Limang taon na ang lumipas, ngunit sariwa pa ang mga ala-ala. Itong art room ko na pinuno ng lahat ng emosyon ko ay nananatiling buhay kahit pinaglumaan na ng panahon.
I stood up and removed the apron I'm wearing, then looked at the art piece and smiled.
"It's already done. Thanks to this paintbrush..." I uttered and stared at the old brush. Ito na ang magiging huling sabak nito sa pagpipinta. I was glad that its last stroke will be with the art piece of the first and last bloom. Moreover, I'm grateful to Paolo, who gave this paint brush as a birthday gift.
Biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko kaya't sinagot ko kaagad ito. I sigh and look at the two canvas in front of me just to have a further check.
"Asan ka na? Ikaw na lang ang kulang sa mga magpipresent ngayon..." sabi ni Professor Jed.
"I'm just polishing it more. Sinisigurado kong maganda ang itsura bago ilagay sa Art Gala..."
"Ganun ba? Teka may pinadala na akong mga kukuha ng paintings mo. Para secured papunta rito." sabay tawa niya sa kabilang linya. I only sigh and didn't argue. Wala pa rin siyang pinagbago.
Dumating na nga ang mga pinadala ni Professor Jed. They took the two canvas carefully at isinakay sa sasakyan nila. I followed them with my car going to Ilarde College.
Nang makarating ay kaagad na nilang dinala iyun sa Mini Art Museum ng school kung saan gaganapin ang Art Gala. My paintings will have a part in its final presentation. Of course, because I am the owner of this school, ilalagay talaga nila ako sa special part ng occasion.
I look around. Sobrang laki na ng pinagbago ng campus. A lot of buildings were added and it became more modernised. Yet my favorite spots were still there, the cherry blossom tree na natatanaw ko sa botanic garden, the art room na natatanaw ko sa kinatatayuan ko maging ang rooftop na madalas kong tambayan.
Dahil maaga pa para pumasok, I decided to go to the rooftop to have a full view of the campus. Ilang taon rin ang lumipas na hindi ako nakapunta rito. My busy schedule limit my own personal activities and leisures.
Ganoon pa rin ang simoy ng hangin. Sariwa mula rito sa taas. The cherry blossom tree is in its best again, representing another spring that came.
Ang dating pool na narito ay wala na. I ordered to reconstruct the rooftop at ngayon ay isang magandang tambayan na lamang, exclusively for me.
Nang magsawa akong tumanaw sa kabuuan ng campus, bumaba na ako ng rooftop at nag-ikot ikot pa sa paligid. Students were greeting me. I'm smiling as a way of greeting back because I don't want to look rude.
It's the school's culminating activity kaya't abala at maraming ginagawa ang mga estudyante maging ang mga professors. The Art Gala is one of the main event to be made because someone from the overseas volunteer to be a sponsor for the given event. Professor Jed insisted that I must have a part as well.
Habang naglalakad, I heard someone call me, but not by my name. It's just a familiar pet name I heard before.
"Mr. Loner..." rinig ko uling tawag at nakilala ko na nga ito.
"Haji..." I said and smirked at him before giving him a head chop.
"Respect me. You're in my turf..."
Sumimangot lang ito at namulsahan. He's wearing his uniform. He's studying as a highschool student in Ilarde High.
"Can you explain why high school students are required to watch this event? It's quite a pain..." he hissed.
"Of course, for experience and new learning. Hindi lahat nakukuha sa loob ng classroom. Pero kung ayaw mo, you can go home..." then I shrug.
"Not yet... i wanna see the Art Gala." anya bago ako talikuran. He and his attitude deficiency. I chuckle because after all, he enjoys strolling around.
An hour before the Gala, I decided to go in the Mini Art Museum. Kaagad na nakita ko si Professor Jed na kanina pa yata naghihintay sa'kin.
"Nauna na ang paintings tapos ikaw sobrang nahuli. Saan ka ba galing?" mabilis na tanong niya ng makarating ako.
"Walking under the moon." I simply stated at binati si Ms. Mendivel. She looked happier than before, ganoon talaga yata kapag kasal na.
She wrapped her arms around Professor Jed's arm na ikinapula naman ng isa. Kinikilig pa pala kahit gurang na.
"Kanina ka pa hinihintay nito. Parang mas excited pa sa'yo eh." and she chuckle which made him look embarrassed.
"S-syempre hinihintay ko siya kasi hinahanap na siya ng mga ibang artist na gusto siyang makilala. Kanina pa sila naghihintay sa guest's lobby." aniya.
"Later. I'm too lazy to interact..." walang buhay kong sabi at umalis para mag-ikot naman sa buong museum.
"Yang pagiging antisocial mo hindi pa rin nawawala. Pambihira..." he said and chuckled.
