HIDDEN REIGN

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 1: 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖊𝖌𝖎𝖓𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌, 𝖔𝖗 𝖘𝖔 𝖎𝖙 𝖎𝖘

Everything seems familiar, but at the same time it isn’t. People keep on doing what they use to do for the past days. Going into their jobs, taking their kids to school, a honking car, street vendors calling people nice names to get customer and such. But some things really are different from what it is used to be. Everyone changed, everything became new. You can’t easily trust anyone’s appearance. They might be doing fine and smiling outside, but they might be planning your death.

But one thing never changed and wouldn’t even change, it’s the truth behind this town.

Are you wondering why am I blabbering this? Even I, don’t know why exactly I’m saying this. It just feels like that.

I was busy staring at the people below me when someone throw a pebble at my direction.

“Oh my good lord! Bumaba ka nga d’yang bata ka! Bakit ba d’yan ka tumatambay?!”

Napatingin ako sa baba mula sa kung nasaan ako. Oh shoot! I gave her a wide smile and shows a peace sign. Agad-agad akong bumaba na s’yang ikinasinghap ng huli. Hindi ko s’ya masisi kung bakit ganoon na lang ang reaksyon niya. Nang makababa ako ay agad niya akong sinalubong nang malakas na hampas sa likod.

“Sa dinami-dami ng pupuwedeng pagtambayan bakit d’yan pa sa pagkataas-taas na posteng iyan!” sermon nya saakin habang pinagpapalo ako sa katawan.

“Aray ko naman, Ma. Ba’t naman may paghampas?” saad ko habang hinihimas ang nananakit kong likod, “Sige ka, pag yung baga ko biglang lumabas dahil sa paghampas mo di na natin ‘yon mababalik.” I continue saying as my lips formed a pout, na kaagad naman n’yang tinampal. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita at patuloy na naglakad, syempre nakasunod ako sa aking butihing nanay na walang tigil sa panenermon. Kesyo daw napaka-delikado ng ginawa ko, paano daw kung nahulog ako, nabalian ng buto, nahuli ng mga nag papatrolyang guwardiya, or worst, ending my life in a brutal way possible. But once we’re in front of our house, I halted and faced her.

“Ma, hindi ko hahayaang masayang ‘tong buhay ko. At alam kong alam mo ‘yan. Now calm yourself at baka tumaas nanaman ang presyon mo, mapagalitan pa ko ng kuya.”

“Anak, paanong hindi tataas presyon ko sa ---”

“May ginawa ka nanaman ba, ha?” speaking of the devil and the devil will come. Agad akong lumingon sa kung saan nanggaling ang boses, inilahad ko sakaniya ang matamis kong ngiti.

“Ang gwapo-gwapo mo talaga, kuya.” saad ko sabay akbay sakaniya na agad naman n’yang inalis. He looked at me with his eyes that almost became a straight line, is that even possible? All I did is stare at him and look as if I didn’t do anything that he can scold me.

“Ma, ano nanaman ginawa nitong ulupong na ‘to?” tanong n’ya kay nanay nang wala syang makuhang sagot sakin. Pero aba ‘di ko ata gusto tinawag nya sakin, aangal na sana ako ang kaso lang ay nanlilisik ang mga mata nya na nakatingin saakin.

“Ulupong ka dyan. Ikaw naman bakulaw.” pang-aasar ko naman sakaniya. My brother would rebut, but our mother stops us before she can’t handle us.

“Ewan ko sainyong dalawa. Pumasok na kayo sa loob at nang makakain na tayo.” yun na lang ang nasabi ni nanay at umalis na sa tabi namin. Minsan napapaisip na lang ako, kakampi ko ba si nanay o ano? Pagagalitan at sesermunan niya ako pero pag si kuya manenermon biglang ‘no comment’ na lamang sya.

“Pag nalaman ko lang talaga kung ano nanamang ginawa mo, makakatikim ka talaga saakin.” he said with a threatening tone. If I didn’t know him, I’ll gonna piss in my pants right now. He gives me that vibe of a person you wouldn’t dare to cross line.

