Rogue Wars Online

Chapter Forty-Nine: A Sparrow's Wrath

-chapter forty-nine-

FINN

June's smirk reminded me of that certain day when we were twelve. When I started keeping my achievements and works a secret in case of being scrutinized again.

It all started when she complimented my drawing.

"That's really pretty, Finn! I wish ganiyan din ako magdrawing. Ang pangit ko kasing gumawa."

Tumigil ako sa pagco-color at tumingin sa kaniya. "Turuan kita?"

"Ehh. Tuturuan mo akong magdrawing? That's really nice but I don't have talent for that, Finn. Mommy already hired the best art teacher pero hindi talaga 'yan para sa'kin." she leaned back in her chair, grinning. "Kaya maglalaro na lang ako!"

"Mm." tumango ako. "Will open when I'm home."

"Okay! I-try natin ulit ang thirtieth floor sa Fairy tower." nakangiti niyang wika at itinuro ang board sa likod. "Bakit hindi mo rin gawin 'yan sa board? As a surprise for tomorrow. Para rin maging kaclose mo na ang classmate natin!"

I hesitated. I'm fine with showing it to people but I don't really have the confidence to draw it in public. I'm fine with my drawings being contained in my own private space.

Isa pa, paano kung iguhit ko nga ito doon tapos mapapangitan sila? Or magalit ang teacher namin dahil gumuhit ako sa board? I'm not the best artist and I don't think my art is really that pretty. Natatakot ako sa posibleng mangyari.

June noticed my hesitation because she suddenly clapped her hands, breaking off my insecure thoughts.

"Sige na, Finn! Huwag kang mag-alala. Magugustuhan nila 'yan. Have some confidence!"

Ngumuso ako. "They won't."

"They will. Ang ganda kaya niyan. Pwede ka ng panglaban kay Picasho o Picasso ba 'yon- ah, basta 'yong pizza. Just try to draw it."

"But-"

Bumuntong-hininga si June at itinulak ako papunta sa may board. Tinapik niya ang likod ko, sa paraan na parang binibigyan ako ng kumpyansa.

"I promise they won't say anything bad about it. Sino ba naman ang mag-aayaw sa magandang drawing? I'll be with you!"

Dahil sa mapilit at walang-humpay niyang pangungumbinsi, I copied my drawing in the board. Ginamit ko ang spare chalk na mayroon si Ma'am namin. It was already nearing six when I finished, and other clubs are starting to dismiss their activities.

"June. Alright?"

That's when I first saw her smirk. "Very, Finn. Mauuna ka na bang umuwi? Nagtext si Daddy. Mamaya pa daw siya dadating dito para sunduin ako."

Kinuha ko ang bag at tumango.

"See you tomorrow, Finn~"

"Mm. See you."

That tomorrow that made me hope became a nightmare as soon as I stepped into the classroom. I felt happy when they were admiring the drawing in the board, dahil gusto naman pala nila ang ginawa ko. They said it was pretty and that the singing bird and its audience was portrayed with amazing interpretation.

Nang magtanong sila kung sino ang gumawa ay nagkaroon ako ng confidence para sumagot.

"I did." nakangiti kong saad. "It's one of my Mama's favorite scene." tukoy ko sa librong binabasa noong bata.

Sandali akong natigilan nang biglang nawala ang ngiti sa mukha ng lahat. The whispers started from the back of the room until it reached the front seats. I felt small and scrutinized under their judging eyes. Hindi ako close sa kanila, una pa lang, dahil hindi naman ako palasalita at hindi rin naman sila nakikipag-usap sa'kin.