Thy Biggest Revelation

TBR 24

// Arnee Lamper Rucklam Panterille //

"Aiutami is very good today, Kuya. I didn't feel like she was competing with us. She also gave me homemade cookies. "

I frowned as I looked at my younger brother. He was sitting on the cold floor while arranging the white roses he had picked from our garden. Whenever he secretly comes here, he always has those with him. I wonder to whom he gives them.

"Who's Aiutami again?" I asked nonchalantly.

He was stunned for a moment and glanced at me. "Really, Arnee?"

I raised an eyebrow at his arrogant tone. "What did you call me?"

"Just kidding. You don't remember Aiutami Lynslay?"

"I wouldn't ask if I knew her, Axalus."

He playfully rolled his eyes and stopped what he was doing. "Aiutami is the second child of Master Cald."

"Who's Master Cald?"

"What?!! Are you seriously asking who he is?" Hindi niya makapaniwalang sambit at tingin sa akin.

Ang kalmado kong sarili ay nainis sa kanya. "Seriously? Are you asking me that question?" Sarkastiko kong balik.

Mabilis siyang kumalma at maingat na ngumiti. "I just thought you remember them because you're not asking whenever I'm telling you about my social life." Aniya. "Master Cald is the King of Antra Draguana so please remember them from now on."

I neither nodded nor answered. I just looked at him.

"Do you hear me, Kuya?" Simangot niya.

"Yeah."

Hindi na siya nagsalita pa at nagpatuloy sa pag-aayos ng rosas. Tinipon-tipon niya ang mga ito habang ang tangkay ay pinapaikutan ng lilang tali. Mukha siyang nahihirapan pero hindi na ako nag balak tumulong dahil wala naman siyang sinabi.

I dropped my own back on the soft bed and thought about the second castle. The Queen Mother didn't tell me about the names of people living there. I don't know what she's planning on me but I don't like it. Even if I say I don't like what she's doing with my life, she won't listen to me. She would rather ignore me.

Agad akong napabangon nang maramdaman ang presensya ng mga kawal papalapit sa aking silid. Mabilis kong nilingon si Axalus at sinenyasan siya.

"Ang bilis naman nilang mapansin na nawawala ako!" He complained annoyingly and stood up. "I'll be back so please just open your barrier for me." He said hurriedly and teleported immediately.

I smiled bitterly.

"Too bad, Axalus, because mother already found out."

A heavy hand landed on my right cheek. The Queen Mother's eyes filled with resentment and coldness as she stood intimidated in front of me.

"Didn't I tell you to do not talk to your brother, Arnee?" Pagpipigil sa sarili na magalit at sumigaw. "Do you really want to kill him?!"

I didn't answer. I did not look away or show fear. Just like I always show her, I stared lifelessly. I imitate her coldness. I may look pitiful but I'm really not.

"Arnee, answer me!" Pagtaas ng kanyang boses.

"I'm sorry, Mother." Tanging sinabi ko at pasimpleng huminga ng malalim. "I promise--"

"Liar!" Dumaan ang inis sa kanyang mga mata at napa iling sa akin. "You're not sorry for talking to your brother!"

Hindi ulit ako sumagot. What should I tell her? I want my brother here? Of course, I want Axalus to be here. He's the only one who cares for me but I cannot say that because she will get mad at me.