I'm not falling

03: Space in a Jar

We finally arrived outside the Grand Bonheur. I can hear noises from the inside, and see warm lights from the windows.

"Kindly wait here Monsieur. I'll just ask the boys to help me get you in."
She said, and went inside.

She can't really push me up since there are about 5 slabs of stairs in front of the Grand Bonheur.

I just waited for her to come back, hoping she won't forget about me being here.

Suddenly I hear a noise near some bushes. I leaned to see what it was and then a girl wearing sunglasses popped out of the bush.

She fixed her hair and cleaned some leaves around her dress. After a minute, she checked her surroundings until her eyes landed on me.

"You."
She said pointing a finger at me.
Then she walked up the stairs and went inside.

What was that for?

I continued waiting for Madame Nefelli and I'm starting to wonder, Maybe she'll just leave me outside?

"Monsieur sorry It took too long."
I heard Nefelli's voice at my back.

I turned to look at her and she looked like she just did 30 push ups. Her hair is messy and she's full of sweat.

"What happened? Where did you go?"
I can't help but ask.

"Sorry, You might not notice me since I used the backdoor. I was searching for Denean and Vellium inside but they weren't there which led me to go to the barn. It turns out Denean accidentally opened the chicken cages which made the chickens go loose, so I helped him catch the chickens back since Vellium can't do much work." She said, catching her breath.

"Gago kasi ang tanga tanga."
She said.

I was shocked on what she just said.
Is she a Filipina?

"Pinay ka?"
I asked while staring at her while connecting the dots, she does look like a Filipina and she definitely has the asian look.

But she looked at me like she wasn't surprised to know I can also speak tagalog.

"Bakit?"
She responded.

I don't know why but I was expecting her to be shocked as well or atleast show that she's happy to see someone with the same homeland living here in this place.

"Ahh... Napatanong lang."
I replied.

"Oo pinay ako and I'm proud of it, Ikaw?" She asked.

"What do you mean?"
I asked, raising my brows.

She too then raised her brows.

"I mean... Proud ka ba maging Pinoy? If so bakit hindi ka lumaban para sa bansa natin? I heard the Philippines is suffering right now because of another ongoing war, and yet here you are, fighting for France." She said and then she crossed her arms.

I was stunned on what she just said.
Did she knew all along I was a Filipino?

"Mahal ko ang bayan ko dahil doon ako binuo at isinilang. Ngunit masyadong mabilis ang paghuhusga mo Binibini-" My words were cut because of a sudden interferance.

"We're here. Sorry for the wait Monsieur." I heard Denean's voice.

I looked in front and saw Denean and Vellium walking past me.

They gently carried my Bed up the stairs while Nefelli assisted on keeping the door open.

When we finally got in, they placed me back down gently.

"There you go."
Denean said.

I looked and Nefelli still near the door and our eyes met.

My eyes then shifted back to Denean and Vellium.