CHAPTER FIVE

ISINAMA siya ni Zacariel sa sumunod pa na araw sa waterfalls. They are using Hilux this time and they brought materials to build at least a shed to stay.

Siguradong babalik at babalik sila doon dahil hindi naman buong araw matatapos ang pagtayo ng masisilungan nila at pahingahin na rin kapag naroon sila sa lugar na 'yon.

She's wondering what to call to the waterfalls. Mas magandang may pangalan ang lugar dahil kakaiba 'yon at espesyal.

"Did you ever think about naming the waterfalls?" she asked when the car entered the forest.

Nakabukas ang bintana ng sasakyan kaya naman nalanghap niya agad ang malamig na simoy ng hangin at narinig ang iba't-ibang klaseng tunog ng mga ibon at hayop na naninirahan doon. Natanto niya na napaka-swerte ng mga ito dahil napapaligiran ng mga luntiang puno't halaman, mapreskong hangin, tamang sikat ng araw, at higit sa lahat, payapang paligid.

Sometimes, that's what people's need. To be in a place where you can feel the real peacefulness and the freedom, that you can't find even at your own home.

There was always a special place that would make you come back despite of the distance and the rough roads to get through it. And for her, she already found that kind of place that she would always think of going back. And that is the waterfalls.

"No," he answers shortly then maneuvered the 4x4 pickup.

Yelena couldn't help but to notice Zacariel's physical appearance. He really changed especially the aura around him. She can feel the wall that he built between them and at the same time it also make her feel that she can break that wall if she wants to, and he can't do about it if she did.

"Would you mind me giving the waterfalls a name?"

Zacariel glanced at her. There's no emotion on his face though. But even if he's silent most of the time, with just one glance at her, her heart really reacts violently.

"I wouldn't mind."

"Okay! Mag naisip na ako. I've been thinking about this last night."

"What is it?"

He stopped the car. Sa unahan ay nakita niya na ang payapang pagbuhos ng tubig galing sa itaas, pababa sa kumikinang at nagkukulay berde at asul na tubig. It's amazing how the water changes color depends on the sunlight.

"Querencia..." she muttered as she watches how the majestic water falls freely and endlessly.

It made him paused for a seconds before he looks at her again.

She forces a smile, hoping that he would agree to the name. But why not? It's a perfect name for the place. Because she felt free there... she felt like she found a home that she can be herself.

"Is that fine? Querencia means-"

"I know the meaning," the side of his lips curved up. "And yes, it's fine. Whatever you like, Yelena."

Her smile grew wider. Maybe the other reason why she likes to be in Querencia is also because she's with Zacariel.

While the place gives her peace, Zacariel gives her freedom without asking in return.

He never stopped her from doing what she wants even before. Kahit pa may mga bagay noon na hindi payag ang magulang niya pero kapag kay Zacariel ay pwede naman.

The feeling of having someone who will truly support and understand you is already a blessing for her. If only her parents and grandfather would do that, she wouldn't have a problem with her family.

Kahit na nasanay na pinagsisilbihan siya, pinilit niya pa rin na siya na ang maghanda ng pagkain na i i luto ni Lupita para sa kanila ni Zacariel sa araw na 'yon.

Yelena prepared the foods and drink on the table. She picked a sliced of watermelon to eat. Si Zacariel naman ay nagbababa ng mga materyales.

She don't mind watching him all day building their little house. Pakiramdam niya ay hindi siya maboboring kahit panonood lang gagawin niya. Well, she's also willing to help if he needs to. But by looking at him, it seemed like he won't allow her to carry any of those heavy materials.

"Ilang araw bago makapagpatayo ng shed? Or can we call it cabana? Like those cabanas on the beach?"

He put down a couple of woods. Pinagpagan nito ang mga kamay, tapos ay binigyan siya ng atensyon.

He's wearing a cotton shirt and he's already sweating. Bumabakat na ang matipunong dibdib nito dahil sa pagkabasa ng damit. His faded pants and boots looked rouge and hot.

Kinunot niya ang noo nang matanto kung paano niya ilarawan ang binata sa harap niya. Did she really find him hot?

"I can finish this probably until tomorrow. This is just a shed. Para hindi ka mainitan kapag nandito tayo."

"But I want cabana style, Zacariel," she insisted, without realizing his reason why he will build a shed.

He sighed, then nods his head. "I will need more materials if that's what you want."

"Pwede tayong bumili bukas ng maaga? Tapos, dito tayo dumeretso para magpatuloy sa pagtatayo ng cabana?"

Nanliit ang mga mata nito habang nakatingin sa kanya. She's sitting casually on the wooden chair while eating watermelon.

"A white curtain is enough as a door. Can we also bring a thin mattress and some pillows here? It's nice to sleep here in the afternoon. What do you think?"

