Tale as Old as Time (La Fortuna Series #1)

Kabanata 7

Kabanata 7

Crown

"Anastacia!" umalingawngaw ang boses ni Mayordoma sa loob ng kusina.

Nagkukumahog kong iniwan ang mga platong hinuhugasan ko upang agad siyang mapuntahan. When I got to where she was, her stern and rigid expression was the first thing I saw. Nanunusok ang mga mata niya at mukhang handa na naman akong bigyan ng sermon. I took a deep breath to prepare myself for another hurtful and mean blows from her.

"Ano po 'yun, Mayordoma?" I tried not to croak.

"Anong ginagawa mo riyan, Ineng?! Hindi ba't ang sabi ko'y doon ka na sa bulwagan at marami nang bisita ang naghihintay?! Walang silbi! Puta madre!"

Napayuko ako. "Pero sabi niyo po, sobrang dami na namin doon—"

"Kanina pa 'yun! E dumami na nga ang bisita 'di ba? Kailangan nang dagdagan ang katulong na maninilbihan doon! Wala ka talagang kokote, ano? Sa lahat ng kasambahay dito, ikaw lang ang parang prinsesa kung umasta!"

Napakagat-labi ako at ipinukol na lamang ang tingin sa palad kong may sabon pa galing sa pag-huhugas. I wanted to cry again. I realized, for the nth time, that I was not cut out for these things. Hindi ako sanay na nasisigawan at nasasabihan ng masasakit na salita. I would always take Mayordoma's words by heart.

"Sige po," I said in a brittle voice.

"Inutil."

I could still hear murmurs from her when I started walking away. Gusto ko mang sanayin ang sarili ko sa ugali niya'y hindi ko magawa. I would always get hurt and take offense. Totoong hindi rin naman ako anghel. I also say mean things, but hers were just downright verbal abuse. I couldn't also complain about it because it was what I signed up for.

When I arrived at the mansion's porch, I felt a little better. I looked at all the dressed tables dotted on the area with awe. Sunod na dumapo ang tingin ko sa mga panauhing nagkalat sa kabuuan ng bulwagan. The women all wore beautiful intricate dresses while the men wore formal attire. The guests were made up and expensive.

Sa kabilang dako ng mansiyon ay naka-hilera ang mamahaling mga sasakyan. The cars shined against the rays of the sun. Pakiramdam ko'y nag-teleport ako papunta sa isang Royal event sa England. It was lunch time so it was quite hot. Mabuti nalang at may mga nagtataasan at naglalakihang tent upang bigyang lilim ang mga panauhin.

"Uy, Tace!"

I was wiping some dirty tables when someone called me. I immediately saw Priamos and Sofia, who looked so forced against her will, walking towards me. Both of them sported the formal look well.

Napatingin tuloy ako sa sarili ko at medyo nahiya. May mga talsik pa ng tubig at mantsa ang uniporme ko. My hair was in a bun, but there were still droplets of sweat on my forehead because of my maid duties. Wala rin akong kahit anong kolorete sa mukha. I looked so pale.

"Magandang tanghali po, Senyorito," I said and glanced at Sofia. "Senyorita..."

Priamos grimaced. "Stop that! We're friends, okay? 'Wag mo na kaming igalang. Right, Sofie?"

Tumango si Sofia pero halatang napipilitan lang. Tumikhim ako.

"Are you looking for Chamuel and Zadkiel?" tanong ko.

"Oo, e. Nakita mo ba sila?"

Umiling ako. "Pasensya na. Maaga silang umalis kanina... May pupuntahan yatang importante."

"Pati si Zadkiel?" si Sofia.

"Oo. Si Senyora Lavinia rin. Mukhang emergency yata talaga."

"Gano'n ba?" ani Priamos. "Sige, maghahanap nalang muna kami ng mauupuan. The rest of the gang's coming here as well."