Strokes of a Painter

Kabanata 2

Kabanata 2

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Lupaypay na lumabas sina Fej and Minzy ng opisina.

"Paano yan Fej? Ang hirap ng assignment mo ngayon," nag-aalalang sambit nito.

She made a heavy sigh.

"I didn't see this coming. For the past five years no one has ever known of his whereabouts. Ako pa kaya?"

Gusto niyang mainis pero kahit anong gawin niya ay wala na siyang magagawa. She would be in big trouble if she failed to do the task. 

"I'll help you in searching for his location Fej. Though this may be difficult but we can't loose hope this time. We'll just hope and pray that we can find him before two months," Minz gave her a sympathetic look. 

"Thanks Minz. Hope we could find him soon ..." Binigyan niya ito ng tipid na ngiti.

Pagkauwi ni Fej sa condo ay kaagad siyang nagresearch. Tatlong oras na siyang nagbabad sa laptop pero wala parin siyang makuhang matino na impormasyon.

She closed the laptop in frustration and went to the kitchen to get some water.

Habang umiinom siya ng tubig ay biglang nagring ang telepono niya.

"Hello?"

"Hi Fej! Did you find any valuable information of his location?"

She put the glass on the sink and combed her hair through her fingers in annoyance. 

"Wala parin."

"Ganoon ba? Wala rin akong mahanap na lead eh. Sige tatawagan kita ulit kung may mahanap na ako."

"Salamat Minz for helping me."

"Don't mention it," she chuckled.

Fej ended the call and went back to her room again.

Days passed and she was getting more frustrated when she couldn't find anything that lead his whereabouts.

She was having sleepless nights and Madam Purita was pressuring her big time.

Pabagsak siyang humiga sa kama at nakatitig sa kisame. Nagring ang cellphone niya at kaagad niya itong sinagot.

"Hello Minzy?"

"Fej! Oh my god! I just saw the news!" Natatarantang sabi nito.

"Ha? What news?" Napakunot ang noo niya. 

"Open the tv at pumunta ka sa CNN Philippines! Dali."

"O-o, ito na."

Dali-dali siyang lumabas papuntang sala at binuksan ang tv.

"Nakita mo na?"

Napatulala siya nang marinig ang pahayag ng reporter.

"The famous Filipino painter's manager said that Leviticus will not paint anymore. He wanted to apologize for the people who has been a client and supporter for Leviticu's arts. Even if he wanted Leviticus to continue but the painter has health problems. Please tune in for more updates. This is CNN Philippines."

Fej couldn't believe what she just heard. Nanlamig ang kamay niya at pagod na umupo sa sofa.

What happened to him?

"Hello Fej? Still there?"

She cleared the lump in her throat.

"Y-eah ..."

"A-re you okay?" Concern na tanong nito. 

"I, ahmm ... I'm fine. Just call you later Minz."

Sumandal siya sa sofa at mariing pinikit ang mga mata. Naninikip ang dibdib niya.