Mula sa paglapag ulit ng ilang kahoy, tinignan siya ni Zacariel.

She always made sure that she has a beautiful smile whenever he's looking at her. She wants to brighten his days with her smiles.

"You can ask Lupita to prepare those things for you. Ikaw na ang bahala kung ano ang mga gusto mong dalhin dito. But..." his lips were in a thin line, as if he's thinking if his decision is right or what.

"I won't bring my wardrobe here. No worries," she winked at him, that made him leered.

Tinalikuran siya nito at bumalik sa Hilux para hakutin ang ilan pang materyales.

After an hour or so, he finally done digging holes. That works really made him sweat that he needed to take off his shirt.

Yelena gulped when she saw his upper body. His muscles are on the right places and the ripped on his flat stomach is really eye catching. Women surely drooled over him.

Zacariel put down the shovel and walked towards where she is. Naroon siya sa kahoy na upuan, kaharap ang pagkain nila. Naghihintay na matapos ito para sabay silang kakain.

"You must be thirsty. Here," she handed him a glass of cold water.

Tinanggap naman nito 'yon at uminom. Pati ang paglunok nito ay napansin niya. At ang mga mata niya ay walang pahintulot na naglakbay sa katawan ng binata.

His chest was matted with thin hair. And down to his lower abdomen is a line of thin hair... that she don't want to think where it will ends.

She almost jumped on her feet when he faked a cough. Para siyang estudyante na nahuli ng guro na nangongopya. Mabilis na inangat niya ang tingin sa mukha nito, at naabutan niyang medyo matalim ang tingin sa kanya. He really caught her ogling on his body!

"Can't I look on your body?" She raised her brow. Siya pa talaga itong mapagmataas? "If you don't want me to look on your body, then put on your shirt."

"My shirt is wet and dirty."

"You didn't bring extra shirt?"

"It wasn't on my mind."

What was on his mind then?

"Right. Let's eat na."

He went to the water to wash his hands. Nang bumalik ay naupo sa tabi niya. She was about to give him rice, but he stopped her from holding her wrist.

"Let me," he said and got the serving spoon from her hand.

He was the one who served foods for both of them. Though, she liked the idea of serving foods for him, it was also a good feeling that he did that to her.

Yelena take off her dress, leaving her with a tube black one piece bikini. She really made sure that she will look good on that piece. Sinukat niya pa iyon kagabi at humarap sa salamin para lang makita ang itsura niya.

She can say that she has a body that girls would admired of. Her legs were slender, her skin is soft and creamy white, her waist is small and her hips is wide enough to give her body a shape. Hinila niya pataas ang tela sa bandang dibdib upang hindi 'yon bumaba ng husto. Kaya lang, kumakawala talaga.

"Uh, I need to tighten the strings on my back," she told Zacariel who's busy measuring the woods.

Lumapit pa talaga siya rito para magpatulong.

"Here," she turned her back on him to show the strings on her back.

She heard him sigh but of course he can't ignore her.

"I can't reach the strings. Ayos lang din naman kung hindi mahigpitan. I don't mind being naked under the water."

"Well, I would mind," the sarcasm and annoyance on his tone was heard.

Ngumisi siya. "Tayong dalawa lang naman ang nandito, Zacariel. Walang ibang makakakita kung maghubad man ako-" she stopped when she felt his fingers on her bare skin.

Napalunok siya sa kuryenteng dumaloy sa ugat niya habang tahimik itong hinihigpitan ang tali ng bikini niya sa likod.

"I'm sure, you already seen a naked woman. Imposibleng, hindi."

"Is this enough?" he asked darkly then tightened the strings for her to know if it's okay or not.

Napangiwi siya dahil masyadong mahigpit iyon at masikit sa dibdib niya.

"It's too tight. Naiipit ang dibdib ko, Zacariel."

Napabuntonghininga ito at medyo niluwagan.

"How 'bout this?" his voice became raspy.

She can almost feel his breath at the back of her hair. Animo may munting paru-paro ang naglalakbay sa tiyan niya. The tingling sensation that he gives her was like thrilling.

"More, please."

He loosened the strings a little bit more until she's satisfied. Napahawak siya sa dibdib niya para masigurado na maayos ang lagay ng mga 'yon.

"Thank you." She smiled at him.

Suplado itong nag iwas ng tingin at bumalik sa ginagawa.

She remain standing in front of him with her black one piece bikini. She crosses her arms above her chest.

"Gusto mo tulungan kita? I'm sure I can do the measurement."

She saw him closed his eyes, as if trying to get more patience on something.

"I'll let you know if I need help," his tone was like a dismissal.

Zacariel didn't even take a glance on her. His attention is on the wood and metro steel tape measure. He doesn't want to be disturbed, but she kinda like to have his attention.

