His Virgin Stripper

01

V

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"Valerie, hija, ayusin mo na ang mga gamit mo. Kanina pa naghihintay ang sundo mo sa labas." It was Sister Janette, her voice soft and aged. She had been with me for 17 years.

"Heto na po, Sister!" I sighed as I picked up my bag and walked toward the door.

Before I could step out, the large chapel bell rang, signaling the start of evening prayers. I froze for a moment, letting the familiar sound wash over me. Every day for the past 17 years, I had heard this bell. It was the sound of home, of routine, of belonging. And now, it would ring without me.

The younger children rushed inside, their tiny footsteps echoing across the hall. Some of them paused when they saw me, their faces filled with sadness. One of the little girls, Mia, ran up to me and hugged my waist.

"Ate Valerie, 'wag ka na umalis," she mumbled, her voice muffled against my dress.

I forced a smile and knelt to her level. "Mia, kailangan ko nang pumunta sa bago kong bahay. Pero babalik ako para bumisita, promise."

"Promise?" she asked, her big round eyes full of doubt.

I nodded and playfully tapped her nose. "Promise, Mia."

Sister Janette watched the exchange, her expression sad. "Hija, magpakabait ka, ha? Alam mo namang mahal na mahal ka namin, hindi ba? Dalawampu't dalawang taon ka nang nasa amin, pero ni minsan, hindi ka man lang binalikan ng magulang mong nangakong babalikan ka." She gently caressed my cheek.

"Ano ka ba, Sister! Okay lang po 'yun. Mabuti pa nga na may gusto pang umampon sa akin." I laughed softly, though my voice shook slightly.

She chuckled, though her eyes were tearing up. "Ayaw man kitang pakawalan, pero napakasama ko naman kung ipagkakait ko sa 'yo ang pagkakataong magkaroon ng pamilya," she said, her voice trembling.

"Sister Janette, kanina pa po naghihintay ang aampon kay Valerie," the guard suddenly spoke from the doorway.

"Ah, sige." She turned back to me, her expression warm yet sad. "Ingat ka, hija. Huwag na huwag kang magpapaapi." She hugged me once more and placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

I smiled bitterly as I stepped out of the chapel, the sound of the evening prayers beginning behind me. For the first time in 17 years, I wouldn't be part of them. I clutched my bag tighter, forcing myself forward. A new life was waiting, but why did it feel like I was leaving something more behind.

I shook my head and looked up to see my new family, but something about them felt... off.

A man stood in front of me wearing a black suit, matikas ang tindig, at seryoso ang mga mata habang tahimik niya akong sinusuri. A woman stood beside her wearing a beige dress, ang pulang labi niya nakakurba sa isang pormal ngunit malayong ngiti. Mukha silang perpekto, masyadong perpekto, na parang pinilit nilang maging ganoon.

"Valerie, right?" sa wakas ay nagsalita ang lalaki. Malalim ang boses niya.

Dahan-dahan akong tumango, holding on to the strap of my bag.

"Kanina ka pa namin hinihintay," dagdag ng babae, magaan ang tono ng kanyang boses pero parang pinag-aralan niya muna ito bago sabihin.

Bumukas ang pinto ng mamahaling itim na sasakyan, binuksan ito ng driver na nakatayo sa tabi. Saglit akong lumingon kay Sister Janette, pilit na ngumiti bago humakbang papasok.

I felt the cold leather seats on my skin as I sat down inside the car. Sumunod na pumasok ang lalaki at babae, umupo sila sa magkabilang gilid ko, tahimik at kontrolado ang kilos.