The Crown Prince (Reino de Filipinas Series)

Chapter 6.

GEN'S POV

LIFE IS FULL OF RULES.

Absolute truth and though at times we tend to think otherwise since it put limits on how we see and do things– life in general, still, we are surrounded by them. Katulad na lang ng kung paano ako putaktihin ng sangdamakmak na alituntunin ng palasyo. I sigh dramatically, straightened my back as I ready my ears for the lengthy speech of dos and don'ts.

"Listen very carefully and I want you to remember the 3 general rules here inside the palace,” tinig iyon ni Maam Val ang Head ng Social Media Department isa sa apat na departamentong under ng Communications and Information, department kung saan kami naka assign ni Donna.

Yes, I'm grateful to our lucky stars. Hanggang Dito sa palacio magkadikit ang bituka namin.

"First, discretion is paramount. All things that are related to the palace will remain inside these walls,” seryoso ang tinig ni Maam Val at marahan kaming pinasadahan ng tingin. Nakaka intimidate siya. Parang makikita niya ang pinakatatagong sekreto mo kapag tumitig s’ya sa mga mata mo.

Today is our orientation pero bakit parang feeling ko mag a-under go kami ng hazing. Ang stiff ng mga head na nag o-orient sa min sa isa sa mga audotoruims ng palasyo. Sa harapan, nakatayo si Maam Val at si Sir Mak. They both have stern look on their faces that gives me the creep.

Kanina pa kami narito, may isang oras na rin siguro. At base sa narinig ko wala pa raw kami sa half ng orientation. I mentally scream boring. Namamanhid na nag pang upo ko’t naka ilang hikab na rin ako kaya siguro panay ang unggot ni Donna sa ‘kin na saglit kaming pumuslit at kumuha ng kape.

Gustuhin ko man siyang pagbigayan, hindi kaya. Paano kami lalayas kung sa mismong unahan kami naka pwesto, ‘di ba?

"Second, follow every rule that is written on your handbook and you'll be fine. You have the right tools, it's up to you to prove to His Majesty that you have every right to be here,” dugtong ni Sir Mak.

Saglit kong niyuko ang hawak na program para itago ang hikab ko. Hindi ako masyadong nakatulog last night gawa na din ng pinaghalong excitement at lungkot lalo na nang sumagi sa isip ko ang mga magulang. Pero mabilis ko ding pinalis iyon, ganoon talaga ang buhay. We are forced to make some sacrifices to achieve that elusive dream we have.

"Last, always go back to rule number 1 if all else fails.”

“Sa dami ng kailangang i-memorize, bakla. Iyong number one na lang ang tandaan natin,” bulong ng baliw kong kaibigan na ikinahagikhik ko.

“Gaga ka talaga kahit kailan,” umayos ako ng upo.

“Totoo naman kasi. Ano kape na ba tayo?”

“No can do. Look at that,” itinuro ko ang dalawang host na ngayon ay nasa itaas na ng stage at masayang nag babalita tungkol sa next part ng program.

“Hay naku. Lingon na lang tayo sa back para mabuhayan ng dugo. May mga nakita akong pogi kanina. Check mo.”

Pasimple akong lumingon at nakita ang grupo ng mga naka suit and tie, ilang hanay ang layo mula sa kinauupuan naming dalawa. Busy ang grupo sa pagtatawanan, walang kamalay-malay na pinagpipyestahan na namin sila ng matalik kong kaibigan. Been dissecting every fine detail they have under our b***h microscope.

“Dibs ako sa naka dark blue tie. How about you?”

Gwapo naman ang guy, piping sang ayon ko sa utak. Clean cut at mukhang pilyo lalo pa nang lumabas ang dimple nito sa kaliwang pisngi. But not my type.

“Pass.”

“Wow! I’ll bet my first paycheck, nasa inner palace ang bet mo.”

“Shut up, Dons,” inis na saway ko dito.

