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 compensate for his time and guilt, he excused the task as if it is his own will to see how Essi was doing. Perhaps, he could receive foods he never tasted in his life too – even some chocolates that he can bring to school.
Essi only shook her head as an answer while her eyes were on the food box. She glanced at Paco while handing the food out, “Do you like some Cassoulet? It is still warm.”
Without a hint of reluctance, Paco received it. He had a swift smile before looking at her again. “Well, how was your day? Where have you been?” he asked with warmness, cautious in himself if he sounded too interested.
“The usual,” Essi replied soullessly.
“And you heard similar accusations again or even worse?” Paco tried joking it out to ease the tension. He didn’t know it was unhelpful until he realized it after a few seconds. He would have punched himself but Essi was gentle with her response.
“It was not like that. I have other problems, too, you know?” Essi stated while unlocking the door. She tried turning the lights, but the lamp flickered in faulty glints.
Paco offered to change the light bulbs for her. As the lights got better, Essi invited Paco to her living room.
“You know what? With all of this fuss happening to you and your fiance, then why not conduct a DNA test to confirm your claims? I mean, we can at least give you the benefit of the doubt. We can give you the chance to prove that Riley is Oneil.” Paco has the basic solution for resolving the problem but has no idea what Essi’s other concerns were.
“Well, what do you think will happen once the result comes out?” Essi challenged so that Paco will arrive at her thoughts.
“If almost a hundred percent confirmed? We will be convinced. Even Riley.”
“And what do you think would happen to Marika if the results come out?”
“Well, you should not care about how much it affects her. It’s not like we have ever seen a Riley Ramirez before. You never know. What if she is all making this stuff up since she was this insecure about being the single one among the Sanchez ladies?”
“Wait, that is a little harsh,” Essi defended. It surprised Paco but Essi was only trying to put herself in Marika’s shoes. It was something that the latter never did to Essi since her arrival. “What if Marika also has a strong basis about Riley Ramirez? What if she might have confused a real person with another real person?”
Paco scowled, frustrated by Essi’s kind of logic. “I don’t understand. The DNA result should at least resolve all this confusion.”
“It only offers concrete answers but not compensation. What about the person named Riley? And the people who believed in Oneil as the Riley Ramirez they knew? The DNA result is not enough to silence their real memories with him, and if I will take him, who will be the Riley Ramirez to remain with them?”
Paco nodded at Essi’s explanation. “Interesting. I thought you never cared about the people who dealt with your fiance.” He guessed the same plan that she had and that was to find the real Riley Ramirez.
“In fact, in this age and knowing what kind of connections you can secure, it will be easy for you to find the real Riley Ramirez,” Paco commented which surprised Essi.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I think that you are not an ordinary person. For me, you’re someone that can tell other people easy to work for you,” Paco carefully replied. He never had any idea about Essi’s real background. He cannot rely on how other people see Essi.
“If I could do that, then I wouldn’t have been here.”
By this time, Paco cannot help but ask her again why Essi was not looking for others’ help. “Do his parents know about this? You could have asked help from them and especially from your parents.”
Essi had a bittersweet smile. How could she even do it with them whom she had quarreled with the night before her flight to the Philippines? Her parents were in extreme disagreement with her plan to invest in the Cable Link and FC Mildea Expressway. These two projects were impeded for many years since many investors took back their investing hands due to development issues in the locality. Essi wanted to defy such fears by extending the cooperation on developing the area for a safer implementation of these projects. She believes that it would create a great change and easier transportation in the community. The details of the project, once it will be delivered, can join the league of world-class infrastructures and highways. For her, it would put the other reluctant investors to shame. Everything is going smoothly for her plans for the investment. But her relationship with her parents is not. She couldn’t take it if she will return to Bordeaux like a jinxed woman.
Only by hearing a short answer about Essi’s quarrel with her parents, Paco could sum up what Essi is facing.