"Kapag nasa tubig na ako, hindi na kita matutulungan."

"That's what I want right now."

Ngumuso siya.

So, he really don't want people to disturb him when he's working? Was he like this when he works in Manila? She could imagine their employees shutting their mouth whenever he's around. Was he that strict?

"But Zacariel I'd like to help. Kahit mag measure lang."

Yumukod pa siya sa harap nito para ipakita na interesado talaga siyang makatulong. He's been working since they arrived this morning and it's already late afternoon.

Nagtaas ito ng tingin sa kanya at napansin niya ang hindi sinasadyang pagdaan ng mga mata sa kanyang dibdib.

It felt like a naughty bulb lit inside her head and she couldn't help to giggle silently. Did he finally notice her boobs?

She gave him a beautiful smile when he looks at her with a bit of darkness and irritation on his eyes.

"I'd be happy if you take a dip and leave me alone, Yelena."

"Are you sure you don't want my help?" pilit niya pa habang tila nanghahalina ang ngiti sa labi.

To work together is better than working alone, right? Why don't he allow her? Besides, measuring is easy.

"Please, Zacariel..."

She heard him groaned. Kaunti nalang ay para bang mauubusan na ito ng pasensya at magagalit sa kanya dahil mapilit siya.

But, what did he look like when he was  mad? She's thrilled to see how he reacts whenever he was angry or pissed off.

"Baby, I'd be really happy if you stay away from me for a moment," namumungay ang mga mata nitong sabi.

Yelena's cheeks burned because of his endearment.

"Go take a dip and wait for me there."

Gusto niya pa sanang ipilit ang gusto kaya lang ay natunaw na agad ang puso niya sa paraang pagtitig nito sa kanya.

Gone the annoyance, it became gentle and full of patience for her.

Masaya siyang lumusong sa malamig na tubig. Her giggles and the chirping of the birds became music to their ears.

Her heart started beating rapidly again when she saw that Zacariel is done with what he was doing and ready to join her.

Tumalikod siya para magpanggap na hindi siya excited or affected sa paglapit nito sa kanya. Pero ang totoo ay naghuhumerentado na ang puso niya.

Tumingala siya at pinanood ang magaan na pagbagsak ng tubig malapit lang sa harap niya. The splash of the water and the sounds of it calmed her for a short while.

When she felt Zacariel behind her, the beating of her heart boomed again against her chest.

"I can't still believe that I am in Hacienda Guerrera. This place is very special to me."

"This will be our paradise," his voice made her knees trembled a bit. Maybe because he's very near to her.

She wants to face him but she's worried her eyes would betray her and would give him idea what she really feels inside. She wasn't ready yet to confess. She needs time for that.

"I will keep our memories together here, Zacariel. Palagi akong babalik dito."

"Babalik lang ako dito kung ikaw ang kasama ko."

Napangiti siya. That's what the plan she made her mind. Naunahan lang siya nitong sabihin.

Slowly, she turned to face him. No matter how beautiful the waterfalls is, the man in front of her, deserves her attention too.

Their eyes met easily like usual. Madalas siyang mag iwas ng tingin ngunit sa mga sandaling iyon ay ayaw niya. She wants to give herself a freedom to stare at him as long as she can because she wouldn't know what would happen to them after this summer vacation.

"Paano kung hindi na ako makabalik dito?"

His thick brows furrowed because of her random question. She just want to continue the conversation otherwise her heart would speak for her.

"Babalik tayo rito."

"Paano nga kung hindi?"

"Then, I'll make sure that you'd be back here, Yelena."

She pursed her lips. Then plays with the water in front of them with her palms.

Sumalok siya ng tubig gamit ang mga palad at wala pang ilang segundo ay unti-unti rin na bumagsak 'yon pabalik kung saan niya kinuha. Para bang ipinaramdam lang sa kanya na bagamat kaya niyang kunin ang bagay na nais niya, ngunit mabilis din 'yong mawawala kung hindi naman talaga nakatadhana na manatili sa kanya.

"Susulitin ko nalang ang bawat sandali na nandito ako, Zacariel. I don't really know what my parents plans for me on the next summer."

"Wag mo munang isipin 'yon."

She took a breath, then slowly let it out like how she let go of the crystal water on her palms.

"Kapag ikinasal ako, pupunta ka ba?" mahinang tanong niya na halos siya ay hindi narinig dahil sa lagaslas ng tubig sa may likod niya.

"If you'd invite me, yes," he answered cooly.

Nang mag angat siya ng tingin dito, naabutan niyang nakatingin sa kanya na para bang kanina pa nag-aabang ng munti niyang atensyon.

He'd come to her wedding day. He didn't even look like he's affected that she's going to marry another man. What does it mean? Did he refuse her parents proposal? That it's fine with him if she marries some random guy? And not him?