“Di mo ‘ko matatakot sa ganyan. Better luck next time, kuya.” I told him while wearing my victorious smile and pat his shoulder. Alam kong anytime makakatikim nanaman ako ng hampas kaya minabuti ko nang tumakbo papasok ng bahay.

“KIANNA!”
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After what happen this morning, which my brother learned what I’ve been doing outside, I was just so tired that I went straight to bed. Pero tinamaan na ng lintik, di pa din ako makatulog. Have you ever experience being so tired, your body cannot move that you just wanted to rest by sleeping but can’t? That’s what is happening to me right now. I was just staring at my ceiling when someone knocks on my door.

“Come in.”

“Figures. You can’t sleep, right?” he said while entering my room. Agad naman akong umupo para makapantay sya.

“Insomnia, I think. Why aren’t you sleeping?” I ask him when he sits in my bed.

He strokes my hair and said, “Alam kong di ka makakatulog ngayon ng maaga. It feels like it’s already in my system, it was programmed into me to go to your room, stroke your hair, and sing you a song.” I was shocked of what his mouth spits. I can remember some scenario, but only the latest one. Para akong may short-term memory loss. He lightly pushed my head dahilan para mapahiga ako. Siguro napansin nya ang sandaling pagkunot ng noo ko.

“Just lay there and close your eyes. What do you want me to sing?” he asked while still stroking my hair.

“Hmmm. What about your favorite as of this moment?”

He just looked at me and flashed his smile that he rarely shows to others. That’s why some lads, even dudes, always asks me if there’s something wrong with my brother.

“I still remember third of December
Me in your sweater, you said it looked better
On me, than it did you, only if you knew
How much I like you”

My brother may look aloof sometimes, but he still has this sweet side in his system

“As she walks by
What a sight for sore eyes
Brighter than the blue sky
She’s got you mesmerized
While I die”

I think I can’t live a day without us arguing with something non-sense and stupid.

“Why would you ever kiss me?
I’m not even half as pretty
You gave her your sweater
It’s just polyester
But you like her better
Wish I were Heather”

His voice drifted me to sleep but before my eyes finally close I manage to mutter some words, I don’t even know if he hears it or not.

“Good night, Princess” that was the last thing I hear before I was surrounded by darkness.

I can feel a silky like thing in my skin, I can also smell lavender. Silence is enveloping the surrounding, until I hear someone speaks.

“Your Highness, it is time for your breakfast.”

‘Your Highness’? Am I just hearing things, or I am really inside THE castle? I can’t see a thing, it seems like I was blindfolded. I immediately reach for my face, fingers running to where my eyes are. I slowly bring down the fabric that is hindering my eyes to see what’s in front of me.

“Yana, inumin mo muna gamot mo.” rinig kong sabi ng tatay ko. Si papa lang naman ang tumatawag ng pangalan na yan saakin e. Ewan ko ba kung bakit, but I just go with it and never question him. Ang bigat ng pakiramdam ko na para bang may nakadagan saakin. I tried to open my eyes, though it’s to hard to do so because of what I’m feeling. Fortunately, I succeed and there I saw my father sitting in a chair beside my bed while in his hands is the medicine and a glass of water.

“Good morning, Pa.” I greeted him and smiled at him, weakly, I think.

“It’s already afternoon, Yana, but good morning still. Kainin mo pala muna yung nilutong lugaw ng kuya mo, bago mo to inumin.” He replied and put the medicine in my side table before he went outside to get my food. My mind became blank until I heard the door open.

“How are you feeling?”

“Mabigat pa din po pakiramdam ko, but I’ll be fine later po. Nasaan nga po pala sila kuya?” sabi ko bago ko kainin ang pagkain ko.

He suddenly became tensed for a second when I ask him, pero tuloy-tuloy pa din ako sa pagkain at hindi ko na lang iyon pinansin. #foodislife

“Inaasikaso lang ng kuya mo yung enrollment mo, ang mama mo naman may binisita lang sa karatig bayan.” sagot nya saakin and I just nod as response. Natapos ko na din ang pagkain ko then take my medicine.

