The Rancher's Soulmate

Year 2010 It was Teia Cuenco Sierra’s first day of school at the prestigious College of Veterinary Medicine in University of Filipinas at Palay City, Vizas. UF – Palay is the best in the country in terms of veterinary medicine. It was her childhood dream to become a veterinarian. Her love for animals started when she had her first pet puppy as a 7th birthday present from her paternal grandparents.    Her first day in the academe was characterized by mean glares from female students. She was avoided by female students and yet approached by lots of male students.  She couldn’t blame them. Her family was quite famous. Her father, Nicolas Sierra, was a known broadcast journalist. Her mother, Jacqueline Cuenco, was a former commercial/printamp model turned TV talk show host. And her older brother, Troy, was making his own name as a university basketball varsity for the Universities Athletic Association of Filipinas (UAAF). As for her, she was quite famous as well having appeared in several TV commercials in products like shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, feminine wash, feminine sanitary napkin, facial wash, facial cleanser and body wash. She also appeared in several fashion magazines as print model for a teen clothing line, rubber shoes, school shoes, and school bag. And she walked as ramp model for several fashion-designer friends of her mother.  Some of the snide remarks she heard from the female students were –  She is just pretty because of all those beauty products she uses. I am even prettier than her in person. Why was she hired on those TV commercials?  How did she even qualified studying in University of Filipinas System and more so qualified for VETMED program? She might be beautiful but does not look intelligent at all. So many male students are so drawn by her beauty. I feel jealous of her beauty. My boyfriend cannot stop looking at her. Yeah, she is pretty but I am prettier than her. They did not know the real Teia so she just ignored all those comments. In Teia's mind – Judgmental people are really everywhere! But I will not let these comments affect me. They do not know me but once they did, let us see what will happen then. I am here to study and so that must be my focus. I will just ignore these judgmental people. As for the admirers who approached her that day to express their intention to court her, the answer they got was, “Thank you for your interest. But my priority is my studies so let us just be friends."  And before that day ended, she bumped into a sixth year VETMED student, Iñigo Bermudez, by the corridor of CVM Building. The books and notes they were holding fell off the floor. They both knelt down to pick up their respective books and papers. Then their eyes met and at the same time they had uttered, “I am very sorry.” Then he spoke up, “I am Iñigo Bermudez, the outgoing President of VETMED Students’ Circle (VMSC). I’m really sorry. I was busy giving out fliers for the student assembly for tomorrow, I didn’t pay attention on my path.” He touched her elbow and guided her up.   The connection was quite electrifying on his part. He didn’t know why. He also felt that electrifying feeling when their eyes met just a while ago. He felt that he somehow knew her for a very long time already. But he must not have such feeling for he already had a girlfriend. He was no cheater.  She replied, “I am Teia Sierra. I was not paying much attention on my path as well because I am reading the flyer handed to me just a while ago.” Iñigo expounded, “Yeah, about the flyer. The student assembly for all VETMED students will be tomorrow. For freshman like you, there would be a brief orientation regarding our student organization, its projects and its programs. And then for then for all, there would be some sort of socialization so students can form their own parties for the next election of officers of VMSC. The assembly would be after the regular class hours so everyone might be able to attend it.” “Okay,” she replied. Then her mobile phone rang.  Iñigo said, “I’ll go now." She answered, "Yeah," then she touched the answer button of the mobile phone.  It was a call from her parents asking about her first day in school. She answered it, :"Yes, Mom." Mommy Jacqueline, her mother, responded, "I have put the call on speakers. Your Dad is here, just  beside me. How was your first day of classes?" She answered, "I am already done with all my classes for the day, Dad, Mom. But I still have to attend the student assembly for the college's student organization." Daddy  Nicolas said, "Yeah, you must also participate in some extra-curricular activities, my princess. Just don't overdo it. You should stay focused on your studies." She replied, "Yes, Dad. I will do that. I really want to be a veterinarian." Her mother advised, "Just enjoy your college life, sweetie. Study well, participate in some extra-curricular activities. And you can also enjoy a crush or two for some inspiration. " She modestly said, "Honestly, I really feel a little shock, Dad, Mom. A lot of male students have approached me asking for my name and number. I only gave them my name. I want to focus on my studies and so I opted not to give anyone my number. A lot of female students have also given me quite a stare. Most of them did not seem to like me at all. I even heard so many snide comments." Her mother said, "That's natural, sweetie. You are pretty and intelligent, a lot of male students will be attracted to you and a lot of female students will be envy of you. It is not every day that they got to have a pretty TV commercialamp/print model for a schoolmate, anyway."  