Erudition of Doyle: Volume One

CHAPTER 19: CASE V - THE UNEXPLAINED DEATHS

Case 5: The Unexplained
Deaths (The Lion's Introduction
Chapter, Part Two)

ROSALINDA

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to this special evening as we celebrate the debut of our lovely debutante, Miss Rosalinda Almazan!" masiglang sabi ng host.

Pagkababa ko ng hagdan habang nasa likuran ko ang mga lalaki, automatikong nagpalakpakan ang lahat. Nakaguhit ang nakakapanabik na ngiti sa labi nila habang pinapanood akong bumababa ng hagdan. They look at me as if I were not suffering, but I am. Hindi ako sanay magsuot ng heels; ni ayaw ko nga ring magsuot ng gown-pinilit lang ako.

Nakangiti man ako ngayon sa lahat, sa kaloob-looban ko'y gusto ko nang hubarin ang suot ko't sumimangot sa kanila. But I have to remain cool. I hope this night will fly swiftly.

Nang nakababa na ako ay agad inilahad ni Papa ang kaniyang palad, na agad ko namang tinanggap. Sobrang lapad ng ngiti niya, saka niya ako hinalikan sa noo.

"Malaki na ang baby ko," ani ni Papa, na aking ikinasimangot. Why do they call me baby all the time?

He laughed. "What's that frown for?"

Mabilis na lumapit si Mama sa akin at ako'y niyakap. "My baby, ang ganda-ganda mo! Surely, one of the boys behind you will fall in love with you!" Medyo napatalon-talon pa siya dahil sa ubod niyang saya, saka bumulong. "Ma-inlove ka na sa kanilang tatlo, wag lang sa butler mo, ha?"

I'm not going to fall in love with them, just as they won't with me. The only person I consider a friend among them is Raleigh; we don't have an intimate relationship at all. Also, the butler. Why not? He's young, and the gap between our ages is not far. He's kind of cute, though.

Got shocked? Just kidding, I won't fall for any man. No matter how rich, handsome, cute, or likeable in a woman's eyes. The only thing on my mind is to protect them-my family. Even with how messed up my family is, I'm still going to protect them.

"Mahal, wag mo nang tuksuhin," sabi ni Dad. Ugh, it's been a while since he called Mom like that. It's making me want to vomit.

"Dalaga na ang anak mo. Gusto ko na rin siyang makitang magpakilala ng lalaki rito. Gusto ko rin apo!"

Mom, malabong magkaroon ka ng apo. Wag ka nang umasa.

"Kaka-eighteen lang niya. She's still young to be thinking about that. Tapusin niya muna ang pag-aaral niya bago 'yang love-life na 'yan," kalmadong wika ng aking ama, na ikinanguso niya.

"You didn't invite Clarissa?" my father asked.

"No need to invite her; she will not come anyway-she's been busy again with their family's business," tugon ko, at siya'y tumango-tango.

"Before we proceed with the program," the host continued, "let us take a moment to acknowledge the presence of Miss Rosalinda's family and friends who have joined us tonight. Your love and support have played a significant role in shaping the person she has become. Thank you for inviting us here to share this joyous occasion."

Agad namang lumapit ang mga photographer para picturan kaming tatlo. Pagkatapos ay mabilis na tinawag ni Mom ang mga lalaking nasa likuran namin para tumabi sa amin at sumali sa pagkuha ng litrato. I kept the fake smile on my face as I looked one by one at all the photographers.

After a few shots, the host continued with their job while I forced myself to play along with my parents' happiness. I know I sound ungrateful, but I just hate having a big celebration. I know they love me, which is why they're doing this for me, but I don't need expensive or grand celebrations. I want their loyalty, undying love, and true happiness-for me and for the two of them. That's all I want; is that really so hard to do? Our family is just putting everything into this show.