LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 8: Feeling Hurt
Meliza's POV
"Are you ready to explore the plantation?" Jonathan asked as he helped me dismount his chosen horse after we reached the entrance of the mango plantation.
"Yes, I am," I responded with a smile as I looked around. I giggled when I saw ripe mangoes hanging above our heads.
Jonathan jumped and plucked one of the ripe fruits. Adriana's Mango plantation is the country's number one supplier of the sweetest mangoes.
"I am always fascinated with this place, the cool breeze, and the wonderful scenery around us. I love the mango plantation the most," I added as I watched him peel the mango using his bare hands. My mouth watered as I looked at the fruit in his hand.
He handed it to me, and I quickly took the peeled mango and devoured it like I hadn't eaten for a long time. I couldn't stop from closing my eyes as I savored its sweetest.
I could taste its freshness in my mouth, just like in the old days. When I opened my eyes, I felt embarrassed as I found my friend looking at me with his mouth agape.
"I am sorry, I just miss eating this variety of mango. We both knew Adriana's mango is the best." I said as I wiped my mouth with the hem of my racerback.
"Of course, I feel the same way, too," Jonathan replied. And I didn't notice he got another fruit for himself, and I smiled as I looked at him eat his share.
He handed me his handkerchief, but I declined since I had already wiped my mouth with my tank top. We toured the plantation, and I was glad the farmhands were not yet around to start their work.
It was still very early in the morning, and I beamed as I looked at the morning dews on the grass and the leaves of the trees. I felt thankful I didn't listen to myself and went back to my room, sulking.
I missed this place so much, and I hate to think that every time my mind wanders to it, it will always lead me to Ethan and our memories together.
We used to climb the mango trees when no one was around and sit side by side on the branches, talking about our future together. I couldn't believe I talked about marriage at an early age. It was one of the best memories I had with him, and I should have kept them in my mind without the hatred that consumed my entire soul.
I enjoyed walking beside Jonathan and talking like we used to during my work on the plantation. I felt glad I hadn't seen my ex and his girlfriend around, and I wondered where they went. I could feel the pang in my chest as I thought of Ethan again.
"Can we go to the vegetable plantation as well?" I asked.
"Of course, I heard they are harvesting cucumber today," Jonathan replied, and my face lit up.
"Oh, I always love cucumbers!" I exclaimed, and he chuckled.
"I remember your fascination with vegetables. You are health conscious as always." He responded, and I nodded.
My mom always reminded me to eat a healthy diet. She believed that health is wealth, and she wanted me to be health-conscious and take care of my body. For her, my body figure was my greatest asset, aside from my face.
I don't want to think about my mother since I will only feel upset and nervous.
We went to the vegetable plantation after our excursion under the mango trees, and he was right; the farmhands were busy hand-harvesting cucumbers early in the morning, and I couldn't stop helping them.
The farmhands tried to stop me from helping, but I missed doing it. Jonathan was eager to support me, and in the end, we harvested more than twenty kilos of cucumbers. I felt so happy that our morning was productive.
The sun was up when we decided to return to the main house, minus the horse since I wanted to walk in and return to the farmhouse. I felt glad Jonathan didn't complain. He asked one of the farm staff to return the horse to the stable.
"You look happy, and I like to see you like this, Iza." He declared, and my smile died on my lips as I turned my head and looked at him.
"Come on, don't scowl; you look more beautiful when you smile." He added.
"I know you don't want to attend Ruby's wedding because of Ethan. And he was the reason why you kept on frowning." He continued.
"Yes, I don't want to see Ethan and his girlfriend. But since I am here, I have to deal with them eventually, and I don't want Ethan to have the satisfaction of winning," I replied, and he chuckled and shook his head.
"Life is not a competition, Iza," he responded.
"I am not competing with Ethan. I just don't want him and our friends to look down on me," I replied.
"No one is looking down on you. I couldn't believe you still hated each other. I thought you both let go of the past." He declared as he looked at me sideways.
"How can I forget? I gave up everything for him, and I even disobeyed my mother to be with him. But looked at me now? Where did it lead me?" I asked.
"I don't want to talk about what happened in the past since it would only fuel my anger with Ethan," I added.
"I just couldn't understand why he hated me so much. I am the one who had the right to get angry. Especially now that I learned he is the only son of Isagani Almendraz." I continued.
"How could he lie to me?" I asked.
