Look At Me, Oneil

There were good things a month before Oneil and Essi parted. They were like the tamed seas for smooth sailing. All was well when they were in Bordeaux. Distinct lights oscillated in and throughout the chateaux of the Paulssons. Inside, the lights gave off warmth and a welcoming ambiance to anyone that entered. Outside, the shafts reflected the hidden romantic side of Bordeaux. The scent of the vineyard mixed with the wind. It was a perfect spot for people to know each other. It was also a pleasant evening for the Paulssons and the Mercators to have dinner. There was Madame Deleila, going back and forth to check the arrival of her visitors. Butler Roman was beside Madame Deleila to assure her that everything would run smoothly. However, the madame could not relax. Everything was ready except her daughter. The daughter was still on her way back to the chateaux. “Madame Essi, your mother is asking when do you get here?” Butler Roman asked with his baritone voice. His expertise and prox

There was a knock on the door on a Wednesday morning. It was the landowner’s son. Essi leaned herself on the jab of the door to scrutinize the young man. “What is it, Paco?” she asked in anticipation that the young man would exact her again for the rent of the house. She already paid the deposit and advanced fees. The boy couldn’t fool her anymore. “Nurse Jenny is here.” He left his nurse cousin in Essi’s house. “Hello, ma’am,” the nurse said. She was the same nurse that talked with her at the hospital. “May I come in?” “Yeah, sure,” Essi responded. She is puzzled that she has an unlikely visitor. “Is there anything I can help you with?” she asked while heading towards the kitchen. “By the way, would you like some juice?” “Anything will do, ma’am,” the nurse politely responded. A pleasant smell came to the nurse as Essi headed toward her. She brought crepes, chocolate, and orange juice. The nurse cannot deny her wonder why other people still think wrongly about Essi. When she a

It is an impending sense of dread for Essi that Gwyneth would still arrive any time sooner. If it were not for the bad weather in Manila, Gwyneth would have not been stranded until this time. Essi could still prepare for her arrival while managing all her wits and peace. But it was harder to deny that all her reasons to stay calm were leaving her grounds. “Why are you nervous? Did you meet some bad guys on your way?” Paco asked as he stood up from the long bench situated near Essi’s abode. The nineteen-year-old man went to Essi with the chivalrous endeavor of assisting her about whatever may come upon the lady. At first, he was not there out of his desire but because his mother instructed him to. He had to make sure that Essi is still on her normal psyche as a good tenant that will efficiently pay monthly dues to them. But now, Paco is convinced. Gossip seemed to not cease against Essi and has only evolved to accuse her with desperation for love. Indeed, those things were harsh. To

Essi had never been this busy, at least in the speculating eyes of those who were around her. They thought that she was up for no other purpose but to pursue Oneil. The news spread fast enough, surprising them that Essi has a job. Why, indeed, is it a good thing when most of the young people in the town had often preceded their life to marriage settlements and others get unemployed and underemployed? Inevitably, Essi has little by little become the very child that the families in Bayanihan somehow wanted, someone that is helpful and diligent for every little passion they have in their pocket. In any case, if Essi is one of their family members, they might be ready to stop her from the foolishness of looking for Oneil in the person of Riley. But she was just a neighbor that they can only talk about and at least acknowledge her efforts to live her own life. Yet, still, they would never excuse Essi from their conversation. “She’s quite fancy to have a job post at Gautarza,” one of the wo

Familiar eyes always last and the fierce one from Essi is maybe influenced by the heat of the rising sun. Or maybe by the deep thoughts in her, that scream through the windows of her soul. Riley, as he likes to call himself to be, cannot help but get curious about Essi’s sentiment. Does it still have something to do with her plan to take him as Oneil? Does she find it way too hard? He wanted to tell Essi that she should not worry. For he was also trying to look for ways to check about his past other than Marika’s aid. Yes, he was troubled about being a dumb mutt. How strong those words were! Indeed, he was challenged by the young lady, the very company of Essi who went away already. Her words stirred Riley to wonder what kind of person Oneil was. What was his background? What was his work? Was he a freeloader or a son of a rich man? What if he is not the former as Marika’s parents would satirically blabber at him when they got displeased fits about life and the people around them? Ev