Truths and Reality

Natanaw ni Yumie si Zeek sa veranda. He is looking at the skies na tila may hinihintay. She is about to get to bed. She thought na umuwi na ito sa Rancho Callejos since Mina said that they can't stay in one roof for tonight. Everyone in the Hacienda seemed to be in their rooms or probably sleeping already. Nilapitan niya si Zeek.

"Pinauwi ka na kanina pa di ba? Why are you still here?" Yumie said in a joke. Napalingon sa kaniya si Zeek.

"Seriously? You are already in your PJs?" turan nito looking at her from head to toe.

She rolled her eyes. "It's late. Besides, hindi ka ba pagod?"

"8:30 pa lang, Mayumia. This is our first night in Sejanos. I pictured it differently," maktol ni Zeek.

Yumie raised one eyebrow while grinning. Zeek must've planned something special for their first night in Sejanos. She somehow anticipated it.

"Ano na naman yan? Anong kabaduyan na naman ang pinplano mo?" biro ni Yumie.

"Anong baduy? Kailan ako naging baduy? I just want us to stay a little later and probably watch the stars. I know a place here na maganda mag stars watching," turan ni Zeek.

Yumie liked that idea. She probably knows where that place is and sa pagbabalik niya sa Sejanos, she probably want to see it again. She got excited.

"Ok. I'll just get a coat," aniya saka mabilis na tinungo ang silid na tinutuluyan niya. Pinatungan niya lang ng oversized sweater ang suot niyang pajama saka mabilis na binalikan si Zeek.

Napangiti si Zeek nang makita niyang ready na si Yumie for their night stroll.

"That will do. Atleast hindi ka lalamigin sa labas. But incase you still feel cold, I am very much willing to give you a hug," panunukso pa nito.

Inirapan lang ito ni Yumie. Zeek held her hand as he pulled her palabas ng Hacienda. Sumunod lang siya rito. Paglabas ng pinto, nakita ni Yumie ang ATV motorcycle na nasa harap ng mansion. Tila hinanda iyon ni Zeek para siyang sakyan nila papunta sa sinasabi niyong lugar. Natawa siya sa ideya na iyon.

"Where did you get this?" tanong niya chuckling.

"Ginagamit nila 'to to roam around sa buong Sejanos. This is the most convenient ride I could find. Medyo malayo na yung lalakarin natin if we will walk. Plus we will have to walk thru grass and roads," Zeek said.

Naunang sumampa na si Zeek sa ATV. Then gestured to help Yumie na sumakay sa likuran niya. Yumie is smiling as she rode the ATV. She held on to Zeek at nang makaupo, she just absentmindedly wrap her arms on Zeek's waist para kumapit rito. Zeek smiled coyly.

"Ready?" turan niya habang pinaandar na ang ATV. Yumie just held on to him tighter and he started to drive.

It took them 15 minutes to reach the place na tinutukoy ni Zeek. It was almost at the farmost end of the island. Yumie remembered the place. That's the area were she was brought 12 years ago para umalis sa Sejanos. It was the beach part. Pero wala na roon ang kubong pinasukan ni Rigor dati. It was now a clear landscape of a sea shore.

Sa gitna ng buhanginan, natanaw ni Yumie ang isang tent na sa hula niya'y hinanda ni Zeek para sa star watching nila. He probably had it all planned. Zeek parked the ATV just beside the tent. Pinauna siyang bumaba nito saka ito sumunod sa kaniya.

"And this is not baduy?" she said sarcastically na tinutukoy ang paghahanda ni Zeek sa stars watching nila.

"It's just a tent, ang KJ mo naman," sabi naman ni Zeek.

"You planned this?" natatawang turan ni Yumie habang sumusunod kay Zeek na naglakad na patungo sa tent.

"Not really," anito as he sits sa may pinto ng maliit na tent. "I just want to show you how beautiful Sejanos is even at night," he tapped the space beside him urging Yumie to sit on it.

Nagkibit balikat lang si Yumie saka umupo sa tabi nito. Napabuntong hininga siya as she looked up at the starry sky.

