Chapter 26: Chapter 26

I've visited a lot of farms and plantations, but I'm still in awe of where Zachary took me. Unconsciously, my lips curled into a smile, and I gradually closed my eyes when the cool breeze hit my face. I felt like I was being pulled into an abyss—no problems, feeling safe and secure. There are trees and plants around, as well as various animals that roam freely throughout the area.

"Stay here with Aunt Victoria. I'm just going to help Mang Pidong pick coconuts," Zachary said.

I didn't do anything but nod. He first arranged the mat he had brought and laid it on the wide bamboo seat. He patted it, then put the basket he had prepared earlier at home to one side.

"I prepared some sandwiches and snacks in case you get hungry," he said.

"Okay," I replied sparingly, and I looked around.

"Do you want to tour around?" he asked.

I frowned. "I thought you would help Mang Pidong?"

"Well, that will only take about two hours." He shrugged. "I will accompany you around here after that if you want."

First, I gave it some thought. Although the sun was steadily gaining strength, I was not particularly bothered by it because a large tree was blocking the area where we were stationed. The wind was also strong, so I didn't feel sweaty either.

Perhaps staying right here was not a bad idea.

"Okay, I'll just wait for you. I'll also help Aunt Victoria first so I won't be bored," I said.

He smiled at me and came closer to plant a kiss on my forehead. "Call me when you need anything or when you suddenly feel like going home."

"Just go. Get out of my face," I said, then gave him an eyeroll.

I was stunned when his arm wrapped around my waist. "Such an early morning for my wife to be rude," he joked softly, laughing slightly and then kissing my senses.

I rolled my eyes at him even though my chest was starting to explode with inexplicable nervousness. "Stop pestering me, Zachary. I am not your wife."

"Hmmm. Why? Because we're not yet married?" he asked casually.

My jaw dropped when I heard that. I unintentionally turned my attention to him. Zachary stared at me, giving me the thought that if I just mentioned that I wanted it, he would fulfill my request immediately.

I swallowed hard and pulled away from him. "Go there," was all I said.

I tried to avoid him. I awkwardly walked towards Aunt Victoria, who was busy peeling papaya, but before I could reach her place, I was stopped when someone bumped into me. A girl hit the grass. Her nose quickly turned red, and she was ready to cry.

"I'm sorry," I said gently while kneeling in front of her.

"It hurts," she told me.

My eyes widened, and then I helped her stand. Her tears flowed silently as she looked at me. I was suddenly alarmed; I didn't know how to console her.

"Let me," Zachary interjected, leveling at the girl as well. "Hi, Zia. It's nice seeing you again. Where does it hurt?" he spoke softly to her.

The girl pointed to her buttocks. My eyes immediately widened, and fear ate at my chest at the thought that she might have fallen hard on the grass and fractured somewhere. I quickly faced Zachary, my lips still slightly trembling.

"I think we should bring her to the hospital," I said worriedly.

He smiled at me and then held my hand, apparently telling me that everything was okay and that I should trust him. He again faced the child he called Zia and carefully wiped the tears from her cheeks. He smiled at her.

"Does it still hurt?" Zachary asked softly.

The girl shook her head. "Not anymore, Kuya Zachary." (Kuya: Brother)

Somehow I breathed a sigh of relief, but I still couldn't help but examine her body, looking for possible injuries from what had happened.

"Who is she?" the girl asked as she pointed her finger at me.

Zachary smiled and gently let go of me. He picked up Zia, then fixed the small hairs covering her face. I just stood up and watched them.

"She's my wife," Zachary replied.

Even if I wanted to complain and oppose him, I couldn't because my attention was focused on the child.

"Are you really okay?" I asked.

"Yes. It doesn't hurt anymore," she replied.

I smiled while admiring her lovely features. She has plump cheeks, long eyelashes, and naturally crimson lips. If I'm right, she's between the ages of four and five.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you," I repeated.

She smiled back at me and then nodded, a sign that she accepted my apology. "You're pretty," she said.

I felt my cheeks heat up at her praise. Even though it wasn't the first time I heard such a word, I still couldn't help but feel ashamed. Zachary's laughter caught our attention.

"She really is. I hope our daughter will look like her," he said as if he didn't have anything to say while staring at my face.

Zia and I both widened our eyes. The girl's eyes focused on me before they fell on my stomach. Her mouth fell open, and later broke off from Zachary's hold. I was surprised when she came to me and caressed my stomach carefully.

"Is there a baby here?" she asked innocently.

I swallowed hard. I couldn't lie to her, which is why I didn't answer right away. Zachary came next to me and gently rubbed my stomach also.

"There is. Do you want to play with him when he's born?" he asked Zia.

I remained speechless. It felt like there was a big stone blocking my throat as I watched the girl who depended on Zachary's words. I could feel her excitement, as if she had imagined everything just now.

"Maybe they're waiting for you there," I changed the subject.

I tried to calm myself down. I have to admit that my conscience is eating me, not for Zachary but for the girl in front of us now. She's too innocent to be involved in this. I. .  .  I don't want to hurt her.

"Yeah," he said, then chuckled. "It's really hard to stay away from you," I heard him whisper.

I ignored him and just let him say goodbye to Zia. Zachary also mentioned before he left that the child was the granddaughter of one of the people he drank with at the wedding. It is said that his grandfather often took Zia with him whenever they harvested fruits and vegetables because he had no one else to watch over her.

"Do you want to sit? I have food in the basket." I smiled at Zia.

She gave me a nod before following me to the spot Zachary had been getting ready earlier. I offered her food—sandwiches, chips, cookies, etc.—one by one. In the end, she took the ham and egg sandwich that I showed her first. She was eagerly biting into the bread she was holding, and I couldn't help but smile as I watched her.

I didn't try to disturb her, and I just focused my attention on the front. Not far away, I saw Zachary busy helping the elderly. He collected the coconuts in one place that fell from the top of the tree where someone had climbed it. His face displayed enjoyment, and he appeared to be very comfortable doing what he was doing.

"Why do you look sad?" I turned my gaze to Zia when she spoke.

She looked at me innocently, as if my face were strange. I don't know what she was seeing or how she said that, but I just smiled at her. I caressed her black and curly hair.

"I'm not sad," I sweetly assured.

She slightly tilted her head and stared at me even more; later, she shook his head. "You're really sad. Mother said it's not good when a pregnant woman is sad. She said the baby will be sad too."

Her intelligence made me smile again. "I hope I have a child like you," I whispered, continuing to stroke her hair.

"Hmmm. Which is pretty?"

I laughed. "Which is kind and smart. It doesn't matter if she's pretty or not."

She acted thinking for a second. "When you gave birth, you will also have a beautiful, smart, and kind baby."

I only let out a forced smile before focusing my eyes on Zachary again. "I hope so..." I whispered so that only I could hear.

But that's impossible because . . . I'm now infertile.