He asked. “You could wake up the whole neighborhood from all that snoring.”
I sat upright and stared at him. I wiped my face first to remove any drool on my face and brushed my hair with my fingers. I cleared my throat, feeling it was dry. “I don’t snore. And have you heard of the saying ‘stop making jokes like that to a person who just woke up? You don’t know what will happen if you continue.”
He just chuckled at me, still peeling on the mangoes.
“What time is it?”
He looked at his wristwatch. “It’s two in the afternoon”
I blinked at that, “I thought you’d arrive at three o’clock?”
“Yes, I thought too. But I wanted to arrive earlier so I drove faster.” He responded and I nodded.
“Why didn’t you wake me up?”
He shrugged, “Well, I don’t want to wake you up. You know you look innocent and peaceful to look at when you sleep. I think I much prefer you sleeping then you’re awake. .”
I rolled my eyes at that comment.
He finished peeling off the mangoes and placed them on a plate, preparing a new sauce. “Are you eating bagoong?” He asked.
[Bagoong is a Philippine condiment partially or completely made of either fermented fish (bagoóng) or krill or shrimp paste (alamáng) with salt.]
I nodded at his question, “Of course I eat it, it goes well with mangoes!
“Oh, I thought you would be picky with your food. Women I mostly know don’t like the taste of it.” He commented, offering the food to me but he stopped to ask me first, “Have you eaten lunch yet?”
“Not yet. Why?” I asked, raising my eyebrows at him in confusion.
“This won’t do. You have to eat lunch first before you eat these mangoes or you’ll get a stomachache.” He informed me, now standing up. “Wait here, I’ll get your lunch for you.”
He started to walk away without even letting me say anything. Since I don’t have the energy to object, I just let him do his thing. Besides, he offered it himself so what can I do than refuse right?
It didn’t take long for him to return as he showed up with a tray in his hand with some food on it.
In a small bowl, there was my favorite, paksiw galunggong while in the other bowl was some shrimp sinigang. The plate contained a cup of rice and there was pineapple juice beside it. He placed the tray carefully on the table.
“Thanks.” I thanked him silently. I mean, I’m not still not used to this type of Phoenix. Well, I’m not used to getting treated like this with the opposite gender as I have limited encounters with them. Phoenix just smiled and silently sat beside me, eating the mangoes he just sliced earlier.
We sat in silence as we ate side by side, not saying anything to each other. It was him who finished first so he waited for me to eat the rest of it. When I was done, I stood up and grabbed our plates to wash the dishes.
“So, I think we should go now.” He said, looking at the clock.
“Where?” I asked, drying my hands with a towel when I finished washing the plates.
“Didn’t I tell you I’ll take you to the farm again?”
Oh right, that was his promise yesterday to me. I still forget the reason why I’m here. Of course, I have to prove myself to him. I have to monitor the farm. Silly me.
“All right. Wait for me.”
Running towards my room, I took a quick shower and put on a black shirt and denim shorts, with my brown boots and some lovely hat. I left my glasses since they broke yesterday.
Phoenix eyed me up and down when I reached the stairs. He smirked at me, “Oh? I thought you’ll wear some dress again or something…”
I shook my head. “Oh gosh, no. I don’t want to end up like yesterday again. I learned my lesson.”
He nodded, “Good. That’s my princess.” Saying goodbyes to Lola Nanding, he then grabbed my hand and went to where his pet carabao, Brownie, was tied to a tree.
His pet mooed seeing us and Phoenix patted her head. “Awe, hello my precious baby. Are you doing well?” He asked, conversing with his pet like it was a real person. I chuckled at the sight.
Since it’s break time for the farmers, he was really true to his words when he said that he does this every day without anyone helping him. He’s really motivated to give them the snacks himself.
And I can’t help but admire him for that.
Wait, what am I thinking? No, I am here for a different person. Whatever you are doing to yourself Sereia. Please don’t. You’ll only get hurt.
I watched as Phoenix held the same two bowls in his hands, one bowl on each hand. I took one of his hands so he wouldn’t be in trouble. “I’ll help you.”
He didn’t argue but instead, he said, “Thank you.” We walked over and just passed Brownie who was now hidden in the mango tree.
“Oh, you won’t bring your pet Brownie with us?” I asked.
He looked at me badly. “After what happened yesterday? I don’t think so.”
I sighed … I admit, I was being so fussy and whiny yesterday…”I’m sorry for yesterday. Actually, I never got the chance to ride that thing when we were still living here.”
He scoffed. “Oh, really?”
“Yes. My father was very protective of me. I’m not allowed to go into far places unaccompanied. I’ve never ridden a carabao before so yesterday was a first-time experience for me.
He nodded understandingly, “Well, that makes sense.” He then glanced at his wristwatch and continued, “I think we have enough time to walk to the farm now.”
I nodded, now walking beside him. I thought he would stay quiet when he noticed something on my legs. “What is that?”
“What’s what?” I asked, quickly hiding my legs. Oh no. Did he see my scar? Gosh, I shouldn’t have worn these shorts. I’ve been hiding it for years now. I thought I had concealed it carefully…
“Is that a scar?” He asked again, still looking at it and I shook my head.
“Oh it’s nothing.”
The truth is, I was injured when I fell on the mango tree. It has been one of my insecurities and I had been careless that I forgot to hide this today.
“I see, I guess we have things that we want to hide, huh?” He commented, dropping the subject. He whistled a tune, humming to a song in his head.
I can’t help but stare at Phoenix. He really looks carefree. So different compared to the Phoenix I saw the first time at the mall.
For the first time, he’s acting kind to me now. I thought he would punish me and make my stay here hell but no …
I guess I judged too fast. He’s different from our first encounter. I can’t help but feel like he’s not so bad after all … that my stay here would be good and I won’t regret it.
“What’s your Instagram name?” He changed the topic. “I think I haven’t followed you there.”
“How old are you again?” I asked, suddenly curious.
“Oh, princess, you can just google my name if you’re that curious.” He said, now in a lopsided grin. “I’m 28, okay?”
“Oh, you’re older? I’m 25.”
“Billionaires like you at that age are always at the club you know. I think I heard the news of you partying so hard before you came here.”
“Oh, that’s just a facade. I’m tired of that life.”
I can’t help but think. He always says that when I ask him.
Wanting to leave the city, tired of that life, it looks like he’s running away from something. The question is, what is it?