Accidental Infidelity (Heartbreak Diary #1)

Kabanata 13

Kabanata 13

Accidental Infidelity

"This is my cousin's work," Diego stated as we stopped in front of a medium-sized frame. Kumunot ang aking noo at hinanap agad ang perma ng artist sa ilalim ng kaniyang gawa. It was different from the signature of the artist of Tear. I can tell because even the handwriting was different.

"...this is your cousin's work?" The way I asked sounded wrong as if I was  discriminating the work. Napangiwi ako nang makita kung gaano umangat ang gilid ng labi ni Diego.

"Err, sorry, that came out so wrong. Hindi naman iyon ang ibig kong sabihin."

"Nah, he said it was alright if I criticized his work. He wants honesty rather than flattery," Diego shrugged. "But yes, I totally agree with your reaction. It's not promising but I can tell that he has improved."

Hindi ko rin alam kung nakatulong ba ang kaniyang feedback. If his cousin is here right now, would he even accept such comment?

Hindi ko naman sinabing pangit ang painting. Rather, it was simple with a different style. Kumpara sa gawa ng iba, it uses paint with a texture of a sand. May nakita na akong ganitong klaseng obra noon and I don't know if it was really sand they used but the texture was realistic and unique. Parang mas ramdam ang material na ginawa. The painting that Diego's cousin made were daisies in a vase. May iilang petal na nalagas at naroon na sa paanan ng vase. It was a simple painting that can be displayed anywhere.

"I thought that Tear was your cousin's work," sabi ko habang nakatingin sa gawa ng kaniyang pinsan.

"Tear? You mean the grayscale painting?"

"Yes. Akala ko gawa ng cousin mo. You talked about it like you knew you created it."

Diego chuckled. "My cousin's skills are far from that. You can tell just by staring at his work. Tear was made by someone professional, someone who poured their time and effort studying art."

"Kilala mo?" Curiosity got into me. Mukha kasing kilala niya. Judging with the way he asked that question, it seemed he knew the artist.

"Yes, a family friend."

Humalukipkip ako at tumango. We walked through the halls together, stopping by at certain paintings. At some point, I can't help but comment on certain art works at nakikinig naman siya. I had this habit of just suddenly speaking my thoughts as if it mattered to the person who was listening. Pero nagulat ako kasi nakikinig siya sa akin. It was also like that one time I explained to him something about a certain artist that I dislike. Ang akala ko kasi ay isasawalang-bahala niya iyon kasi hindi naman talaga mahalaga ang opinyon ko.

I've had a few encounters with Diego Valmorida already and so far, I am liking this one. Kasi hindi lang ako ang nakikipag-usap. He was also talking and speaking to me like we were just ordinary people, staring and appreciating art together. I am starting to see what kind of person he is without the cameras following him around.

"How are you liking this exhibit so far?" tanong niya sa akin nang mamahinga kami sa isang bench. I like that they have a lounge for resting visitors. Hindi rin masyadong maliwanag ang lugar kaya hindi nakakasilaw at hindi masakit sa mata.

"I actually have no words to say. Maganda naman lahat. I wish I could have a talented and creative hand like theirs. Alam mo ba kung ilang students ang naka-enroll sa art class? Ang dami kasing naka-display."

"I don't have any idea. May iilan sa kanila tatlo o apat ang gawa."

"The more, the merrier. Aren't they selling those?"