Claiming the Opposite ✔

07

Switched

I rolled my eyes while listening to Mommy's cheerful voice. She was obviously having a good sleep and a nice day. Well, good for her.

"I saw the video that Aling Elda sent to me. I'm so proud with the progress. Seems like you two were already doing good."

"Yes Tita, we're actually trying to know ourselves deeply. And yes, we already accepted our fate being soon to be husband and wife."

Gusto kong matawa sa sobrang halay pakinggan. Hindi man lang ba nakaramdam ng pandidiri si Jauncy sa sinabi niya? How can he still handle being calm by swallowing those gross words?

Si Mommy naman ay halatang tuwang-tuwa. She even scanned my clothes that I wore. Mas lalong lumaki ang ngisi sa kanyang labi nang mapagtantong nakasuot na ako ng croptop at pinaresan ng leggings. I was just forced by Jauncy because he said it will make them more convinced about our status.

"You're so pretty, Xierl. I'm glad that Jauncy changed you. 'Yang klaseng mga damit dapat ang sinusuot mo palagi. Mas gumanda ka talaga anak kapag ayos na ayos. What more kung marunong ka nang mag-inarte, 'di ba?"

I fakely smiled and checked my clothes. Anong maganda sa suot ko? Ang makita ang nakabandarang malapad kong tiyan habang kita rin ang pusod? If this was the definition of being beautiful, then it's very disappointing. Hindi lang sa suot makikita ang kagandahan. Sometimes, we need to look for the inner beauty.

"Sige, uuwi na ako. Behave always my dear Xierl."

"Yes, My."

Pinagawa ko si Aling Elda ng gulaman na may mangga. Grabe, ang loyal niya talaga kay Mommy. Hindi na ako magtataka kung malaki ang sweldong natatanggap niya.

I busied myself from reading loudly some random articles. Binuhat ko si Nibbles nang magsimula itong mag-ingay. She's already used sitting on my lap. I'm already fond of this cat. Totoo talaga yung impormasyon na nakakawala ng stress ang pusa.

"That's my article about animal's importance," biglang sulpot ni Jauncy.

"Ikaw ang gumawa nito?"

"Yeah," bumaba ang tingin niya sa damit ko. "Hindi ka pa ba magbibihis? You're not comfortable with your outfit, right?"

"Well, wala rin naman akong ibang maipapalit. We knew that my closet was already full of clothes like this."

"Sabagay. Okay na rin 'yan para na rin masanay ka."

"May favor ako..." nag-angat ako ng tingin.

"What?"

"Gusto ko kasing lumabas. But I don't know what alibi should I tell to Aling Elda. Mukha kasing mas maniniwala pa siya kapag ikaw ang magsasabi."

His forehead creased.

"So, what do you want? You'll use me to cover up your whereabouts?" malamig niyang tugon.

"It's not like that, Onse. I just feel like I'm being jailed here. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi mababagot kung palagi lang nakakulong dito? Kapag naman may lakad ay dapat ring aalamin. Seriously? That's very disturbing."

Natahimik siya at mukhang nag-iisip ng malalim. Nakatingin siya sa malayo habang pinagsalikop ang dalawang palad.

"Para naman paniwalang-paniwala si Aling Elda, I'll go with you."