In The Arms Of A Doll Collector

Wakas : Unang Parte

Before Spain

Napatitig ako sa mga batang naglalaro sa aming pool mula rito sa bintana ng aking kwarto. They're playing with Damien. There were also girls who really likes playing with him. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sila masaya. I don't know what's the fun playing pool water.

Bumukas ang pinto ng aking kwarto. Mom showed up. "Damon, aren't you going to play with them? Nag baked ako ng paborito mong cookies."

Binitawan ko ang kurtinang hawak sa bintana na ikinabalik nito sa pwesto. Humarap ako sa kanya at umiling. "Don't mind me, mom. I'm fine."

Nakita ko ang panlulumo sa kanya. I ignore it. I'm used that kind of expression. Tumango lang ito at muling isinara ang pinto. I stared at my dolls laying on my bed. Mula rito ay rinig na rinig ko ang malakas nilang sigawan at tili. It's making me pissed!

Ilan pang sandali ay nagbukas muli ang pinto.

"Mom, I said, I'm fine-" I stop when I saw Damien walking in. May dala itong cookies.

"Your favorite?"

I sighed out of guilt. Lumapit ako sa kanya at kinuha ang plate. "Thank you." Somehow, the only family member I appreciate is my twin brother, Damien.

"Ayaw mo ba talagang maglaro?"

"They will only ignore me. I don't speak. That's what they hate about me. I'm boring-"

"I can take care of that. I'll talk to you." Tugon nito. "Come on, Damon. It's really fun. You can come with your dolls!" Pagpupumilit talaga nito.

Gumaan kahit papaano ang loob ko. He's willing to have fun with my dolls. Lumapit agad ako doon sa cabinet ng mga manika ko para makuha ang tinahi ni Mom na maliit na damit nito.

"This is okay, right?" I showed him the shorts and sando that I can use for my doll, Elvis. The first draft of Dad's design about making Benz' dolls made into raisins. So far, hindi pa nila ito nailalabas sa publiko. Because the cost is too high and we have a low demand when we got surveys. That's what I heard about. Hindi rin ito perpekto.

Sa araw na 'yon, hindi nga ako binigo ni Damien. He prioritize my time. He often play with me than the other visitors and that makes them got bored. Dahil sa kadahilanang hindi na sila nilalaro ng kapatid ko.

I remembered spending time playing with dolls, studying, and nothing else. Whenever Damian — our Dad tries to give us basic information about the Benz, I always pretend to pass out, being sleepy. I don't want to listen. I don't want the company.

"I-I don't have any problems with Damon's performance and grades... but... he always passed out in my class." Iyan ang reklamo ng teacher ko. Tumingin sa akin si Mom and Dad tila pinagagalitan sa isip nila.

What? Ano bang magagawa ko kung boring siya magturo? At sinabi niya naman, wala siyang problema sa grades ko, why complain? Mag complain siya kung bagsak ang grado ko sa klase niya.