Simula
Simula
˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
They could mock me all they wanted, but there's one thing they could never mock me about—my face.
I am pretty.
I knew it like the back of my palm. I knew it like the blood flooding in my veins.
Pinalaki akong naniniwala sa kagandahan kong taglay at perfect ang family namin! They could mock my skills but not...not my face.
"Ano na namang itsura 'yan?" Sunny muttered when she saw me lying on the floor of the dance studio, nakatulala at kumakagat ng lumpia.
"Good afternoon to you, too, Captain," bati ko sabay hikab. "Wala kang flight?"
"I just had a fifteen-hour straight flight, Twinkle. Give me a break."
Natawa ako at tinapik ang tabi ko kaya naglakad din ang pinsan, hinubad ang coat niya, at sumalampak sa tabi ko ng higa. We both sighed.
"Gusto mo?" I offered, even extending the small plate of my favorite food.
Mapagbigay ako sa lahat pero madamot ako pagdating sa paborito ko kaya kung bibigyan kita, aba, ibig sabihin lang n'on ay gusto kita!
"No thanks." My cousin rolled her eyes. "Alam kong kulang pa 'yang lumpia mo. Nag-offer ka lang naman para kunwari mabait."
I laughed.
"Grabe ka sa 'kin, Sunny?!" I gasped dramatically. "Namimigay ako kasi I'm a good girl, ano! And I'm good and kind at s'yempre maganda—"
I almost choked when she pushed the lumpia back into my mouth.
"Tama na ang daldal at kumakain ka na lang. Naririnindi ako sa bibig mo."
My lips protruded. I glared at her.
Nang makitang nakapikit na ang mata niya ay kinain ko nang buo ang lumpia sabay dapa sa lapag at lagay ng magkabilang palad sa pisngi para pagmasdan siya.
Seryoso pa siya no'ng una habang nakapikit.
Naalala ko tuloy sa kanya sina Ninong Macky at Sky kapag seryoso pero si Sunny pa ba?!
"Wow, serious 'yan?" I asked at nang magmulat siya'y nagkatinginan kami, sabay kaming naghagalpakan.
"Ano ba 'yan! Seryoso 'ko, eh!" She pouted. "Ginagaya ko nga si Sky na suplado kanina!"
Ngumiwi ako.
"H'wag ako, 'te, 'di bagay sa 'yo ang seryoso. Mukha kang may mens." Naghagalpakan na naman kaming dalawa.
Humiga ako ulit sa sahig at iniangat ang mga paa. I was fucking exhausted. I just practiced for three hours straight because I have an upcoming ballet recital next week!
Tapos saktong pagbukas ko ng phone para sana mag-picture at mai-share sa fans ko ang ginagawa ay nakita kong may bago na namang article ang mga basher.
I slipped kasi yesterday no'ng sumayaw kami for the foundation and you know, bashers. Kapag talaga nakahanap ng butas, sisiraan ka't sisiraan.
They're weirdos. 'Di ba nila naisip na nakakapangit iyon? My goodness! Issues!
Sabi nila'y porket mayaman na ako at may kapit ay 'di na ako nag-e-effort to practice! Na kaya lang daw ako naging soloist ay dahil ang Tita Sib ko ang artistic director ng company!
They didn't know na baby pa ako, na kahit bundat pa ang tiyan ko'y nagustuhan ko na talagang sumayaw kasi nakikita ko siyang magaling kaya sumasali ako. I thought I was planning to pursue it as a hobby lang, but she offered me to join them.
Kaya I auditioned and I passed. Not because of her and Ate Fritzy, her daughter, who was one of the principal dancers, but because I was good at what I did.
I was practicing more to improve my skills because someday, I was hoping I would have the chance to also become a principal dancer like my cousin.
I slipped. It hurt literally and they made fun of it. Ginawa pa ngang meme 'yon sa internet! 'Yong parang boomerang na tatayo tapos madudulas! Not to mention my shocked reaction! Mabuti na lang maganda ako kaya 'di ako masyadong na-offend sa mukha ko!
Naiiyak na nga ako kahapon pero I'm a professional! And I'm not iyakin!
"Oh, naiiyak ka na d'yan?"
Nawala ang pagdadrama ko.
"I'm not iyakin!" I exclaimed defensively then sat on the floor, inaabot ang platito ko para kainin ang last lumpia ko.
I was just really preoccupied kahapon and very, very exhausted.
Kasi I just got home after a stakeout, attended a race tapos three hours lang ang tulog ko at dumeretso na para sa event.