Hindi na nito nakuha pang asarin ako dahil biglang naghiyawan ang mga kasama namin sa loob ng auditorium. May palaro pala’t nagtuturuan ang bawat grupo kung sino ang pambato nila. Lazily, I started to peruse the brochure in my hand, silently admiring the classy terno that will serve as our uniform when on the palace grounds. It was made of jusi and a modern take on Filipiniana. Excited akong isuot ito. In my mind, I’m already imagining my mother’s reaction upon seeing my photo wearing that uniform.

“Miss pretty na nasa unahan. Please join us.”

Shit. Nagtatakang nilingon ang gawi ng stage.

“Hoy! Ikaw daw,” siko sa ‘kin ni Donna habang hinihila ako patayo.

“What?” Naguguluhang naglakad ako palapit sa mga nakangiting host, sapo ang dibdib. I looked like a deer caught in a headlight about to meet death.

When I’m already in the center together with the other six newbies like me, that’s when I realized that I’m screwed. Ginawa ‘kong alay para sa isang game na wala akong kaalam-alam.

“What’s your name miss?”

“G-gen Rodriguez.”

“Pretty name for a gorgeous lady,” puri nito na ikina blush ko. Kagat-labing napatungo na lang ako, sa gilid ng mga mata ko’y kita ko ang kaibigan na panay ang palakpak at hiyaw ng ‘Go, Gen!’

My eye rolls dramatically when I heard that the game was all bout trivia. Okay, I think I can do that. Kahit paano’y mataas naman ang grado ko sa history noong college at medyo matalas naman ang memory ko. With that in mind, I started to relax and enjoy the entirety of the game.

Tulad nga ng inaasahan ko, tungkol sa mga historical dates at events ang mga tanong sa ‘min. After twenty minutes of neuron crunching q&a, we’re down to three.

“Listen, ladies and gents. We will up the ante for this round since hindi basta-basta ang prize natin,” masiglang ani Rica ang isa sa mga hosts.

"I couldn't agree more. Simple lang ang gagawin n'yo. Answer the question correctly, you'll have a point and a chance to get the grand prize."

"What's the grand prize?" Jane, the tall woman on my left asked.

Nagpalitan ng makahulugang tingin ang dalawang host. I smile secretly. Wala pang naiisip na prize ang dalawa. This game is spontaneous, just to break the ice.

"It's kinda secret. Now, for the twist," saad ni Wayne. "Sa kada maling sagot, bubunot dito sa bowl at gagawin ang nakasulat na consequence. Easy peasy, right?"

Lihim akong napailing. Wala akong makitang simple sa mangyayari. Nakakakaba sa totoo lang. Malay ko ba kung anong mabubunot ko. Malas pa naman ako sa draw lots.

"Okay. First question, kailan naging ganap na constitutional monarchy ang bansa?”

That was easy. May 30, 1934. Pero sadyang malas ko’t hindi sa ‘kin natapat ang tanong na ‘yon. Even the next three questions were easy, I was able to answer them correctly while I silently wait for my turn. Skittish. But when everything’s going alright, there’s always this one thing that’ll screw you up, right? In my case, it’s numbers and those problems looking for the value of X.

Freaking Math and Algebra. Ba’t ba naimbento ‘yon?

Ayos naman sana ang lahat, the question that I picked was about the whole area of the inner palace which is a fact I know by heart given my history of being a part-time tour guide. Malas ko lang at may twist, I need to subtract it with the actual size bago pa man magawa ang outer palace. Like what the F? Ayun, heto ako’t bumubunot ng parusa ko sa mahiwagang fishbowl. I hate math but most importantly I hate this kind of event.

“Well, let’s see what Gen here got,” nakangiting inilahad ni Rica ang kamay sa ‘kin.

Kinakabahang inilapag ko doon ang nabunot. She smiled at me and gingerly opened the rolled paper. When her face light up, I know I should have stayed at home today and made up an excuse para ‘di ko na maipahiya pa ang sarili ko.

“Okay, Gen. Here’s your consequence…you have to spell the word committee..”

It’s so simple and so wrong. Napahugot ako ng hininga, I know may catch. There’s always that awful but. Nang ngumisi si Rica, alam kong tama ako.

“But…in a sultry kind of way. Iyong nanghihikayat. Nanunukso. Ganern,” pagtatapos ni Wayne na sinabayan ng masigabong palakpakan ng mga audience namin.

