“READY, SET… GO!” Hazel whistled and after that signal, we all gave our horses a bump. Marc held my waist loosely, obviously respecting our distance from each other. Actually, this race is not a competitive one, it's more like a friendly game and our horses ran in average speed. Whoever reaches the tenth pine tree first from the house we are staying in is the winner. The race is about 10 km away and at our destination, we will also be taught how to harvest vegetables in the vast hectare of land owned by the Quiliman Family. The respected family here in Lirongan and the family that welcomed us to their home.
Jia is currently leading the race and seems to be taking seriously the second to the last goal of Marz's vlog. The van left us first and Marz asked our bodyguard to record our race. The back of the van was open and the bodyguard was sitting there holding the video recorder. The road here in Lirongan is paved so the video is stable.
"Jess, Jia is ahead of you!" Marz yelled as our horse faced each other and I knew from his stares how he intended to tease me.
"I'll let you win today!" I yelled at Marz because it's too boring that I always win. The witch couldn't believe wat I said and called Hazel to make their horses run faster. Marc's chosen horses are good because they are not aggressive and easy to tame. Since Marc and I were riding the same horse, I was running slowly because I was constantly looking left and right at the exquisite scene I was witnessing.
"I've been back here before but I feel like it's still my first time and... even better because I'm with you." I glanced back at Marc when he spoke. He's wearing a lively smile that only this place can give him. "I will never forget this," he continued, his eyes fixed on mine and it's going deeper than I could measure.
"I wanna go back here someday." I immediately looked away when I realized how his smile was slowly hypnotizing me and at that moment when I focused my eyes back on the road, Jia already reached the finish line. She was jumping in joy like a cute kid who won a stuff toy from the claw machine.
Reluctantly, I gave a few bumps on my horse then it galloped twice its speed earlier. My breathing turned laborious when his arms around my waist locked me and I could feel his body closer to my back.
"Jess, why are you running faster?" His voice shook even though it was his second time riding a horse. I am his total opposite though because way back when I was in high school, it was my first time riding a motorcycle and he was unbelievably a reckless driver. I almost had a heart attack every time he overtakes the other vehicles on the road. Now, it's all coming back to him, and I think I love the idea that he looked ridiculous because of the horse's speed.
The next to reach the finish line was Marz and I can't paint his tearing smile from happiness. It didn't take long, Hazel was next to reach the finish line and we were the only ones they're waiting. We will still going to walk a few distance so I ran even faster.
"Jess, slow down please, I MIGHT VOMIT!." I almost burst out in laughter by what he just admitted but I'm playing hard to get so I chose to increase the speed intentionally teasing him. Unexpectedly, he pulled the reigns out of my hand trying to control the horse and it followed him to a complete stop.
"Marc, we're close, can't you see?" I said while pointing to the pine tree but his response was a frown then he sighed as if he really wanted to get off his horse.
"'That's it, we're almost there, so just slow down a little, after all, we're not in a hurry. I'm getting nauseated," he complained while holding his stomach and acting like he' sick. Why is he so nervous? We will only harvest carrots. My eyes shrank in curiosity in what will he do later aside from helping in harvesting vegetables and he clenched his teeth like a kid that insisted on not saying anything.
“Fine.” I rolled my eyes and pulled the reins from his hand. He was no longer holding my waist because I slowed the horse down and finally, after 5 minutes, we reached the finish line.
"What took you so long?" Marz immediately grumbled then hugged Marc. The gay guy is incredibly annoying, he said he will support me when it comes to Marc but he's obviously clingy. I was greeted by Jia who was now holding the video recorder along with Jaypee and Joyce. The horses' reigns were anchored on the ground letting them graze on the wide grassland and below is the wide field that is only intended for organic farming.
Marc was supporting me on the way down and we were almost inseparable. He is wearing again the same smile he had when we were on the horse. I gave him a sweet smile in return and it was inevitable that my friends noticed us and their constant meaningful look at us including our fellow bodyguard who is still filming us to this day is getting on my nerves.
Before starting the race, I asked Marc earlier to take a photo of me riding the horse and of course, we also took pictures together with my friends and the two of us riding. I decided to take a hundred pictures because... this might be my last moment with him. I remembered what he said back when we were trying to ruin Ivy and Jacob's date at the restau that he's going abroad next year. I feel sad that day and until now I feel sad thinking that days fly so fast, and a year will eventually end.
