Erudition of Doyle: Volume One

CHAPTER 18: CASE V - THE UNEXPLAINED DEATHS

Case 5: The Unexplained
Deaths (The Debut of Rosalinda
Chapter, Part One)

ROSALINDA

August 3rd. And, today is my debut. I was sitting on the wooden chair as I stared at myself in the mirror. I'm wearing a hot pink quinceañera dress, adorned with beads and featuring an off-shoulder design. It resembles a ball gown.

Because of my makeup, my eyebrows turned a light brown shade. I don’t know what product my makeup artist used, and honestly, I don’t want to find out. I thought about removing the color since it clashes with my freshly dyed blonde hair. I don’t really want to dye my hair, but my mother insisted. I love my natural black hair. Still, I’ll remove the eyebrow color after today. Everyone says the shade suits me, but I’m unconvinced. She blended pink and soft brown eyeshadow with a touch of glitter that actually complements my fair skin and brown almond-shaped eyes. A sweep of soft brown blush and pink lipstick gave my lips a fuller, plumper look. Now, with the silver jewelry, the heart-shaped earrings and thick, flower-patterned necklace, I look like a Barbie version of myself. And I hate it.

“You have such striking charisma and beauty, ma’am! Bagay na bagay kang maging model,” my makeup artist whispered, complimenting my face. “You have a round-shaped face and a thin, defined nose. It really looks good on you. It suits you perfectly! Naiinggit ako!” she said, pouting as she worked on my hair. I just told her to make my long hair curly; I wasn’t in the mood to do it myself. Maganda at maayos naman ang pagkakagawa.

I tried to focus only on her praises, forcing everything Mama said to slip out the other ear. I was in Papa’s mansion, where my debut would take place, yet Mama kept insisting I call Raleigh, asking him to come. Why does she like him so much, when she doesn’t even know him?

“Baby, please, call Raleigh na,” Mama urged, her voice almost pleading. “If you’re worried he doesn’t have a suit, anything formal will do!” The makeup artist smiled quietly, glancing at her through the mirror. “I really want to meet him! And we’re short, seventeen boys lang ang magsasayaw sa’yo, make him dance with you!”

“No.”

Mama pouted at my answer. “Baby naman, sige na. Gustong-gusto ko talaga siyang makilala. Isama mo rin ang mga magulang niya, hm?” she said with a hopeful smile, but I only stared at her, silent and unmoved.

Honestly, I didn’t even want this debut. It wasn’t my thing, and I wasn’t excited at all.

“Sige na, anak, for Mommy, okay? Papuntahin mo na rito si Raleigh. Ngayon na, I want to have a conversation with him.” Her voice softened, almost pleading, but I just looked away and said nothing.

“Mrs. Almazan!” a frantic voice called from outside. The man wouldn’t stop knocking until Mama opened the door.

“Oh, bakit? Anong nangyari, Jun?” she asked, worry flickering in her eyes at his panicked face.

“’Yong cake… ’yong pusa!” he stammered, clearly terrified if he will get scolded.

“O, bakit? Ano naman ang kinalaman ng cake at ni Leo?” Mama asked, confused.

“Tumatakbo kung saan-saan si Leo. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero pagtingin ko, nasa sahig na ’yong cake!”

“Aya! Jusko, Marimar!” Mama exclaimed before rushing out of the room, which, honestly, was a relief.

My makeup artist went back to work, though her curious eyes stayed on me. “Hindi ka ba nanghihinayang sa cake mo? Your cat destroyed it, ang ganda pa naman ’non,” she said, but I only gave a faint smile.