I willed the floor to swallow me. s**t. s**t. Triple s**t. Kung sinuman ang nakaisip ng palarong ‘to ang sarap bangasan sa gums para matauhan. How in hell will a person spell that? Inis na tumingala ako’t kinalkal ang magulo kong utak for anything.

“Gen, whenever you’re ready.”

Huminga ko nang malalim at inisip kung paano ko nga ba gagawin ang task. Pwede bang bumunot na lang ng iba? But as I survey my eyes inside the auditorium, I know I have to do this cause I don’t want to appear like a diva in front of my colleague.

Clearing my throat, I reached for the mic from Wayne’s hand and closed my eyes. Lihim akong nagdasal at humingi ng kapal ng mukha sa gagawin ko. Bahala na si Batman. Iisipin ko na lang na nasa harapan ko si Henry Cavill at kailangan ko siyang akitin dahil kung hindi mayayari si Donna.

What a fun way to motivate me, right? Pero masisisi n’yo ba ko? A girl needs to do what she gotta do.

“See-Ohh…”I said in a voice so low, I didn’t even recognize it as my own. Awtomatikong pumikit ang mga mata ko’t hinayaan kong tangayin ako ng aking malikot at malanding imahinasyon.

“Mmmmm..,” I hummed while biting my lower lip. My hand on my neck, I throw my head back just like how Bella Swan offered her neck to Edward.

“Ay!” Tili ko sabay turo sa harapan ko na tila ba may isang bagay roon na kagulat-gulat. “Tee-Tee-EHHHH!”

The small audience with me erupted into a roaring round of applause while I die in humiliation. Absorbing all the laughter, cheer, and the constant whistle from the guys.

“Wow! That was hot, Gen,” ani Waye habang ipinapayay sa mukha ang hawak na papel.

Nanayo ang balahibo ko. The hair on my back shoots up as a delicious shiver licked my spine. I feel him before I could even see him.

He’s here. Geez!

The room fell silent and as if we’re all robots under a command of an invisible master, we stand straight. Bow our heads, in unison we greeted him.

“Good morning, Your Royal Highness.”

“Morning,” a husky rich voice greeted back that reminds me of power, dreams, and dark alleyways.

A single word that sent me almost to the floor like a muddle of stupid fool who’s swooning over the greeting from the Crown Prince.

Self, kumalma ka.

Sinaway ko ang sarili at pasimpleng hinayon ang direksiyon kung saan nakatingin ang lahat ng mga kasama ko. It was a mistake though. The kind that’ll make you commit it over and over. Piercing pair of onyx pinned me to place and I could feel that the air that surrounds me left. I was breathless under his magnetic gaze making it hard to swallow the lump in my throat. Blinking, I began to drink every fine inch of the man standing on the threshold.

So delicious, commanding, masculine.

So kingly.

Broad shoulders trapped in a crisp white dress shirt, tapered waist, powerful narrowed hips, and the face… the patrician face that makes everyone tremble both in a good and a bad way.

Prince Liam put the word handsome—if that word became a person, into shame and second-guessing its whole meaning on the presence of the royal prince.

“Continue what you are doing. Don’t mind me,” walang kangiti-ngiting utos nito habang marahang lumalakad patungo sa stage.

Kung hindi pa ko nasiko ng katabi kong parang sinisilihan sa kilig, hindi pa ko matatauhan mula sa pagkatulala sa prinsipe. I waited in bated breath as he aproached the stage in a graceful way that was innate to him. That gait, Christ! Kung balak mag retire ni Prince Liam sa pagiging royalty, isa-suggest kong maging runway model na lang siya.

He stopped right before the prompter, his staff was behind him and all of our attention was on him. He scans the crowd carefully with his crown prince eyes.

“I stopped by to welcome all of you here. The Crown appreciates the sacrifices you’ll be making for us during your service here. I also got curious. Dinig hanggang sa inner palace ang tawanan n’yo.”

Saglit na nagtawanan ang mga kasama ko. I thought after na maibalik n’ya ng mic kay Wayne, aalis na ang mahal na prinsipe but no. Kamahalan stayed. Umupo ito sa isa sa mga upuan na hinila ng gwapo nitong royal guard at tahimik na pinanood ang game namin. He smiled and even clapped when at some of the lame jokes my collegue tried to pull off.

