On our Foreign Languages class, I felt like an alien lost in a new planet. They're talking differently and I don't have the slightest clue about what they're saying. Para lang akong tanga habang palipat-lipat ng tingin sa kanilang lima. Naghihintay kung kailan sila matatapos.
The instructor seemed to forgot my existence. Or she never really paid attention to me 'cuz I'm not really important. 'Ni hindi niya nga ako tinignan mula ng magsimula ang klase hanggang ngayon. Siya na yata ang may pinakamadaling trabaho. She didn't have to teach them dahil alam na nila lahat ng iba't-ibang language bata pa lang sila. It's not actually a surprise.
But it's amazing to watch. Kahit hindi ko sila naiintindihan, the way they speak shows too much elegance. Even the manly princes was graceful and poised.
I just wish Mrs. Wilma Ferrer had the will to inform me what language are they using. It's something I've never heard of before or I have pero hindi ko lang maalala kung kailan at saan. Para kasing may tono yung pagsasalita nila. Like they're singing or humming to a certain tune not familiar to me.
I was completely left out when Prince Dwight approached me. Wearing his usual unwavering smile, he whispered the answer to my question. "It's the old language of Crownland." the way he said it tickled my ears. He was too close to me, invading my personal space.
I mentally slap myself. Bakit hindi ko alam yun? We learned it briefly during junior high school. Isa yun sa mga naging paborito kong subject ngunit hindi ko man lang natukoy agad na yun pala ang ginagamit nila. But we're only thought about the basics like greetings such as hi and hello. Siguradong malalim na ang kaalaman ng mga maharlika at bihasa na sila sa paggamit nito.
Bumalik na si Dwight sa upuan niya bago nakipagtalastasan kay Prince Jyle. Their words sounded strong and mad but the look on their faces were gentle. Hindi ko alam kung nag-aaway ba sila o ano.
The class ended efficiently. Walang ka effort-effort lahat except me na muntik ng dumugo ang ilong.
Mrs. Ferrer told me that Barbs will be the one who'll teach me languages if I wish to learn some and if Barbara is willing. But she said it's hard to master a language within a short period of time. I could try but there's no possibility that I'll be good at it.
Sabi raw kasi ng administration at ng mga rulers, the school won't adjust for me. Most especially the royals. They will continue with their lessons, may maintindihan man ako o wala. It wouldn't be a problem for them since hindi kasama ang classes ko with the royalties sa ipapakita sa mga tao.
At kung sasabihin ko man ang mga karanasang ito sa ibang tao, alam ko na kung anong mangyayari sa'kin.
Kung gusto ko raw matuto, I have to make effort on my own. Swerte ko nalang daw kung may tutulong.
And indeed, I was lucky.
Because Barbs and Princess Delancey wants to help me. Even Prince Dwight David of Westshire.
*****
Music and Arts is officially my favorite class. Anything related to it is always the best for me. Sa wakas ay may isang bagay narin sa lugar na'to na masasabi kong gamay ko na. Something I'm actually good at.
Si Dorothy lang ang nakakaalam kung gaano ko kamahal ang musika. I can sing and I happened to know how to draw and paint. It was natural to me. Lumaki akong alam ko na na marunong akong magpinta at kumanta kahit walang nagturo sa'kin.
People in my caste were actually fascinated and intrigued. Sa paraan daw kasi ng pagkanta at paglikha ko ng mga obra, it appeared like I was trained professionally. At first, pinagdududahan ko rin ang pagkatao ko but my doubts disappeared when I met Dorothy.
No one really knows where I came from.
Nang dumating ako sa bahay ampunan, nagulat ang mga madre dahil magaling akong mag-English. It's rare for a commoner dahil hindi naman binibigyang tuon ng sistema ng aming edukasyon ang pagtuturo ng Ingles. So they thought that maybe I was a lost child from a noble family. Sinubukan nilang magtanong-tanong sa lugar namin pero walang nakakakilala sa'kin.
Wala akong ala-ala sa buhay ko noon bago ako dumating sa bahay-ampunan. Hindi ko matandaan kung paano ako napunta doon at kung may nag-iwan ba sa akin.
Mister Paquito Silvero, a famous personality in Crownland and one of my favorite artist, wanted us to create any kind of art that would represent ourselves.
Princess Maire is painting. Princess Delancey is sketching. Prince Blake and Jyle is sculpting. Si Prince Dwight lang yata ang wala pang nasisimulan. Panay ang simangot at pagkamot niya sa ulo. Hindi alam kung anong gagawin. Halatang frustrated na ang prinsipe.
I decided to paint too which earned me a growl from the Bratty Princess. She wasn't pleased that we chose the same kind but I just ignored her. I was very concentrated while painting a flower in an abstract form. Ito yung bulaklak na nakaukit sa hairpin na suot-suot ko nang dumating ako sa ampunan.
It was my only reminder of the life I used to have. Ang buhay na hindi ko na kailanman mababalikan kahit sa ala-ala man lang. Because I don't remember every single detail of it.
"That's marvelous Lady Ahkiera!" I felt his hands on my shoulder. I glance to give him a warm smile.
"Thank you sir." he gave me a pat bago nagpatuloy sa paglilibot. Hindi naman nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pag-irap ni Princess Maire.
"Do you know the name of that flower?" Prince Blake inquired. I found him standing beside me. He's looking at my painting seriously.
"I'm afraid I don't, your highness."
And that's the problem. I tried researching in our public library, asking teachers, elders and acquaintances if they happen to know the name of the flower. But like my identity, it's still unknown.
*****
Confirmed, I don't like Political Science. There are terms and policies I don't understand.
The instructor is talking about Crownland laws I haven't deeply understood. Yung iba, bago lang sa pandinig ko. Hindi ko alam na may batas pala tungkol sa pantay-pantay na karapatang pantao gayong may caste naman na nagsasabi kung anong antas ng pamumuhay ka nabibilang. Ang ironic lang.
After a period of me not understanding anything, natapos din ang klase. I should read books in the library about Political Science during our break time for tomorrow's class. May one-on-one session ulit kami ni Ms. Jones sa History. This time, sasama si Princess Delancey at Prince Dwight sa amin. The two of them insisted on helping me. Bagay na ikinatuwa naman ni Ms. Jones.
Last Monday's dinner really started something. Bukod sa mas naging close kami ng mabait na prinsesa, may naging bagong kaibigan din ako. Well, it's more of an alliance than friendship. Pero sa takbo ng mga nangyayari, hindi malabong maging magkaibigan din kaming dalawa. The dinner became a bridge for two persons with one goal.
