Chapter Twenty
"Now Everything Makes Sense"
Daniel Rouge Gustilyo's Point of View
For the past few days, me and Theo were busy practicing for the cotillion so most of the time wala na kami sa school. Ang mga choreographers lang ang pumupunta sa bahay para turuan kami, it's easy for Theo to dance since he's used to this type of thing but I still have a lot to learn. But I'm glad that he's trying his best to teach me even though ang hirap sa akin turuan kasi first timer ako sa ganitong bagay.
I don't even join dance groups or troupes sa school or dance competitions o kahit man lang mga prom dances since I don't think it's needed. But I'm glad Theo was there to teach me along the way.
After practice, Theo excused himself at may pupuntahan daw. It was something urgent kaya hinayaan ko na. For the past few days kasi he's been pretty busy, given na madaming errands na pinapagawa sa kaniya ang dad niya. I asked his dad once kung totoo nga ba just so I could be reassured and his dad confirmed. That's why I don't doubt him anymore kapag in-eexcuse nito ang kaniyang sarili.
Theo kissed me on my forehead at kinuha ang gamit niya na agad namang naglakad papaalis sa harap ko, nakita ko itong nakasalubong ang kaniyang Mom kaya hinalikan niya ito sa kaniyang pisnge at agad nang lumabas ng bahay.
I saw Abeline smiling at me as she approaches me. Lately she's been staring at the both of us. Maybe she's suspecting us of something. Well I think me and Theo indeed have something.
"You two really have a good chemistry." Ani Abeline sa akin as she sits besides me. Inubos ko ang iniinom ko na tubig at ngumiti lang sa kaniya.
Suddenly she held my hand. "I'm really glad I made you into this Dani." She gave me a foolish grin. Alam kong medyo may topak din 'to sa ulo si Abeline but I appreciates all her hard work into making me a better person. "There's no ounce of regret inside of me that I chose you as Rouge." She exclaimed still smiling at me slyly.
Bigla namang itong may naisip, dahilan para lumaki ang kaniyang mga mata. "You and Theo should live together." She added. "I think you two are ready — you two are getting along well. After your debut since you're in the right age naman. I'll have you two moved already." She added. "Please then take care of my son from now on."
She's going to let us live alone for now?
I was taken aback. Pero 'di ko pinahalata na nagulat ako sa sinabi nito sa akin. Kaya tumango na lamang ako.
"Just like how you took care of me." Ani ko sa kaniya at ngumiti ulit.
"That's right Dani. In no time you'll be a part of this family." She answered as she hold my hand tightly. "But I have a question to ask you first." She added at inayos ang kaniyang pagkakaupo.
"Ano po 'yun?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.
"Do you like Theo, dear?" She asked. I did not hesitate to nod at her as a response and it even made her happier.
"You don't know how happy I am." She exclaimed, losing her composure in front of me. She was squeaking out of impulse.
Bigla naman itong tinawag ng choreographer namin kaya tumayo ito at nag-excuse. I stood up then went to my room to change clothes dahil mamaya may fitting naman ng gown na gagamitin ko na para sa debut.
At first I don't want to wear the gown but they say it looks good on me kahit 'di ko pa nakikita ang sarili ko na suot ito. Na suot ng isang Daniel Rouge Gustilyo.
Hinubad ko ang damit ko at tiningnan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin. My hair is already long. I indeed look like a woman already although there are still masculine parts in me but nonetheless, people see me as Dani Rouge already.
As someone I was made to be.
Nagbihis na ako ng damit ko at sakto naman nang paglabas ko ay handa na ang ballgown ko. They wanted me to try it already so I didn't hesitate to tell them to bring it in and Abeline helped me wear it.
"Oh dear, it suits you so well." she exclaimed nang makita nito akong naisuot ko na ang pulang ballgown na embossed with gold glitters. It looks like I am on fire sa suot ko palang na ballgown na'to which was designed by a well known fashion designer in the country.
She had me wear a red prada shoes and it matched with the gown. As soon as I was done with it, tiningnan ko na ang sarili ko sa salamin. I examined myself. I looked so different than what I used to before. Mula ulo hanggang paa, everything in me is different.
"Rouge." I murmured as I take a long look at my self in the mirror.
Maybe I am fitted to be one of the Gustilyos. Maybe I deserve this life after all. Then suddenly I saw myself smirking in front of the mirror.
Now everything makes sense.
I needed to sacrifice things to have a comfortable life.
...
The day I've been waiting for finally arrived. Today is finally my 18th birthday.
Nang magising ako, I took a long and relaxing shower. Then I went out of my room in my bathrobe. Pagbukas ko naman ng pintuan ko, sinalubong ako ni Theo ng isang yakap at hinalikan nito ako sa labi, it was a quick peck on the lips but it made me shiver. Gosh, kahit ang halik ni Theo malamig.
"Good morning." He greeted me. "And happy birthday." He kissed me on my lips again, ngumiti lang ako sa kaniya at tumanga para makita siya ng mabuti. "How was your sleep?" He asked me as he intertwine his arms around my neck. Napahawak naman ako sa bewang nito.
"It was nice." I smiled at him, he also smiled at me in return and gave me a kiss on my forehead. Suddenly I heard him yawn.
"Inaantok ka pa?" I asked him. "Anong oras ka na ba nakauwi kagabi?" Kunot noo kong tanong sa kaniya. He just chuckled at me.
"Around 2 in the morning."
"Eh ba't ka naman ginabi?"
"I had to run some errands for Dad and Lolo. Alam mo naman, ako lang naman ang apo na naaasahan sa pamilyang ito." Ani Theo kaya nalungkot ako bigla.
Ang dalawang cousins kasi nito 'di tumutulong. Si Theo lahat gumagawa at tumutulong and not to mention sumasama sa Lolo nila. "Then take plenty of rests." I told him. "You can sleep in my bed." Alok ko sa kaniya and he just smirked at me.
"Then cuddle?" He suggested while smirking at me. I squinted my eyes at him.
"Hmm." Napa-isip ako.
"Cuddle lang ha?" Ani ko rito, he looks disappointed. He even gave me a pout. Kaya napabuntong hininga na lamang ako sa kaniya at inirapan siya.
"Okay fine." I gave up at hinila siya sa loob ng kwarto
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