Tahimik lang akong nakamasid sa sulok, papasa na ‘kong estatwa sa ayos ko sa totoo lang. Can’t balme me though, pilit ko pa ring kinukumbinse ang sarili kong ‘di n’ya narinig ang kahihiyan na ginawa ko kanina.

Shuta, Gen. Kung sa bingo purong-puro ka na.

Ba’t ba ang malas ko? Lahat na yata ng paghaharap namin ng prinsipe laging kahiya-hiya.Wala na kong mukhang ihaharap sa kanya. Gusto ko na lang ngayon maupo sa gilid, mag scroll sa phone ko at baka may mabili ako sa Shopee na pamalit sa face ko. I sighed and looked up only to be rendered immobilized once again.

Prince Liam was staring at me intensely. Salubong ang makakapal nitong kilay, if he’s displeased or annoyed I couldn’t tell. The man is a contradiction, icy exterior against a pair of molten orbs that’s sucking me in like a black hole. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang isiping nakikilala n’ya ko. Not from my foolish interview act. But from Cebu.

“Gen…your turn.”

“H-ha?” Naguguluhang tumitig ako sa mukha ni Rica habang sapo ang dibdib.

Fudge, kanina pa yata ako tinatanong ng host pero dahil lumipad na sa Neptune ang utak ko wala akong maisagot. Hindi ko nga alam kung anong tanong sa ‘kin.

“The pick up lines,” bulong ni Wayne sa ‘kin nang marahil mabasa ang kalituhan sa utak ko.

“Yes. S-sorry,” I racked my brains for something kahit ang totoo ubos na ang creative juices ko. Why the hell am I going to throw some pick-up lines?

“Tricycle ka ba?”

Someone cleared their throat habang nag koru ang mga kasama ko sa isang ‘Ohh!’. Takang hinanap ko ng tingin si Donna. Her expression was epic, half amused and halfed scared. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang kaba. May ginawa na naman akong kahihiyan?

“No.”

Shuta, Gen.

I gasped, my eyes widened with disbelief when my gaze landed in Prince Liam’s direction. All serious while holding the mic. Puta, self. You just asked the most inappropriate pick-up lines of the most respected man in the country. His Royal Highness Prince Liam.

“Why do you ask, Genessia?”

Parang baliw na napangisi ako sa binatang prinsipe. Pasasalamatan ko ba ang langit at mukhang ‘di gets ni Prince Liam kung paano at ano ang pick-up lines.

“Ahm..Your Highness, w-wala ho. Naninigurado lang.”

Malakas na nagtawanan ang lahat maliban sa ‘ming dalawa ni Kamahalan. His face was still impassive, void of any emotions but his eyes— the clear onyx was gleaming with what I think was amusement.

Ako? Heto nanginginig sa pinaghalong kaba’t kahihiyan.

Lord, kunin n’yo na ko. Ready na ho ako!

THREE HOURS after that humiliating scene, kasama ko sina Donna at ang ilang mga new hires para sa aming palace ground tour. We’re accompanied by one of the Senior Royal Aides who’ll debrief the largest group of newbies to date.

Nasa mahigit 60 kami sa grupo and we were divided into three groups para di daw masyado mahirap mag facilitate.Narinig ko kasi kaninang nabanggit ni Sir Mak na ngayong taon, the Royal Family hired almost three hundred Royal Staff adding it to the existing nine hundred plus.

"Mabuhay!I'm Camille and I'll be your guide.If you have any questions just raise your hand. Ok?" Nakangiting bati sa min ni Camille. Cute siya at bagay na bagay dito ang modern barong tagalog na pang itaas at sa pang ibaba ay itim na pencil cut skirt.

That’s the uniform I will be wearing starting tomorrow. The thought made me giddy, allowing me to think of other things than the incident earlier.

When the tour started, we all listened and followed Camille. Ipinakita niya sa min ang mga offices ng iba't ibang department na nasa 1st floor sa bandang right wing ng palasyo. Maganda at maaliwalas ang mga opisinang pinasukan namin.

