Love at First Sight

Chapter 3

The next morning, Grandma Rosy was already in the kitchen when Elena came down.

“Good morning, Grandma,” Elena said, tying her hair back.

“Good morning, dear. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes,” Elena replied, setting the table. “Do you need help?”

“Always,” Grandma smiled. “We’re going to the farm today, so we have a busy morning ahead. Hazel and Liam are still asleep, I think.”

Just then, Hazel’s voice floated down the hallway. “Not anymore,” she said, walking in with a bright smile and sleepy eyes. “What’s this about the farm?”

Liam followed, his hair slightly messy, his steps slow. “Grandma’s favorite place,” he said, leaning against the kitchen doorway.

Elena tried not to stare, but he looked too good in the morning light. She glanced away quickly. Liam caught her and smiled.

“That’s right,” Grandma said proudly. “It’s been years since you both went there. Everyone will be glad to see you again.”

Hazel’s eyes lit up. “You mean the workers? Are Mr. Pedro’s kids still there?”

“They are,” Grandma replied. “All grown now. You’ll hardly recognize them.”

Elena listened quietly while pouring juice into glasses. She had met the workers before, kind people who always smiled even under the harsh sun. The thought of visiting again made her happy too.

Breakfast was lively. Hazel and Liam teased each other about who would feed the chickens first, and Grandma laughed at their chatter. Elena mostly listened, her soft laughter blending in.

After breakfast, Grandma packed baskets with food, fruit, and roasted chicken wrapped neatly in foil. Elena helped her, placing bottles of drinks into a cooler.

Mr. Don, the driver, was already waiting by the car.

“Good morning, ma’am,” he said with a grin. “Off to the farm?”

“Yes, Don,” Grandma replied warmly.

The drive took about thirty minutes. Hazel leaned by the window, talking non-stop about how peaceful everything looked. Liam joined in, his tone teasing.

“I remember when I tried to climb the fence and fell straight into the mud.”

Hazel laughed. “You mean when you cried because you lost your shoe in it?”

Grandma chuckled. “You two were impossible.”

When they reached the farm, workers waved happily. Mr. Pedro came from the barn, wiping his hands on a towel. His grin widened when he saw Grandma.

“Mrs. Rosy! Finally, you came back to see us!”

Grandma hugged him warmly. “I couldn’t stay away too long.”

He looked at Hazel and Liam with surprise. “Ah, the city children! Taller and all grown!”

Liam laughed. “We do grow, Mr. Pedro.”

Soon, everyone gathered around, chatting and laughing. Elena stood beside Grandma, greeting the workers. She had always felt at home here; everyone treated her kindly.

They settled under a tall tree and spread a picnic cloth. Elena and Hazel unpacked the baskets while the others joined in. Laughter filled the air as food was passed around, bread, fruit, and the roasted chicken that had filled the car with its aroma.

Hazel and Liam talked about city life, joking about Grandma scolding them for ordering takeout every day. The workers laughed, teasing Hazel about her childhood memories.

“Do you remember when you tried to milk the cow and ran off screaming?” one of Pedro’s daughters asked.

Hazel groaned. “I thought it was going to kick me!”

Everyone laughed, even Elena, who tried to hide her smile. Liam noticed and said quietly, “You should laugh more often.”

She looked at him, a little startled. “I do.”

“Not like that,” he said with a small grin before glancing away.

Grandma’s voice broke the quiet. “Who wants more fruit?”

As the sun dipped low, they packed up slowly, the laughter still lingering. Hazel hugged everyone, promising to visit again soon. Grandma spoke with Pedro about the next harvest while Liam helped Don load the baskets.

Elena stood by the car, watching the fields sway in the wind. Liam joined her. “It feels different here,” he said. “Quiet, but alive.”

She nodded. “It always does. It feels like home.”

He smiled faintly. “Maybe that’s what makes it special.”

“Yeah, maybe,” she replied.

Their eyes met, a quiet pause stretching between them.

“Let’s go, children,” Grandma called.

Elena turned quickly and walked to the car. Liam followed, still smiling.

They drove home tired but happy. Hazel leaned against Grandma’s shoulder, half asleep. Liam looked out the window while Elena sat quietly, replaying that brief moment between them.