Naked Series #1: Undress My Soul (COMPLETE)

Chapter 10

Daisy successfully convinced me to stay here in her apartment. She was so persistent! At ayoko na din bumalik sa tinutuluyan ko kaya pumayag ako.

"Oo nga pala."

Napatingin ako sa kaniya na nakaupo sa high stool at pinapanood akong gumawa ng meryenda namin.

"I have your bag. Nasa closet mo na yung mga nakalagay doon. I did my best to retrieve everything inside because it was wet from the heavy rain that night..."

Hindi ako nagsalita dahil mukhang may idudugtong pa siya.

Nang bigla siyang nagtaas ng kanang kamay na parang manunumpa.

"I-I didn't mean to read the letter! I swear!"

Kumunot ang noo ko. Anong letter ang tinutukoy niya–

Ah. That letter.

I literally forgot I'm carrying a bag that night. At nang magising ako, Daisy keeps me entertained the whole time. Plus it's been weeks since my stupidity happened. Ang akala ko talaga wala akong bitbit nung muntik na akong magpakamatay.

"Okay lang. It's just a letter. And I'm not hiding about that anyway." Nginitian ko siya.

Bumalik ako sa pag-gawa ng avocado toast. Ramdam kong pinapanood pa rin ako ni Daisy. I already expect her to ask follow up question so it didn't shock me when she did.

"U-Uhm... Was it true though?" Tumikhim siya, tila nahihiya pa. "That you're the first born of the Lumieres?"

Pinatay ko ang stove at tinapos ang pagto-toast ng tinapay bago inilagay ang seasoned avocado na gawa ko sa ibabaw non. Tapos nilipat ko 'yun sa isang malinis na plato at dinala sa kitchen counter kung saan nakaupo si Daisy.

Umupo ako sa stool na kaharap niya.

"I'm not sure, but that's what my Mom wrote in her last letter to me."

"Why don't you try to confirm it yourself?"

Because I can't.

I'm scared that they won't accept someone like me because of the articles that were published almost two weeks ago. I will only bring them humiliation if the public learns that I'm their first daughter. Mas mabuti nang umiwas na lang ako at panatiliin ang lahat sa kung ano ang nasa kasalukuyan.

"I choose not to. I'm fine with myself and they are fine with their own. Talking to them about this issue will ruin everything." Matamang sinabi ko at umiwas ng tingin sa kaniya.

She went silent. I know she understands my point, at alam ko din na hindi siya pabor sa sinabi ko. They're from a known family and I'm sure they're aware of Lumieres' grievance from the death of their firstborn. They will be over the moon to know that their daughter is still alive if I show up and tell them everything.

But my choice was to not do that. And that's what's stopping Daisy from saying more.

"If that's what you want then... I won't say anything anymore. I hope that someday, you already built up enough courage to face them and tell them the truth."

I smiled. She respects my decision but she's still very much suggesting to me to tell the truth most respectfully.

"May be... When the time comes I'm ready."

Sinabi ko na lang at kumuha ng toast para kainin.

She immediately change our topic after that. Patuloy kaming nagku-kuwentuhan habang nagmemeryenda. Marami siyang kuwento tungkol sa buhay niya kaya hindi namin namalayan na maghahapunan na pala!