Ayesha Point of View
After the meal, we had a little conversation in the living room first except for Vener who went to his room. His mom is very cheerful and hospitable. She wants us to feel at home, I feel it and I know Ron feels the same way. I don't feel that the life they have is far different, that their life is luxurious the opposite of how I feel about Gia. That despite his elegant and gentle face was her undesirable temperament was within. I don't know, I just sense it. Is it was just hunched or I have misjudged her? Am I clouded with the thoughts I have?
I just breathed a sigh of comfort when Gia excused herself to answer an important call. I gazed back to Aunt Beatrice who's talking about her experiences, asking about me and Ron and how're our grown-up memories. I gradually became interested in every word she would mention.
After a while, Ron went to the restroom leaving as two in the living room. It's a relief that I didn't feel the awkwardness because of Aunt Venice bubbly behaviour. Is it because she wanted a daughter according to her? Or that was her inclined personality.
"Are you sure that Vener doesn't court you?" Aunt Venice asked in disbelief when I said that we're just living in the same building and a fellow teacher, nothing more.
"Why?" I shrugged as a response. She looked at me as if she was having thoughts in mind but she chose not to let out his remarks and shift to another topic.
"It's our fault in the first place. I know that I forced him to do what we, as his parents, want without realising what he wishes for. We decide on everything for him but I'm glad that now he's opening up what he yearns for," Aunt Beatrice said. She was sad and the atmosphere became gloomy. I understand them because Vener was an only child and all their assets will be given to him. "But I do not know if his decision was right."
"Then, fully trust him, Aunt Beatrice," I said with full conviction though in the back of my mind don't have the right to tell her those words.
My father always told us that making decisions, is like choosing the road when you come to an intersection. As long as you know the way to your destination, choosing the right road presents no difficulty. In the same way, if you know your goals are, making reasonable decisions becomes simpler.
Maybe, on their part was so hard if you are used to it.
Our conversation was interrupted when we heard a footstep. Just as Ron came from the bathroom, Vener also came from his room, Aunt Beatrice told us to go to their farm.
Vener looked at me and Ron. "Have you tried a back ride?"
I nodded as I smiled with the idea that we will be riding a motorcycle. It's been a while since I've tried it. I looked at Ron and I know, for sure that she knows what is on my mind.
We went outside after saying goodbye to Aunt Beatrice. We saw Gia still busy talking over her phone. Vener bid his goodbye and Gia protested but upon realizing that she has an ongoing call, she gave up. After that, we went to their garage and a male helper was there preparing for the motorcycle we'll be going to use.
How many helpers do they have? They are true, rich.
"Uncle Bert, is everything ready?" asked the helper.
"Yes, sir. At your service," Uncle Bert answered and gave the key to Vener.
"I'll drive," I suddenly said that made Vener's dreamy eyes widened. Ron, who was just next to me, shoved me because of what I said. I beamed.
When my statement finally sinks in his mind, he smirked and handed me the key without any questions.
"Please, drive slowly, " Ron remarked and smiled faintly. She sighed in defeat and went to the other side where the other motorcycle parked. Uncle Bert will be the driver, though Ron knows how to drive she let him without informing him that she was a rider. Uncle Bert started the engine and I did also.
"Just follow uncle Bert," he said. I pull the clutch lever, change to first gear, slowly release the clutch, and twist the throttle slightly. I put my feet up on the pegs as the bike acquires forward momentum.
Uncle Bert lead the way so I followed him.
We pass by the lush and beautiful trees with a dew that seems to envelop them even if it's already afternoon. The touch of the wind made me feels good, maybe because of the temperate climate of the area. Riding a motorcycle feels good but as I feel Vener's slight touch on my hips made it all bad. It's a normal set-up when riding a motorcycle but I felt a different sensation in my system, I seemed to be tickled. As if there are many butterflies inside me and they are very getting wild. I suddenly felt regret volunteering to drive. I tried my best to concentrate on the road and follow Uncle Bert' motorcycle for us not to be left behind.
We entered the right part and it was a rough road.
"We are close to the entrance of the farm," Vener shouted for me to hear when I asked him if still far and no longer followed any statements until we reached the farm.
"Welcome sir, ma'am," a group of people greeted us. They are wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats called "payabyab" to provide sun protection.
We greeted them back.
Vener went near them and introduced them. Uncle Tom was their helper on the farm since Vener's still a kid and the overall in charge of the farm together with his son, Matthew. Aunt Lea was in charge of pest control and Joe was in charge of quality control. Others are a helper for a year. "They are related to each other. So all in all, this is 10 hectares. 6 hectares for coffee, 1 hectare for sweet white corn and the other 3 for vegetables."
"Come on, I'll take you to our farm," he said and head us the way and we walked.
"Be careful, you may stumble," he warned me and Ron but I didn't care enough. I stepped on a colour silver wrapper that something slippery caused me to stumble. I shrieked and I thought I would fall to the ground priceless. I didn't know what comes next because of the quickness of the scenario. The next thing I knew, I was on top of Vener setting on the ground that made everyone shocked mixed with a glint of concerned faces.