Kumpleto din sa kagamitan at kung tama ang rinig ko may gym na pwede naming gamitin sa may ikawalong palapag ng gusali. Sunod na tinungo namin ay ang library na para sa mga royal aides and staff na gaya ko. The place was a haven for a bookworm like my bestfriend, I know that she’s already making her plans on when to dig her fingers on those binds.

"This is the office of Communications and Information Centre. Originally, dalawa ito dati. But during the reign of King Eugene the two were combine,” paliwanag ni Camille sa ‘min nang buksan ang pinto ng opisina kung saan kami ni Donna ay na assign.

Ipinaliwanag din niya na isa ito sa tatlong malaking opisina dito sa palacio. Nakangiting nilingon kami ng mga taong nadatnan naming busy sa kanya-kanyang mga ginagawa.Ilang opisina pa ang ipinakita niya sa ‘min sa second floor bago kami huminto sa tapat ng isang silid.

"This is La Galleria.It’s one of the rooms na ‘di natin pwede basta pasukin but since mga new hire kayo may pahintulot mula sa taas na makita niyo ang nasa loob. Just be careful lang not to touch anything, okay?” Miss Camille smiled as she spare us a glance then continue with the tour.

Bigla akong kinalabit ni Donna mukhang gaya ko ay na excite din siya.

"Diba nasa loob nyan ang mga old portraits ng mga previous royals?" Bulong nito.

I nod. "Yes and alam ko exclusive lang yan for the members of the Royal Family. Suwerte natin today.”

I can’t help the knowing smirk on my face when we went inside the impressive room. High vaulted ceiling with dark wood arches that gives the place an impressive clasic vibe. Sa mga walls nito ay makikita na naka sabit ang mga portrait paintings ng mga naging Kings and Queens ng bansa. Sa bandang ibaba ng bawat portrait ay ang brass nameplate kung saan nakaukit ang bawat pangalan ng mga nagdaang monarch.

"You have ten minutes to roam around but please do it quietly and with care. Lahat ng narito sa silid na ito ay pawang mga priced arts.”

Nang marinig iyon ay dahan-dahan kaming lumakad ni Donna papunta sa kanang bahagi ng room.Manghang tinitingnan namin isa-isa ang mga portrait painting ng mga royals.

"Ang pogi talaga ni Kamahalan, Gen. Nakita mo ba ‘yung titig n’ya sa’yo kanina? I think he recogized you,” kilig na kilig na wika nito. Magkasalikop ang mga palad at akala mo’y maiihi sa tabi ko habang nakatingala.

“Shut up! Of course kilala n’ya ko. I’ve been this stupid girl na wala ng ginawa kung hindi ang ipahiya ang sarili n’ya. First the interview. Tapos ngayon, heto. Malamang sa utak n’ya ako ang bagong clown ng palasyo.”

“Shuta. Pwede bang huwag masyadong ampalaya? Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“Or bigyan kita ng chance na mangarap,” I mocked and was expecting for her counter attack but I was rewarded by a squeak and tight grip on my forearm.

“Bakla, ano ba? Maa-award tayo n’yan.”

“Look…”

Sinundan ko ang itinuro ng kaibigan, ‘di ko napigilan ang pagtalon ng makulit kong puso sa nakita. Si Prince Liam iyon. In all his glory while wearing a bespoke red military-tailored suit with the dark blue sash that represents the Order of the Gater around his chest accompanied by medals and badges. The power his portrait exudes made me shiver. This man was destined to rule everything and everyone.

“He’s handsome as sin and so freaking hot.”

Nalunod sa bibig ko ang pag sang-ayon sa sinabi ni Donna dahil sa paglapit ni Camille sa pwesto namin. Halata ang apgmamadali sa mukha nito.

"Everyone please gather around quickly. Here.”

Walang imik na sumunod kami kasama ng ilan pang kasama namin sa group tour.

"We need to leave this room and proceed to t—" Naputol ang sinasabi nito nang bumukas ang pinto ng isa sa mga ante room ng La Galleria.

