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I am Jamila. A doll made of porcelain and cloth. I do not feel joy or sadness. I only observe and remember what I see.
The box that kept me for many years was opened. Bright sunlight entered my fixed eyes. Eloisa stood in front of me. She was no longer a child. Her belly was large and round, carrying new life inside.
Jamila… ikaw pa rin ‘to.
She lifted me carefully and pressed me against her belly. I registered the warmth of her body and the fabric of her dress. Her husband entered the nursery.
Hon, ano ‘yan? he asked curiously.
Si Jamila ‘to… yung doll ko noong bata pa ako. Siya yung kasama ko sa lahat. Ngayon, ipapakilala ko siya kay baby Bernadette. Eloisa replied softly.
She sat on the rocking chair and held me while speaking about the past. That night, when the house was quiet, she whispered to me again.
Natatakot ako, Jamila. Paano kung hindi ko magawa nang tama bilang nanay? Paano kung masaktan ko si Bernadette?
Water appeared in her eyes again. She hugged me tightly. Her body trembled slightly. I observed this action but could not understand the reason for the liquid or the shaking.
Over the following days, Eloisa cleaned my old dress and added new golden thread to my stitches. She placed me inside the wooden crib.
Maghihintay ka rito, Jamila. Kapag dumating na si Bernadette, magkakasama na tayong tatlo.
I stayed in the crib, staring at the ceiling, waiting as a doll waits. → story continues in Chapter 2 Live on August 8!
I have been taken out of the box. Humans call this a reunion. Eloisa produces water from her eyes and presses her body against me. I do not understand the liquid or the trembling, but I observe that she does these things when she holds me. This appears important to her. This seems to matter to humans. — Jamila