"The skies are extra beautiful today," pagkuwa'y turan niya. She really feel it like that.

This day is unexpectedly epic for her. She didn't realize na bigla-bigla na lang siyang makakatapak muli ng Sejanos when everything she thought was as if it was impossible. She didn't even expect that she get to see her mom again. It's as if everything is falling into its proper place. Kahit kailangan pa rin niyang magpanggap, for now, somehow she's contented knowing that Hacienda Dela Torre is ok and her mom is alive.

"It is really," sang-ayon ni Zeek. "You being here makes it even more beautiful," anito teasingly.

Napangiwi siya. "That's so cheesy. Last mo na yan," aniya. Zeek just laughed.

"But kidding aside, do you really feel much better now?" seryosong tanong ni Zeek.

Yumie ark her lips to a smile, gave a contented sigh and nod repeatedly. Actually, she felt happiness inside. Amidst all the drama during the day, she felt somewhat happier and relieved. It's as if things are starting to get right.

"I have never been better," she honestly confided. She gave him a look as if she was so grateful for everything that Zeek had let him experience this day. Zeek just gave him a reassuring smile.

"In fact, I wanted to thank you," pagkuwa'y turan ni Yumie. "You may never realize what you did to me today. But bringing me here in Sejanos made me so happy. I cannot describe to you the exact feeling. But I really am grateful that you insist for me to come," she said truth of the matter.

Going back to Sejanos, Yumie did realized to herself that no matter how painful things were 12 years ago, she is willing to forget it as long as she can come back to her home and live again with her mom. She can forget about revenge and accept the present that her mom is somewhat ok and that Sejanos is still her home. She realized that the Callejos may have been enemies of the past, but someone she can lean on and can trust now especially Zeek. She had just prove that there is no other place just like her true home.

Zeek was looking at her intensely. He truly admire this woman. She showed toughness and strenght on the outside but in reality she depends on people to give her strength. The way she reacted all throughout the day, just proves that she is susceptible to fear. Eventhough she's hiding her tears and worries, it is very transparent in her actions. He wanted to protect her at all cost. He wanted to give her assurance that no matter what happened 12 years ago, everything will be better now. He wanted to show how much he cared for her.

His love for her is undeniably genuine. He had never felt this to anyone before. Aminado siya sa sariling, Yumie did change her perspective in life. She made him fall inlove without specific reason. He just loved her no explanations.

"You may find it hard to believe but I did brought you here for I know that you will be happy seeing Sejanos. I did when I first saw it. This place gives you a love at first sight vibes. You just can't help it but to admire the place," sabi naman ni Zeek. "And tonight, the stars are the grand finale that will tell you to come back here for more."

Yumie gave a soft chuckle sa sinabi ni Zeek. It was honestly true.

"You're absolutely right. And I look forward to coming back here..." she said smiling.

They remained in silence for a couple of minutes. They both stared at the starry skies above. Pasulyap-sulyap si Zeek kay Yumie na tila tumetyempo para may sabihin. Tinatantiya niya kung dapat ba niyang ipaalam sa dalaga ang siyang katotohanan na ikinuwento sa kaniya ng ama. Hanggang sa tila nakaisip siya ng tamang paraan para iparating sa dalaga.

"Do you know the Dela Torres and Callejos are lifelong enemies before our time?" biglang nasabi ni Zeek na ikinalingon ni Yumie. "My Dad is not actually friends with Tito Hernan, Tita Mina's husband. But Tito Hernan did something to Dad that made their lives had a major twist of event."

Naging interesante kay Yumie ang tinutukoy ni Zeek. Napakunot ang noo niya. "W-what did he do?" nauutal na turan niya. Iniisip niyang hindi naman siya kilala ni Zeek and this may be a best time to know further the truth.

"Tito Hernan helped my Dad bring back his senses para umuwi ng Sejanos. You see, he ran away from Sejanos and went to China. My Dad wants to forget about everything about Sejanos for he got cold feet. But Tito Hernan pushed him to come back home."

'Yeah, he did come back. And he brought chaos to our lives,' ani Yumie sa isip. But she didn't voiced it out.