I have perfected and practiced for it thoroughly, but shit happened. Natamaan ako ng spotlight sa mata kaya nagulat, nawala sa focus, at nawalan ng balanse.
When I fell, nadamay ang buong company kaya para kaming stick na natumba—lahat sunod-sunod at nasa iisang linya.
I was so embarrassed I dodged the media and ran away. I didn't even answer my family's calls. I just texted na I was tired and I wanted to rest. They respected it naman but I knew for sure, nanahimik lang ang daddy pangit ko at sinabihan ni Mommy.
Kasi I'm sure? Kung 'di 'yon napigilan, lumipad na 'yon papunta rito.
I sighed again. Malungkot kong inabot ang lumpia at unti-unting kinagat.
"Pang-ilang buntonghininga mo na 'yan, Twinkle. Sa susunod, may langaw nang papasok d'yan sa bibig mo. Ano ba'ng nangyari?"
"I was just sad." Nguso ko at sandal sa may salamin sa likod ko. "Kasi this is my last lumpia... Teka, parang naiiyak na ako."
Hinampas ako ng pinsan ko. I whined more and glared at her.
"Ano?!"
"Just tell your mom and dad you wanna stay with them again," aniya.
Umiling ako.
"Ayaw ko," I mumbled. "I'm a grown woman! I can't stay forever with Mommy and Daddy, right? At saka I need na to become independent at ako ang ate. Ayaw ko na magpa-baby kina Daddy."
She sighed.
"Eh, anong iniiyak mo d'yan?" she asked, concerned and curious at the same time.
"A-ano lang..." Suminghot ako. "Wala na kasi akong stock ng lumpia kasi n-nasunog ko 'yong lahat no'ng nagluto ako."
I cried. She gasped. Nang yakapin ako ng pinsan ay mas napaiyak lang ako.
"O-oh sige na, sige na. Dadaan tayong grocery bago ako uuwi ta's ipagluluto kita, okay?"
"Okay..." Suminghot ako at tinuyo ang pisngi.
Tumawa naman siya at napailing bago ako tulungan.
"Hay naku, Twila Klein. Kung hindi ko lang alam ang ginagawa mo sa buhay, iisipin kong bata ka pa."
I just smiled at her.
Luckily, my cousin was godsent! She did what she promised kaya ang saya ko no'ng gabi na nag-happy dance pa ako habang naglilinis ng pinaglutuan niya!
Kaso na-distract ako sa palabas sa TV kaya ang ending, naiwan ko ang hugasin at siya na ang naglinis.
Anyway! Best cousin-slash-best friend!
My parents called, I answered it to tell them I was great and perfect para 'di nila makita na hindi pa rin ako talaga sanay na mag-isa.
I was with them for almost everything growing up. Hindi ko kasi nakasama kaagad ang mommy ko no'ng baby pa ako kaya sulit na sulit at twenty-five na ako'y nasa bahay pa rin ng parents ko habang ang mga pinsan ay independent na.
My parents were there when I was training. Dad taught me how to race cars. Mom taught me how to ride a bike. Kapag may assignment, I was either with Mom, Dad, or both of them. Ako ang panganay pero ako pa yata ang pinakapa-baby sa aming tatlo nina Colt but honestly, I couldn't help it.
I have separation anxiety.
I developed it when I was a kid and 'di ko naman napansin na nadadala ko iyon sa paglaki ko. I couldn't have friends because I was getting too attached. Kapag lumilipat sila ng school, ayaw ko nang pumasok.
I couldn't even have crushes, fall in love, or get attached to men because of it! Kaya 'di ako naglalapit kasi nadala na ako noon!
I was too attached that— Stop right there, Twila Klein! Nagmo-move on ka na kasi blinock ka na niya sa Instagram!
Bigla akong nalungkot na naman. I went to my social media, to the new dummy account I made, to see if he had new posts.
There was none.
Paano ba naman kasi at na-block ako sa account ko! Wala naman akong ginagawa? Nag-follow ako kasi he was in public naman tapos if he has weird stories or kahit langit lang nagha-heart ako.
Masama ba?! Heart lang!
I heard my phone ringing.
Nang matantong hindi 'yon ang gamit na phone ko at ang isa ay nawala ang pag-iinarte. I fished it out of my drawer and answered.
"Hello?"
"It's been a while, Agent Twilight," my boss said.
Lumabi ako.
"Hello, Archer. I tried my best not to squeal and say: "Hello, Papa Pogi!"
