“MY DRESS is really pretty. Thank you, Esmie. I’m glad you finally finished it. It had been stuck with you for a year.”
Esmeralda could only smile as she watched Cynthia Lyn swinging the skirt of her floral dress. She was carrying a basket of fried banana rolls in one hand as snacks for the people repairing Mrs. Ising’s house.
“You should have washed it before wearing it,” she said.
“I could have worn it if you finished it yesterday. Jeremy won over me because you sew his clothes first.”
Esmeralda was inspired to sew using her new machine. She could now finally sew all the fabrics she cut last month. She felt a different kind of energy when she began sewing again. Even though she was tired from sewing till midnight, she was still enthusiastic when she woke up to cook and clean the house the next day.
The upcoming livelihood program was a huge thing for her neighbors, and she could teach them sewing. She felt like she had found another purpose in life. Ever since Jeremy got sick, her world revolved around him. She forgot about herself. Through simple sewing, she felt like she had redeemed herself.
After a few minutes of walking, they finally reached the river where Mrs. Ising’s house stood. Most of the men from the site were there to help. The old woman had no money to hire workers, so their neighbors took the initiative to repair the house. She knew that the materials donated by Amadeus were a huge help. The cooperative spirit was still alive in their barrio. And Esmeralda and Cynthia Lyn contributed food for them.
“Snack time!” Cynthia Lyn called and put the basket on the bamboo bench. “Stop working for now. Let’s eat.”
Esmeralda walked to Kadyo. “Um, did Richard return to Manila already?”
“No. He’s up there,” he said and pointed at the man who was busy hammering the roof. “Sir Richard, let’s eat first. You can continue later. We’re not in a hurry. Esmeralda is already here.”
“Uuuuy!” the neighbors teased.
She spotted the only man on the roof wearing a cap. When he lifted his head, she recognized Amadeus. He smiled when he saw her. He finally stopped hammering and went down.
She grabbed a fried banana roll with jackfruit and lemongrass tea for him and waited for him until he finished washing his face. "Here's your snack."
“Thank you,” he said and sat under the mango tree.
"Why do you have to work yourself? What if you get hurt by the hammer and fall? The hospital is far from here." He might blame it on her if something bad happened to him.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m all right. Besides, I want to get the work done faster.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be in Manila or whichever part of the world where your company needs you?” she asked and folded her arms.
He bit his banana roll. “I’m on a break right now. Don’t you know that rich people do volunteer works, too?”
“Do you know what you’re doing?”
“I am learning. Don’t worry. You’re going to see me here for a long time. You won’t miss me for a while.”
She frowned. “You could be the windmill. You’re full of air.”
She turned her back at him. They would see if he could really last longer in San Luis.
“GOODNESS! Are we still in the Philippines?” Luvelyn, Jeremy’s private nurse, asked with eyes when she finally woke up from her slumber.
“A half an hour more. I’m sorry. Many bridges were damaged because of the typhoon,” Esmeralda said shyly. They had been traveling from Manila for eight hours now, but they have not reached San Luis yet. "Thank you for staying as Jeremy's nurse even though our place is too far."
She went to pick Luvelyn up when she decided to stay as her brother's nurse. They were inside the van which Florida, Amadeus's personal assistant, arranged for her. Amadeus did not allow her to commute, especially when he found out that he wanted to buy fabrics from Divisoria. Florida acted as her personal assistant during her time in Manila. She even sent souvenirs for Jeremy and Amadeus's supplies to her. The only offer she refused was when Florida asked her to stay at one of Amadeus's hotels and the shopping. She wanted to live simply because she could no longer be indebted to Amadeus. If she would accept another favor from him, it would only for Jeremy and not for her.
"I am not complaining. I need change. I need to get away from my annoying suitor. I guess he could never follow me to San Luis." She shifted in her seat. "Madam, what happened between you and Sir Aiden. I was so excited to attend your wedding until it got canceled. Was there a third party?"