A Flower's Nudity

11

Nangyari ang hinihintay ko. Malakas na tumunog ang censor ng boutique nang lumabas ang stepmother ko na nakahawak ng handbag at dalawang paper bag.

Tumingala siya, bumaling-baling sa paligid. The innocence in her eyes pushed the evil smile to appear on my lips. Nang lumapit ang isang guwardiya sa kanya ay kitang-kita ko kung paano bumilog ang mga mata niya. Her shocked expression brought joy to my heart, especially when the manager, Mrs. Sandara, approached.

Dahil medyo malayo ako ay hindi ko nasundan ang usapan. Lumapit ako at tuluyan silang narinig.

"I'm sorry but we need to inspect you, Ma'am," the manager apologetically said. "Kilala ko kayo at sa tingin ko ay hindi naman kayo magnanakaw, but the censor won't lie."

"Fine." Ramdam ko ang frustration sa tinig ni stepmom. "Hindi naman ako tatakas. I will prove my innocence."

Isa-isa niyang inilapag sa inspection area ang lahat ng hawak niya. Her body got scanned. As what I already know, the item is not hidden in her clothes.

My vision moved to her face. It's so calm and confident. Let's see where that reaction will take her. I cannot wait.

Kinuha ng inspector ang handbag niya at binaliktad ito. Isa-isang nalaglag ang mga laman nito sa lamesa. May mga alahas pa siyang dala na sigurado kong mataas ang carat. She's very luxurious, samantalang hindi niya sariling pera ang mga ginagastos niya. Ah! I feel like I want to slap her with money. Surely, she would still be glad.

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit doon, at sa ikatlong hakbang ay nakita ko ang panghuling bagay na nahulog sa bag niya. Everyone is shocked when they recognized it---a single Charlotte Tilbury matte revolution lipstick.

Saksi ako sa kung paano mamula ang stepmother kong hindi ko kayang banggitin ang pangalan. 'Yung sudden transition ng skin color niya lalong-lalo na sa mukha, napaka-priceless. I should've recorded it, but for a second thought, she is not worthy enough even with a single B from my storage.

"I-I didn't . . . I d-didn't take that. N-no, I didn't, oh my God."

The stutter sound is too much to bear. I couldn't help but to laugh uproariously. Dahil doon ay nakuha ang kanilang atensiyon.

Lumapit ako at tiningnan nang diretso ang stepmother ko.

"She's making excuses, don't let her deceive you. Alam kong kayang-kaya niyang kumuha ng isang pirasong lipstick dahil wala pa 'yan sa kalingkingan ng lahat ng kinuha niya sa akin," mariin kong bigkas habang nakatingin pa rin sa kanya.

Lalong lumawak ang ngisi ko nang sa wakas ay nakitaan ko na siya ng galit sa mukha. Yeah, she knew. I know she got it. And I also hope that she already realized what I actually want to tell---huwag niya akong kinakalaban. Huwag ako.

"This witch!" she screamed while pointing at me. "She's the one who put that lipstick in my bag. She's the one to blame!"

Watching her lose her control brings ecstacy. Matagal ko nang gustong makita ang galit niyang mukha, pero masyado siyang magaling umakto na parang kaya niya akong tiisin 'kuno'. Pabida lang naman siya sa harapan ng mga tao lalong-lalo na sa dad ko.

I know, I can feel it, that she had always been dreaming to kill me in the most brutal way possible.

Fine, really. Ganoon din naman ang gusto kong gawin sa kanya.

"This costumer of yours is pointing fingers," I calmly reacted.

She hissed. "Tell them, Heather. Tell them that you put it in my bag. I know you don't lie."

Ang galing naman. For the first time she made me proud. I have no idea how did she come to know it but, yes, she's right. I don't lie. Gawain 'yan ng mga cheap.