Ellie’s POV
Ever since Arya and I went to the flower plantation, I couldn’t get rid of the strange feeling I had. I was uneasy because it seemed like the heaviness of my feeling was for an inexplicable reason.
I knew in myself that I had a connection to that plantation but no matter how hard I tried to define what it was, I couldn’t because I couldn’t remember. Even if I insist, I will only get a headache.
Why does it take so long for my memories to come back?
"You seem to be thinking deeply, Ellie."
I looked to my side. I caught it looking at me and it looked like she had been watching me for a while. That is why she has now read that I am deep in thought.
We are currently on Aunt Cora’s veranda. Every noon we are here lying down because of the fresh air coming from the lined trees in front of the mansion. Even if the sun is straight, that is no reason for us to feel hot. In the number of trees, it covers the heat with its lush leaves, the heat that would have hit in our direction. That serves as a shield against the heat carried by the sun.
But even though it was fresh, there were still two electric fans focused on us. Fortunately, Aunt Cora only turned on two for the maid and not the six electric fans on the veranda. This is an open area so the electric fan is the one we're using here and not the aircon.
I smiled sparingly at the old woman to show that somehow I was just fine. "Something is just bothering me, Aunt."
Before she could answer me, she stopped what she was doing. She set aside the blouse that rested on her thigh. Sewing was her previous preoccupation. She’s embroidering something on that blouse that I don’t know who owns.
"May I know what that is?" she asked in a worried tone.
Aunt Cora and I have only been together for a few months but I know how much she worries if something is bothering me. Not just to me, even the other people living here. She is almost the recognized Mother of the people here in the mansion. Aunt is also the oldest here and acts as Mother of all.
“I just thought, Aunt, maybe there is a more effective medicine that Doctor Gutierrez can re-recommend to me? The medicine that can bring back my memories faster," I said.
I am aware that medications can help a lot to restore my lost memories. It’s one that I cling to so that I can be completely healed.
"You really want to remember, right?" Aunt averted her gaze from me and focused it on the wide ground in front of us. It was just plain ground. I think that's where the Ruiz family's celebration is held because it's an open area. Just hire an event organizer and the venue will be a beautiful area on occasion.
"There are things that make me feel connected to me but I don't know what it is because no one, no memories come back to me."
I noticed the old woman's sigh. “Are you ready to accept what you have or who you are in your past? Wouldn't you regret coming back once when you lost your memories?”
I was not immediately silent on what Aunt Cora uttered.
She pulled her thoughts so deep that until now, my brain was still processing the words she left out.
“I will try to accept everything, Aunt, if that is what I can calm down. I couldn't have escaped my life before I had an accident.”
I think a lot about who I really am. My family is already leading the way. Do I have a family left? Do I have a wife and a child? If so, how are they? Who are they and where are they? Are they looking for me?
If what I was thinking was true, how could I just leave my responsibilities?
“I understand you, Ellie. I just want to say that when that day comes, you will be ready to accept and understand everything.” Her earlier attention on the ground came back to me again. She looked at me and smiled then touched my left palm.
I returned that smile as I nodded.
I stopped thinking of what-ifs first. I'm already feeling a headache. Doctor Gutierrez is really right, it will only hurt when I try to remember.
Aunt and I went back to embroidery, just staring at the wide ground. Until I saw Arya coming. She was accompanied by some hacienda workers. They walk towards the mansion while holding a single basket. I don’t know if they are vegetables or fruits.
"It's good and you all are already here." Aunt stood up to greet them all. Arya was accompanied by five people. "Straighten the things you brought to the kitchen so that Sylvia and I start cooking dinner."
The five complied the order. Arya also offered a basket with a variety of vegetables to a colleague to take with her to the kitchen.
“Sit down there first, Arya together with Ellie. I will prepare a snack for the both of you. ”
Aunt Cora next entered the mansion.
Arya sat in the opposite chair where I was sitting.
"Seriously, I'm really stressed out with Cyfer!" she said after she sat down. She stretched out her hand on either armchair. She looks so tired.
"Cyfer?" I repeated, confused. I remember where I heard this name until my memory came back the other day. "He's the man we met at the mall?"
Arya nodded. “Yes. He is Cyfer, Keeion's cousin.”
I will not deny that I looked forward to that day when he called me by my name. I just saw him for the first time and I thought he knew me personally, my true identity. He only knew that because he was the cousin of the person who adopted me now.
"He's here?" I asked again.
“He came home last night because that's what his Daddy ordered. He was not allowed when his parents found out that he was staying at a hotel in town. I don't know about that, I don't understand him either. He was sent home to the province but didn't go straight to the hacienda. If his father knew about this, he would be scolded again. ”
The mansion is spacious and beautiful but why did he choose to stay at the hotel? Moreover, their family owns this whole hacienda.
Doesn't he want to come home here?
"Then, where is he now?"
“He was in the coconut plantation. We just finished picking fruits and vegetables with him and my head really hurts from what he did.”
My forehead furrowed. What did he do to stress this Arya? “Why? What happened?"
"He just picked the fruits that were still raw."
I don’t know why I laughed at what she said.
That's why Arya has a problem with him because it only means that those coconuts was a waste. But she can't be blamed Keeioon's cousin. He was probably still the Son of one of the people they were serving here at the hacienda and even if it was wrong in what he did, they could not scold or rebuke him.
That cousin of Keeion stayed in the States for many years. No wonder he knew nothing of the work here at the hacienda. Maybe that’s also one of the reasons why he chose to go straight to the hotel rather than the hacienda. He was used to that lifestyle.
It will certainly be difficult for him to adjust to provincial life.
“You really need a lot of patience, Arya, to teach him what he needs to know about running his Father's business. You know Cyfer doesn't know much about business yet.” Aunt Cora arrived with a tray with only pancakes and orange juice. She dropped what she was carrying on the table between Arya and me.
Arya's stress disappeared when she had this snack.
She also returned to the plantation immediately because she still had a lot to take care of. I wanted to go with her but she refused. She said that I should rest first and then join the plantations when Keeion gives signals that I should start working.
Everything I really wanted to do was with permission from their Senyorito Keeion.
So, I decided to just go up to my room. The living room was clean, I didn't find anyone there. They are all in the kitchen and already busy preparing dinner.
When I got to the second floor, I didn’t know why my feet carried me to another room.
I face the door of the room opposite my room. I stared at it and felt it. This is the room that is said to be forbidden. I don't know why only Keeion can get in here. As far as I know, this is not his room. His room is at the far end of this floor.
Out of sheer curiosity, I touched its doorknob. But no matter how much I wanted to know what was bothering me about it, I restrained myself from opening the door. I withdrew my hand holding the doorknob.
Something is holding me back.
What is inside this room?