They handed me food last night, a tuna deli sandwich. Now I'm being offered avocado on toast and a new set of clothes. I understand it wasn't your typical prison food, and I know where it came from, Wren.
They said they were going to release me early this morning, even though I hadn't fulfilled my twenty-six-hour confinement. So here I am, cleaning up after myself. They allowed me to use one of the private restrooms here. Although it wasn't the type of restroom I'm used to, it was adequate for washing my face and changing my clothing.
Pinasok ko ang marumi kong uniform sa loob ng paper bag kasama na rin ng coat ni Wren. Pagkaraa’y tinitigan ang sarili ko sa maliit na salamin. I laughed.
“Who are you?” tanong ko sa repleksyon ko. Katatapos ko lang maghilamos and all I saw was the bare me, wearing white cotton long sleeves and paired with black pants. Nakaladlad rin ang mahaba at straight kong brown na buhok. I look basic… I'm not used to looking this simple.
Huminga muna ako nang malalim bago damputin ang paper bag at lumabas ng banyo. Lahat ng nasa opisina na mga babaeng pulis ay napatingin sa akin. Inipit ko ang buhok ko sa likod ng tainga ko. I feel naked or undressed in public when I don't wear makeup. I stepped out of the room and was about to close the door when a loud sound from the television stopped me.
“When the father of the Ishioka Empire, Mr. Eumir Ishioka”—my grip on the doorknob tightened as I heard his name from the reporter on TV—“revealed that Charm Tempest Veridad wasn't his biological child, but the offspring of his wife and the latter's ex-lover. The hashtag fake princess trended worldwide, which drew thousands of comments from the netizens....”
“Charm.” Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang marinig ko ang boses ni Wren galing sa likod ko. My heart almost jumped out too. The only time he called me by my first name... And why is it big deal, Charm?!
“Let’s not head straight home,” bilin ko nang hindi lumilingon. Nagdire-diretso ako palabas at ginamit na pantakip ang buhok ko sa mukha ko para hindi ako gaanong makuhanan ng mga camera sa labas nang nasa ganitong ayos. Pero nang makalabas ay napahinto agad ako at kunot-noong inilibot ang tingin sa paligid.
Tahimik at malinis ang tapat ng Police Station. Iisang kotse lang ang naka-park at walang bakas ng kahit anong camera.
Is this the end of the world?
Nabitawan ko ang pagkakahawak sa buhok ko. “At this time, no one knows where you are. Your parents gathered the media for an announcement to cover what happened to you... that's what you heard on the news earlier.”
Napabuntong hininga ako at tumango sa kanya nang hindi parin siya tinatapunan ng tingin at sumakay na agad ng shotgun seat. Natanaw ko siyang tigalgal na nakatayo sa likod ng kotse mula sa rearview mirror. Kaya sumigaw ako.
“What?!” Napayuko ito at tahimik na pumasok ng driver’s seat. Kunot-noo ko lang siyang pinanood na maupo. Hindi pa rin kasi niya sinisindihan ang makina. Natawa ako nang malalim itong mapabuntong hininga, para bang stress na sa buhay.
“Sorry I didn't tell you about that soone—”
“Its fine,” putol ko sa kanya.
“But you doesn't seem like it.” Naguguluhan akong napatitig sa kanya. “See, you don't want to look at me in the eyes, and you open the car door on your own,” katuwiran nito na lalo ko lang ikinatawa. Napasuklay siya sa nakalugay niyang buhok because of frustration.
“Why? Can't I open the door by myself?”
“No, it's just that. You don't usually do—”
“Well, not anymore. I'm just the fake princess, remember?” biro ko at nagsuot na ng seatbelt pero mukhang hindi siya nakikipagbiruan dahil lalo lang nagdilim ang mukha niya.
“Hey, I said I'm fine. Really!” Hindi niya ako nilingon at pinaandar nalang ang kotse. Napabuntong hininga ako. “People were now aware that I was not a carrier of that horrible man's blood, that's a win for me. What about Scott?” tanong ko pa. Binuksan ko ang bintana sa gawi ko para damhin ang hangin. Napapikit ako.
“He’ll be testifying against Amy. The case is in process….”
Tumango ako kahit hindi niya nakikita. “H-how did you know I was arrested?” My gaze met my fingers resting on my lap. Dinilaan ko ang labi ko sa kaba nang muling maalala ang kulungan kung saan ako nagpalipas ng gabi.
