CHAPTER FIVE

“Nice to meet you, I’m Jessie Gomez, Jess for short.” Agad kong tinanggap ang kanyang kamay at nakipagkamayan, I miss her voice, I miss really miss her. Agad ko siyang niyakap ng maramdaman ko ang pagtulo ng luha ko, I promised myself not to shed tears in a trivial cause but I can’t do that when the first person who accepted me is here.

Napahigpit ang yakap ko sa kanya ng bumalik ang mga aalala na masaya pa kami, kumalas na rin ako sa yakap ng hilain ako ni Ian, yumakap na lang ako kay Ian upang itago ang mukha ko.

“Ate, why are you so emotional today?” bulong ni Ian sa akin, iling lang ang naisagot ko sa kanya, hindi ko siya masagot dahil hindi pa ako handa pagusapan kung ano ang connection namin ni Jess.

“Is she alright?”

“She’s fine don’t worry, I’m sorry about her. Anyway, let’s go inside” nakasubsob pa rin ako sa braso ni Ian habang lumalakad kami papasok, nakaakbay siya sa akin kaya kinuha ko na ito bilang pangharang sa mukha ko.

Naka sombrero naman ako pero hindi yun nakatutulong sa mukha ko dahil matangkad ako kaysa kay Jess kaya makikita niya ang mukha ko, nakarating na kami sa receiving area ng aming visitor kaya kumalas na ako sa yakap ni Ian.

“Butler Paul, can you please show her the party room?” saad ko habang nakatingin sa gawi nito, tumango naman siya at lumapit kay Jess.

Butler Paul, the most trusted men here in the mansion, simula bata si dad kaibigan na niya si Butler Paul, and eventually, ginawa niya itong Butler. Si Butler Paul kasi ay nagmula sa isang mahirap na pamilya, he needs money to feed his children kaya nag presenta naman si dad na bigyan ito ng trabaho.

“This way madam,” napahinga ako nang malalim ng makalabas na sila sa receiving area, I don’t want her to recognize me, not yet. Hinarap ko si Ian na ngayon ay nag aalala ang mukha na nakatingin sa akin, ngumiti lang ako ng tipid sa kanya.

“I’m fine, really so don’t look at me like I’m having a high fever,” sabi ko habang tinitingnan ang kambal na ngayon ay nag kikilitian, pumantay ako sa dalawa at niyakap, kumalas na ako at nakangiti silang tiningnan.

“Go upstairs and change your clothes, we’ll spend our time here for the day,” masaya naman silang tumango at nag unahan pa sa pag-akayat,

“Be careful!” sigaw ko ng muntikan madapa si Raze, I’m going to spend my time here for now and cancel my meet up with Kelly, pwede pa naman yun bukas, I hope. Magda-dail na sana ako para tawagan si Kelly ng hawakan ni Ian ang cellphone, blocking the screen, nagtataka ko siyang tiningnan.

“Ate, change your clothes first, be comfortable but also presentable, may bisita pa tayo.” Tumango ako bilang sagot, hinalikan niya ang noo ko bago umaalis, pupuntahan ata ang bisita namin. I just watch him walk away, alam kong nagaalala siya pero hindi ko talaga makaya na ipaalam sa kanya ang problema ko, I don’t want to be a burden to him.

Umakyat na ako at pumunta sa kwarto ko, my room her is pretty empty it’s because I keep it clean and simple as much as possible.

Ang makikita mo lang sa kwarto ay libro sa ibabaw ng study table, a lampshade, a folded blanket and a pillow above the mattress, pretty simple just like a guest room but colourful. Pagaka-upo ko pa lang sa higaan ay tinanggal ko na ang wig, it's uncomfortable for wearing it the first time.

Pumunta na ako sa paanan ng higaan at binuksan ang chest like box, kumuha ako ng black matching pajama at sinara na rin ito. It’s a chest for my clothes, I want it that way.

Next I walked malapit sa ilalim ng higaan ko at kinuha ang slipper na kulay red, yes a drawer under my bed, for my footwear. Nagpalit na ako sa cr, nakaharap ako ngayon sa salamin habang minamasdan ang sarili ko.  

“You’ve changed, she can’t recognize you,” saad ko sa reflection ko, I’m trying to calm myself. I don’t want to face her, I’m honestly scared. Hindi ko alam kung bakit takot ako kung hindi naman ako nagkasala sa kanya, its maybe because it’s been so long since I talked to her?

“Relax, you’re looking great.” Hinaplos ko ang buhok ko at ngumiti, my hair is short like the girl I idolize in one particular movie series, I wanted that look but shorter, that’s how I look. I’m looking fit today and maybe this will work, she won’t recognize me with this body.

