Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Through the pouring rain and the darkness of the night, Esmeralda cried quietly. Her world was wonderful when she was in Richard’s arms. Within the moment he was kissing her, she felt like she was in a fairytale. Only to be sucked off by emptiness and woken up by reality.

It was painful for her to go back to reality. She had responsibilities to Jeremy and Aiden. It was like a mortal sin to think of her own happiness even for a moment.

It was a huge mistake to share that kiss with him. It was a clear betrayal to Aiden and Jeremy. She should not ruin a bright future for some temporary madness.

But she could not keep Richard's kiss off her mind. That kiss had seemed to marked her whole being. And she was scared now that she had tasted a real kiss she would keep wanting for more.

“THOSE people from other places were unfortunate. They did not have food until now,” Nana Ising said while listening to the radio. “The politicians are holding them and only give to their allies. Shameless pricks.”

"It's a good thing that we're prepared," Esmeralda said. But she wished everything would go back to normal or help would come because they were already running out of food. To make that happen, the men from the village needed to cross the river and go to town.

"The typhoon did not bring pure bad luck. It also brought a blessing," Cynthia Lyn said and grinned in Richard's direction.

He was topless as he harvested the leaves of sweet potato vine for lunch. While the other men were checking the damage of the typhoon in their own houses.

When Richard glanced in their direction, Cynthia Lyn waved while Esmeralda looked away. She had been avoiding him this morning. She did not even look at him. He was a big temptation to her. She did not sleep well last night because she could still feel his kisses on her. And even though they were not close, she could still feel his gaze on her skin.

"I wish another typhoon would come, so Richard did not have to leave," Cynthia Lyn uttered.

She threw the scraped fruit of moringa at her friend. "Be careful what you wish for. You saw the people who have lost their loved ones, their homes and were suffering from hunger because of the typhoon. Now you want another one?"

Cynthia Lyn pouted. “I just don’t want him to leave.”

“You should not be selfish and think about your personal interest even though other people are suffering,” Nana Ising said. “Besides, if that love is for you, it would be for you. He will always return if he was the one for you.”

Cynthia Lyn lowered her head. “I won’t do it again.”

“It would be best if the weather gets better so he could go home to his family,” she said and gazed at the sky. Though it was still dark because of the thick clouds, it did not seem to rain any moment from now.

She wanted him to leave their place, so she did not have to be confused anymore. She was getting married. It was already planted in her mind. Nothing was between Aiden and her because she was interested in other guys. But one look from Richard and she was already weak. When he kissed her, she suddenly forgot that she was getting married. How much more if he stayed there longer?

And her prayers seemed to be answered when her cellphone rang from a coming text message. “The reception is back!”

It was a text message from Aiden, checking on her situation in San Luis. He was still out of the country. She tried to call him, but she could not reach him because the signal dropped to one bar. She tried texting him, but it failed to send.

“The reception is still weak,” Esmeralda complained and clacked her tongue. “And it’s unstable!”

“You should just go over to the hill because it’s the only place you can find a strong reception,” Topher said. “Your boyfriend must be worried about you.”

"Right," she said and stood up. She grabbed her umbrella. She badly needed to talk to Aiden. She needed to sweep Richard out of her mind.

“Take Richard with you. I’m sure he wants to talk to his family to tell them that he’s safe.”

She glanced at Richard, who was still busy talking to her neighbors. She still felt awkward talking to him, so she nudged Topher instead. "Could you go and tell him that there's already a reception, but we need to hike to the hill?"

“Why don’t you tell him yourself?” he asked.

“I-I still have to get the umbrella and power bank. My battery could get low,” she reasoned.

Cynthia Lyn suddenly stopped her by the arm. “Can’t you give it a few more days?” she begged.

“And you have nothing to feed him but bananas?” she retorted.

“I’ll feed him love.”

Esmeralda pulled her arm from her. “I got to go. Aiden must be worried about me.”

Esmeralda went inside the house. Soon Richard could finally leave San Luis. Her heart will be at peace now. Hopefully.