Veiled In Matrimonial Shadows

Prologue

"Aster, get down here already!"

This is what my family's routine everyday, it's either me or my older sister who will call my little sister to go down stairs because she's in trouble again or when we will go eat already.

"P'Art and P'Rei I didn't do anything in school, I swear!" that's Aster, my little sister.

"You look and sound so defensive, P'Rei just called you because we will eat already." I said in a teasing way.

I looked at my sister with a playful smirk painted on my lips, I sat on the chair I was resting my arm earlier here in the dining room.

"I am not!" She said while her eyes widened.

I just raised a brow and then started eating.

"F-fine, sinabunutan ko yung kaklase ko, k-kasi naman she said your paintings in your art gallery looks ugly daw nung pumunta sila nung family niya..." I knew it!

"Bat sabunot lang? Dapat sinapok mo na rin sa ulo-"

"Ate art!" Suway sa akin ni Rei, ang sumunod sa akin.

"Charot lang!" Nag peace sign pa ako bago isinubo yung kutsara kong may lamang pagkain.

"Nunglong, Tua Lek." Itinuro ni ate 'yong upuan ni aster na agad namang sinunod nito, pinapaupo niya ito.

"Rei we're in the Philippines, stop speaking Thai," I said as I take a sip on my juice.

"ทำไม ท้ายที่สุดแล้ว มีเพียงฉัน คุณ และแอสเตอร์ น้องสาวคนเล็กของเรา ฉันไม่เห็นปัญหาใดๆ กับเรื่องนั้น ราวกับว่าผู้ดูแลจะฟังการสนทนาของเรา." Umisa pa talaga!

"See? You're speaking Thai even though it's just us not some Thai person who decided to visit us here in the Philippines, sabihin mo nalang kasi na tayo tayo lang naman yung magkakausap." Sabi ko dito dahil tuluyan na itong nagsalita sa una naming lenggwahe.

'Why, at the end of the day, it's just me, you, and our little sister, Aster. I don't see any problems. With that matter you're sounding like It was as if the caretaker was listening to our conversation.'

Napa irap nalang ako dahil it's clear na inaasar lang ako ni Rei. Ipinagpatuloy ko nalang ang pagkain ko habang sila Aster at Rei ay nagkukwentuhan, habang kumakain napansin ko yung portrait ng pamilya ko na ako pa mismo ang gumawa o kung tawagin ay gumuhit at nagkulay gamit ang mga art materials ko.

Ang tagal niyo na rin palang wala, mama and papa.

2 years without you two became tough but I eventually accepted that you two are gone forever.

"I miss you ma and pa.." I whispered with my so low voice so that my sisters won't hear what I said.

I diverted my attention to the portrait and just finished my meal, the two was still talking and I didn't want to join them, hindi rin naman ako makakarelate sa pinag-uusapan nila.

About architecture.

"I'm done girls, I'll go to my art room here in the mansion okay? Just call me if you guys need something." I said as I wipe my lips properly with the use of the table napkin.

I stood up and bid my goodbye to the girls and they did say goodbye too, I just gave them a genuine and sweet smile before walking out of the dining room.

"Bye ate kong super pretty!"

"Bye bye, ate."

When I reached the stairs I stared at it for a few seconds before deciding to just take the elevator, the art room is on the second floor.

after all and today I am feeling like the stairs is so high.

I pressed the number of the second floor when I was already inside, while I was still waiting for the elevator door to open I decided to check myself in the mirror.

My outfit was just simple, my casual outfit whenever I am painting. navy blue long sleeve polo and a white pants.

Not to mention that I am just bared face and I am just using my furry night slippers, I am wearing my specs that have grado while I just let my long soft and silky black hair down.

I heard the elevator open so I walked out of it, my own feet brought me to the door of the art room.

I stared at the door, thinking if I should really come inside or just stare at it from the outside.

I was staring at the door probably for almost fifteen minutes before I decided to open it, I inhaled deeply before exhaling, as I exhaled that's also the time I opened the door.

I walked inside, I felt the cold air from the aircon touched my face.

I roamed my eyes around until a sketch that is on a picture frame caught my attention, I walked towards the area where I saw the frame. I immediately grabbed the frame and stared at the sketch for so long.

It was a little girl in a dress, more likely a chinita little girl.

I tried recalling my memories to remember who this girl in the frame I am holding but nothing seems to be visible in my mind, nothing is showing even a clue on who this girl is.

The girl is a chinita, her gummy smile that would probably melt everyone's heart when they see that smile of her, her hair was long only up to his shoulder and even has a cute star clip. Her features was unexplainable, as if she's not a real person or something.

It's impossible to sketch someone this easy, her features and beauty cannot be drawn by someone who's still learning art at such a very young age and also a someone who don't even know who this girl is...

Is this my drawing??

Who are you, sketch girl?