“Through Gracia and Bessie. They called me and they were worried about you.” Napangiti ako sa sagot nito. Kahit papaano ay may mga tao parin palang nag-aalala sa akin.
“Thank you,” sabi ko sa kanya na naging sanhi nang biglaang pag-apak niya sa preno. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat. Mabuti na lamang at suot ko ang seatbelt pero kahit na ganon ay nagawa pa ring iharang ni Wren ang isang kamay niya sa akin para hindi ako tuluyang tumama sa dashboard.
Kung ganito kabilis ang reflex niya bakit sa simpleng 'Thank you' ko ay nabibigla pa siya?
“What happened?” tanong ko. Hindi ito makatingin ng diretso sa akin.
“I-i’m just doing my job,” sagot niya habang binubuhay ang makina.
“I understand. I'm thanking you for a job well done.” I gulped. I'm grateful for the coat and pen recorder he gave me the night before. His words of encouragement are what keep me going in that cell. He has no idea how those three words have affected me.
“Could you turn on the music?” request ko sa kanya na agad din niyang sinunod. “Louder please!” utos ko ulit nang nakapikit parin ang mata, dinadama ang bawat paghampas ng hangin on my bare face. My hair was also being thrown around by the wind.
He raises the volume. I could no longer hear the sound from outside because the loud beats of music were filling the car.
I'm telling it like it is. Even if the entire world knew I wasn't a real Ishioka, it didn't bother me. Maybe I'd be hurt if I was still me before I realized how cruel Eumir could be... but I've changed. I don't give a damn what people think. I no longer care about people who don't care about me... now all I know is to keep the people who matter to me. That was why instead of being down and sour, I'm content and liberated on the inside.
I couldn't care less whether the air blowing in my face was dirty. I'm not sure how to describe it... but I'm feeling like a helium balloon, and if I could reach the sky like it, I'd be the happiest.
Nang humina ang tugtog ay saka lang ako napadilat. Pinahinaan pala iyon ni Wren dahil may tumatawag sa kanya. Ni-loudspeak niya ang kanyang telepono.
Pinanood ko lang si Wren na magdrive habang sinasagot ang tawag. While he was concentrating on the road, he appeared to be very serious. He would clench his jaw on occasion when meeting a slight disturbance on the road, emphasizing his perfect jawline. I never imagined I’d be intimidated at how attractive a man's hair could be. But his hair is so smooth and lustrous that I want to run my fingers through it. He nibbled the inside of his bottom lip. I stopped breathing and put my palm on my chest, where my heart is, and my ears being too far away from my chest, yet able to still hear the sound of my pounding heart, which sounded like a basketball being dribbled.
“What? Babysit your child?” he asked over the phone to the person he was speaking with.
That's when I remembered to breathe again. Why is the weather so hot suddenly? Pinaypayan ko ang sarili ko gamit ang mga kamay ko. Nang hindi ako makuntento ay hinanap ko ang aircon. Bakit ba kasi mainit dito kahit bukas na ang bintana?!
Nakita ko na ang aircon at nilakasan ko iyon. I will be okay… this won't kill me… keep your cool, Charm! Relax!
“I’m at work—”
“It’s okay!” wala sa sariling sabi ko para pakalmahin ang sarili.
“See? She agreed!” ani ng kausap ni Wren sa phone.
Iginilid ni Wren ang kotse bago tuluyang huminto. Pagkaraa'y tumingin sa akin.
“Are you sure?” tanong niya sa akin. Napakunot ang noo ko pero hindi ko pa rin siya magawang tingnan.
“I’m really fine,” sagot ko at inabala ang sarili na tumingin-tingin sa labas huwag lang siyang matingnan.
“Okay, but Cassy is a bit naughty and you haven't gotten enough rest.…,” sabi ni Wren at pinaandar muli ang sasakyan. Pinihit ko ang ulo ko para lingunin siya na focused na sa pag-drive.
“Huh?” tanong ko. Sino si Cassy? At anong kinalaman ko sa kanya?
“But she's nice and understanding too. Pretty sure you two would get along well,” dagdag ni Wren bago patayin ang phone.
My eyes widened. What did I just agreed to? Nanghihina kong naisandal ang ulo ko sa head rest ng upuan. Have I mentioned that I'm terrible at taking care of children?