That Golden Boy: Collection of Random Short Stories

38: THE LEGENDARY DA VINCI'S ERA: REAWAKENED

Parallel Universe B
25th Century: Renascence Age

“The painter has the universe in his mind and hands.”

I lifted my face, letting the light and shadow dance across my skin. Wind is whistling around trunks—disturbing the leaves, and a melodic chant of birds kept from giving a soothing ambience beyond the woods. It's a place which is painted with peace and contentment.

"Hey, I thought you're about to be back after several weeks? Napabilis ka naman yata?" I glanced backward, and realized it was my friend, Lionardo. Carrying a trunk full of paint, brushes and canvas.

"I cancelled some of my commission portrait requests earlier that's why I returned here quick," I answered showing a hint of smile.

Naisipan ko kasing mag-focus muna sa isang piyesa because I just met my girlfriend "Liza" habang nasa Louvre ako, isang art museum na matatagpuan sa Gallia.

***

"V-Vincent?"

I'm staring at "The Coronation of Napoleon" painting by Jacques Louis-David when someone familiar called me from behind.

"Hey, I'm here." Nagpalinga-linga pa ako sa paligid hanggang sa mahagip na siya ng mga mata ko, kung saan ilang dangkal lang ang layo niya sa'kin. I smiled in an instant.

"Sinusundan mo ba 'ko?" biro ko at akmang yayakapin si Liza nang bigla niya 'kong pinigilan. "Vincent, nandiyan sina Daddy, baka kasi... alam mo na..." kakamot-kamot niyang sabi kaya napabuntong-hininga na lang ako.

Tumingin-tingin pa siya sa paligid upang masigurong hindi kami makikita ng kaniyang ama.

We're having a secret relationship for almost two years. Strikto ang mga magulang niya sa lahat ng bagay. Wala rin siyang gaanong naging kaibigan dahil lagi lang siyang nakakulong sa bahay, kaya naman madalas sa video call at chats na lang rin kami nakakapag-usap.

Nasanay na rin ako, pero hanggang kailan ba kami magtatago?

"These paintings scream ominous perfections. Aren't they?" she said all of a sudden.

I peered through the paintings again perfectly hanging on the wall. They are so surreal, a lot of messages seemed to be hidden, a puzzle that will pull you out of extreme curiosity.

"May technique kaya kung paano makagawa ng mga ganito? What do you think? I'm rooting for your paintings to be posted here someday." Hanggang sa naramdaman ko na lang na pinagsalikop niya ang mga kamay namin.

I wanna hug her so bad, I'm just controlling myself for the consequences not to happen because she's the art that I wanna keep for a lifetime.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. Someone may find it difficult to understand..."

"Because it is the missing link, not the links which exist. It is not what you see that is art: art is the gap." I added as I remembered my Lolo's perspectives about it.

"Ang lalim naman, gustong-gusto ko nga ring mag-try kaso ayaw makisama ng mga kamay ko," natatawa pa niyang sabi.

"Bakit gusto mong subukan?"

"Para makulayan ko rin mundo mo." Napangiwi tuloy ako nang wala sa oras sa isinagot niya. No'ng sumabog ng ka-corny-han sinaid niya na lahat.

"Nakita ko yung drafts mo no'ng nakaraan. Hindi sa pag-a-assume pero ako ba yung subject mo do'n sa painting?" pag-iiba niya ng usapan. Malapad ang ngiting iginawad niya sa'kin.

Dumaan pa ang ilang mga araw at napagpasyahan ko na ring umuwi na muna. Nakatanggap ako ng ilang request mula sa ilang mga kakilala ngunit tinanggihan ko na muna ito.