“So you don’t want to face them being this problematic about Oneil with his lost memories?” Paco has a hint that Essi seems to take pride in not showing her failing areas. “Are you a sort of perfectionist? Someone that solves the problem first before others could know?”
“What can I do? Even if I tell it to Oneil’s parents, my parents would know, and it would just get worse since they never agreed with me on coming to the Philippines. Oneil just decided to join me since he knew about the quarrel.”
Paco has his brows furrowed to a persisting confusion. “How about Oneil’s parents? Aren’t they worried about their son not contacting them for how many days already?”
Essi remembered how frustrated Oneil looked while they were sitting next to each other during their flight. He also shared his disagreement with his parents to sell off their only computer part manufacturing company in the Philippines. He was challenged to only return once the problem with that company was settled.
“You guys sounded like children on utter tantrums,” Paco suddenly commented. “You know what? Even if I had a great quarrel with my parents, I cannot last a week or even a day without talking to them. I mean, I would dare to hear their nagging than to go away hearing nothing.”
“That is great of you then,” Essi replied although she could hardly imagine how a seemingly stubborn lad could do that. “But don’t get us wrong. Oneil and I would not dare to bring another problem when there is already a heavy one drifting us from our parents. I believe that I should not make this harder for them. So… I will try minimal ways of recovering Oneil first before taking the drastic measure.”
Paco expressed his sympathy to Essi. Now he knew how Essi was heavily wronged by other people. He could only offer his simple means to help. “I can start searching for the real Riley Ramirez online.”
Essi looked at the young man surprised. It is not about the little thing he can do but the thought that he wanted to help move her. She could at least count that Paco is already believing her.
The young man stood up, assuring Essi to return the food box the next day. He took Essi’s number to give her updates about his search. Essi was left in her house, smiling with the comfort she felt since the time she entered the town. Before stepping away from the bamboo gates, Paco looked back at her.
“Don’t concern yourself about other things, Essi. Commence the test. It is your only strong evidence to take him back.”
Essi only smiled. “Silly child,” she commented. Even without the DNA test result, she could confirm her claims about Oneil to be correct. But she already sent the samples right after finding Oneil’s passport in his office. Nurse Jenny allowed Essi to use her name for sending it. It would not hint to any of the Mercators, Paulssons, and their nearby people to know Essi’s activity, given that the DNA test is only outside the country.
Although she sounded naive for not telling Paco about her leap of faith for bigger things to solve her ordeal, she wanted to know how far would the people interacting with her suggest ways of taking Oneil back. By that, she would see those who consider her claims and those who do not believe them. At least, she can take confident breaths when someone like Paco is around. After all, she heard about Paco’s technical computer skills.
“Ma’am Essi, I already found someone that can trace Riley Ramirez,” Nurse Jenny reported via phone call.
“That’s great. I also have Paco to search for him online.”
“It is better then. But I’d like to call to confirm something.”
The next question brought Essi affright.
“Did you know that Miss Gwyneth is already in our province? She shared on social media how she was able to go through all flight cancellations and arrive tonight.”
