Blue Hour

Chapter 30

"ROASTED SWEET POTATO!" I exclaimed. 

Everyone laughed because of my reaction. 

"Don't tell us Sir, you haven't tried this before?" Sierra asked, smiling.

"Yes! This is my first time hearing about it. Is it good?" 

Honestly, it was really my first time hearing about the way it was cooked. 

"Yes Sir! Why don't you try it?" Everyone answered. I looked at them in surprise and blurted out laughing because of their reaction. 

I suddenly felt a rush of blood throughout my body. I suddenly felt embarrassed. 

“I’ll help you.” Sierra said and got a piece of sweet potato. She started peeling, and after a few seconds, she gave me the piece of sweet potato. 

I reached out for the sweet potato, and unlike earlier, it was not too hot. Steam was still visible coming from it. 

“Go ahead, try it Sir.” Everyone said, anticipating. 

Without hesitation, I opened my mouth and bit a small piece of the food. The sweet potato was not too sweet, but it was really good. 

“Wow, this is so good.” I exclaimed. I looked at everyone and saw that they were delighted by my reaction. In return, I thanked them for inviting me to join them.

“We are glad that you liked them.” Sierra said. 

“This is my first time having this, and it’s really good.”

“Of course, they were freshly dug out earlier so that’s why. Would you like to join us in harvesting them next time?” 

“Yes, I would love too,” I answered, and continued eating the sweet potato. Simple foods like this one were really good. 

“Oh, before I forgot Sir, about the local story for the Mango orchard.” Sierra said.

“Right, that was the one you mentioned about earlier. I am really curious about it too.”

When I bought this farm, there were stories coming from the previous owner. Most of them were related to the locals, also stories about the local harvest. This was not mentioned to me. Well, since it has gotten my interest, I decided to listen just to satisfy my curiosity. 

One of the workers handed me a glass of water and Sierra began talking about the Mango Orchard. 

“Just a quick question Sir, if it’s okay, did you buy the ownership of the farm from Mr. Hernandez?”

“Yeah, I did. Why?’ 

“The story is a bit related to them, to be exact Sir.” 

“Oh, really? Go ahead and continue with your story.” 

Everyone began to stay silent so that I could focus on the story. Well, most of them knew about it already so I felt like they were giving way so that I can enjoy it. 

“It all began when Mr. Hernandez bought this farm. At first, he and his wife struggled with life because of the bankruptcy of their first business. Having a little amount left, the two decided to buy a piece of land to start again. The couple had no idea how the farm worked, so they did research first. 

They made a lot of attempts, but everytime they were almost at the edge of success, they were back at zero again. The two focused on how to grow the piece of land that they bought. They were already in their thirties, and they also had another problem aside from the piece of land. His wife cannot conceive a child. 

Everyday., the couple prayed for their farm to be successful and to have a baby as well. They kept on praying hard so that their wish could come true. On his wife’s thirty fourth birthday, they were blessed with their supposed first born. Unfortunately, there was an incident that led to the miscariage of his wife. 

The two wept for several days, not knowing what to do because of what happened. The farm was still not growing properly. Mr. Hernandez felt like they were forsaken, and kept on getting bad news.

Hopeless, the couple accidentally met an old man sitting outside of their farm. They asked the old man what he needs, and he just responded that he wants a glass of water. The couple gave the old man water, and in return for their kindness, they were given two pieces of mango.  

The old man told them that his wife should eat the first one, and the other one should be planted on their vacant ground. The couple followed what the old man told them. 

After a few months had passed, the seed began to grow even if the soil was in a harsh condition. Then, the couple continued on what they do, and little by little, their hard work paid off. After four years, the mango seed that was planted on their land bore fruits and after that, their business began to go well. Little by little, the single tree became two and then it became bigger and bigger, giving the fortune that they could get from it. There was still one problem, her wife could not conceive a child. 

Two years had passed, and the farm became successful. Still, they can’t have a baby. One night, the couple went to the mango orchard to look at the growth that it had. The mangoes were the ones who brought fortune to their lives, and the rest followed. 

“Let’s make another wish, my love.” Mr. Hernandez told his wife. 

Under the mango tree and the starry night, the couple made a wish. It was what they had longed for. As the couple opened their eyes, they were surprised by the sight. Fireflies began to gather around them, clinging into the trees as well. The whole place began to light up because of those tiny lights. The two believed that it was a sign for them, and they were right. 

After a year, a healthy baby was born. The two were really happy because their life was complete already. They started having nothing, hopeless, but because of their hard work and perseverance, the farm grew big. They were also given their joy of life. The one that they really wished for, their child. 

“That’s it, Sir.” Sierra said. 

“Eh, really?” I exclaimed. 

“Yes!” She answered. 

“What? Oh my goodness, I was so engrossed with the story and it felt incomplete for me.” I said, 

“Well, actually sir. It was the same when we heard about it for the first time. Also, there was something not clear, the role of the old man.” 

“Yes, you are right. Also, I did not know that Mr. Hernandez had a kid. He never mentioned it to me when we were having business.” I said, 

“Well, as far as I can remember, their kid was not really healthy. Maybe that’s the reason why.” 

“Maybe. Thank you for telling me about it, and I guess I know the reason why this local story circulated around this town and was passed on to everyone. I had fun.” 

“We are glad that you were delighted by it Sir. You can join us again next time here.” 

“Of course. Thank you so much.” I said, and waved goodbye to them. 

The fact that I was able to talk with them made me feel delighted. I hope I can get closer with more of the employees here on the farm.