"Hello." He cleared his throat. "I have a mission for you."
"Oh, yes, got it."
"Sending you the files," aniya at saktong nakita kong umilaw ang laptop ko sa desk. "Just so you know, this mission is highly confidential. You cannot tell anyone, understood?"
Natigilan ako. Paanong 'di ko p'wedeng sabihin...
"Does this mean..." My breath quickened.
"Yes," he confirmed. "This will be your first assignment as an individual. Can I trust you?"
My heart was beating rapidly in my chest, but I had to stay focused!
"Yes, Sir," I answered formally.
"Good. Goodbye, Agent Twilight."
"Goodbye, Archer," sagot ko at nang namatay ang phone ay saka ako matinis na tumili, gumigiling.
Inilapag ko ang phone pabalik sa drawer at nang umilaw ang phone ko sa kama ay tinalon ko iyon at sinagot.
"Hello, Daddy Zeijan!" I squealed happily, parang walang nangyari.
My very handsome and perfect grandfather laughed.
"Hello, princess!" masayang sabi niya, ibang-iba sa katauhan niya kanina. "Kumusta ang lipat bahay? Wala bang mumu?"
"Duh?! Ako takot sa mumu?" I giggled. "Pero Daddy Papa..."
"Hmm..." he hummed. "Hulaan ko, gutom ka, ano?"
Nakagat ko ang labi at tumango-tango.
"Opo, gusto ko ng chicken and pizza and fries... and uh, lumpia!" I exclaimed excitedly. "Please don't tell my parents I am starving alone already! Magwo-worry sila."
"Alright," he chuckled. "Ang apo ko talaga. Sige, bibili lang ako ng ingredients ng chicken tapos papabilhin ko si Mommy Alyx mo ng pizza at pupunta na kami r'yan."
Nag-happy dance ako sa sobrang excitement.
Busog-lusog ang lola n'yo. Kakaalis lang ng grandparents ko kaya busog na busog ako sa luto ni Daddy Zeij.
I cleaned myself and was about to sleep when I remembered the files Archer sent. Lumapit ako sa laptop, binuksan iyon, at pumasok sa website gamit ang unique identification code ko para makita ang files.
I read through it, and when I flipped the page and saw who my mission was, a small and devious smirk escaped my lips.
Seems like hindi matutuloy ang moving on stage natin, ah?
˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
Sinundo ko si Sunny sa unit niya at sa airport din ang punta niya. She was squealing and slapping me as I maneuvered my bike. Lumulusot kami sa mga sasakyang malaki at traffic nga dahil sa inaayos na naman ang daang hindi naman sira!
"Twila Klein!" sigaw ng pinsan sa bilis ko. Halos masakal na ako sa kapit niya kanina sa baywang ko at ngayo'y nasa leeg ko na, sinasakal na ako.
I was late! Kapag 'di ko naabutan ang flight niya, naku!
We reached the airport in no time. My cousin was dizzy, tulala. Natatawa akong humalik sa pisngi niya, nag-sorry at tinakbo ang airport para simulan ang plano.
I checked my wristwatch as I sat in the waiting area.
He would be here in three... two... one!
Umahon ako ng tayo, ang mga mata'y nahuli kaagad siyang seryosong nakatingin sa phone niya at nagtitipa.
As usual...
I fixed my hair, ready to conduct my plans like those I'd seen in romcom movies and novels! The iconic meet cutes! 'Yong kunwari 'di titingin tapos magkakabanggaan at ayon! Matutumba ako at sasaluhin niya 'ko!
Boom! Start na ng happily ever after!
I walked confidently towards him, positive this would go according to plan!
Nagkunwari akong may hinahalukay sa pouch, kalkulado na ang distansya kung saan kami magkakasalubong at masasalo niya ako.
I was nervous, and my heart racing, but mostly, I was excited. For a lot of reasons.
I sighed, calming myself to focus.
I wouldn't be able to focus if I was fidgety and panicking!
Kalma, Twila! Kalma!
Umiwas ako sa mga tao, deretso ang lakad sa kanya habang nakatungo siya, kunot ang noo at seryoso sa ginagawa sa phone nang ilang hakbang na lang ang layo namin.
Malapit na, malapit na—
But he accidentally stepped on something and slipped, losing his balance.
Napasinghap ako at bago pa man matanto ang nangyari ay gumalaw nang kusa ang katawan ko hanggang sa hawak ko na ang baywang niya, sinasalo siya sa pagkakahulog sa halip na ako ang masalo niya.
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