Lahat kami ay napako ang tingin sa lalakeng hinugot yata sa isa sa mga James Bond film.Naka black suit ito,matangkad at kahit balot na balot ay alam mong mga five times a week itong nag g-gym. I knew him, hiyaw ko sa isip.

Bago pa ‘ko tuluyang mag laway sa hot na royal guard, iniluwa ng pinto ang dalawang taong seryosong nag-uusap. Ang isa ay mga nasa early 50's na panay ang kumpas ng kanang kamay samantalang sa kaliwa ay may hawak itong black leather folder. Habang ang matangkad at mas batang lalake’y seryosong nakikinig at ang mga kamay nito’y nasa likod, magkasalikop.

“Shuta. Kung ‘di ‘to fate ewan ko na lang, Gen.”

Then the much older man stopped talking. Noticing our presence.Noon din unti-unting humarap sa gawi namin ang kausap nito.And as if on cue, parang may narinig akong sumigaw ng Moira pasok.

At tumigil ang mundo...

Maybe Donna’s right. If this isn’t fate, I don’t know what this is. Ang totoo? Bakit parang ikot ko, lagi kaming nagkakasalubong ni Kamahalan?

"Good morning, Your Royal Highness." Narinig kong buong pag galang na bati ni Camille na sinundan naming lahat.

I bowed my head and when I looked up, I had a glimpse of his lopsided smile that make him more mysterious and devastatingly handsome. Bahagyang pinadaan pa kami ng tingin nito bago muling binalik ang attention sa matandang kausap.

I heaved a sigh, partly relieved and disappointed at his reaction. Wait, umaasa ba kong tatapunan n’ya ko ng tingin katulad kanina? I slapped my face mentally. Wag hopia masyado, masakit ang umasa

"You may proceed on your orientation,” anang kasamang lalake ni Prince Liam na sa pagkakatanda ko’y siyang Royal Secretary to the King.

And just like that, the three of them walked out of the room.Naiwan kaming lahat na nakatulala at pina process pa ang pangyayari.Para siyang isang bulalakaw na biglang gumuhit sa kalangitan. He came and whosh,he's gone. But when he left, his effect stayed.

Pagkasarang pagkasara ng pinto ay nag bulungan agad ang mga kasama ko.May mga naririnig akong kinikilig, sabi pa nga ng isa ay nanlalambot daw ang tuhod niya. Gusto kong sumagot kay ate na ako rin, na kung wala kami sa palacio nag kikikisay na kami sa sobrang kilig.

“Miss Rodriguez?”

“Yes?”

Kinabahan ako nang makita ang isa sa mga royal guards na namumukhaan kong part ng security detail ni Prince Liam. He’s the known number three of the crown prince and the most lethal one, if my opinion is needed for the matter. Shaved head, hard muscles cloaked with a dark suit finishing it off with the phlegmatic vibe from him. Saying no to this man will ensue me nasty things that I’m sure of.

“Follow me.”

Tinanguan ko muna si Donna saka sumunod sa lalake. Inilibot ko ang mga mata sa paligid at napansing papaalis na ang grupo namin pero hindi amin entrance ng La Galleria ang tinutumbok namin, it’s the opposite side.

“S-sir, saan ho tayo pupunta?” Matapang na tanong ko.

Hindi ako nito sinagot o tinapunan man lang ng tingin, he held the door instead and motioned me to come in. With my heart on my throat, I stepped forward past the threshold. There at the end of the room was my answer.

“Your Highness,” agad akong yumuko’t pasimpleng ipinunas ang palad ko sa paldang suot.

“Miss Rodriguez, right?”

“Y-yes, Your Highness,” sagot ko habang nakapako ang mga mata sa carpet ng silid. I read somewhere that some of the rooms of the palace has secret doors or passages that will leads to another place. Hindi ko lubos akalain na sa unang araw ko bilang empleyado’y mararanasan kong makatuntong sa isa.

“I won’t take much of your time. My staff said that your group was promised a prize, yes?”

Awtomatikong umangat ang mukha ko.

Gen, hinga. Huminga ka! Inis na sigaw ko sa utak ko.

Those mysterious eyes are calling to me, making me think of that one fateful night I shared with him. The kiss under…the alleyway. Fudge, the question.

