Transmigrated as the Only Woman

Kabanata 27 | Mirrored

𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀 𝟐𝟕 | 𝐌𝐈𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐃

𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐑𝐀

''Where should I put this?'' For the fifth time, Zander delivered a huge crate to the room given to me. Hinawi ko ang kamay ko sa tapat niya't tinuro ang pinakamalapit na mesa para naman hindi siya mahirapan. Real talk lang. Ako ang nakakapagod sa pabalik-balik niya rito.

Dumako ang paningin ko sa panibagong damit na sa suot ko. It's a top made of thin silk filled with laces. The sleeves are long and end with a circular flounce. At the same time, my bottom is a simple plain cream long skirt. I tied my hair in a side braid adorned with ribbon and golden butterfly hair clips from Arthur.

Isang malalim na buntong hininga ang pinakawalan ko habang nakatitig sa magarbo't mataas na kisame ng silid. Maaliwalas ang silid dahil kulay puti ito na may halong pilak. The bed where I'm laying is also huge, has majestic headboard, and hanging curtains above. Tumagilid ako upang makita ang ginagawa ni Zander dahil kanina pa kasi siya pabalik-balik dito sa loob.

My attention shifted to the crates that he was delivering back to back here in the room. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay ito ang mga hawak nila Ryder kanina. Palihim akong sumilip kanina dahil curious ako kung ano'ng laman pero hindi ko masyadong makita ang loob. All I know is that all of those are given to me as their token of gratitude.

''Magpahinga ka nga muna. Please lang. Ako ang napapagod sa'yo.'' He wiped his forehead using his palm. He leans on the wall and catches his breath. Imbes na makinig sa sinabi ko ay muli niyang binitbit ang dala niyang crate at inayos.

''The High Priest cried because of joy. It lifted his mood because Uno said they argued because of you.'' I can feel the tension in Zander's voice. I held my chest without breaking eye contact with him.

''Ba't parang kasalanan ko?'' My response reminded of that meme of Bobbie from Four Sisters and a Wedding. Ako lang ang natawa sa sinabi ko't pumalakpak pa ako na parang timang. Zander scans my face as if he's thinking of taking me to mental institution tomorrow. Tinikom ko na lamang ang mga labi ko at pinanood ang mga binubuhat niya.

''By the way, Jaxon heard that you were tired so he gave you this.'' Zander went out and when he came back he was holding a huge bouquet of crystalized roses. Tinitigan ko siya at hinintay ang susunod niyang gagawin. I didn't know if I heard it right. Tama ba ang pangalan na narinig ko? Ang dami kong lalaki rito, nalilito na ako sa mga mukha't pangalan nilang lahat.

''Ryger and Sayge want to give you something too. They told me to give you these separately.'' My jaw dropped when he went outside and came back holding another two buquotes of tulips and roses. Hindi ko rin alam kung saan ko na ipapatong ang lahat ng mga binibigay nila sa akin.

''Jaxon? The mute scholar from the Academy?'' I ask. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Zander at inabot niya sa akin ang hawak niyang dedication card. May nakasulat doon ngunit katulad ng inaasahan ay hindi ko mabasa. I looked up to Zander's face, demanding him to read it for me.

''You are as beautiful as a sunset yet your distance is like a moon's, near but hard to reach. Love, Jaxon.'' Saglitan na tinitigan ni Zander ang hawak niyang dedication card. It was made of golden paper filled with glitter. ''How did you meet Jaxon by the way? So you knew that he was mute. You do sign language?''

Hindi ko sinagot ang tanong ni Zander habang sapo-sapo ko ang aking noo. Sa halip ay tumayo ako ng kama para titigan ang mga crates, sweets at bouquet na pinagtabi tabi niya't pinatong sa maliit na mesa sa gilid ng aking kama. Muli siyang lumabas at sigurado akong pagbalik niya ay may panibagong bagay uli siyang ipapasok dito sa loob.