The news was like a splash of cold waters, harsher than the torrential rains that Essi once witnessed during her mountain trek. Her paths drew her to an impulsive drive, almost flying, just to catch up with Gwyneth before anything might get out of control. She managed to take her corporate attire to maintain the demeanor that the Mercators got impressed with her. She counted it as a reason why the Mercators regarded her with respect even though other families look at her as undeserving to be with Oneil. With many things driving in her mind, she still had the mental strength to execute her intention spontaneously. Essi had no other choice of transportation means but to run towards a motorcycle terminal, hoping that a driver is available to send her downtown. “Essi, it is night already. I’m afraid that your fare will get higher,” the driver was reluctant. It is noticeable that he was already planning to go home. A pack of roasted chicken was already tied to the maneuver of his motorbik
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
It was like the ruins after the storm, for Victor to see the girls in an awkward stillness. Without their words, Victor begins to understand that there were issues that probably spurred out between Essi and Gwyneth. Girls were always like this, having their way to confront and reconcile with each other. "Is there anything wrong?" he asked to ensure that the ground is safe for him to meddle with them. "No, nothing," Essi responded but proceeded to the kitchen after the gesture to let Victor sit. "Well, I guess we are better now," Gwyneth forced a smile while tucking the hem of her skirt into the rattan chair. It is her way to distract herself although it is vain. Her offer received no reaction from Essi. It is embarrassing but making the situation worse shall never be her option. Gwyneth repeated how sorry she was for insulting Essi a while ago. She could have refrained herself but it is done now. Both of them are doomed to the same boat loaded with the luggage of their issues. Vict
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
When every day will never be the same to the people of Bayanihan, their very Barangay Captain Arturo Sanchez counted that his nights were always the same. Almost every night, even from a farther distance, he could hear Marika and Riley quarreling about the same thing. However, it was Marika’s voice that traverses through the sky and dooms his residence to a chaotic connection with Riley’s hut. If he was Riley, he would have cut off Marika to stronger arguments to prevent her deplorable fits. He knew that his daughter only throws accusations at the weak link. But the young man does not retaliate. Riley could reason but has never demanded Marika to peace out for the meanwhile. Yet, who is Captain Arturo but a mere father to an already grown woman who can now think on her own? What was best he could do was to spare advice from Marika’s sentence of no adherence. So his night was spent away. But a peaceful morning somehow eased his trouble. Captain Arturo went out of his house for his of
There were moments in rural life that are indeed idyllic. People are feeding their animals, children are sharing household chores, and some were preparing their meals. Gwyneth counted it a warm setting that made her pleased that she chose to stay with Essi. With a cup of milk and a provincial tabloid rationed to them, her morning is perfected. She randomly read out loud special portions in the tabloid that surfaced a contentious quote. “No relationship would like to wait for a busy woman,” Gwyneth read and halted with a strong degree of wonder. She glanced at Essi who was moving back and forth while checking the things she needed for work. “Did you hear what I read, Essi?” “I doubt that. Oneil is the one in my mind while I work though,” Essi replied with her morning brushed voice. It sounded like one of a soprano on a serious low-tone monologue. It may be quite nonchalant but Gwyneth acknowledged the sincerity. “Not just in the office. He’s always in my mind although I have appointme
It seems like someone is shy. Paco cannot escape Gwyneth's scrutinizing eyes although he already revealed his honest intention to not harm Essi. He tried keeping his pace faster but Gwyneth's steps are longer. Gwyneth is of the same height as him, 5'5. There are times she gets to walk closer next to Paco but would also get a little farther as if she wants to look at him from another angle. Her blond hair reveals the gentle touches of the wind as they stroll past the hill towards Essi's house. She keeps looking at him, with a sheepish smile. Her eyes also sparkle to a degree of knowing his little secret. Paco stopped for a while to stare at her. "Is there something you want to say?" "No, nothing," Gwyneth said but her grin would like to tell otherwise. "Just wanna make sure if Essi's admirer passes my standards first before hers." Paco felt stepping again on the cold floors of an ancestral house that they can no more reclaim. He can act that Gwyn
It’s a small world after all… and Bayanihan Town is just a speck of dust. All its corners cannot hide from the storm. It cannot keep Essi and Oneil aloof. After all those pleas yesterday, the two only have a little distance at the market. Oneil is up for his work in the rice store while Essi is in aim to stock some groceries. The sky is in the mood for bad weather, and the people are in the business to get ready for a coming storm. “Son, why are your thoughts away? I told you I want this variety of rice instead of what you are preparing,” the old woman told Oneil. “I’m sorry, ma’am.” The old woman understood him. “Young man, strengthen your mind to be in focus amid all problems. Don’t let your youthful years be clouded with worry.” Oneil smiled while scaling the rice. The old woman asked him of his name. Instead of the one he used to wear, he intended to mention Oneil. Perhaps, by this, Essi will forgive his words of yesterday near-evening. He glanced