Changed

Six

-SIX-

Crap. I can't believe I'm doing this thing. This is probably one of the last things I would ever do on earth: breaking into somebody else's home.

Sure, I have watched certain movies which includes sneaking into a house for an apparent reason. But still, I never see myself in there. And look at me, I'm already doing it for the sake of a gem.

Damn. I need to stay calm or else, mahuhulog ako sa puno. I shifted my weight on the branch slowly. I breathe air again and again.

Hindi ko kaya...but I promised myself. Gagawin ko 'to. Right, gagawin ko to. Just once in my life I did this stuff. A stuff which no one talks at dinner table.

Carefully and hard as it might be, I tried to open the window soundlessly.

The generous caller was right; no one was in. I felt a tinged of joy for that.

Una kong binuksan yung bintana. It clicked. I thought for a minute, calculating my next move whether or not to walk away. Huminga muna ko ng madaming beses bago pumasok.

As I was entering the window illegally, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I mentally cursed myself for bringing it. I landed safely on the ground, tiningnan ko muna yung nag-message.

It was Xenon. Tonight, he is on the bottom of my priorities. Shoving away my phone, I stood still and started the search.

The room is small yet untidy. I can smell the scent of dirty clothes.

Since I didn't know where to start, so I looked under the bed hoping to find something I'd never seen in my whole existence. A book. Large book as he put it.

Mukhang walang libro, so I moved. As the clock ticks, I become more and more unsteady and nervous. What if my makakita sakin dito? Pano kung magtaka sila kung bakit ako naka-flashlight?

"Where are you little book?" I chanted desperately through my frustration that I can't find it wherever I look. The room is locked from the outside. Pano kung nilipat pala niya yung libro sa ibang lalagyan? Patay ako.

I searched the plastic cabinet carefully, pero wala pa din. Hinanap ko din sa mga boxes ng sapatos pero there's no sign of books in there. Sa bathroom wala din.

I fidgeted with my hands. Kinakabahan ako. My heart is racing frantically. This is my one shot and I think I'm losing it. Baka destined talaga akong maparusahan ng isang reyna or someone like her. Is it really my destiny to live my remaining life in a castle's prison or even worse is their dungeon. I don't want there. I read enough nobles to make my own knees wriggle. Naiisip ko palang pag nagdedescribe sila ng dungeon. Cold and hard.

Crap. I'm going to pass out.

I shoved away my thoughts. Makikita ko din yun. I have faith.

Habang naglalakad ako, something caught my foot dahilan para masubsob ako sa floor. I made a squeal. I hope no one heard me. Ang sakit. Rope yata 'to.

I try to stand but my foot aches. Umupo ako sa kama.

Sorry, I thought. I invaded her too much and now karma's on its hit.

"Damn," I muttered under my breath. Nag-hintay ako ng ilang segundo para ma-sure na hindi na ko gagawa ng kahit anong ingay pag nag-lakad ako. I was limping and bitting my lips as I try to search for the gem.

After minutes of searching, I gave up and sat on the floor hopelessly. I wonder what my cell would be. I can be entitled as 'the royal prisoner' if there's such a thing.

Half-way to my thoughts, naalala ko dati sa cabinet ko may drawer tapos pag-inalis mo yung drawer may another secret drawer ulit. Trying my luck, I did what my instinct told me. And then like magic, it was there. The necklace was there.