Bare (Royal Society #2) COMPLETED

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

Eastern Stranger

"Good afternoon," he greeted with a smile but it disappeared when he saw the baby I was carrying. He looked a bit shocked. It was evident because I saw how his mouth gaped.

I looked at him. He was wearing a black longsleeves folded in his forearms, partnered with his black pants. He was adjusting his watch when I opened the door kaya ganoon parin ang pwesto niya ngayon.

"Is there anything I could help you with?" Don't tell me, he needs a place to stay like Elise! Sorry na lang siya dahil occupied na ang guest room. Not that I'm planning to let him stay in the first place.

My question took him back to reality. "Uhh, I was looking for the main field," he said and continued, "I am from the East Palace and I was sent here for my duties."

I nodded, surveying his words. He looked like he was telling the truth. "Main Field is located at the end of that alley," I said and pointed the alley few blocks away from us.

He scratched his head. "I'm sorry but can you lead me there instead? I'm a bit dumb when it comes to directions."

I frowned. I clearly told him that it was just straight to that alley. Hindi ba siya naniniwala sa akin? Is that why he wants me to accompany him? I sighed and asked, "you don't trust my words, do you?"

"N-no," he said, shaking his head while waving his hands in front of me. "I'm just really bad at directions."

Napailing na lang bago pumasok ulit sa loob at magpaalam kay Mama. I'll accompany him for the benefit of Siah. I usually walk him around the place during this time anyway. When I got out of my room and was about to head out, Mama was at the stairs, looking at me weirdly.

"You really dolled up yourself to accompany that stranger?" She emphasized the word just to prove a point. I rolled my eyes and went downstairs. Sumunod naman si Mama sa akin habang bumubulong-bulong ng kung ano-ano.

I stopped and faced her. "Ma, I will just really lead him to the fields," mahina kong sabi dahil baka marinig kami sa labas. 

"Do you have to really dress up?" She retorted.

I looked down to check my appearance. I just changed into a simple romper because Dusk will be furious kapag lumabas akong naka-cami top and dolphin shorts. This is decent! I once again frowned at Mama but she just turned her back on me and sat down in the sofa. 

"I'll bring Siah with me," I said and carried my baby in my arms. 

She stood up to place a kiss on Siah's forehead bago ako sinamaan ng tingin. But I'm not doing anything! "Take care, Siah. Don't let your mom do anything reckless, okay?"

"Ma!" I hissed before stomping my feet way out. When I opened the door, his back was in front of me so I saw his posture. He was facing the view in front of us with his hands placed on his back. I  have seen this before and he's definitely from the Palace.

I fake coughed which made him face me. Then he smiled before motioning me to lead the way. And as inquisitive as I am, I wasn't able to stop my mouth from asking questions.

"So, you're from the Palace? West? South?"

"East Palace," simple niyang sabi. I think he belongs to the same group as Elise who doesn't speak about themselves that much kaya naman hindi na ulit ako nagtanong. I can take hint, you know.

"What's the baby's name?" He asked after a while.

"Isiah," I said and he gave me a nod.

Then he stopped walking. I looked at him in confusion but I was amazed by what he did. 

"The afternoon sunlight is hurting him," he said after placing his handkerchief in Siah's head.

I smiled at his and thanked him afterwards. "Nothing's free now, you know?" He replied.

"So, what do you want as a payment?"

He smirked. "Your name, Miss."

I pursued my lips and answered him. "It's Dawn. Arlaise Dawn Miranda."

"Miranda? Your surname?" I shook my head at his question. "Part of my name. De Guzman is my last name."

He nodded and we continued walking. But when he started looking around as if he noticed something, I waited. I know what he will say but I won't get tired pointing out my stand.

"Dawn... is there something wrong with my face? Because I can see nothing wrong on you."

I abruptly stopped and faced him. I'm not sure if he is playing dumb but how could he not see it?

"The reason why they were looking... was because of me," I said after inhaling huge amount of air. This is will be another explaining. 

"W-What do you mean?"

"You see, if a woman got pregnant and she got no husband, it is somewhat seen as a shame for woman. If that's not the case, then it's giving birth at a young age. It's another shameful act of woman for them."

He looked bewildered, making me chuckle. "That's just how it is here, Eastern Stranger," I teased because I just realized I didn't even know his name.

But he didn't seem happy with my tease. He looked awfully affected. 

"Dawn..." He called out and I just hummed because I started walking already, leaving him behind. Ayaw ko rin naman na pinagtitinginan but it doesn't mean I'm ashamed. It's just annoying because no matter how many times I try to change their perspective, their minds are still closed.

I never said being pregnant at a young age is right because it means you'll throw away everything you worked hard for. But how could they blame the child for something he is unaware of? 

It's just unfair for the child because it's the parents' mistake for not preparing enough. They wanted a baby and they made one but didn't even thought of its consequences. 

"How could you be okay with all of this?" He asked, after catching up on me. 

"Because when we did it, I already prepared myself for the consequences. Besides, it's their opinion on woman and I respect that. But I don't want to repeat myself over and over when their ears and eyes were shut. I don't want to trouble myself with that anymore."

Because I realized that change should always come from the person itself. Not because of its surrounding clouding her mind to change. It doesn't work that way. If they want to change and they should do it voluntarily without any factors affecting their decision.

That's what I realized after living in here. I changed myself for Izaac only to be shattered afterwards because I don't want to change - that resolution itself is not strong enough which is why it was easy to break apart. 

Back then, I was set on keeping Izaac with me. Not only because I love him, but the freedom, security, and care that I felt because it was him. I don't want to let him go because he became my light. 

But little did I know that it only make us drift apart. I lost myself when I found him and that's something I don't want to repeat. I just want to be me... the real me, without running after someone's level.

Those thoughts ran on my mind as we reached our destination. I smiled at him and pointed the fields in front of him. Just when I was about to go, he spoke.

"Dawn, it's Sean. Sean Ruzzel."

***