"But the old spark restarted again when he returned," nasabi niya. "I mean, as what I'ved heard," dugtong niya pilit pinagtatakpan ang sarili.

"That's what everyone thought. But the truth is, my Dad was actually helping Tito Hernan. You see, there are times that we made wrong decisions in life. Lalo na sa katulad nilang mga passionate na negosyante. Tito Hernan is not an exemption. He had made wrong choice that almost risk his very own Hacienda. But since may utang na loob si Daddy kay Tito Hernan, which I think Tito Hernan didn't knew, he tried helping him. Dad protects the Dela Torres secretly. Tito Hernan almost sold the land, but Daddy stepped in. He took care of everything and made sure that the other half of Sejanos will remain for the Dela Torres."

Hindi nakahuma si Yumie. What she heard was totally different for what she believed what happened 12 years ago. She wanted to doubt it but she felt that there's no reason for Zeek to lie to her. Wala itong dapat na patunayan sa kaniya. Zeek seemed casually telling it to her. She believed that Zeek doesn't know who she really is. And deep inside her, she wanted to believe Zeek.

"My Dad have proven that, not because Tita Mina can't remember, but the whole Sejanos can vouch for him. That's why Tita Mina will always be special. We promise to take care of her no matter what," ani Zeek na tumingin ng tuwid sa kaniya. Hindi niya inalis ang tingin niya rito. She can totally see in Zeek's eye that he is telling the truth.

"Did you know that she has daughter?" tanong niya. He wanted to see Zeek's reaction but he acted like it's a no surprise. Sinalubong lang nito ang tingin niya. "How would you think she will feel if she have known that? Do you think she can just simply forgive?"

Zeek gave a weak smile. Hindi niya inalis ang tingin kay Yumie. "She can get mad all she want. She can take revenge if she wanted to. My Dad understands the fact that what happened is unexplainably painful to her. She can get mad to me as well as she intended. But we will still protect her just the same."

Yumie felt the sincerity of it. Tila siya unti-unting nababawasan ng bigat sa dibdib. Tila unti-unting gumagaan ang daloy ng hangin sa paghinga niya. It is pointless to think that she wasted 12 years para makabalik sa totoong buhay niya. When there are people who actually cared for her. Napayuko siya. She wanted to hide in Zeek's stares that somehow she felt embarass for her belief.

Zeek reached for her hand and held it. Inangat niyang muli ang nakayukong mukha ni Yumie. He understood what she's feeling. And he wanted to assure here that amidst all that happened, he will be there for her.

"You know, if I had a chance to talk to Tita Mina's daughter," ani Zeek while looking at her. "I'd like to apologize in behalf of my Dad, for making her wait this long. And I'd tell her that whatever she'd gone thru, ibabalik ko sa kaniya all the time she missed being away from her mom. And that she can rest assured, that I will protect her with everything that I got to keep her safe for the rest of her life," Zeek said passionately as he looked at her directly.

And to Zeek's surprised, Yumie reached closer to him and kissed him. He was caught off guard at first. Halos hindi siya makagalaw. But as Yumie slowly moved her lips, he can't help but give in as well.

It was somewhat earth shattering. He always dreamed of it but never actually tasted it. And now that Yumie's lips locked into his, he knew that it was way better than he imagine. He wanted to keep it longer but it had ended before he get to enjoy it more. Zeek's face looked surprisingly annoyed sa paglayo ng mukha ni Yumie sa kaniya.

Yumie's face was so red kaya't iniwas niya ang tingin sa binata. She was really touched on what he had said. And like it's just a spur of the moment kaya bigla niya itong hinalikan.

"I... I'm... s-sorry..." she stammered. She didn't know what she was sorry for. "I-I d-didn't know w-what came t--"

Before she can say another word, Zeek pulled her through her neck and this time, he initiated the kiss. Siya naman ang nagulat but Zeek slowly caress her lips with his. He passionately pressed his to her soft lips. She can feel the intensity of it. She can help but to close her eyes and feel the warmness of his passionate kisses. Yumie let go of her inhibitions and accepted the reality that this kiss will be the start of something new...