DISGUISE US

KABANATA 10

"Rise and shine, darling. Wakey-wakey! The breakfast is ready." narinig ko ang boses ni Mama Ruth.

I yawned and look up at her smiling face. "Morning, Ma."

"Aww, my princess," Naupo siya sa gilid ng kama ko at niyakap ako, "How's your sleep, honey?"

"Inaantok pa ko, Ma."

"Ohh, I'm sorry to wake you up."

"It's fine, Mama."

Nagkangitian lang kaming dalawa habang nakayakap ako sa kanyang bewang. Nagpaalam akong maghihilamos at magtotoothbrush bago sumunod sa kanya sa baba.

DINING ROOM.
Nakita ko roon sila Mama Ruth, Papa Thomas, Kuya Demon, at Ate Cecilia na nakaupo na sa kabisera nila.

By the way, Kuya Demon is my big brother and Ate Cecilia is my big brother's wife. Eventhough they were already married and they have their own house besides our parent's house, Mama Ruth want them to stay here while I'm home.

Tahimik lang akong tumabi kay Mama at kumain lang ng almusal.

"How's the social experiment, honey?" biglang tanong ni Mama habang nagsusubo ako ng tinapay.

Kinain ko muna iyon bago sumagot sa kanya, "It was fun but it's exhausting."

"Bakit ka nga pala umuwi? Diba 2 months palang mula noong mag-umpisa ka? But you signed the contract for 3 months?" Ate Cecilia asked.

"I felt that the social experiment gone wrong." I silently said.

"What do you mean, honey?" Mama Ruth asked.

I explained again what's on the social experiment and my current situation there.

"So, you had this target which is the guy named Valmor, right?" Ate Cecilia said.

I nodded.

"Your goal is to make that guy accepts you as Raffy and make him fall for you. Right?"

I nodded, again.

"Then one time, you two goes out for his free day. You asked him if he would likes you, then he said 'yes' but he also told you that he's in love with someone else. So, you wanted to stop pretending as Raffy but then one morning, you two had a short talk, he told you that he don't have chance to the girl he loves, that's why he wanted to court you instead. But you don't want to because you felt hurt and you're here to have a short break from him. Am I right?" Mama Ruth explained.

"Yeah." and I sighed.

"What do you think about it, hon?" Ate Cecilia to Kuya Demon.

"For me, it's a nice idea for him to have a plan B and he can't force himself to be love by the another girl he loved. He have to think to let go himself on the other girl with no baggages and choose between to that certain girl or you. But he seem trying to moving forward by courting you." Kuya Demon grinned.

"I agreed with you're Kuya, MC. Way back when I was on your age, I've been on that situation. I had this girl I loved but it seems that she's not interested to me, and then I meet your Mama Ruth. I like her at first and I told her that but I already loved someone. I know Ruth was hurt and she avoiding me. Same with that Valmor guy, I asked your Mama if I can court her because I had no chance to other one. She rejected me but I prove myself that I am really serious of courting her. And the months passed, she said yes to me. That's why we have you two, you and your Kuya Demon." Papa Thomas briefly said.

I nodded and thinking if I were in there situation.

"You look bothered on something, darling, care to share?" Mama Ruth hold my left arm.

"Maybe, me as Raffy and Valmor will end up like your story, Pa, and I am thinking of giving him a chance eventhough he actually courting me now with or without my permission, but I was thinking of what if's like what will happened if he found out that I was just pretending as Raffy? Like I'm just doing a social experiment? I would hurt him in the future." And I looked down.

"Aww honey, you're so pure and innocent but I think he will understand it that you're doing it for everbody in the orphanage that you are giving them a little hope that sooner or later, there will be a people will come to them to accept and love them aside to the people of  the orphanage." Mama Ruth explained while lifting my head to look up to her smiling face.

"Maybe you only look at the one side, to Valmor guy, but you can also see the other bright side, those people in the orphanage. I think they also appreciating your efforts now as Rafeilah Zente. So, cheer up! We're just here if you need a shoulder to lean on." Kuya Demon said.

"Thank you everyone." And I gave them a small smile.

"KYAAAHHHHHH! YOU'RE HOME! I MISS YOU COUZ!" Almira, and greet me with her tight hugs.

I just hugged her back.

We were standing infront of my Mama's boutique.

"Hey wife, aren't you feel that MC is already looking pale by your hugs?" Dash asked.

"Opsie! I'm sorry, Couz!" She look at Dash and gave him a kiss in the cheek, "We'll go inside na hubby, I will see you later! I love you!"

He nodded and gave my cousin a kiss in forehead before walk away.

Why do I suddenly felt envy to my cousin's love life?

"When will you going to have a boyfriend, couz?" Almira suddenly asked.

"I'm too busy for it, Couz."

"I can't wait to see you walking in the aisle as your future is waiting you to exchanging your vows to each other."

"Corny mo, Couz! Let's go! Mama Ruth is already waiting us inside!"

... I'm also think about it Couz, but my heart wasn't ready for love and pain.

On the 20 gowns that I picked for her wedding, we end up in a beautiful yet simple ball gown.

"Thanks for today, Couz."

"You're welcome."

"I will see you again."

I just hugged her before we bid our goodbyes.

"The true secret of happiness lies in the taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life. So, keep slayin' Couz until you find your future."

Ugh! Argggh! Bakit ka ba naalala ko iyong binulong ni Almira sa akin? Why those words keep repeating on my head? Just sleep now, MEMORY CHANDRIA!

Accept or Decline?