High School Detectives

Volume 1, Chapter 6: La Belle Reinera

I was not very outgoing as a kid, not as other children you see playing in public playgrounds with stranger kids they've just met for the first time. I was born weak as a premature baby with a deteriorating body that disallowed me to go outside and play on my early childhood. Pitong buwan pa lang ay pinanganak na ako, si Mama ay nagkaroon ng kumplikasyon noong ipanagbubuntis niya ako ngunit hindi ko man lang nalaman kung anong dahilan. 

My father was a simple community Architect, and my mother was a retired prima ballerina. I grew up reading books in my room, painting, and receiving ballerina classes from my mother. I never had any friends, not even my mother was my friend. 

"Remember to keep your shoulders down and your core engaged." Nanatiling nakatayo si mama sa gilid, habang pinapanuod ako sa aking repleksyon galing sa salamin. 

With my knees bent and my body in a deep plié, I delicately extended my arms to the side.

"Now, tendu to the front." She instructed softly. 

I reached out and let my pointed foot fall naturally to the ground. My skinny legs were pressed together while I tiptoed. Mama seemed to be observing a classic event that was neither fascinating nor unpleasant as she observed me maintaining such equanimity.

"This is going to be your weapon to society, Maria Crizzie." She remarked as she started marching, crossing half the mirrored room to meet me. "Although your body may have been weak from birth, your beauty and talents will be dangerous."

"Mom, can we stop now? Namamaga na ang mga paa ko." I whined using my thin, exhausted voice. 

She lifted my chin and looked deep into my eyes with pure, unyielding glare. As a child, ito ang pinakanakakatakot na ekspresyon ng aking ina. For me, she was more scary than ghosts or devils. 

"This is your only weapon," she gritted her teeth. "I won't be able to protect you, so you have to protect yourself. Naiintindihan mo ba ako, Maria Crizzie?!" 

"Y-yes, M-mama, I understand.." I didn't know if I really meant those words before. 

Marahas niyang binitawan ang aking baba, she marched farther away from me this time. Allowing me to use a much wider space- she's letting me perform. 

"Keep your turnout," She reminded me. "And lengthen through your fingertips."

Then there started the song "Symphony in C" by Georges Bizet played. 

Just as the song started playing, my vision started becoming blurry. Dumilim ang paligid at biglang naglaho lahat ng nasa paligid ko, the mirrors, the ceiling, Mother, and even the floor I am standing on. I fell into a dark and deep abyss that has no end.

What is this? Am I finally about to die? Did I die? If I did, then I am more than happy to accept it. But no... my heart is still throbbing as I grasp my chest. Then, am I dreaming?

I closed my eyes as I spread my arms and legs to feel the ominous energy of the dark abyss. Although this makes me feel vulnerable, this is the very first time I have ever felt serenity. If this is an infinite space, perhaps all I would ever want is to never come out of it.

Taliwas sa kagustuhan ko ang lahat ng nangyari. Nagising ako dahil sa isang malakas na tahol ng aso at mararahas na kalabog ng iba't-ibang bagay galing sa malayo. 

Although I just started to open my eyes, I immediately felt nauseous and light-headed. Malabo man ang paningin, I tried tilting my head and by doing so, I realized that I am inside a room with barely finished wall construction. I was about to get up when a familiar sting of pain was triggered on my back. 

Oh, right. Nasaksak nga pala ako ni Miss Dorothy. 

Nakaramdam man ng sakit ay dire-diretso ako sa pag-angat ng buong katawan upang makatayo. I muffled a small 'ouch' before completely standing, nakahawak pa ako sa aking likuran, just to find my back with a huge stitching.