Chapter 264 - Home In Molave 10

"It's good to see you here, classmate! On vacation?" asked Marcus after giving Hayri a tap on his shoulder.

"Yes," Hayri replied, saying nothing more than a wide grin.

"It's good to know that we both found out about this resort. I just want to breathe fresh air. It's been a while staying on a city and back to the island," Markus meant the Madani Island owned by his clan.

"I see."

"What brought you here?" Markus persisted despite the apparent disinterest in Hayri's part.

"This is the hometown of my brother-in-law, so, it's not just a vacation, it's more of a family reunion."

"I'm happy to know about it. How about a chat over coffee later?"

"Sure."

"See you then."

Markus and his companion went to find their rooms while the whole family left for that day's tour on a fruit farm. Aside from the corn, Ajie knew that his parents owned coconut, mango, and banana plantation. Stopping before a multiple-hectare farm with rows of green and thorny cacti, Ajie's eyes glowed in surprise and awe. The round-to-oblong, magenta-red scaly fruits hang on every stalk, giving an attractive red-and-green glow against the glaring sun.

"Dragon fruit?" Ajie exclaimed, his eyes filled with a strong admiration for his parents.

Leo smiled before he answered, "Yes, I bought this property with the money you give us. Dragon fruit is one of the current demands in the market, so I did not let the opportunity pass by when it knocked on our door."

"I agree. If I had the farming inclination, I would also grab the opportunity. The fruit is known for its high content of nutrients and antioxidants, that's why it is in demand," Mrs. Lopez commented.

"Wow! How I wish I can try eating it fresh from its stalk," Jane exclaimed, her mouth watered at the thought of its white, juicy flesh dotted with tiny black seeds.

"Why not?" Issa answered, and right away, she led them into the farm cottage.

Having everyone find their seats, the caretakers went to pluck out fruits. Jane followed out of her curiosity, and so did Cherry and the kids. While she cut the fruit with her deft hands, she also explained, making the ladies gape in awe.

"Dragon fruit, also known as Pitaya, grows well in dry areas. Its white, bell-shaped flowers only bloom during the night, that's why it is also called, "Lady of the Night" or "moonflower".

While no one raised a voice to ask, the caretaker continued, "It's sweet fragrance diffuse while the flowers are blooming. The meat of the fruit can either be red or white, dotted with Kiwi-like seeds, but it's edible."

"Can I eat plenty of it?" Chloe opened her eyes wide again, a skill she had used to amuse or bewitched her audience.

"Of course, you can. Your grannies own the farm, anyway."

The ladies laughed and commented in unison as they followed the caretaker again back to the cottage. "We will also eat as much we can."

"We are praying for a successful harvest because we hope to be able to buy a pickup car this time," Leo announced happily. "We are already too old to use our horses as a means of transportation."

Ajie felt guilty at his father's news, and his heart sank even more when Allie looked at him with confronting eyes. How could he be so inconsiderate about it? The truth was, it never occurred to him until that moment.

"Tay, Nay, I'm so sorry. Perhaps, it's because we are so used to our old ways that I have overlooked this matter. You don't have to wait for a harvest. I will buy a car and delivery trucks for you. My wife is killing me now with her looks."

Ajie's eyes blurred with unshed tears as he hooked an arm around Allie's shoulders.

"Thank you, son, but your father can afford it. Only that he always spare a budget to prepare for farming calamities."

"I will also buy one for you. I may not be earning as much as Adrian but we already have more than enough savings," Andrew also offered, his heart torn with a sense of pity.

"Okay, I will not buy the car but farming machinery, instead," Ajie said, then he turned to Andrew, "Brod, if you plan to start a business, don't hesitate to come to me."

"I already have that in mind. Thank you so much for offering it first."

Ajie smiled and replied, "That's what siblings are for."

Andrew glistened right away after that heartwarming words. If only he could turn back the time, he would never hurt Ajie again. He remembered how Ajie always gave way for him, even with the scholarship budget, which was supposedly his during their high school days.

The caretaker then spread the first sliced, fresh dragon fruit on the table. Everyone got a piece except Hayri, who became too busy in cooing his nephew. He saw Jane took a bite of her juicy slice, and his mouth watered. He stood up and sat beside Jane. As she was about to raise her hand to take another bite, Hayri grabbed her arm and pulled her hand to his mouth, instead.

Jane's eyes grew wide as she got conscious of the eyes thrown in her direction, and Chloe giggled hard in seeing her.

"I'm sorry I can't wait," Hayri also laughed and raised a hand to Chloe, and the girl met it with her little palm. At the sound of a clap and a wink from Hayri, Chloe giggled again.

"Yuck, Hayri! I already bit it," Jane exclaimed, in her effort to stop a rise of suspicion. However, Hayri bent her head and whispered something to her ear.

"I didn't think about that when we kissed, and I even want more of it."

Jane looked up, annoyed, but Hayri responded with an ear-to-ear grin. Jane knew everybody was watching them. Somehow, she was glad and thankful that nobody seemed to care. However, Cherry picked up a bottle, stood up, and faced no one. With a hand gesture like she was strumming a guitar, she lifted her beautiful voice and sang.

"If only your eyes can tell what my heart wants to say...

If only my lips get the courage to speak,

It would have said those words I long to shout..."

Andrew also stood up and tapped the table in a rhythmic sound like he was playing the piano. With his resonant voice, he also lifted his voice for a duet with Cherry.

"...I would have said, "I love you" a long time ago."

Everyone burst in laughter, adding more color to Jane's flushed cheeks. To ease her sense of awkwardness, she commented,

"I never heard before that dragon fruit can make one drunk."

Their laughter increased, making the baby cry. Hayri touched the baby's chin in an attempt to coax him. With a wider grin and an amused expression, Hayri looked into the eyes of the little one and said,

"How can you be so innocent, my love?"

With that, almost everyone cried in amus.e.m.e.nt while Jane almost fainted in embarrassment.