She responded, "Well I just planned to ignore them. My focus should be on my studies." Her father reminded, "That is true, princess. But you also need to socialize and have friends. Do not forget about it." He acknowledged such, "I will not forget about it, Dad. Of course, I also want to have friends but I will be very choosy with them. I will only want to have those studious one on my circle  and not those partying type of girls." Her mother commented, "That is your call, darling. But just stay happy. Do not be too hard on yourself." She replied, "Yes, I will do that, Mom." Her father said, "Anyway, we will be visiting you over the weekend so that you won't have to travel very long anymore just to be with us here in Palmaine City. Your brother is also very excited to see the beach vacation home that I had just recently purchased in Jinan. We will spend the weekend there. So finish up all your home works in advanced so that we will have to enjoy more." She answered, "Okay, Dad. I am also looking forward to be on the beach. So, I will definitely finish up my home works in advanced." Her mother then asked, "How about Lara and Dario? How do you find them, princess?" She told the truth, "They take care of me very well, Mom. I even feel that they are like you and Dad to me. They are both very kind." Daddy Nicolas explained, "Well, they lost their daughter to a fire. They might be transferring that love they have for their daughter to you. They are really good people that is why I hired them to look after you." Teia then told her parents, "The assembly is about to start, Dad, Mom. I will have to enter the venue already. I will call you once I get home. Bye for now." Her parents chorused, "Okay, princess.  Bye for now."  Her parents along with her brother were all in Palmaine City, Missi where they lived. Her father was born and raised in Vizas so her paternal relatives were mostly residing in Vizas but not specifically in the capital, Palay City. Before she started studying in UF – Palay, her parents purchased a four bedroom house and lot in an exclusive village in Palay City and hired a married couple who would accompany her at that house. Manong Dario, the husband, would be her driver. Manang Lara, the wife, would be the housekeeper. The couple was former childhood friends of her father who lost all their properties along with their only daughter in a recent fire which burned the house they were renting. As Manong Dario drove her home from the university, Teia recalled the student she bumped into that afternoon. She could not explain what she felt when Iñigo and her eyes met as well as when Iñigo touched her elbow. She felt that burning tingling sensation. It also seemed to her that she had known the President of VMSC all her life when it was just the first time they met. In her mind – Why do I feel this way with him? We just met but why do I feel that I have known him already for a very long time. I am used to having a crush on someone. But this feeling is so different from such. Why do I feel the need to see him as often as possible.? My heart beats so fast whenever he was around, just like in the student assembly. He just looked at me and I felt like melting from so much giddy inside. I just have to ignore these. I am here to study and not to flirt around with boys. But how will I ever be able to do such? Yeah! I will just consider him as my inspiration. Anyway, he is a top student. I must also aspire for excellence when it comes to my studies just like him. He is really quite admirable. He is not just handsome. He is also very intelligent and a very good student leader. As her first semester in the university progressed, she would always have that same gushy feeling whenever Iñigo’s and her eyes met. The more she got to know of his kindness, generosity, humility and hard work, the more she had admired him. The feeling she had for him was strong but her determination to focus on her studies was much stronger. Anyway, Iñigo already had a girlfriend and the best she could do for the strong feeling she had for him was to make it a driving force to succeed in her studies the way Iñigo had been doing. He was the top student in his class. But he did not look like a nerd at all. He was so handsome, the rough around the edges kind. He might not rich but he exuded a deep sense of power being a good leader. In the good side, she had gained some true friends who had come to know the real her. But on the flip side, she had been envied more by female students especially when she represented CVM in the Miss Intramurals and eventually in Miss UF – Palay. More male students with or without a girlfriend had come to admire her not just for her beauty and grace but because of her superb dancing talent and smart brain which she was able to show during those beauty contests.       