The vegetable garden is not that far and there is a saying that when you are with friends, all destinations are always near, fun, and possible. Because Jia won our friendly race, she is overflowing with joy and she has been bagging us how she won and shared it on social media. Jia is a lady who celebrates even the smallest victories of her life. As for Hazel, while we were going down, she was talking to someone on the phone smiling, while Marz was enjoying sharing the race story with Jia for his vlog.
"Captain, when are you going to board the ship again?" I looked in Marc's direction and he looked at me with a hesitant smile before returning his gaze to Marz.
"Next week." My eyes widened at Marc's answer and I didn't expect that the remaining days to be with him before returning to work is going to an end.
"Nah, I'll miss you Captain. It's time to go back to Cebu also next week." Marz heaved a sad sigh as he moved closer to Marc and wrapped his arm around him and leaned his head on his shoulder.
We continued walking until we reached the vegetable garden with the Quiliman family harvesting carrots, potatoes, then cauliflower. They welcomed us happily and somehow we learned something in their language such as greetings, expressing thanks, and even those simple words that are easy to pronounce. They also know how to have fun, so sometimes they make fun for us, but Marc is often the translator so we can reciprocate understanding.
They taught us how to harvest vegetables that can be sold in the market. At first, I was very nervous because they did it as easy as pulling weeds but when you do it yourself, it's hard to make a mistake or it's just me. The twins learned easily and it was not obvious that they really enjoyed taking selfies with the first carrot that they had harvested fresh from the garden.
"Jess, relax okay. Just breathe and don't have second thoughts." Marc held my wrist and guided me on how to pull up the greens off from the carrot roots while he loosened the soil around. While he held my hand, I couldn't help looking at his face that was a few inches from mine. I breathed in when he said, pull the greens off and I was amazed when I successfully got one carrot in my hand. I smiled happily when I finally did it then next up is the cauliflower since the potatoes are already harvested and some members of the family are putting the sacks on their backs and climbing up going to the main road where our horses grazed.
Unlike the carrots that can be pulled out using our bare hands, the stem must be cut for cauliflower to extend its quality. This time, Marz got it first since he's good at using a knife, he's the best cook for me and the fastest eater too. It's a piece of cake for him and while we were still selecting the mature white and firm head of the cauliflower, he's already sharing a lot to the camera in his experience.
As usual, I'm the last one to learn about things like this because I haven't been exposed to much. The twins got the cauli while I was still bending over and struggling to figure out how to use the knife I was holding. Because the stem of the cauliflower is hard and when I tried to cut it, the knife got stuck and I couldn't cut it out.
"It's annoying!" I'm already sweating after trying and they're looking at me. My friends cheered me up and it was very embarrassing that they focused the camera on me who's having a hard time.
"Let me help." I told Marc then he removed my hand that was still holding the knife and he cut the stem himself in my stead. I stood up and fumbled the handkerchief in my pants pocket then wiped the sweat from my forehead. I stared at Marc's back and followed his face with a smile that was brighter than the sky as he looked at the cauliflower in his hand.
I wish I can see this side of him every day." I want to see him happy. When I see him smiling, the wounds of the past heal little by little, as if they are covered just because of his smiles. I pursed my lips when he knelt while holding the 3 stems of cauliflowers in his hand, his eyes were shining like diamonds, then he licked his lips before fixing his gaze at me.
“Cauliflowers for you, Heart.” I bit my lower lip when he gave me the beautiful cauliflowers like a bouquet, but it is more fresh and sincere. That scene was captured by the camera, and he made me smile from ear to ear with that simple gesture. My friends squealed at the sweetness they witnessed and even the Quiliman family razzed us using their native language, but I understand what it means. I gladly accepted the cauliflower and mouthed 'thanks' to him then I offered my hand for him to hold on and he stood. Our fingers were interlaced still not removing his sweet smile.
After harvesting and wandering around the vast farm, we decided to rest back upstairs in the shade of the tall pine trees. The Quiliman family joined us in climbing back to the highway and helped carry sacks full of harvested vegetables. After they said goodbye to go to their storage house in Cagayan De Oro, Jaypee started the Bongo truck and Joyce was riding in the back guarding the products. We waved goodbye at them and then I grabbed some snacks from the van with Marc who helped me in lifting the cooler box. When we arrived at the pine trees, my three friends were silent and seemed to be talking about something I shouldn't hear.
