Bare (Royal Society #2) COMPLETED

Chapter One

Chapter One

In the North

"Dad likes you better than me," Jane said habang tahimik na nagbabasa ng libro. Her statement made me look at her. I can tell that she isn't reading and just pretending to read because if she is, then that thought won't cross her mind at all.

Umiling ako at tumayo para lumapit sa kaniya. I tried to touch her arms but she flinched kaya hindi ko na pinilit. "No, he doesn't. What made you think that way?" 

She looked at me with a hint of anger in her eyes. "Liar! He is laughing with you and playing with you!" 

"Does that mean na he likes me better than you?" Hindi siya nakasagot sa tanong ko dahil malamang ay mali siya at hindi niya iyon maamin. 

At tulad ng gawain niya, padabog siyang tumayo at umalis sa kwarto kaya naiwan akong mag-isa. Napanguso na lang ako dahil malapit na ang pag-alis namin dito tapos ganun pa ang naging pag-uusap namin ni Jane.

Pero hindi ko din naman kasi siya masisi. King Stefan, the King of the North Clan, was very close to me, especially to Dusk. Hindi ko din naman alam bakit ganoon na lamang ang turing niya sa amin samantalang kay Jane ay hindi niya ito gaano nakakasama. 

I once tried asking Mama about it pero sabi niya hindi lang daw nagtutugma ang oras ng mag-ama dahil sa tuwing busy ang hari, tska naman walang ginagawa si Jane. She really wants to play with the King dahil wala naman itong ibang kalaro bukod sa akin na madalas ay nagiging away din tulad ngayon.

Dahil wala naman na din si Jane dito ay tumayo na ako at bumalik sa kwarto kung saan nagliligpit si Mama ng mga gamit para sa pag-alis namin. "O bakit ka nandito?"

I shrugged. "Jane got mad." Simpleng sabi ko dahil sanay naman na si Mama na marinig ang bagay na ito.

"For what reason this time?" Mama asked bago itinabi ang mga inaayos niya para maharap ako. 

"She insists that the King favors me than her," I said and she nodded. Palagi naman kasi iyon ang dahilan ng pag-aaway namin or ng galit ni Jane. But I have to understand her dahil mas bata siya sa akin. Kahit na hindi nagkakalayo ang agwat namin, mas bata parin siya mag-isip kumpara sa akin.

"Dawn, you have to understand her, understand?"

"Hindi ba iyon naman ang ginagawa ko, Mama? All my life, all I did was to give way to her and let her have her way in everything," hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla na lang gusto ko sabihin lahat ng hinanakit ko kay Mama.

It's just... "I get that she is younger than me so I should act the older one and have a matured thinking to match her childish attitude. But how about me, 'Ma? Don't I deserve at least a moment of support from you?"

Tumayo na ako mula sa pagkakaupo at binuksan ang pinto. And there, I saw Dusk standing in front with his arms crossed. 

"Come on, let's cool your head," he said and dragged me out of the Palace.

He brought me to a cafe where only few customers are chilling. The ambiance of the cafe made me comfortable because of the homey-feeling surrounding it. There are chairs and tables but on the wall part, it was a bit elevated. Customers have to sit on the pillow placed on the floor.  Doon ako dinala ni Dusk.

Like me, he found this space catchy in the eyes. After leaving me alone in this table, I was drowned in my thoughts. 

I hate arguing with Mama because it hurts me. She is my mother and I feel bad for raising my voice like that and leaving her alone. But I'm at my limit.

I was like Jane's guardian at the Palace. If an attendant sees me, the first question they would ask was how was Jane? Or why is Jane not with you? Sometimes, they would ask did Jane had fun today?

What am I, a clown for own entertainment?

But I get that because technically, that was my duty - to look after Jane. But sometimes it gets to me na parang wala na akong sariling pagkatao. I just want someone to ask if I had fun today. Or if I am okay. Simple things like that would surely keep me sane.

Pero wala. Even my Mama, her main concern is Jane. Minsan naiisip ko na hindi ako ang anak ni Mama kundi si Jane. But Dusk is the living proof that I am my mother's. Kambal kami eh kaya iyon ang patunay na ako ang De Guzman, hindi si Jane.

My thoughts halted when a plate of pasta appeared in front of me. I thought Dusk will place another plate for him but nothing came. Instead, he sat in front of me and gestured to me to eat.

"Ikaw?" I asked dahil ayaw ko naman kumain na ako lang mag-isa.

He chuckled. "Syempre, wala. Ano akala mo sa akin, mayaman?" He joked but I didn't laugh.

This awful situation of ours is making me sick. But I guess, sanayan na lang talaga para makaraos sa araw-araw. 

We aren't rich but we aren't poor, either. We belong to the thin boundary that separates the two. We, however, dedicate our lives to serve the rich - the royalties. At least we don't have to wander on the streets, looking for a shelter or food to eat. I can say that we are still blessed despite having actual life to live. 

I cleared up my mind and smiled at my brother. He knew that, for a moment, I am cursing my life. "Share na lang tayo, hindi ko din mauubos dahil wala akong gana," I said and he nodded.

"Ano ba kasing pinagtalunan niyo ni Mama?" He asked kaya napahinto ako sa pagsubo ko.

Napansin naman niya iyon kaya natawa siya at sinabi na kumain daw muna ako. After finishing my food, Dusk interrogated me. 

"Dahil lang kay Jane nag-talo kayo ni Mama?" Naiiling na tanong niya at tumango ako. 

"What a petty argument. But I can't blame you for reaching your limit. I'm actually amazed na tumagal ka pa ng ilang taon bago nag-walk out."

Hindi naman kasi lingid kay Dusk na halos anak na din ang turing ni Mama kay Dawn. I don't want to be selfish with Jane lalo na she also wanted to feel a mother's embrace and care. 

But I also don't want to deprive myself of my own identity. Gusto kong makita din nila ako bilang Arlaise Dawn Miranda at hindi bilang shadow ni Jane. 

"Hayaan mo na si Mama, Dawn. Nakita din niya kasi kung paano lumaki si Jane kaya ganon na lang turing niya. Pero lagi mong tandaan, tayo... tayo ang original na De Guzman." He offered his fist and we did our usual sibling code - fist bump.

Dusk is my bestfriend since then. I don't need to gain another group of friends because I already have my brother. He can listen, lecture, mock, and share my pain. Kaya bakit pa ako maghahanap ng iba kung nandyan naman siya?

When we got home, our things are already packed kahit na next month pa dapat ang alis namin. But it seems like, we are off to go. Did Mama packed all of it? 

Dusk rushed to her side and questioned her. Halatang gulat din but I don't see any confusion in Mama's face. Rather, she is calm and collected while answering Dusk.

"Dawn, come here," Mama ordered. I gulped and took a deep breath before walking towards her. 

She held both of my hands and caressed my face with her other. "I will never choose someone else over you, Dawn. Kaya if you feel like I rejected your feelings, I'm sorry. You don't deserve to feel that way because you are my daughter and I failed to make you feel that you are."

"Mama..."

Then she smiled and looked at Dusk beside us. "That's why, we will leave right now."

***

Edited the Chapter One hehe. Anyway, stay safe everyone!