The Fifth Born

CHAPTER TWO

THE THREE OF THEM SAT in the living room. She can feel Zyon shooting daggers with his stare. She understands why he feels like that.  

"So you sneaked out?" asks the lady. She just nodded. The woman still hasn't reported her whereabouts. And she should leave before Zyon could slit her throat. 

"If they find you in here--" 

"They'll take me back home," 

Zyon sighed frustratedly. "I'm not asking about you, I'm asking about us--" he looked at his mom and back to her. "What will happen to us if they find you in here?" He stared at her, waiting for her answer. 

"I don't know," she answered in a small voice. 

Narinig niyang napamura ito. Agad siyang tumayo and gave a small smile to the lady in front of her who's been kind enough to give her breakfast. 

"But I am sure of one thing. You will not be punished if that's what you're thinking." she said.  "I think I should go. Ma'am, thank you for your kindness. I will never forget this. And Zyon, sorry for the trouble." 

"Where do you plan to go?" 

She shrugged. "Anywhere away from my family," 

The woman was silent for a moment, as if thinking of something. Nagulat nalang siya nang hawakan nito ang kamay niya. 

"You can stay here," the lady smiled. And she thought she never met anyone so kind she could cry. Kung among ikinabait ng babae, iyon naman ang ikinasalungat ng anak into. 

"Mom, you can't be serious!" 

The woman eyed her son, "I am dead serious. You're going to let a girl wander alone outside?" the woman smiled at her. 

"You can take the vacant room next to Zyon's. So Zyon won't have to worry about what your family will do. Right, Zyon?" 

Zyon just groaned frustratedly. "Unbelievable," he muttered before he went back to his room. 

* * *

Samantha stretched her arms as she finished making her bed. Zyon's mom gave her some extra sheets she could use. Napahiga siya sa kama and stared at the ceiling, wondering how much time she has left before any of her brothers finds her. Maybe they have noticed by now that she's not in her room. She wondered kung sino ang unang makakahanap sa kanya. 

"Probably Pierce," she muttered. 

She didn't have an ounce of regret living home. She was sick of it. She wasn't good at anything ladylike. She's tired of stitching or being an assistant to organize tea parties and whatnot. She liked hanging out with one of her brothers more than picking wildflowers and having a picnic with the visitors. Muriel was good at that. She was the ideal Princess. She's not envious of her sister. She just wants to do what she really likes to do.  

She doesn't know how much she has left before Pierce takes her home so as much as possible she wants to live normally. 

A knock on her door pulled her back from her thoughts. Bumukas ito at iniluwa doon ang mama ni Zyon. 

"I have to give you something," she said. Napabangon siya sa kama. Zyon's mom entered the room, carrying something wrapped in plastic and she instantly know what it is. 

"Ma'am--" 

"Call me Tita," 

"I don't know if I can use that..Tita," 

The woman waved a hand and laid the uniform on her bed. "Don't be silly. Of course you can! I've already put your name on the list of enrolling students this term," she smiled at her. "I gave you a different name so you should not worry about getting exposed." 

Nakahinga siya nang maluwag doon. "You're a teacher there?" 

The woman shook her head. "I know someone who works in the registrar's office. It was easy to get you in." 

"But I don't know if makaabot pa ako sa pasukan," I said. Pierce will probably find me by then. 

"If that happens, so be it. But for now, try and enjoy the normal life you wanted. School is essential for that," 

She stared at the uniform and a smile formed on her lips before she gave the woman a hug. 

All her life, the only school she knows is the library in the palace where she would learn about history and other things. It's only her and her personal tutor--an old man who falls asleep in the middle of a lecture. Sometimes, she had to call his name para magising ito and continue the lecture. Other times, she would just leave him alone and go the stables and try riding the horse or watch the royal guards practice in the courtyard. She never dreamed of going to a real school. She figured it's impossible. But now, she can't believe it's happening. 

"I'll leave you alone. You can try the uniform. Next day's the start of school so be prepared." Zyon's mom winked and left the room. 

She nodded enthusiastically and stared at the set of clothes laid on the bed. She bit her lip to keep herself from smiling widely. She touched the fabric. 

"School uniform," she mumbled. Kinuha niya ito at itinapat sa sarili. Watching her reflection from the mirror, she can't help but grin. 

She had no ounce of regret of deciding to stay here. The normal life she'd imagined  before is actually starting to happen now. She doesn't care anymore of how much time she has left. All she cares now is that she has to make the most of it. Even just for one day, she wants to get inside a real school. One day is enough for her. She's fine with Pierce taking her the next day. 

She giggled as she tried the uniform on. She wondered if having blonde is against school rules. But Zyon's mom didn't mention about it. And she has a new name she has to use at school for her disguise. 

She paused. Surely, the students wouldn't know her. Zyon didn't even recognize her at first. Surely the students there wouldn't know who she is. Who would actually think a Princess will go to a school? She has only shown herself on TV. They say some people look different on TV than in person. She just hopes it's the case for her. 

She stared at her reflection once again and took a pose. 

"It looks so good on me. I can't believe this," she breathed. 

Zyon's mom also gave her old books she might want to read to catch up. She didn't tell Zyon's mom she had learned all of it back at the palace. She gladly accepted them and was surprised she's learning the same things taught at school. She spent the rest of the afternoon staring and gawking at the hanging set of clothes in the room and reading the books given to her. She could die at that moment. 

She's never been that happy her whole life.  

* * *