That Bitch Dancer is a Virgin

TBDV 36

Shakia's POV

"Let's dig in!" Malawak ang ngiti ng ama nila matapos umusal ng maikli at taimtim na panalangin.

Spoons clattered against plate as everyone started getting little helpings of what's served.

My back was straight as I sat, tensed. I gritted my teeth and tried so hard to calm down. Hindi ako pwedeng magpahalata na naaapektuhan ako sa presensiya niya.

Napalingon ako kay Evankhell nang maramdaman ko ang pagpatong ng mainit niyang kamay sa hita ko. My trembling instantly ceased. Napalitan iyon nang kakaibang init sa parteng hinahawakan niya.

"Don't you feel well?" He asked, brows furrowed.

"I-I'm fine. So take it off," pabulong kong sagot. Tinanggal naman nito agad ang kamay nito pero nanatili ang atensyon nito sakin.

"Kumain ka na. What do you want?"

Nanlalaki ang mga matang sinundan ko lang ng tingin ang mga kinikilos niya. He really is acting weird. Gusto kong matawa ng mapakla nang may mapagtanto. He is trying to put his attention on me so that he won't have to pay attention to his family.

Then why attend this dinner at all?

"So, iha. How long have you known our Van?"

Napahigpit ang kapit ko sa kutsara nang magsalita si Mrs. Hanford.

Mrs. Hanford huh? Lihim akong napangiti ng mapait.

"Not long, ma'am," I politely answered.

Pares din ng asawa nito ang reaksyon nito. "Oh please, call me Tita Ana."

My knuckles were almost white as I gripped the spoon. I was so focused on her that I failed to notice the scoffs and malicious stares Nancy is hurtling at me.

It was a miracle that I was able to muster a smile at all.

"Hun, you somehow look familiar, have we met?"

"Your face is not one to easily forget, Mrs. Hanford. If we have met, I would have remembered you easily." I managed a strained smile.

She laughed demurely. "I'm afraid I was late for the introduction, so tell me honey, what's your name?" She looked curious.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong kumalma. I relaxed my grip, straightened my back, and looked at her straight in the eyes as I answered. "My name is Shakia Melendez."

I felt an odd satisfaction when I saw how thunder-struck she looked. Napansin kong napatigil din sa pagsubo ang asawa nito at gulat na napatitig sakin. Alam niya rin pala. Hindi niya lang siguro napansin kanina dahil hindi ko naman sinabi ang apilyido ko.

"S-Shakia?" I noticed the slight tremble in her hands when she raised the glass to her lips. Lumagok siya doon, tila biglang nauhaw.

Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya. At least she remembered my name.

"Excuse me, I need to use the comfort room." Tuwid na tuwid akong tumayo. Agad naman akong giniya ng isang kasambahay sa direksyon ng banyo. It was an adjoining CR, like the one in malls, just a whole lot fancier.

Mabagal akong naghugas ng kamay. Blangkong tinititigan ang mukha ko sa salamin. I really feel empty, void. The fact that I exist almost seem surreal. Ano bang ginagawa ko ngayon? Paano ako napunta sa sitwasyong ito?

"Good job."

Marahas akong napalingon nang marinig ang boses na iyon. Saka ko lang napansin na nakatayo sa gilid ko si Nancy. She was leaning into the mirror, reapplying her lipstick. She glanced at me through it. "How cheap. You're not even fit to breath the same air as our family. How cheap." Umiling-iling pa ito bago ibinalik sa purse ang lip stick na ginamit.