I should get rid of the hat and wear some headband, sinuot ko muna ang wig bago ko kinuha ang red headband na may design na maliit na pair of cherry sa bandang kanan. Nagsuot ako ng red earrings, a cherry pendant hanging onto it, light red lipstick and I’m done. I do this to calm myself sometimes, the earrings are not totally hanging, parang nakadikit nga lang ito sa earlobe ko, its clean looking and not exaggerated.

Sinuklay ko ang wig, this wig is made from a real strand of hairs kaya para talagang totoo kong buhok, but, way more smooth.

“I’m ready.” Saad ko at lumabas na, I let a sigh before totally going out of my room. Naglakad na ako at nakasalubong ko si Ian na kakalabas lang sa kanyang kwarto, nakita ko ang pagkahinto niya sa kanyang paglalakad ng makita niya ako, ngumiti naman ako sa kanya at lumapit.

“You look, more like a girl,” Tulala niyang saad, kumaway naman ako sa kanyang harapan at pumitik para gisingin.

“Anong sinasabi mo? Babae naman ako ah,” I said as I comb my hair using my fingers, babae ako pero mas gusto ko sumuot ng pang lalaki.

“That’s not what I mean, you look girly and softy?” patanong niyan sagot at nagkamot pa sa kanyang batok, I squinted my eyes at him. So I was looking like a badass girl earlier? I crossed my arm at the thought, not bad for me, napangiti na ako matapos niyang kamutin ang kanyang batok. Okay, it only means that I can pull off any style.

“Let’s go, I want to see the party organizer’s plan.” Saad ko at bumaba na sa hagdanan, naramdaman ko naman siyang sumunod sa akin. Nakarating na kami sa party room at nakita ko ang ilang lalaki na sa tingin ko ay employee niya, nagtataka lang ako, we are on the same grade and it only means she is also a college student. Is she perhaps a working student?

“Hello, so what’s the plan? What theme can you offer?” tanong ko pagkarating sa likod niya, tinapos niya ang pakikipagusap sa isang lalaki bago niya ako hinarap.

“Oh hello, miss…”

“Oh I’m sorry for being rude, I’m Dazinco Roosevelt, call me Anzi.” Nakangiti kong sagot, sinuklian naman niya ang ngiti ko at tumango-tango, napakamot ako nang mahina sa pisnge ko dahil sa pagka-awkward. Ayan kasi iiyak tapos hindi pa pala nakapag-pakilala nang maayos, dapat kasi sanayin ko ang sarili ko na i-hold muna ang emotion.

“It’s okay Miss Anzi, oh and here’s a picture book of the motifs we can work with, just pick what you like.” Inaabot niya sa akin ang isang libro na may katamtaman sa kakapal, binuklat ko ito at na mangha ako sa ganda. It has luxurious, elegance, fancy and even the simple ones, it has variety of good looking motifs. Lumingon ako kay Ian at hinila papalapit, I need opinions para naman umayon sa kanya ang motif na pipiliin ko, baka mamaya niyan yung gusto ko ay hindi niya pala gusto.

“What will you pick?”

“It’s a simple welcome home party, should we pick the simple ones?” napa-isip naman ako sa suggestion niya, simpleng welcome home party, tiningnan ko ang date ngayon at napagtanto kong birthday pala nung kambal. Agad kong ipinakita sa kanya ang event na naka-set sa calendar ko, nakita ko ang paglaki ng mata niya, it’s their birthday and here we are not remembering.

“Okay change of plans, well wala pa pero basta may additional event.” Kinuha niya sa kamay ko ang picture book at nag hanap ng birthday motif, hinarap ko naman si Jess na nag tataka ngayon.

“These will be a joint event, a welcome home and a birthday party,” saad ko at pabulong naman sa birthday party, dapat surprise. Nakapili na si Ian kaya nagplano na kami kung ano ang gagawin, one hour has passed and we’re almost done with decorating. Tumulong na kami sa decorating dahil kaunti lang ang nadala niyang employee dahil akala nila isang event lang, it was a sudden change so hindi na namin sila pinahirapan and offered a helping hand.

“It’s almost time for lunch, mom and dad will arrive soon.” Sabi ni Ian na nakatayo sa bandang kaliwa ko, we are standing by the door of this party room, guarding the door in case the twins knock.

“Who’s going to fetch them?”

“Si manong driver, alam naman ni mom na busy tayo ngayon, I made excuses.” Napatango naman ako at tumalikod na, the party is already set, now the visitors.

“Ian, who are we going to invite?”