“Magpahinga ka na muna dyan. Aalis din pala ako, kung nagugutom ka may pagkain sa baba, initin mo na lang.” he told me and look at his wristwatch, “Maya-maya ay nandito na din ang kuya mo. Wag ka na masyadong mag-gagagalaw at baka mabinat ka.”

Pagkatapos ng mga habilin nya ay pinahiga nya na ako. He tucks me in bed and kiss my forehead, I say my thank you and shut my eyes close. Narinig ko naman ang pagbukas at pagsara ng pinto sa kwarto ko. After minutes of assurance na naka-alis na si tatay ay umupo naman ako. I don’t want to sleep anymore, and so I decided to read some book. Kukunin ko na sana iyong isang romance book, but something caught my eyes. The cover is already worn out. I didn’t remember buying this book nor borrow it in the district library. Out of curiosity, I picked it up. I can rarely read the title, looks like it’s a decade old. When I was about to open it, someone just called my name. Great! Who dare to come between me and my books?

I place the book at the table and go out to veranda, there I saw someone. I mentally roll my eyes as he shows his smile at me. Dylan Andrews, my bestfriend, he defines the tall, dark and handsome criteria. But he’s not that dark, he’s somehow tan. He got a pointy nose, thin lips, and his eyes are small. He also got a curly hair, I think he just got a perm.

“Come out!” he shouted. Just me being lazy signals him to come in instead. Agad akong bumaba at pinagbuksan sya ng pinto. His broad chest greeted me when I opened the door. Yes, he’s that tall, around 6’5 I think.

“May sakit ka?” Uggh! I mentally rolled my eyes and flash my sweet smile at him.

“Pumasok ka muna kaya?” I told him and make way for him. Welcome naman na sya dito, nakilala na din sya ng family ko. Well, sya pa lang naman yung nadadala ko dito sa bahay. My parents are okay with him, minsan nga parang sya pa yung anak kesa saakin.

“You should’ve brought food with you.” Napatigil sya sa pag-upo ng marinig nya yun. He looks at me like he can’t believe what I just say.

“Di mo man lang ako pinaupo talaga? Pagkain agad tinanong? You really are unbelievable, Kianna.” he then sits in the couch and crossed his arms. And I just giggle as response. Dumiretso akong kusina at naghanap ng maipapakain sa dugyot na ‘yon. After getting food, syempre sinerve ko. Mabait naman ako sakaniya kahit papano.

“O eto. Baka sabihin mo nanaman mamaya kilala mama na inaaway kita. Ba’t ka nga pala nadaan dito?” I asked him as I place the cheesecakes I got from the refrigerator. Di naman kasi ‘to pumupunta saamin ng walang pasabi. It’s either may pupuntahan sya at along the way yung amin or my emergency. And I’m hoping it’s not the latter.

“Nakausap ko kasi si Blue, he told me that you’re sick.”

“Oh. But you didn’t bring any food with you?” I ask him with my twinkling eyes, ew!

Napabuntong-hininga na lang sya sa tanong ko. He hundred percent knows that I really love to eat and I wouldn’t stop bothering him with the fact that he did not bring food. He then fished out his phone from his pocket while shaking his head.

“What do you want to eat?”

I was shocked with his question. Okay, I just told him that just to tease him. I was about to say no when he speaks again.

“Just tell me what you want. I don’t bring any food, because I know that you’re going to crave for something. Masasayang lang yung dadalhin ko kung di mo din naman makakain.” then he looked away after saying that.

I told him what I want and I think he bring out his phone to order. Dylan actually is a boyfriend material, he’s caring, he’s responsible, almost all the good traits you’re seeking for is with him. I really don’t know why he still don’t have a girlfriend. I mean, gwapo naman sya, matalino, mabait. He’s the kind of guy what you are looking for. I’ve asked him about it, and he just told me that he will never get a girlfriend unless I get mine. He’s the sweetest!

