Blue Hour

Chapter 3

The earthy smell of the farm filled Ray’s nose as soon as he entered. It tingled his senses, causing him to remember his memories. The Wish and Fly farm was the first business he bought as soon as he acquired money from his training under his Father’s business. It was an agreement that during that time, he will be paid as well like an employee in the company. 

He never visited this farm in person, so seeing it up close made his heart pound. As for the internal affairs, like reports and audits, hired personnel would visit him in the city and update him. They come on a monthly basis to keep everything in check. That goes with the other establishments that he owns. 

Ray looked around and felt nostalgic. For them, it was a new experience because they spent most of their life in the city. Miko began asking questions of the personnel that were assisting them. Ray cannot stop looking from left to right. 

The Wish and Fly farm was an old farm that was owned by one of their business partners, but due to lack of time, they decided to sell the whole place. It was an opportunity for Ray so he bought it as soon as it was on sale. Near the gate was the house, painted in brown and red. It was a bit old, but still sturdy. Next to the house was a garden filled with flowers. This caught his interest because flowers have a calming effect for him. 

They continued to walk around. Behind the house is a wash house, and a workshop where personnel do their job. Opposite to the house was an office where they keep track of reports for the farm. As they continued north of the farm, the assistant pointed at the Gambrel barn.

He was engrossed watching the nature around him. The farm also had a garage for the tractors. There was a big  chicken coop and hog house on the left of the farm. On the right side, it was a mango orchard. North of the farm was a rice field and a small water irrigation. Most of the farm income comes from poultry and the rice field. The mangoes sell when they are in season.  

The two decided to head back to the house to take a rest. 

“I did not expect that the farm you bought before was hella big.” Mico said in amazement.

“Yes, actually it was my first time seeing it too. I was surprised as well.” Ray responded and headed to his room. The room was overlooking the garden and he was happy about it. 

“What are you still doing here? You have your own room, right?” Ray said to Miko who kept on rolling on his bed like some kid. 

“No, I want to stay here in your room. You know that I am afraid of ghosts.” He said, covering his face with a pillow. 

Ray sat down on the other side of the bed and pulled the pillow from his friend and asked, “What do you mean?” 

“I overheard some of the personnel earlier that they had sightings of a young man loitering around your Mango Orchard.” 

“And you actually believed those kinds of stories? Haha, are you a kid?” Ray said and scratched his head. 

“Oh, well.. Let me stay here in your room tonight.” Miko said and bowed towards Ray. Ray couldn’t help laughing at his friend. For some playboy like his friend, he sure is weird. Afraid of ghosts? 

“Hey, cut it out.” Miko said, grumpy. 

“Oh well, I have no choice. If I don’t agree with what you want, you will keep on pestering me about it. Remember, just tonight okay?” He said and laughed. 

Miko ran towards his friend and hugged him tightly. “Thank you.”

“Cut it out.” Ray said and headed outside leaving his friend alone in the room.

He decided to look around more  on the farm. He is really interested in seeing everything up close. On his way outside, he was greeted by the employees around here. 

“Sir, do you want me to accompany you? Oh, by the way, I am Ernest, and I am the one who manages the chicken coops.” He said, smiling brightly. 

Ray smiled in response, reaching out his hand for a handshake. Ernest was surprised by his actions and hurriedly wiped his hand on his jeans. Ernest reached out for his hand shyly. 

“Nice to meet you, Ernest. Thank you for your offer, but I don’t want to bother you so I will go alone. Maybe you can be the next on the chicken coops. Please teach me a lot.” Ray said and continued walking to the area where the Mango Orchard was. 

The cool breeze hits his face making him feel relaxed. Seeing nature up close brings excitement to his heart. Ray was confident that he made the right decision leaving his father, to survive on his own. The other employees greeted him as he continued walking around. 

Then, he saw a group of women gathered around. They were so busy talking that they did not notice him approaching. 

“Hey, did you hear about what our youngest employee said earlier?” A woman around her thirties said. 

“Yes, I heard about that. To think that a restless soul would wander around the Mango Orchard. I already believe my grandma that area is an old cemetery before it was demolished to make a farm.” The other woman said. 

“Hey, don’t scare us. I am on duty tomorrow in that area to check for the trees.” Another woman said, hugging herself. 

“Let’s go now, it’s almost six in the evening.” The other woman said. As soon as they saw Ray, they immediately bowed their heads in surprise. 

“Sorry sir, we did not notice that you were there. We apologize.” 

“It’s okay, I just arrived in this area now. You can go now.” Ray said and smiled. The employees kept their heads down as they left. He continued walking towards the Mango Orchard. The lights around the place turned on as it was getting dark already.

“A ghost? Is it the one that Miko mentioned earlier? Oh well.” 

A few minutes and he arrived at the front of the Mango orchard. The scent of the leaves traveled to his nose. He suddenly remembered his childhood. He usually played by himself when he was a kid under a mango tree in their old townhouse. Ray kept on reminiscing about his childhood when he suddenly heard the rustling of leaves. 

Ray knows that he was alone there at that time because he saw the caretakers head home. He looked around to check but there was nothing. Ray told himself that it might be animals. He decided to go home because it was really getting darker. As he turned around, he was shocked by what he saw and fell down on the muddy ground. 

“Ahhhhh! Wh- Who are you?!”

In front of him was a young man, maybe around his age looking at him. He had a very fair complexion, his hair was a shade of brown. The young man’s eyes were hazel colored, which he cannot stop looking at. He cannot look away from the man. 

“Ray?” A man shouted. He noticed the voice and it was Miko, looking for him. 

When he looked back at the man in front of him, he was gone. 

“Who could that be?” Ray thought to himself.