gusto niyang makasiguro na makakasama siya kay Zacariel.
"Naghihintay na sa kwadra si Senyorito," anito sa kanya.
Lupita simply scanned her. Nang bumalik ang tingin nito sa mukha niya, ngumiti siya.
"Ayos lang ba itong suot ko, Lupita?"
Yelena is on her cream v-neck fitted long sleeved, skinny jeans and ankle boots. Naka-tuck in ang pang-itaas niya kaya nakita ang hubog ng katawan niya.
"Basta komportable ka, Senyorita."
"I'm comfortable. And this is how ate Zakia and Zalanna's dressed up whenever they ride their horses, right? Aside from equestrian outfit."
"Oo, Senyorita. Ganyan sila manamit kapag naglilibot sa buong hacienda."
She got the outfit ideas from the Guerrera's sisters. She really admired Zalanna and Zakia. Sayang nga at may pinagkakaabalahan daw sa Maynila kaya hindi pa muna uuwi sa hacienda. She's looking forward though, to at least see them before her vacation ends.
"Hinanda ko na rin ang maiinom at snacks ninyo ni Senyorito Zacariel. Naibigay ko na sa kanya ang mga 'yon kanina bago ako nagpunta rito."
"Salamat, Lupita."
"Walang anoman, Senyorita. Mag enjoy ka at mag ingat kayo."
Kasabay niya itong bumaba sa hagdan. Matagal ng kasambahay ng mga Guerrera si Lupita at matagal na rin silang magkakilala dahil bata palang siya ay naglalagi na siya sa hacienda.
"May girlfriend ba si Zacariel?" kyoryosong tanong niya.
That made Lupita paused for awhile. Tapos ay umiling.
"Hindi ko alam kung mayroon."
"Wala ba siyang dinadalang babae rito?"
Halata sa itsura ni Lupita na hindi komportable na sagutin ang mga tanong niya. Pero gusto niyang malaman. Si Lupita lang ang mapagtatanungan niya na alam niyang makakakuha siya ng tapat na sagot.
"Come on, Lupita. I am just curious. Sige na, answer me. Ano? May dinadala ba siyang babae rito?"
"Si Miss Francha lang babaeng dinala ni Senyorito Zacariel dito."
"Who's Francha?" 'Yon bang babae sa birthday party ni Donya Zarita?
"Kaklase niya noong college. Kasama niya si Miss Francha noong birthday ng Donya Zarita."
"Gusto mo ba si Francha para kay Zacariel?"
Binalikan niya ng tingin si Lupita nang nasa huling baitang na sila.
"No comment ako riyan, Senyorita Yelena."
Umirap siya. "Huh, kahit naman magkarelasyon sila ngayon, hindi naman sila ang magkaktuluyan sa huli."
Animo sumpa ang sinabi niya bago iniwan si Lupita at dumeretso sa kwadra.
Seeing Zacariel petting his black horse somehow ease the annoyance that she felt awhile ago. Like his dark horse, he's also carries a dark aura that can intimidate people who don't know him.
Guerreras' men always have that kind of aura that could make women admired them and at the same time thinks if they deserve them. If they did not have the same status in life, she would feel small being with him. She would doubt herself too.
The reason why she's also confident is because she's aware about the influence of her family in town. So no more doubts when it comes to liking a man like him if they would only based on their life's status. Kung mayroon man siyang dapat ikabahala, iyon ay ang tila matibay na prinsipyo nito na hindi mababali ng basta dahil lang sa isang utos na pakasal sa kanya.
Is it still possible to marry him in the future? When he seemed like already having a woman that he wants for his life? A woman that is successful and independent.
When Zacariel's eyes travelled from her face to her body, her breathing paused for a moment. Nawala ang mga iniisip niya dahil naagaw na nito ang atensyon niya.
"Hi, I'm ready!" she waved cutely at him.
Zacariel leered and hold the rope of his horse.
"May pangalan ba siya?"
"Yes. Silencio."
"Cool name!" she caressed the horse' back. "Hey, Silencio, it's nice to meet you. I'm Yelena."
Magaan ang tungo niya sa mga hayop. Sadyang may takot lang siyang sumakay sa kabayo. Pero sa mga sandaling 'yon, ang takot niya ay unti-unting napapalitan nang nakakanginig na tuwa.
"Come," he commanded and patted the horse saddle.
She took a steps forward until she's in front of him and they are beside Silencio. She can smell his manly scent.
"Are you scared?" He muttered from behind.
Napalunok siya at umiling. "I'm not."
"Good. There's nothing to be scared of."
Zacariel held her waist and the electrifying sensation she felt from his callous palm made her shiver.
He lifted her and she parted her legs so she can properly sit on the saddle. She gripped on the horn for a balance when he removed his hands from her waist.
"Zacariel!" she called him nervously when the horse moved because he rode from behind.
