SECRET LOVERS

CHAPTER 5: PLUGGED IN

After lunch, Noah toured Daniel around as the latter requested. They talked as they walked.

Daniel asked as they were already heading into the woods, “How large is this farm, Noah?”

Noah answered, “About one hectare. My grandparents had inherited it from my great grandparents who had this land through a government grant.”

Daniel inquired next, “So how were you able to study?”

Noah said, “Ina’s parents live in Marbay City. You met them already. I stayed with them on my schooldays and came home here on weekends, school breaks, and holidays during my kindergarten to senior high school days.”

As they reached Noah’s tiny log cabin and explored it, Daniel was so amazed, asking, “Did you just build this tiny log cabin all by yourself, Noah? This is what you call a perfect eco-friendly off-the-grid abode!”

Noah answered humbly, “Yeah, I did the blueprint, the design as well as the construction with some help from Ama and other male relatives. The inner floor area is 24 feet x 8 feet excluding the front and back patio. The main house can be moved. All the logs were sourced from the fallen trees here throughout the years and carefully stored in our kamalig for our own building purposes.”

Daniel commented, “A lighter version of it can be loaded into a trailer and served as a tiny home on wheels.”

Noah affirmed, “Yeah. Hybrid electric system is currently installed. It can be tapped into a solar system and plugged into the usual electric power line. Water supply is also planned through a hybrid rain catchment system and plugged in water line too. There is an area designated for the control system for the utilities and storage of water containers, inverters, pumps, etc. They are just non-existent yet.”

Then Daniel noticed the iron branding Noah’s Arts on the furniture, “Did you also make all the furniture?”

His reply was, “Yeah. I learned woodworking skills from Ina’s father, who is a woodworking craftsman. During my free time, I have been doing custom-made furniture, cabinets, shelves, doors, window frames, and decorative items for some of the clients of my cousin who has his own small handyman services and construction contractor business in Vienburg.”

Daniel expressed, “You are indeed multi-skilled,” and then asked, “Did you also make the hardwood floors on your own?”

He said, “Yeah. I cut, planed, tongued and grooved all the boards in my grandfather’s workshop in Marbay.”

Daniel said, “You could create more if the farm had its own plugged-in electric utility.”

He acknowledged, “That is my first goal from my first work pay. That is the reason why I agreed to accept your job offer even if I haven’t passed the board examinations yet. You have trusted me, so I will do my best in my job at CRDF.”

Daniel remarked, “I have no doubt about that. That is why I vouched for you. I also have no doubt that you will pass your board examinations. You might even surpass all of our rankings at the fraternity. I actually got a lighthearted nagging from Philip and Francis for hiring you ahead. They are actually waiting for you to pass the board examinations first before they offer you a job, because that is what you told our brothers during our annual assembly. They wanted to pirate you but then I told them I gave you an offer that they cannot outdo. Their respective companies can only offer you such a salary and benefits if you are already a licensed engineer and/or a licensed architect. I told them the CRDF does not mind the three-month probationary period.”

“I am truly grateful,” and then Noah asked, “So what will you do now that your wedding was cancelled?”

He said, “I will go to USA as planned. I might already stay longer for my MBA, but I haven’t told Dad about it yet. Anyway, I am not yet fully decided. I also hired you so you can be my eyes and ears at the company while I am gone. I need to protect Dad from those shady employees. So do not hesitate to inform me if you experienced, saw or heard any shady dealings. I have ways of dealing with them without you being compromised.”

Noah promised, “You can count on me. Your Dad is an honorable man. He doesn’t deserve to be cheated.”

Daniel then told him, “You should also enroll for a master’s degree in architecture immediately next school year. I did that. I took my classes after office hours. You’re still on your early 20s anyway. Enriching your knowledge will give you more opportunities especially if you want to establish your own small architecture and construction business after the age of 30.”

Noah acknowledged, “Okay, I will do that.”

Daniel then asked, “How about your work clothes? Did you already purchase some business suits in addition to those casual clothes you could wear when visiting construction sites?”

Noah answered, “I only have that one business suit you gifted me when my internship ended.”

Daniel offered, “If you don’t mind wearing my slightly used ones, then I will give them to you. I have grown a little bigger. Those clothes are off for donation anyway. I can also give you my other shoes that I don’t wear anymore. I think we have the same shoe size.”

Noah accepted, “Sure! Give me all those stuffs you don’t need anymore. As for the cloth size, alteration can be done by my aunt. I want to make the most of my first salary providing comfort for my elders here at the farm rather than buying new clothes and shoes. So I don’t mind your hand-me-down stuffs.”

Daniel said, “I will give them to you tomorrow then.”

Noah then decided to ask a personal question, “Anyway, how do you feel about the cancelled wedding if you don’t mind me asking?”