“Y-yes, Your Highness. I..ahm, sinabi nga po nila,” kagat ang labing pumikit ako’t muling tumango.

Bakit ba lagi akong nawawala sa katinuan kapag malapit ang prinsipeng ‘to? Lumalim ang kunot sa noo ko. Saglit nga. Bakit nandito ‘to? Hindi ba’t kanina lang ay kausap nito ang isa sa mga staff ng hari?

“V, my staff over there…will give you and the others my gift. A token from us.”

“Thank you, Sir,” I curtsy.

The room fell silent, curious I peered at the royal who’s standing few meters away from me. Nakapamulsa ito habang nakakiling sa kanan ang ulo. His lips were tugged upward on what I assumed was an amused smile.

“I just have one question..this is killing me.”

“A-no ho iyon?” Kumakabog ang dibdib na tanong ko.Heto na ba ‘yon? Don’t tell me this is about Cebu?

“About what you said earlier. What was the answer? I have a feeling that I wasn’t able to fully grasp the whole premise of the joke.”

Laglag ang balikat na tumitig ako sa kaharap. I thought this is about that night but who am I kidding right? Gusto kong humalakhak sa kagagahan ko. Here I am standing awkwardly in front of the nation’s crown price, asked about the stupid things pero mas inuuna ko pang pagde-daydream.

“Genessia?”

“N-naku, Your Highness. Katulad ng nasabi ko kanina, wala ho talaga ‘yon,” namumula ang mukhang umiling ako. Bakit ba sa dami ng mga pick-up lines na pwedeng masabi ay iyon pa ang naibulalas ko kanina?

“It’s not. You see, I have this odd behavior of solving things that baffles me no matter how hard it is. That one earlier falls to my top ten this morning. Either you tell me or I’ll let V do his job.”

“Your Highness, please…” takot na pakiusap ko only to find him eyeing me with playfulness on his eyes. Nakataas ang kilay nito’t naiinip na nakatitg sa ‘kin.

“Ahm…you should answer ‘Bakit’ instead of ‘No.”

“I figured that already. What was your supposed answer?” Excited an tanong nito na lalong nakadagdag sa kaba ko.

Naiiling na sinapo ko ang noo. Paano ko ba sasabihin sa kanya ang dapat na isasagot ko kanina withot me dying of shame? Not in a million years na nakita ko ang sarili sa ganitong sitwasyon. Bahala na si Batman.

“Ahm..”

“Okay. Let’s do it again. Ask me.”

Oh, Lord! Is this man really serious?

Nang makita kong ‘di ito natinag o ngumiti man lang, pikit mata kong sinalubong ang kahihiyan.

“Your H-highness…t-tricyle ka ba?”

“Bakit?”

Mariin kong ipinikit ang mga mata bago pinakawalanb ang hiningang kanina ko pa pinipigil.

“Pasakay naman h-hanggang labasan.”

“Okay. That’s it?”

Parang tangang tumango ako. I waited for him to ask me but he seemed to analyze my answer. It’s charming actually to find the most respected and well-loved prince stressed about something so trivial and stupid. But as much as I want to watch him contemplates, kailangan ko ng pumuslit nang maisalba ang natitira kong kahihiyan kung meoron pa man.

“M-may kailangan pa ho ba kayo? B-babalik na ho ako sa orientation.”

“Sure. You may go.”

Mabilis pa sa alas-kwatrong tumalikod ako. Lakad-takbo na tinungo ang pinto para lang muling tawagin ng prinsipe.

“Nasaan ang diin doon, Genessia?”

“Third sylabble, Your Highness,” hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot nito, mabilis na kong lumabas para hintayin sa kung saan man ang magiging parusa sa kalokohang nagawa ko.

Before I could step farther, the loud laughter from the room I just left echoed in the long hallways. I flinched, eyes V with a questioning gaze but all I got was a grunt.

Did I somehow made the crown prince laugh? By now he firgured out na sadyang iniba ko ang bigkas ng salita kanina. That the right word he was looking for was labasán and not labasan.

Shuta, mg resign na kaya ko ako bukas na bukas din?