Maybe I'm Lying [COMPLETED]

KABANATA 19- Keeping Your Cool In A Hot Weather

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.