Her heart is beating rapidly for some reason. Hindi niya alam kung dahil ba kabado na nakasakay na sa wakas sa kabayo, o dahil nasa likod niya ang binata.
"Where I'm gonna...uh, s-saan ako hahawak?"
He held the rope that made her feel his arms touching hers. He's jailing her but she's still doubtful that she's not gonna fall once the horse will start to move.
"Relax," he said calmly. "I won't let you fall."
Kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi. She's still so nervous despite of the comfort that his words gave her. Hindi siya nito hahayaang mahulog, dapat ay pagkatiwalaan niya ang tila pangako na 'yon.
She checked her position one more time before she noticed the veins on his forearms down to the back of his hands. His tanned-skin that matted with thin hair made him looked virile. Even the way he's holding the rope, is very manly. There's a control from his hold and also a bit of aggressiveness.
Wala sa sarili na humawak siya sa matipunong braso ni Zacariel habang ang isang kamay ay nanatili sa horn. When the horse started to walk in a normal pace, Yelena held her breath then let it out slowly.
He didn't mind her holding onto his arm. It seemed like her touch doesn't matter to him, or her, being with him, don't really affect him. Samantalang siya, halos marinig niya ang kalabog ng dibdib.
Nakalabas na sila sa Hacienda at kasalukuyang binabaybay ang malubak na daan papunta sa dulo ng lupain ng mga Guerrera.
Nagtatayugan at animo walang katapusang mga puno ng niyog ang nakikita niya sa kaliwang bahagi nila. Nagsasayawan ang mga luntiang sanga sa ilalim ng mapusyaw na asul na langit na nahalinhinan ng matingkad na kulay tansong tinipak-tipak na mga ulap at maayos na isinalansan sa napakahiwagang paraan. At ang anino nila na sumasayad sa lupa habang sakay ng kabayo ay tila nakaw na larawang madamdaming ipininta sa nagkukulay putik na papel.
Ang imahe na 'yon ay nagpamangha sa kanya. Kaya nawala ang atensyon niya sa paligid at nanatili ang mga mata sa lupa at pinagmasdan kung paano tumakbo si Silencio habang tila yakap siya ni Zacariel mula sa likod.
That put a smile on her lips.
"Nakikita mo ba ang anino natin?"
"Uh-huh," he breathed.
His focus is with the horse and the road, she did not even expect him to take a look with their shadow. Kaya naman nagkaroon ng munting kasiyahan ang puso niya dahil doon.
"If only I could paint, I'd surely paint this image... of us."
The sile ce stretched again. Silencio's neighs is not that loud like other horses.
Yelena rested her back on Zacariel's chest. She felt the hardness of it but also the warmth that it gives her.
The feeling of being with the man that you liked is like living with your own world. Gano'n ang nararamdaman niya sa mga sandaling 'yon. Tahimik siyang nangangarap na sana ay magpatuloy iyon hanggang sa dumating ang panahon na pwede na... na pwede silang magsama nang walang nakaharang na aberya.
Tinahak nila ang daan papasok sa gubat. Halos malapit na sila sa dulo ng lupain ng mga Guerrera. Sa kabilang bahagi nag-uumpisa naman ang lupain ng mga Altamonte. They are really neighbors.
Dumilim ang paligid dahil natatabunan ng makakapal na sanga ng puno ang sinag ng araw. Halata rin sa lugar na walang nagpupunta roon. Kung hindi niya kasama si Zacariel, tiyak na matatakot siya.
Habang papalapit sila, naririnig niya ang tila lagaslas ng tubig. Halos talunin no'n ang huni ng mga ibon.
Yelena is in awe when they finally reached their destination. In front of her is the majestic waterfalls. She never thought that there's that kind of place inside Hacienda Guerrera. It was hidden, magical and peaceful.
"Woah, Zacariel..." she lost for words.
Nilingon niya ito at naabutan niyang naghihintay lang ng atensyon niya.
The way his eyes move seemed like he's memorizing every part of her face. She noticed the changes of her heartbeat every time he's staring at her or every time that he's around.
"This is magical... so beautiful..." she told him with a glimpse of amazement on her eyes.
"I'm glad you liked this place."
"I loved this! I could stay here and build my own world!"
He chuckled. "I'd like to build a small house here. Pahingahan... kapag nandito."
Mas lalo siyang natuwa at naging interesado.
"Talaga? Kailan? Pwede ba akong sumama?"
He didn't say a word. He just watch the way the water falls dramatically down the river. Pagkatapos ay aagos iyon palayo... at hindi niya alam ang hangganan no'n.
Naunang bumaba si Zacariel sa kabayo. Pagkatapos ay inalalayan siyang makababa. May isang lamesa at upuan na pangdalawahan ang naroon na gawa sa kahoy. Tila ba kanina pa naghihintay sa pagdating nila.