In one instance, Noreen, Iñigo’s girlfriend had noticed Iñigo looking intently at Teia while they were in the university library. Noreen slapped him hard and walked out. Iñigo ran after his girlfriend, “Noreen, wait. What just happened? Why did you just suddenly slap me?” “You even have the courage to ask me why I slapped you. You were looking at that model so intently you don’t even hear any word I say,” Noreen answered back angrily. He didn’t know that was what happened. So, he had zoned out again upon seeing Teia. He tried to pacify Noreen, “I was not looking at her. I had just this sudden vision again of the future of our farm.” It was some sort of trance showing him of the brighter future of their farm once he already helped out his father fulltime on enriching it. Noreen knew about such. He added, “You very well know that I will not ever cheat on you.” Noreen responded, “Then do not ever look at that model again.”  Iñigo answered, “How will I do that? We often see at CVM building whenever our paths crossed. It would be impolite if I will not look at her. I am a school leader, Noreen. I cannot be arrogant and a snob.”  Noreen said, “That's not what I mean. But you just have that certain glow in your eyes whenever you look at her. And you always seems to be zoning out whenever such happens. You do not look at me that way.” Iñigo responded, “I do look at you with so much affection, Noreen. But you just do not notice it. You seem to be so insecure with other pretty ladies that you do not know how to appreciate your beauty anymore. Have I not shown you my love? We have been together since high school and I have always treated you with utmost care and respect.”  Noreen realized the truthfulness in Iñigo’s words. He had definitely been treating her very well as his girlfriend. Those sudden trance or vision had happened even before Teia had come along. In her mind –Teia is not also the flirty type of lady. It might be the reason why so many male students are drawn to her and are wooing her. Those male students who are so much drawn to her include my boyfriend. I am jealous even if he is not acting on his attraction towards her.  But that pretty model is so serious about her studies. Thus she is not entertaining suitors. Thus, she had no reason to be threaten. It was but natural for men to admire her beauty, body, brains, talents and kindheartedness. I also admired those qualities of Teia in as much as I envied them. Why is she so pretty? I am also pretty but I did not get to have TV commercials and modeling gigs. I also didn't have that many admirers Teia has. I must stay on guard with my boyfriend. Other female students had already lost their boyfriends to Teia. I must not have the same fate as these female students experienced. Good thing, Iñigo is so focused with his studies. He will not have much time  looking at that model. He is a good man. I am very lucky to be his girlfriend. He is very famous in the campus. A lot of girls also admire him but he is mine and I am so proud that I get to have a boyfriend like him. Girls are also envious of me for having an intelligent and gorgeous student for a boyfriend. No one will ever ever steal him from me. I will not allow it.    But in Iñigo's mind – Why do  I have these feelings for Teia? Why do I feel so much drawn to her? Why can I not take her off my mind?   I feel that I have known her all my life even if we just met and did not interact much. Why did I have that electrifying feeling when our fingers touched when we first met? Do I really have that certain glow in my eyes for Teia? I have not experienced these unexplainable feelings I have for Teia from Noreen. What must I do? How can I let go of my feelings for Teia? I will have to try my best to conceal my unexplainable connection with Teia. I am not a cheater. I must stay faithful to Noreen. I really hope and pray that I will be able to do these. My affinity towards Teia seems to be so strong. Just seeing her makes my heart beats so fast. Even the mention of her name makes me smile. But these feelings I have for her are not right. i already have a girlfriend. I despise cheating and so I must not cheat on Noreen. I cannot also find it in my heart to break up with him just because I have these feelings for Teia. Noreen has not done anything wrong for me to break up with her. She is a good girl friend to me. I should be like other men that upon seeing a much prettier girl, broke up immediately with their girlfriends and then started wooing Teia. Teia is just so attractive. Such very pretty face is further more enhanced with her kindness, humility, and intelligence. I must focus on my studies! This way, I can set aside my feelings for Teia for the time being and Noreen will not be jealous anymore.  It was Friday evening when her parents and her older brother, Troy, arrived at their beach vacation home in Jinan. She, along with  Manong Dario and Manang Lara had already travelled to Jinan from their house in an exclusive subdivision in Palay City. They enjoyed a sumptuous dinner altogether. The following days, the enjoyed some beach activities and other outdoor activities. They also got to meet some of their neighbors, the nearest to their beach vacation home was the Bermudez family, who owned a farm. They are Manuel and Pilar Bermudez and they also had a son and a daughter,  Iñigo  and Ingrid.