"What are you guys talking about?" They were surprised and easily dispersed getting snacks one by one.
"Because Jess, we have a meeting in Valencia today, do you remember William? Can we use the van? I promise we'll be quick." Jia led the talking while Marz and Hazel kept on nodding to support Jia's favor as if she had no choice.
"The three of you? Like right now? Really? Let's go together!" I started picking up things when they hurriedly stopped me.
"Jess, no need to go with us. Captain will be with you here." Captain, take care of our bestfriend okay!" Marz acted weird and I scowl a brow at them because they're suddenly leaving without me. They left in a hurry, each carrying their belongings before I could ask many questions, then waved bye before getting into the van. They all exited quickly as if everything was planned beforehand, then they all wave at Marc and me as if something's up.
Now I'm stuck with him.
"Marc, do you know anything about that?" I asked him curiously but he just shrugged and sat in the shade of the pine tree and leaned his back against the tree. He closed his eyes then I cautiously moved to his side, this was my chance to tell him everything that needed to be said but I was surprised when he opened his eyes and grabbed my hands. His gaze penetrated my soul causing mmy tongue tied together in knots.
"Jess, I know I was never straightforward to you but under this pine tree, I want to confess... that my feelings never changed ever since I met you. I know that you are vulnerable right now, but this won't wait. I'm afraid that I can't have a chance like this in the future and it's almost four years, many things already happened but still... my heartbeat sings for your name. I love you, Jessica Fortalejo.” My eyes grew bigger by his confession and the next thing I knew was he kissed my forehead and I met his sincere eyes shining like an expensive ruby ​​then I felt his warm tears on my cheeks.
"Marc, I wanna thank you for everything," I directly said before my tongue would be tied in knots again. "Thank you for helping me in my revenge plot, thank you for taking me to wonderful places... for taking care of me, and helping me ease the pain. I really appreciate everything that you did for me.” His penetrating stares were waiting for me to continue and in every blink, my heart doubled in beat, and I find it hard to breathe.
"I like you Marc but..." He distanced himself when he heard those words from me then his smile faded like he already saw this coming, and I hope he will understand. Tears started brimming in my eyes and I looked down when he cupped my face.
"I admit it, I really like you but... I can't reciprocate your feelings yet because I want to mend myself first. In exchange for the deal, I want us to go to the wedding. I want to see it for myself. Let's act fake couples for the last time and show them that we're strong after they cheated." He was stunned by the deal and he stood averting my eyes, trying to process everything.
"Jess, what are you thinking? It's okay with me that you can't return my feelings, but if you push me to do what I don't want, I can't agree with you anymore." He rubbed his forehead, frustrated and now I don't know what to do.
"You know I don't want to go to that wedding because I don't want to see them at all. Of all people, I thought you will understand but why do you also want me to show up at the wedding?" I covered my mouth when he raised his voice at me and immediately dropped his hand, immediately feeling sorry for what he did.
"I just thought that after that, it will help you move on. I'm sorry.” I tried not to stutter, and he quickly rushed to hug me, calming himself.
"I'm sorry Jess," he almost whispered and tightened his hug.
"I just want to avenge you for their cheating on you. Because I know deep inside, you're still stuck by that pain. I know outside, you're trying to show us how humorous you are, how you want me to laugh, how you want everyone to smile, and how selfless my Kuya Marc is." I heaved a deep sigh when I felt water on my clothes, and I felt bad making him cry so I rubbed his back to calm him.
"I understand." I heard his deep sigh then unlocked from our hug, tucked some strands of my hair behind my ears then pinched my cheeks a bit showing his smile full of pain that he's been trying to hide.
"I'm fine Jess. When I get back on the ship again, everything will be gone after screaming it on the wind." I immediately felt sad when he mentioned the ship. I won't see him for a long time.
I will miss him.
"Can you wait for me?" I reluctantly asked because I want to give him a chance and he deserves it. He returned that bright smile he had earlier as an answer and messed up my hair. Apparently, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I hooked my arms around his neck and gave him a kiss on the cheeks. I know in myself that he's the man I've been seeking but this is not yet the time for us.