Dahil nga may sakit pa ako, more like sinat na lang, hindi na kami nag-laro ng video games which we usually do. Nahiga na lang kami at nanood ng mga movie. I actually didn’t do this often, I usually do read books. After a minute or so dumating na din ang pina-deliver nya. He’s the one who get it and pay for it. Actually, sya na gumawa ng lahat. Pati sa pagliligpit ng kinainan namin kanina, sya na gumawa.

“Here’s your soup.” I just look at him with a confused look. I didn’t tell him to order this. “Kainin mo muna yan bago ‘tong fries and such mo. May sakit ka diba?” dagdag nya.

“But—”

“No buts, kakainin mo yan o ako kakain nito.” Pag-putol niya sa sasabihin ko sabay turo sa mga pinabili ko. Faves ko pa naman yun, kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi kainin ‘tong binili nya para saakin. Habang sya naman ay nilalantakan na yung jampeong nya. After battling with the soup, ipinakita ko sa kaniya yung lalagyan. Then he moves ‘my food’ to my side quietly. I then started to dig in without minding him or the movie we are watching until I started coughing.

“Shit. Ayan kasi e, di nag-dadahan-dahan.” he told me while caressing my back.

Inabot ko naman yung tubig na nakapatong sa center table at agad itong ininom. Kasalanan ‘to ng fries, kung di ba naman sobrang sarap di ako mabubulunan. I said my thank you to him and he just glare at me as a response.

“Di ko naman aagawin yan sayo, ba’t minamadali mo ang pag kain nyan? Ang takaw mo talaga kahit kailan.” Sabi niya habang masama pa din ang titig niya saakin at padabog na umupo. I can’t do anything but just pursed my lips. It was around four in the afternoon when my mother arrived. Sinalubong namin sya sa may pinto, agad namang nag-mano si Dylan na syang ikina-ngiti ng una. My mom invited him for dinner but he declined. May gagawin pa daw kasi sya, and he just visited me since he found out that I’m alone. Di naman na sya nagtagal nung dumating na si mama. I bid my goodbye to him and told him to take care. Syempre nag-thank you din ako sa pagbisita nya saakin.

Just an hour after, Blue and dad came home. Tinanong ko naman si kuya kung bakit sya natagalan, his been out since morning, tapos ngayon lang sya nakauwi. He doesn’t bother to answer my question kahit kinulit ko na sya ng bongga. All he said is that he already enrolled us. Wala naman na akong nagawa kung ayaw nya talagang sagutin yung mga tanong ko. Muntikan na nga kaming mag-away e, kung di lang kami inawat ni papa.

After some silent argument with my brother, I immediately went upstairs. Na drain ang energy ko sa silent battle namin. And I remember that I left an unread book on the top of my table. But to my horror, the book wasn’t there. Wala namang pumasok dito, at sigurado akong nailagay ko yung libro sa lamesa. When I asked them about it, they just shrugged and even asked me if I really have that book.

“Nakita ko lang yun sa may study table ko. I thought it’s from you, pa.”

“I didn’t leave a book. Ano ba ang istura nun?” my dad asked. I described it to them and I saw how the cup slipped off from my mom’s hand. She told us that it’s just nothing, and she doesn’t even know that a book like that exist. Baka nga daw namalikmata lang ako at ibang libro yung nakita at nahawakan ko. They told me not to think about it anymore and that I should sleep.

Wala na akong nagawa kundi sundin sila, baka ma-revoke pa ang daughter card ko. Anyways, kahit na anong sabihin nila na matulog na ko kung gusto kong magbasa, magbabasa ako. All I need to do is to double lock my room, and voila! I can read as much book as I want. Hours had passed, pero naaalala ko pa din ‘yong librong ‘yon. For some reason, I can’t forget about it. And I suddenly remember the dream I had this morning, it’s already vague in my memory but it seems familiar. It feels like it really happens.

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🅴🅽🅳

Kai: Let me hear thoughts in the comment section :  )