It made Yelena confused. She wants to know the truth but at the same time she wasn't ready to hear it.

"I don't want to marry at the young age. I want to pursue fashion design. I want to achieve my dreams first. If my parents would force me to get married next year, I'd leave."

That's her plans. She don't mean to say it to anyone aside from Santi. Her bestfriend knows almost all her future plans. To allow Zacariel to know her side about arranged-marriage was hard for her, but she felt like he needs to know that too.

"That's my plan. Kaya hindi ako sigurado kung makakabalik ba ako rito sa next summer."

He remained silent. He's just listening while staring at her.

"That's why I like it here because I feel free, Zacariel. I love my family but I hate our tradition. I hate it because it jails me... it stops me from what I want to do in my life."

She sighed dramatically and slapped the water. Napapikit siya nang tumama ang mga 'yon sa mukha niya.

Then she felt his palm above her head. Marahan na hinaplos siya roon na tila ba ito lang tangi ang kayang umintindi sa kanya. She gets easily emotional whenever she talks about her problems with her family. Kaya naman hindi niya mapigilan ang pag-iinit nang magkabilang sulok ng mga mata.

"I hope your parents would give you more time to focus on yourself and your dreams first."

"I doubt it. Sometimes, they are insensitive. Ang sabi ni mommy, masasayang lang ang oras ko sa fashion design dahil mag-a-asawa rin naman agad ko. She wants me to focus with my husband. Ayaw ko ngang mag-asawa pa!"

Narinig niya ang pagbuntonghininga ni Zacariel. He's a very good listener. Wala naman talaga siyang balak mag open up ng problema niya, pero ipinaramdam nito sa kanya ang kalayaan na pwede niyang gawin 'yon sa harap nito.

"I swear, I'll really leave home if they forced me to get married next year."

"Yelena," umiling-iling ito at hindi aprubado ang plano niya. "Running away from your problems won't solve anything."

"What would I do then?"

"We will make a plan about that. Running away wouldn't be on the option."

Malungkot siyang huminga. Kung kanina ay galit sa tubig, ngayon ay hindi na. Pinaglandas niya ang mga daliri sa ibabaw niyon sa mabagal na paraan. Pabalik-balik at paulit-ulit hanggang sa kumalma siya.

"Sasamahan mo akong tumakas? O tutulungan mo ako?"

"Hindi. Hindi ka tatakas."

She stomped her foot on the water. "But I don't want to get married. I don't have other option."

"Relax. I'll handle this. Don't stress yourself."

Pursing her lips, she hopelessly rested her forehead on his chest.

He started to caress her hair with his palm. And honestly, it soothes her.

"Kung hahayaan lang nila akong pumili kung sino ang gusto ko, mas magiging madali siguro ang lahat."

He paused for a seconds then resumed. "So... you already eyeing someone to marry? Do you like him that much?"

Umikot ang mga mata niya habang nakapikit.

He's really oblivious with the girls that likes him? O hindi ba halata sa kanya na may gusto siya kay Zacariel?

"Even though I like him, I don't think he'd like to get married to me though. So, maybe, it will be useless to tell my parents who I want."

"You're still seventeen. Wait until you turned eighteen and tell your parents who you want."

"The question is... does he want me too?"

"Then, ask him that."

Can she ask him right now?

Mariin siyang pumikit. The way he caress her hair makes her sleepy too.

Her cousins get married at legal age and got pregnant a months after the wedding. Posible rin na mangayri 'yon sa kanya. Naalarma siya bigla.

"Huh, I'm gonna use a birth control so I won't get pregnant early," she muttered without even realizing what kind of topic she just opened.

Though, she don't see herself being married to a man, but sometimes she picture herself having a baby. Isn't it strange to think about that stuffs? Na para bang mas masaya siya kung may anak siya kumpara sa may asawa na hindi niya naman gusto.

And before she could have a baby, she needs to have sex with her future husband!

"Zacariel, kapag mag asawa na, magsesex sila para magkaroon ng baby. Right? So..."

When she looked up on him, she saw him closing his eyes tightly, head is tilted while licking his lower lips in a hard way to probably stop himself from laughing. He looked very amused.

Sumimangot siya. "Ganito talaga ako mag-isip. Advanced."

He let out a hearty chuckle. That made her blushed. To see him this happy and entertained inspired her to make him laugh often as possible.

"First, we will focus on how you would reach your dreams before getting married. We will talk about pregnancy and babies eventually, Yelena."

Mabait siyang tumango bilang pagsang-ayon.

Medyo gumaan naman ang pakiramdam niya dahil tutulungan siya ni Zacariel na maabot ang mga pangarap niya bago siya i-kasal. She was just hoping that her parents would be considerate.