The water feels cold but it's also inviting. She's so tempted to have a dip. Wala lang siyang dalang extra na damit pangpalit. At kung maghuhubad siya, hindi ba awkward 'yon? But, who cares, right? She's wearing a nice pair of underwear and she has a fine body.
"I wanna take a dip..." she told him with a small smile.
Zacariel glanced at her after he puts the foods and drink on that small rounded table.
"Is the water deep?"
"Not really," he scanned her body that made her swallowed. "Probably the water would level your chest."
"I'm fine with it. Uh, I'm really tempted to jump. But I don't have an extra clothes with me."
He finally faced her. Giving her all his attention. He placed his left arm on his chest, then rested his right elbow above it as he plays with his lower lips with his thumb. He looked like he's thinking on what to do to help her solve her little problem.
She's kinda distracted with the veins on his forearms that she needs to furrow her eyebrows to make her looks like she's also thinking on what to do.
"Are you not tempted?"
His eyes never leave hers. "I am."
Napalunok siya at hindi sigurado kung bakit may init na dumaan sa batok niya.
"Would you mind if I take off my clothes?" She gave him an apologetic smile.
"I won't mind. Do whatever that please you, Yelena. Feel free."
Ang ngiti niya ay naging ngisi na kulang nalang ay tumalon siya sa tuwa. Kakaiba ang ginhawang naramdaman niya sa pagpayag nito sa nais niya. Tila ba handa ito na sundin ang anomang gusto niya at walang lakas upang pigilan siya.
"I thought you're going to stop me."
His lips stretched into a lazy smile. Then, he shook his head for her to know that he won't.
"You have your freedom when you're with me. I won't stop you for the things that you want to do."
Suddenly, she felt emotional. She never thought that she would hear him say those words. That matters to her so much because she never felt free her whole life. Palaging tila may hahadlang sa mga gusto niyang gawin sa buhay. Mas lamang ang haharang sa kanya kaysa ang sumusuporta.
Yelena blinked because she felt the heat on the sides of her eyes. Itinawa niya ang namuong damdamin.
"T-thank you. That's what I really need."
"I know," his words were taken away by the sounds of the waterfalls.
Tinalikuran niya ito at tiningala ang pagbagsak ng tubig sa harap. Animo diyamante ang pagkislap ng mga 'yon at sa paraan ng pagdaloy palayo, para bang hindi na babalik.
Yelena closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She wants to feel the peacefulness again. She don't want to be emotional. The fact that she knows that she has her freedom with Zacariel, comforts her. It also strengthens her hopes that maybe there's really a chance for them... maybe he would agree with arranged-marriage.
Why don't she ask him? If she really wants the answer, she should ask him, right?
Bakit ba hindi nila pag-usapan iyon? Masyado bang maaga pa dahil wala pa siya sa ligal na edad? Kung gano'n, ayos lang din sa kanya. She will just enjoy his company. She will cherish their memories together.
She removed her boots before she unzipped her pants. Nakangiti na nilingon niya si Zacariel na seryoso siyang pinagmamasdan.
Even though he's watching her removing her clothes, she don't feel any malice from him. Sa katunayan, mas ramdam niya ang kalayaan na gawin ang gusto nang walang pumipigil sa kanya.
She comfortable removed down her pants and her top, revealing her fancy pair of underwear. Inilapag niya sa may kalakihang bato ang mga damit bago excited na tumalon sa tubig.
Yelena gasped with coldness of the water. Sinakop niyon ang buong katawan niya. At nang i-ahon ang ulo galing sa ilalim habang nakapikit, mas lalo niyang nanaig ang lamig. She's trembling already but it didn't stop her from enjoying the moment.
"The water is so cold and very refreshing!" she told Zacariel who's now sitting at the wooden chair and his attention is on her.
She waved at him. His face remained stoic though.
"Kapag nagpunta ka ulit dito, isama mo ako, ha? Gusto ko rito, Zacariel. I feel free here. I love this place already!"
She's been with different places, inside and outside of the country, but she never felt that kind of freedom that she's feeling at the moment. It's surprising. She's amazed how a place can gives her serenity and make her feel likes she's really free.
Yelena swam until the water falls on her head down to her body. Tuwang-tuwa siya habang pakaway-kaway kay Zacariel.
"Don't go further than where you are. There are sharp stones there. Baka masugatan ka," bilin nito sa kanya.
"Okay! Thanks for reminding me. Why don't you join me here by the way?"
She saw him took a breath. "I will later."
She wants that summer vacation to be memorable. So she have something special to reminisce when she was alone and he was away.
Indeed, that summer vacation with him a few months before she turns eighteen was very special... and also unexpectedly painful.
Looking back on those days and the wound that it caused her, made her realized that she's still really affected with what happened. She can still feel the bitterness on her heart. And that's sucks!
Yelena heaved a sigh and shook her head to erase those memories with Zacariel Guerrera last summer.