Daniel expressed, “I don’t love Mia. It was an arranged marriage agreed upon by our parents. I was just upset because she didn’t have the guts to back off from our wedding much earlier. We met that godbrother of her best friend last Lenten season break. It even reached to a point where I and my family were humiliated because she decided to run away on the day of our wedding. I don’t mind all the talks and all. I am leaving for a much needed break. I had been working at CRDF since my collegiate days because Dad wanted me to learn the ropes much earlier. My two older brothers had no interest in working at CRDF. Since I like architecture and civil engineering, I am the obvious choice to take over the business someday,” and then asked him, “How about you? Any girl you like in particular?”

Noah answered casually, “I like a lot of girls and I don’t fail to express my admiration towards them. I even hooked up with a few ones who just wanted to keep things casual. No strings attached. But I don’t want a relationship distraction for now. My elders have sacrificed a lot for me. They deserve much more comfort here on the farm. Plugged in electricity, water, telephone, and internet, I will have them all installed here. We can raise more income from the farm with all those utilities.”

Daniel then asked, “Anyway, do you have a driver’s license?”

Noah answered, “Yes. I had a professional driver’s license before I went to Vienburg. Aside from light vehicles, I am also allowed to drive a bus, a truck, and a trailer. I did some part-time driving jobs as well while studying in Vienburg. Why are you asking?”

Daniel responded, “I will then ask the HR manager to issue the 4WD company pick-up truck I am using on my site visits to you. You can use it even when going home here on the farm during weekends and holidays.”

Noah remarked, “That will really be nice!”

Daniel stated “Moving around from one project site to another would be much easier for you. Good thing you won’t need a company driver anymore. That’s a plus factor. Our existing projects are not only in Missi but also in nearby states. There might also be more in other states as part of Dad’s continuous real estate development plans to create low cost as well as high-end housing all over the country,” and then lightheartedly said, “I am also making sure that you will not leave CRDF until you reach 30. You will be a great asset to the company. Dad and I should make the most of your abilities while paying you handsomely.”

And then they just both laughed.

Daniel then asked, “Do you have any other eco-friendly construction projects here on the farm? We should do one of our fraternity assemblies here someday.”

He said, “That’s a nice idea. I can build a tiny bamboo home next time. There are many matured bamboos ready for cutting and drying already.”

Daniel acknowledged, “Yeah, I noticed a lot of bamboos growing in most parts of the farm.”

Noah informed him, “When I encountered green construction, I encouraged my father and grandfather to plant more bamboos on the vacant areas of the farm for future projects or for eventual raw material sales as well.”

Daniel reacted, “You would need a bigger storage facility.”

Noah shared, “A bigger storage facility beside a bigger workshop are both included in my immediate plans. I want all things to be ready here for me at the farm before I reach 30. So rest assured that I will work very hard to continuously enjoy the handsome pay and benefits CRDF will give me.”

After attending the evening mass and having dinner, Daniel and Noah both decided to sleep in the log cabin that night. The log cabin was surrounded by potted snake plants. The sliding doors and awning windows had screens as well. So, the doors and windows can be left open with just the sliding screen panels closed for their protection from insects and other animals. Daniel stayed in the loft and set up his own sleeping bag there. Noah stayed in the living room where the convertible bench storage bed was located. They both enjoyed the skylights. There was one above the loft area and the other above the living room area. The pathway to the log cabin was lined with IP65 water-proof solar powered lamps, each absorbing solar energy by itself during the daytime and automatically lighting up at night and turning off at dawn. There were also wall solar lamps of the same type on the outdoor walls lighting up the front and back patio as well as the balcony. For their indoor lighting needs, there were battery-powered LED touch lamps they could use and take around inside the house. They were temporary and cheap solutions. Anyway, the log cabin was just used occasionally.

May 31, 2010. Monday. Noah had driven Daniel’s car on their way back to Vienburg City that morning. Daniel was even provided by his oldies with a small crate of their pickled and jam products which Daniel came to love during his stay at the farm. They were gladly accepted by Daniel, who got to address Noah’s parents and grandparents the way Noah did. Noah got very warm and loving parents and grandparents like Daniel.

Their first stop was the Cardenas Mansion. Daniel introduced Noah to his elders.

Daniel’s Lola Eugenia asked, “Where have you been, hijo? You didn’t tell your father where you were headed yesterday.”

Daniel thoughtfully answered his paternal grandmother, “I spent an off-the-grid break at Noah’s Farm in Harsenos, Lola. I told Dad not to worry. I am fine. Noah and I will go to the company after I pack, and then I will be on my flight to USA late this morning.

Daniel’s Lolo Marcelo asked Noah, “Is he telling the truth, Noah?”

Noah answered truthfully, “Yes, sir. We don’t have alcoholic beverages at the farm. My parents and grandparents are advocates of a healthy lifestyle in our clean and green environment at the farm.”

Daniel’s Mommy Juliet asked him further, “Off-the-grid means you don’t have plugged in electricity, water and telephone?”