“Don’t worry about that ate, I already invited some people I know.” Napahinga naman ako ng malalim doon, at least I’m not going to stress over it, I barely know people so yeah I’m glad he took the job. Naglakad na ako papalabas ng party room ng marinig ko ang pahabol ni Ian,

“Make sure to meet the guests!”

Isinara ko na ang pinto at umakyat na, sinilip ko muna ang kambal, kaya pala hindi maingay, tulog sila. Hinayhinay kong isinara ang pinto at dumeretso sa kwarto ko, umupo ako sa higaan at napatulala sa picture frame na nakalagay sa nightstand ko.

Kinuha ko ito at tinanggal sa picture frame, I unfold the folded piece and saw a group picture. Palagi ko ito tinitingnan kapag may magaganap na event, this picture gives me confidence, confidence to face the crowd.

“Let’s get dolled up, the elegant way.” I said and opened up the cabinet, napangiti na lang ako sa bumungad na damit.

~ONE HOUR LATER

“Ate, the party’s going to start any minute now,” katok muli ni Ian sa pinto ko, kanina pa siya katok nang katong at kanina pa ako nakatingin sa reflection ko, checking multiple times if I look okay. The motif is elegance and on the birthday party, royalty.

The twins wants to dress up like prince so we picked the royalty and elegance, it’s like a cover up, para hindi ma halata ng kambal na may surprise kami sa kanila.

“Ate, come out now, or I’ll cancel the party.”

“No, don’t cancel the party.” Sagot na hinahabol pa ang hininga ko ng slight, tinakbo ko lang naman ang pinto para buksan, I was holding my breath. Nakita ko naman ang pagkasilay ng ngiti sa labi niya, I let out a little chuckle. He tricked me,

“May I escort you, Princess Rose?” sabi niya sabay lahad ng kanyang kamay, lumabas na ako sa kwarto ko at isinara ito bago nakangiting tinanggap ang kanyang kamay.

“Princess Rose, I like it.” Mahina kong bulong, hinalikan niya pa ang kamay ko na ikinatawa ko ng mahina, he’s wearing a navy blue suit, the prince like suit. Terno nga ang kulay namin, well he is my escort so we should definitely match the color.

“Yes you may,” naglakad na kami patungo sa stairs para salubungin ang mga bisita. I’m wearing a princess like dress, light weight and see through colored blue fabric with flower designs, I’m wearing a white silky skirt overlapping the jumpsuit.

“Let us all welcome, Princess Dazinco Roosevelt Bellor together with her brother Prince Ian Keith Bellor,” I heard butler Paul announced, ngumiti ako sa kanya bilang paumanhin sa haba ng pangalan namin. Kumaway lang ako at ngumiti sa nagsipalakpakang bisita, the twins are already downstairs, napalawak ang ngiti ko ng makita ko sila mom and dad na kasama ang kambal.

“They’re here, they look like real royalties.” Mangha kong bulong kay Ian, mom is wearing a plain white gown just like mine but it does not have the flower design, instead it has glitters all over the gown. She also has a cloak to cover her bare shoulders, a plain sky blue cloak. While dad is wearing a suit matching mom’s cloak, all in all we look like a family of royalty.

“Here is our princess, you look stunning,” puri ni mom pagkalapit namin sa kanilang harapan, bumitaw ako sa kamay ni Ian at sinalubong sila ng yakap, I heard them laugh at my sudden action but I just smiled. Bumitaw na ako at nakangiti silang tiningnan, I miss their faces.

“Hey, don’t you dare cry, you’re ruining your make up,” pabirong suway ni mom at pinunasan ang mata ko gamot ang kanyang panyo, napatawa ako ng mahina, she used her handkerchief to block the tears, parang naging piring ang ginawa ni mom sa pagpunas niya ng luha ko.

“Mom, I don’t wear makeup, remember?” natatawa kong tanong at tinanggal sa mukha ko ang panyo niya, pinunansan ko na ang mata ko at ibinaba na ang kamay ko habang hawak pa rin ang panyo.

“See that hon, she looks beautiful even after shedding a tear,”

“Well, she takes it after me,”

“Okay mom, we know you’re so beautiful that dad chased you,”

“Hey, don’t expose me,” Napatawa kami sa sinabi ni dad, he didn’t even denied that he chased mom.

They excused their selves as they need to entertain the elders, nakangiti lang akong tinatanaw silang makipagusap sa mga bisita, as long as they’re happy I’m happy too. Napalingon ako kay Ian ng tawagin niya ang pangalan ko, I froze on my spot as I see seven great looking men standing just right behind Ian, those faces, I know those faces.

“Ate, meet my friends.”