Shipwrecked Hearts

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Napamulat ako, ramdam ko ang init na tila bumalot sa aking katawan. I was drenched by my own sweat, tila kagagaling ko lang sa pagligo. I sighed—that dream again. No. It's not a dream, not even a nightmare.

Dumapo ang aking daliri sa gilid ng aking mata at doon ko napagtantong umiiyak ako.

"Kuya..." I mouthed. It felt so strange saying that. Tumingin ako sa veranda, it was already dusk. I slept that much, huh?

Biglang bumukas ang pinto at bumungad si Mermaid. Nang makita niyang mulat na ang aking mga mata ay lumapit siya. "Gising ka na pala, ate! Akala ko tulog ka pa, e!" Aniya. "Yong susuotin mo pala Ate Kira, nasa wardrobe." Sabay turo sa gilid. "Dahil masyadong malaki kanina ay nagpatulong na lang ako kay Kuya Alexander!"

So Maximo came when I was sleeping then, huh?

"Sabi pala ni Kuya Alexander na susunduin ka niya mamaya, Ate Kira. Kaya dapat siguraduhin mong nakabihis ka na."

Tumango naman ako kay Mermaid. "Thank you, kiddo."

"Kiddo? Mermaid po." Pagtatama niya.

I just smiled at her. Since I was bathed with my own sweat and I felt sticky, I decided to have another round of bath. It was only quick, just to remove the sweat from my body. Afterwards, I slipped myself into my undergarments and opened the wardrobe, revealing a yellow ballgown. Its long sleeves were embroidered with an outline of floral designs, revealing my skin.

I wore the petticoat, then slithered myself into the gown, Mermaid helped me in the process. "Ate Kira, ako na magtali sa likod ng gown n'yo."

I smiled at her and knelt down for her to reach my back, I felt her inserting the laces unto the small button holes of the gown, then tying it. "Thank you, Mermaid." I wonder why she's now working at such an early age when she should still be just playing. She seems to be so mature for her age. Perhaps because of the circumstances that has forced her to develop faster. I just feel sad. She is too young for this.

I've always wished for a little sister though.

"Hmm, Mermaid."

"Yes, Ate Kira?"

"Do you want to be my little sister?"

"Hindi po."

Ouch. "Why not?"

"Gusto ko po maging big sister n'yo." She grinned from ear to ear. I chuckled because of her answer and I gave her a thumb up, telling her I accept. "Talaga, Ate Kira?!"

I nodded. "Let's be sisters, okay?"

"Okay po!"

"Kaya next time, kapag pupunta ka dito, hindi na pang-maid ang suot mo, okay? You'll wear grand clothes like mine." Tumango naman siya sa aking kahilingan. "Okay, you go to your room and get changed for the banquet later on."

"E, hindi pa po kayo tapos." Lumabi siya sabay turo sa mukha at buhok ko.

"I can manage."

"Sige po! See you later, Ate Kira!"

"Likewise." Nang umalis na si Mermaid ay tumungo ako sa harap ng dresser mirror. I opened all of the drawers at each side—revealing a complete set of high class cosmetics and iridescent jewelries. I temporarily tied my hair into a bun to make sure that no hair will get into my face while I did my thing. Primer, foundation, then contour. I made sure that the outline highlights my high cheekbones and nasal bridge.

I rummaged the lipsticks and decided to use the sugar shade. Done. I removed the ponytail from my hair and let it flow down freely. The natural curly ends somehow made me look sophisticated. Muli kong sinuot ang glass sandals na aking isinuot din noong koronasyon. I smiled to myself at the mirror, contented.

Naghanap naman ako ng babagay na jewelry sa aking kasuotan. I decided to use a simple diamond earrings and a cross pendant necklace. Somehow, the jewelries took me to the next level, or so I think.

Nagulat ako nang biglang bumukas ang pinto, I saw Maximo poking his head inside, tila sumisilip. Nang nakita niya ako'y ngumiti siya at saka pumasok.

"Wow." Saad niya habang tinitignan ako. "Beautiful as always." He took my hand and kissed the back of it, the way his soft lips press against my skin sent chills down to my spine. It was the loveliest feeling. I looked at his attire—he was wearing a black coat with golden linings, followed with a black slack and a combat boots.

"You look handsome as always." I mimicked.

"Well, you gotta work on your compliment more, Starfish." Maximo bit his lips in a seductive way as if teasing me. "Let's go. Everyone's waiting." He insisted.

I nodded. Naglakad na kami palabas ng aking kwarto. We walked down the hallway. I looked in between the pillars and saw the moon, it made the night so blue, with the stars around. For a moment, I gazed at my favorite constellation—Pisces. Hinawakan ni Maximo ang aking kamay dahilan upang bumaling ang aking Atens'yon sa kan'yang, "you were asleep the whole day, you must be very hungry."

"Yes." I gave him a sincere smile.