33 PAST LUNCH

My cheeks heated when a mere thought occupied my brain. I am looking at the strawberries in my basket. It is half full now, this is what I'm doing right now to eat up the time that is passing.

I tried to hide the smile forming on my lips as I looked at those strawberries. This is deadly, I reminded myself. Lianno is now engaged, and what I'm feeling right now is very wrong. He's like a piece of cloth that is sold now, someone already bought him… own him. 

I looked in his direction, he is seriously harvesting those strawberries. We are meters away from each other. He offered me some help but I refused to do so. I do feel awkward about what he has done earlier. 

I continued to pick up some strawberries, crouching at the soil to have a better position. There are a lot of strawberries ready to be harvested now. The land where strawberries are planted is almost a hectare. Imagine the efforts of those farmers who worked here, I don't even think I can finish a part of it in just a day.

Hours later and the basket is filled now. I fell in deep contentment as I look at the big woven basket sitting on the soil beside my feet. I've gone to tell Lianno the good news, when I saw the two big basket the same as mine, filled with strawberries as well. 

"Lianno, I'm done now," I told him happily, not thinking about those baskets he already filled up.

He gazed in my direction and stood up, nodding at those two guys standing on our back watching us. The two guys seem to understand it when they quickly go in the direction of my basket as they both work with each other to lift the heavy basket.

"Do you want to help me?" He straight away asked me when the two guys are nowhere to be seen now.

I looked at the third basket he's trying to fill up. It's almost full now, and giving a hand will surely make it even faster. 

"Sure" I smiled at him as I walk towards his side, crouching again for better composure.

He went beside me and copy the way I am sitting. We began to quietly harvest those strawberries. Giving him the once I picked up when my hand is already full. It's a bad tactic I know, but he doesn't complain and will just accept those I give to him.

"Lianno" I called him again one more time, showing him my hand filled with strawberries.

He gazed in my direction and stopped what is he doing, accepting the strawberries when half of it fall from his hands causing it to drop in the dirty land. I tittered by what have done, helping him to collect all the now dirty strawberries.

I'm still tittering when we reach the final piece of it, collecting it at the same time. My throat became dry, as I become a mute person. Suppressing a burst of awkward laughter, as I quickly removed my hands from the top of his.

The spark that I felt when I touched it made my eyes wide open. The beating of my heart immediately increased as I felt the feeling of coldness in my stomach.

"Are we done now?�� I asked him, standing up as I shake off the little bits of dirty soil on my jeans. He nodded, standing up as well. 

"What do you want to do now?" He asked me, watching the baskets getting lifted one by one as it disappeared into our sight.

"I don't know," I told him honestly.

1:15 pm, the 2 arrows on my watch tell me so. It's past lunch now, We've both gone here around 9 am. It's been 4 hours and around 15 minutes now, the time really passes so fast, huh?

"Do you want to eat now?" 

I nodded slowly, pouting my lips. The last time we ate is around 10 am, the one with the Pancit and some Suman. 

"Follow me" In a calm manner, he informed me. 

He starts walking leading us to a land filled with vegetables as a crop. Are we going to harvest again? I mentally shook my head as I breathe in deeply.

He is carrying a basket in his hands that he got on our way here. I stood still, waiting for him to finish harvesting multiple vegetables since I don't know why is he harvesting in the first place. 

"Let's go back now" He informed me, standing high in my front.

"Okay," I answered, following him again.

I'm just following him all day I mentally rolled my eyes. My brows furrowed when I remembered that we need to go uphill again. I pouted my lips, readying myself for some action.

"Can you go up on your own?" He stopped walking and faced my direction.

"Yes," I answered even when I'm in doubt. 

"I will follow, you can go first" He informed me, shifting his way to give the basket to those guys standing on the side, near the Narra tree, creating a shade from the sunlight.

I started making my way up, step by step until without any accidents I reached the very top, making my confidence steadily go up. I waited for him in the hall, sitting at my previous seat earlier.

I wonder why is he taking so long? I pouted starting to get bored as I am left alone here. I was about to go out and find for him when I heard a Man's voice outside. That must be Lianno, I sighed in relief.

He walks steadily leading the two other guys and Jacob, who is my first time seeing here are carrying food in their hands. A simple Chopsuey consisting of the vegetables that I saw him picked up earlier, some carrots, bell pepper, broccoli, and cabbage together with other ingredients like shrimp and quail egg for protein.

Fried chicken and some garlic rice are served, as well, together with the Chopsuey making my stomach growl as the savory scent of the food can be smelled around the room.

"Who cooked that? I asked him curiously when he finally arrived in front of me as the food really looks appetizing and pleasing in my eyes. 

He stared at my eyes in a moment in such intensity as he opened his mouth answering my asked question.

"Me," He answered, not bothering to look away from my eyes as we both stare at each other intently.