The Side Character Wants The Spotlight

chapter two: a side characters' second chance

I kept thinking how amazing it would be if I were given a chance to live my life again and correct all possible wrongs I have committed all throughout my life after I died.

I didn't wish for a second life, nor did I pray for anything like that. I just wish for Jewel to be happy with Duke Henston, that's all. Even though I will not be there to witness them getting married and everyone happily congratulating them.

But what's this!? How am I still alive, and quite young!? Am I dreaming or something? Is this my younger self flashing before me as I slowly die?

I touch my face slowly and then slapped it hard to really feel the pain to tell if this is true or not which I gradually regret.

“Araaaaaay! Uhuhuhuhu” malakas at masakit na daing ko habang nakahawak sa sinampal ko na pisnge na ngayon ay namamaga.

Masakit. Sobrang sakit. Kung nakakaramdam ako ng sakit, ibig bang sabihin non ay totoo ang lahat ng ito!? Na hindi ito isang biro o pantasya lamang? Kung ganoon bakit?

Bakit ako bumalik sa nakaraan? Hindi ba’t dapat ay patay na ako? Anong nangyayari? Anong klaseng majika ito?

Habang madiin at seryosong nag-iisip ay bigla nalamang bumukas ng malakas ang pintuan ng aking kuwarto at pumasok ang humihingal na si Clarisse. Personal Maid ko.

“Clarisse? Clariiiiiisse!” malakas na sigaw ko sa pangalan niya at tumakbo papunta sa kaniya para siya ay yakapin.

“My lady what happened? I hear  you shout in pain. Is everything alright?” nag-aalalang tanong ni Clarisse sa akin.

“I just had a nightmare and fall off of the bed, Clarisse. The nightmare was so so scary waaaaah!” malakas na sumbong ko sa kaniya habang umiiyak.

I died. I was shot in the stomach by a royal guard. I was covered with my own blood as I collapsed on the wet ground just outside of the palace’s garden. I thought that was really the end.

“That’s fortunate. I'm happy that it was just a nightmare. I thought something really bad is happening to you,” nag-aalalang sagot niya sa akin habang hinahagod-hagod ang aking likuran.

Hindi agad ako tumahan at nagpatuloy pa rin sa pag-iyak. Talagang bumalik sa isip ko ang lahat ng pagod, paghihirap, at mga sakit na pinagdaanan ko sa nakaraan. I'm glad that I can consider it as a nightmare now since I came back from the past.

“Are you alright now?” tanong ni Clarisse sa akin. Tumango naman ako sa kaniya habang pinapahiran ang aking mga luha.

“Even though you’re going to be an adult in a couple of months, you still act like a baby. We better hurry up and dress you up for Lady Jewel’s debut party,” nakangiting lintaya niya habang inaayos ang aking higaan.

That's right. I died when I was 26 years old, and return 10 years back from the past. Today, Jewel will turn 16 years old.

It basically means I return to where everything starts for Jewel. She will meet both the King and the Duke at her Debut Party. I mean, they still doesn't have any title yet since it'll happen in the far future.

I stood up from my bed as Clarisse went out to ready my bath. I faced myself in front of the mirror to take a good look again of myself. I can't believe I'm 15 again.

Did the creator perhaps heard my dying wish? But I didn't wish for this one though? I wished for Jewel and Duke Henston happiness.

I gasped. If I wished for Jewel and Henston to be happy in the future, and then I returned back time to literally the time where they first met, I mean it's not technically their first meeting since they are in a secret relationship, but does that mean they will not have a happy life after I die!?

“Oh my god!” I mumbled. I can't believe it! Even after my death, it's always going to be Jewel. The God has given me another chance at life to help Jewel meet her happy ending because apparently she won't have the happiness I wished her to have in my previous life. Great.

I mean, I don't object to that. She's my best friend, and I treasure her. I love her like she's my sister, even my parents love her like a daughter, more than me.

“Alright, fine. I would be more than happy to put my life on the line again to help you have your happy ending with the man you love, Jewel. But this time around, it's not for free,” I whispered, looking at myself directly in the eye through the mirror.

“To make sure Duke—I mean Lord Henston and you would be happy, you should slowly step out of your spotlight. As your friend, I'll take over it.” I happy mumbled.

I need to prepare now. Or else, Jewel would give an earful if I'm late ‘again’ for her Debut Party.

“How do I look?” I asked Clarisse and twirled around her showing off my dress.

She happily smiled and clapped at me. “You look beautiful, My Lady. As always,” sagot niya.

Masaya naman akong ngumiti sa kaniya bago tumango at tumingin ulit sa salamin, tinitingnan ang kasalukuyan kung sinusuot.

“It’s not bad,” komento ko. Pagkatapos kong tingnan ang sarili sa salamin ay bumaba na ako sapagkat alam kong nag-hihintay na ang aking mga magulang sa akin.

“What’s taking you so long, Gabriella? You know it's Jewel’s Debut Party, we shouldn't be late at all!” medyo galit na lintaya ni Mama sa akin. Tumango na lamang ako sa kaniya at yumuko ng kaunti bago humingi ng sorry at nagtungo na sa carriage na nag-hihintay sa amin sa labas.

“Look at this young lady. Are you going to disrespect your mother too!?” galit na talagang tanong niya.

“Honey, stop it. It's a very beautiful night, and we're off to see Jewel. Let's not break the mood,” pagpapatahan ni Papa sa kaniya. Bumuntong hininga naman si Mama at galit na nakatingin sa akin bago pumasok sa karwahe kasama si Papa.

“You need to behave, Gabriella. Everyone in the Empire would be there, don't embarrass the whole family,” pagpapa-tanda ni Papa sa akin.

Hindi ko na siya sinagot pa at ibinaling nalang ang tingin sa bintanan kung saan nakikita ko ang mga bagay sa labas.

I know I'm disrespecting them based on how I am acting right now, but I'm just a little bit mad at them for not sticking by my side all that time.

Marahan kong iniling ang aking ulo upang mawala sa utak ko ang tungkol sa aking pamilya, sapagkat alam kong maaayos ko pa ang tingin nila sa akin, siguro.

Kailangan ko munang isipin ngayon kung paano ko makukuha ang spotlight ng Main Character at mapasa-akin.