"My lady, you're being snowed under with work again. Please leave it to us. You need to rest."
Matapos niyang sabihin sa akin ang ligalig sa kanyang isipan ay minabuti ko munang magpahinga sa aking silid. Bukas na pala ang salu-salo. At ilang araw na rin ang nakalipas simula nang umalis si Frodo.
Umalis siya upang makipagkalakalan sa mga dayuhan, 'yan lang ang sagot nila sa tuwing tinatanong ko sila. Ilang araw na rin siyang naroon, I'm getting anxious just being here by myself. Hanggang ngayon ay wala pa siyang paramdam sa akin. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasan ang magpatianod sa aking isipan.
Napapaisip tuloy ako kung anong klaseng business ang mayro'n sila. O baka naman sa kalagitnaan ng paglalakbay niya ay nakahanap na siya ng iba.
"It's unsettling..." I sighed softly and stopped brushing my long, wavy auburn hair for a moment.
I locked my gaze on my reflection in the mirror. They said my hair was my greatest asset. Pero para sa akin hindi ito ang asset ko. A lot of people mistook my hair as red when it was actually auburn.
And that's probably because of the lights of the red-light district. It also flares red under the sun. It brings out the red in my hair. But I find it ugly. I've never liked it ever since I was born. For me, it was hateful.
"My lady? are you still awake?" Alice asked in a low voice, nag-a-alangan pa siya.
Binuksan ko naman ang pinto para sa kanya at sinalubong siya na may ngiti sa aking labi.
"Yes, what is it?" malumanay na tanong ko.
"Ito na po ang ipinapahanap n'yo," ibinigay niya sa akin ito kaya kinuha ko.
A small smile escaped my lips at palihim na binigyan siya ng reward.
"Please keep it a secret between the two of us."
Dumating ang araw na pinakahihintay ng lahat. As I look into the mirror again, my hair is already braided and tied with a red ribbon.
I'm wearing a corset under my white fairy midi dress. They said it was to enhance my voluptuous figure. I don't find it necessary, though. Pero tiniis ko na lang kahit na kinakapos ako ng hangin.
"Hindi talaga matatawaran ang iyong kagandahan," the maids complimented me.
Simula nang umalis si Frodo, I'm starting to form a good impression among the servants. And of course, with the help of Alice. She's my new personal maid. Pinalitan ko ang dating personal maid ko. But only for temporary.
"Nesrin!" masayang bungad sa akin ni Felicity at pinapaupo ako sa tabi niya. "Come, sit with us."
"T-thank you," I smiled coyly at them.
"How are you? Are you feeling better now? you should rest if you're not feeling better," nag-aalala pang sambit ni Felicity.
"We agreed that you should rest, Nesrin. Don't stress yourself." They second that motion.
Napangiti naman ako nang marinig ang mga malasakit nila. I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, flattered by the overwhelming concern.
BINABASA MO ANG
Under the Red-Light District
General FictionNesrin is the wildrose in the red-light district, a prostitution house. She grew up and spent her childhood in isolation. One night, she was caught by the manager and was forced to charm the customers by dancing. Because of her enchanting beauty, sh...
