Babysitting The Frog Princess

Chapter V: Maiden Behind The Silver Mask

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Aika Villavicencio

Sometimes we think that the greatest mysteries of the universe lay outside of us in the vast expansive skies. Little do we know, the greatest mysteries of the universe hide in the darkest depths within ourselves.

Right now, I can barely recognize myself self after putting on a luxurious ball down along with my high Platinum Stilettos, pair of earrings, a necklace and most importantly? My silver mask that can keep my face well hidden from the eyes of everyone. It is a Silver Venetian mask with rhinestone and bead embellishments, fabric applique and sequin flowers.

I don't understand why they never recognized me, only half of my face is hidden but still.. Even if that photo reached every single corner of the world, Lola Andreanna and the rest of my family never knew that it was me in the first place. Perhaps, it was because they never expected me to look like that when I'm well-dressed but I can't blame them.

I don't look like a young lady who can charm all the men around her but was never treated like a daughter by her own biological father and that alone is unfortunate, but who cares about him now? I've lived well for almost a decades without him. I don't know why I'm thinking about him but surely, this is not a good thing to do. I better hurry up because Prynce has been bombarding me since earlier.

Siya kase ang una kong inayusan, I can't stand his noise and his attitude kapag nag-mamadali siya kaya siya na lang ang inuna ko kanina imbis na ang sarili ko.

Ngayon, ako naman 'tong minamadali niya kahit medyo maaga pa naman. Kanina pang umaga nag-simula ang okasyon, kaso lang? Hindi naman lahat ay maaga nag-pupunta dahil una sa lahat ay mainit at masyadong mataas ang sikat ng araw.

People won't die out of hunger dahil maraming libreng mga pag-kain sa buong paligid, bakit sila mapapahamak at may posibilidad pa na mamatay agad? Simple lang, dahil sa heat stroke at dehydration.

This year, hindi ata sapat ang mga tents na nakatayo dahil kulang sa oras ang pag-prepare. Who knows kung ano'ng nang yari, nalaman ko lang din ang mga 'to dahil sa pinsan kong chismoso. May mga kaibigan din siyang chismoso kaya doon niya nakuha ang balitang nalalaman ko.

His friends were still at the event since earlier because they performed as a boyband, mamaya rin ay mayroong magaganap na mga iba't-ibang pag-tatanghal at sigurado akong worth it 'yon panoorin dahil taon-taon na akong nanonood ng mga ganon. They never failed their audience and that includes me!!

I always love watching the event at night, it's more peaceful and calming than morning hours. Mas maraming tao sa gabi pero mas tahimik at payapa, isa pa? Hindi rin mainit. The heat won't be able make gulo my makeup nor my hair style and that is what I clearly want, I mean? Hindi naman makikita ang kalahati ng mukha ko pero kahit na! Ayoko pa rin magulo 'yung makeup ko.

"For God's sake, Aeirn. Hurry up!". Prynce yelled for the fifty-fifth time now. He has been doing that for the last twenty minutes of his life and honestly, I'm starting to get annoyed.

"Wait up! You moron! I'm not done yet!!". I finally yelled back because I can no longer hold myself. He's being an asshole, I mean he's always been like that but he's more than that now.

"Cousin, please hurry up! They won't be able to see your face anyway so why bother putting on some flour and sketching your face using a kid's pencil?". He asked while mocking me, obviously. Mukhang kailangan ko muna siyang batukan at turuan ng matinding leksyon bago kami umalis.