Noah confirmed, “Yes. ma’am. We get potable water from a deep well. Then we support the water needs of the farm through rain catchment system. We do have compost toilet. We also got solar power technology and biogas technology at the farm. We also have a diesel generator in times of emergency. All the plants and animals are grown organically.”

Daniel’s Daddy Damian then asked, “So did you enjoy your stay in Noah’s home, son?”

Daniel affirmed, “I did have a nice time under the night sky in the middle of the woods inside a tiny eco-friendly log cabin, Dad. The food is also great. Noah’s elders even provided me with home-made jams and pickled goods, which I really liked a lot. I accepted them so you get to taste them. I feel relaxed but I still need a longer break so I will go to USA as planned.”

Daddy Damian asked, “Have you already considered my advice about taking your MBA at Stanford?”

Daniel answered, “I am considering it, Dad. Noah will be here to take over my job as we agreed upon. I got you the best ever replacement. I will personally hand over all the documents to him at the office later before I leave. So allow us go to my bedroom first because I will also give him some stuff while I am packing my suitcase.”

Daniel gave Noah all the slightly used and still unworn clothes and shoes that he had outgrown already or didn’t like wearing. They were all signature brands. Daniel put them in the donation box that his mother had already prepared.

They dropped off the box at Raoul’s shop which was along the way and headed to the CRDF Headquarters. After accomplishing all the paperwork at the HR Department and accepting the key to Daniel’s former company vehicle, Noah went to Daniel’s office, which would also be his office.

Daniel introduced Noah to the support staff that he would have. He also introduced Noah to all the architects and engineers. Daniel knew that most of the older architects and engineers felt unfairness because he did not choose among them as replacement for his position. They were not aware, anyway, about his possible sabbatical leave. No one among them was also qualified and as competent as Noah even if he was not licensed yet.

Noah is a doer like him. The fresh graduate doesn’t talk about grand ideas if he couldn’t achieve them. Noah also possessed vast knowledge about all the latest building codes that their older employees refuse to understand and apply on their plans. He believed that Noah could lead them all. He also believed that Noah would pass his board examinations and more so surpass his board examination performance. The young man has great passion for learning.

Afterwards, Daniel asked Noah to drive him to the airport and also process Noah’s application to his master’s degree program in architecture along the way. Daniel was like a big brother making sure that his younger brother would be well-equipped on the war that he had to face at CRDF among its engineers and architects.

June 1, 2010. Noah had his first day in his new job. He was very ready with his presentation for the executive meeting, which he prepared with the office staff when he returned to the headquarters after sending off Daniel to the airport. Daniel’s father and the other senior executives were so impressed. He got excellent answers for all the questions they threw at him. Noah was like another version of Daniel Cardenas.

And as Daniel often claimed, Noah was a better version of him. It was also one of the reasons why Daniel was considering the sabbatical leave that his father proposed. He also wanted to observe and learn newer architectural and engineering trends and innovations in USA. He could be assured that his father would have a capable employee in Noah during his absence.

July 1, 2010. Friday. Early in the night, when Noah had arrived home at the farm, which was already called Noah’s Farm, they already had electrical power and water supply. His father was the one who processed the applications as soon as he received his first half month pay.

Noah spent his second half monthly pay in purchasing a television for his elders’ entertainment at the farm. He also purchased a bigger refrigerator and a gas range for their kitchen, and some more power tools for himself. He also bought, prepaid plan cellular phones for his parents and four grandparents so they could communicate faster.

Lolo Juan was so happy, but was curious, “How were you able to manage to have such a large amount of money for the water line and the electric line, apo? We wanted to do that a long time ago but the cost was just triple the usual installation costs because our place is far from the source line.”

Noah told his grandfather, “I am being paid a lot at work Lolo. I don’t get to spend much during my stay at Vienburg. You and Lola have always insisted on providing food for me and Kuya Raoul ever since I moved to Vienburg up to now. Kuya Raoul and I share the rent on his shop. I don’t need expensive accommodation. Tomorrow, I will also build a temporary workshop for all my woodworking tools. The logs you stored there can already be converted into money once I am able to do more sample projects, Lolo. We can already buy a delivery van, a second-hand one perhaps for all of our farm produce. That way, we can reach out to more customers for all of the farm’s harvest and processed foods.”

Lola Nora then said, “But you still have to work in Vienburg, apo. How will you be able to do woodworking projects?”

Noah told his grandmother patiently and respectfully, “I have been provided with a company vehicle, Lola. I can drive home here on weekends just like tonight. I can also do some small projects in the shop after office hours. ”

Lolo Juan then asked, “So what will we do now with that solar PV system?”

Noah said, “I would be using that in another project I have in mind, Lolo. So we can just let it stay there on the roof for some time. Don’t give anything away for free. We are all working hard for our source of living.”