Hues in Diliman (Abstract Series #1)

Chapter 12

I roamed my eyes around the field and found students talking, studying, and minding their own businesses. Nagpakawala ako ng buntong hininga bago muling ipinokus ang tingin sa drawing pad na nasa harap ko.

Malapit ko na itong matapos at hindi ko mapigilan na hindi bigyan ng komplimento ang napakagandang detalyeng mukha ni Trip.

"Is that Trip?" Kakarating lang ni Ava galing sa canteen at inabot sa akin ang pinasabay kong sandwich, hindi kasi ako nag-agahan kanina.

Vacant namin ngayon dahil wala ang professor so I took that time to finish my portrait.

Tumango ako at tinitingnan ang reaction niya habang nakatitig sa gawa ko.

"It's so beautiful," she genuinely complimented.

"Si Trip o ang gawa ko?" pagbibiro ko pa.

She only rolled her eyes.

"Who did you draw?" tanong ko bago kinagatan ang sandwich.

She remained silent for a while before sighing, "My mom."

We have the same mother but we are from different fathers.

Agad na namuo ang kuryosidad sa sistema ko. I wonder what their mom looks like. I mean... Ava is unbelievably gorgeous. She has this brownish black eyes like Cy. Morena ang babae at may katangkaran.

"Can I see?" nag-aalangan ko pang tanong.

I was shocked when she nodded her head and handed me her drawing pad. Agad ko iyong tinanggap at bumungad sa akin ang pigura ng isang napakagandang ginang.

She has a brownish black eyes like her children. A pointed nose like a knife and this pouty lips.

Ang mata pa lang niya ang may kulay pero masasabi kong napakaganda niya. Hindi na ikakapagtaka na maganda ang dugo nina Cy at Ava.

"I got the tan skin from her." Tumango lang ako sa sinabi ni Ava. It means, Cy's whitish skin was from his Dad.

"A-Ava..." I called. "If you don't mind, may I ask why Cy is renting an apartment? Hindi ba siya umuuwi sa inyo?"

She sighed, opening the book she was reading this morning. "I think it's not my story to tell, Achi."

I bit my lower lip and nodded even without her looking. Yeah right, napakachismosa mo talaga, Saachi Beatrice!

We took the time carefully. I was drawing and she was reading her book. Kaya nang magring ang bell para sa susunod na period ay malaki ang ngiti kong tiningnan ang drawing pad ko na kulay na lang ang kulang.

Pinagpagan ni Ava ang suot niya nang tuluyan na siyang makatayo. I got my bag and we headed to the next class.

Mabilis lang na lumipas ang oras hanggang sa hindi ko namamalayang uwian na pala. Nagpaiwan si Ava dahil may isasauli pa raw siyang libro sa library kaya mag-isa akong lumabas ng campus.

My eyes widened when I saw Tita Jessel waving at me, beside her is an American guy in his mid-fourty.

Yumuko ako at babalik na sana sa loob.

"Saachi!"

I squeezed my eyes as I closed it, feeling my heart beating so fast. Alam na alam ko ito. Tintotoo niya talaga ang sinabi na irereto niya sa ako sa 'kano.

"Tita, anong ginagawa mo rito?" tanong ko, binibigyan pa rin siya ng katiting na respeto.

"Binibisita ka," pagdadahilan niya pa. "Dala ko 'yong kaibigan ko. Ipapakilala kita."

"Alam ba 'to ni Lola?" I am sure Lola would never agree to this.

Umiling siya. "Huwag kang maingay. Ipapakilala lang, eh."