Maybe I'm Lying [COMPLETED]

KABANATA 07- Secret Stash of Memories

Trigger warning: this chapter might include an eating disorder which can be triggering to some, if you are one, I advise you to skip this chapter.

The sound of my blower was echoing in my head. Although I have dried my hair already, I still kept it on. Madalas kasi the sound of it makes me calm down. It drowns every word that's in my head. It prevents me from overthinking too much.

Sunod-sunod na pagkatok ang nagpabalik sakin sa ulirat. I unplug the blower and let my fingers run through my hair one more time before going out of my room.

Nakita ko roon ang alanganing ngiti ng Head-housemaid namin. Inayos niya ang black apron niya bago at umubo para magsalita, “My Lady, nakahanda na po ang dinner niyo.”

“Okay,” I answered to dismiss her, but she stayed in front of me. My forehead knotted as she lowered her gaze to the floor and slouched her shoulders.

“Ah-eh… Young master Craven is still in his room po,” she whispered, I almost missed it.

“I get it,” sabi ko at winagayway ang kanang kamay para paalisin na siya sa harap ko.

Kung may isang taong kinatatakutan man ang mga tao dito sa mansion bukod kay Dad, iyon ay ang fifteen years old kong nakababatang kapatid na si Craven. Most of them are scared to offend him. Afraid of the consequences my Dad would come up with.

To my Dad, and to this mansion, Craven is the most important asset. I would often hear people in my Mom's circle of friends, joking about Craven being the only child. Sometimes I'd laugh together with them. Most of the time I’ll find excuses to leave the table.

Bumalik ako sa kuwarto para isuot ang ruby earings ko na sinlaki ng coin. I’m wearing a black maxi dress. It is an unwritten rule in our mansion, mainly made by my Mom, to always look presentable whenever we're dining together. In short, a formal dress code.

Umakyat ako papuntang third floor. This is where my Dad’s and my brother's rooms are. Kumatok ako nang tatlong beses at nung walang sumagot ay binuksan ko na ang pinto. Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa kuwarto ni Craven at nakita ko siyang halos nakasubsob na ang mukha sa sandamakmak na school papers sa study table niya.  Sumandal ako sa hamba ng pinto.

Malinis ang loob ng kuwarto niya at aakalain mo pa ngang walang nabubuhay na germs sa puting kisame, sahig at dingding nito.

“Aren’t you supposed to do that at school?” Naagaw ko ang atensyon niya at kunot noong napatingin sa akin. Napangiti ako sa nakatabinging bilog na salaming suot nito.

“These are homeworks Charm… Homework is supposed to be done at home,” he said with a mocking grin on his face. 

I rolled my eyes at him. “Whatever,” sabi ko at naglakad palapit sa kanya.

I have never brought school works at home. Oftentimes, Gracia helps me with those. I found studying boresome, and most of the teachings weren't that new to me.

Tumayo siya at kinuha ang brown coat niya sa bed at sinuot iyon. Pero ang tingin ko ay napako sa maluwang na pagkakasuot niya ng tie. He's an organized person that wants things to be always neat. But that loose black tie that he's wearing was not him.

“You forgot yourself today?” I asked and fixed his tie. Then I straightened his coat using my palms. Malalim siyang napabuntong hininga at sinagot ang tanong ko ng isang multong ngiti.

“It suffocates me,” mahinang sabi niya.

“Bear it... just after dinner,” tugon ko sa kaniya na malumanay niyang ikinatango.

“I hope,” bulong ulit niya bago kami tuluyang tumungo sa dining area.

We're now in our dessert, a pistachio ice cream designed with chocolates and leaves to make it look like a piece of the rain forest on a plate.