"Well, he has his reasons; it is his story to tell, not mine. You had better ask him, and you should talk to each other, Iza. It would be best to clear some things up to stop that misunderstanding you had for each other." He responded.
"No, I will never speak with him. He insulted me last night, and it was the worst thing he could ever do to me. He could have apologized but ridiculed me in front of Ruby's guests instead." I replied.
"You hurt him too, and you just don't know how badly you injured his ego and his heart." Jonathan declared.
"I didn't have a choice, Jonathan. I wished I had money that time." I replied.
"You didn't tell me what was happening with your life, Meliza. I didn't know why you always needed money. I don't like them calling you a user because I know you are not that kind of person, " he said, and his words warmed my heart.
"Thank you for not judging me like the others, Jon; you even helped me financially for how many times, and I am grateful for all your help," I responded.
"You are always welcome, Iza. I was hurt that you stopped communicating with me after you left without saying goodbye five years ago, " he said, and I could feel the hurt in his voice.
"I am sorry if I stopped communicating with you, Jonathan," I mumbled as I felt guilty.
"You don't need to apologize. No matter what happens, I will always be here for you as one of your loyal friends. And I hope when you go back home, you will communicate with me again. Jonathan continued.
"I don't have many friends, especially girls. As you know, girls always hate me wherever I go and find reasons to hate me even if I didn't do anything wrong to them," I responded.
"Of course, they hate you for being beautiful, and they made up stories so boys would stop liking you. You didn't do anything wrong, Iza." He said.
"Thank you, Jonathan, it means a lot to me," I responded.
"Those rumors didn't stop Ethan from liking you. In fact, he fell in love with you," he stated, and my face suddenly felt warm as I blushed.
"I don't think he was in love with me. I guess when I rejected him, he was challenged because I didn't show any interest in him from the start, and when I got swayed, he broke my heart." I replied.
"No, that is not true; you weren't the only one who got hurt. You better let go of the past and reconcile with Ethan unless you are still in love with him; that would be hard since he came with a girlfriend." He said.
"No, I don't love him anymore. I don't love him from the start. And I am just angry because of what he has done to me. I was such a fool for listening to my stupid heart." I replied.
"My mother was right, after all; boys are only a pain in the head," I added. I hated to lie about my real feelings for Ethan since I couldn't deny to myself that I was hurt to see him flirt with his girlfriend in front of me.
We arrived at the main house, and I was sweating. I could never say no to Jonathan when he held my hand and dragged me to the dining hall to eat breakfast.
Everyone was already settled at the long table, and I hated that Jonathan brought me to the dining hall since Ethan was looking at me with the same expression on his face.
"Late again," Ethan mumbled with sarcasm as he looked at me with disgust. I returned his stare in the same manner as I sat across from him.
"I couldn't believe you never changed, Iza. I thought you become mature as you age, but you are still the same girl I know." He stated.
"You know nothing about me, Ethan," I responded while I could see out of the corner of my eyes that everybody was listening to us as we banter with each other.
"Of course, I know nothing about you, Meliza, since you hide your true colors to lure boys and then play them with your fingers. You are nothing but a liar, " he said as he looked at me with a mocking smile on his face, and I curled my fists on my sides as I stood up.
"If you will excuse me, I need to return to my room," I said to no one in particular as I kept my voice low.
I hastily turned my heels and ran out of the dining hall. I ran towards the stairs while my tears rolled down my cheeks. I was panting as I walked through the hallways.
"I hate you, Ethan Almendraz!" I screamed after I closed my bedroom door.
I collapsed into my bed and curled myself into a ball as I cried my heart out as I remembered the young man I fell in love with, the person who shattered my heart into a million pieces, who made me feel how to be in love and the one who made me laugh with his silly jokes and the one I thought would be my salvation.
I didn't realize how much I injured his heart until today. Ethan used to be so funny, sweet, and kind to me, and he never uttered hurtful words to me even once.
And no matter how many times I tried to drive him away, he was consistent and persistent until I could no longer fight my feelings for him. I fell in love with Ethan Almendraz harder than I could ever think.
But now, nothing came from his sweet mouth but insult and hatred. I could no longer stop myself from reminiscing about the past as I continued to shed tears.
I looked back on the reason why we met and why I ran away from him. And everything came rushing back into me like it only happened yesterday; good and bad memories from the past occupied my troubled mind as I felt the excruciating pain in my heart.