They both settled. Ms. Mendivel handled Ilarde Academy while Professor Jed handled Ilarde High. My school expanded yet I can't handle it on my own dahil may iba rin akong kinaaabalahan as an Architect. My dad with Mr. Arellano handles Ilarde College. Busy rin si dad sa company nya at siya rin paminsan minsan ang tumitingin sa Hotel and Resort sa Maldives.
The students' paintings were displayed and everyone has the permit to see it. Maging ang ibang mga artists in town are here to showcase their masterpieces. Some of them are given the chance to explain it on stage in front of everyone, isa na ako roon.
As the Art Gala Event started, it's like a nostalgia. It's the same that day, when I first show my paintings to everybody in the campus. All eyes were on you na para bang hahatulan ka ng kamatayan dahil sa kaba.
Isa isa na ngang tumayo sa harapan ang iba't ibang artists habang katabi ang canvas na naglalaman ng kanilang obra maestra.
Everyone has unique styles and different kinds of paintings. Surrealism, cubism, oil paintings, abstract etc. Indeed, you will identify an artist's emotion through his works.
When it's my time to take over on the stage, it's like a deja vu. Parang tulad rin ng dati, noong unang harap ko sa tao at hindi inaasahang ipresenta ang likha ko.
"It's your time to shine, Mr. Introvert..." bulong sa akin ni Theo bago pa man ako pumunta sa harap.
"Piece of cake..." then I frowned at him.
"Huh? Kabaliktaran lagi ng sinasabi mo ang mga nagiging kilos mo. Kita mo, putlang putla ka..." he said but I know that he's just annoying me.
"May we call on, Architect Eve I. Meneses! A renowned artist and the owner of Ilarde!"
Hindi na ako kumibo pa sa kanya at humarap sa lahat. Everyone is giving their applauses as I took the center and stood beside the two covered canvases.
Habang pumapalakpak ang lahat, tila ba bumalik ako sa nakaraan. There's a glimpse of that scene, na mula sa kinatatayuan ko ay nakikita ko sina Darlene, Paolo at Professor Jed habang ikinakaway ang tarpaulin na may pangalan ko.
I smiled with that memorable scene na kaagad na naglaho at ngayon ay ang natatanaw ko mula sa kinatatayuan ko ay sina Professor Jed, Ms. Mendivel at si Theo na parehong nakangiti at pumapalakpak. Nahagip rin ng mata ko roon sa kumpulan si Haji, kasama ang mga kaklase niya.
I sighed deeply and gaze at the two assistant on stage. Kaagad na nilang tinanggal ang takip sa canvas at sa wakas ay nakita na ng lahat ang nilalaman non.
"Good day everyone. Let me introduce to you my very own artwork entitled "Memories of Spring''..."
I smiled as I saw their reactions. Halata sa lahat ang pagkamangha sa dalawang canvas. Everyone's reaction is priceless and money can't buy these kinds of experiences and feelings that I felt.
"Memories of Spring has two parts, the "First Bloom '' & "Last Bloom". It's a twin paintings of Memories of Spring..." I explained at iba-iba ang naging reaksyon ng lahat. I smiled and looked at the two canvases.
"Maaaring sa mata ng lahat, isang ordinaryong likha lamang ito ng malikot kong pag-iisip at imahinasyon, but to tell you the truth, this two paintings have a deep meaning and it means a lot to me..."
Nagsimulang tumahimik ang lahat upang pakinggan kung ano nga ba ang ibig kong sabihin. I glance to Professor Jed and the others, they smiled at me warmly and he nod, gesturing to continue.
"The two canvases visualized a memory... my memories of spring, five years ago. These paintings tell an untold story of our colourful encounter... and I wanted to show it to everyone."
Bakas ang pagkamangha sa mukha nila dahil sa sinabi ko. I chuckled a bit and clears my throat before continuing.
"The colours that I used might be vivid, so bright that it tells a happy story. Yes... perhaps it did but whenever I stare at these paintings longer, the thing that comes next is feeling the longing and sadness. We met in spring, but then these two special people in my life left me when another spring came. These two people aren't with me anymore. Dumating ang ilang yugto ng tagsibol ng wala sila..."
At atmosphere inside the museum gradually changes as I tell the story behind the obra maestra. I sighed deeply as I felt a bit sting in my heart as the memories flashed in my head once again. Kaagad kong winaksi ang ala-alang bumabalik upang makapagfocus sa sinasabi ko.
"I miss them so bad... and that longing urges me to paint the good memories we had that I wanted to experience again with them. But I know that those memories will never ever happen again. It's in the past and what I need to do is move forward, without them in my new journey, without them in the new spring... without them in any other seasons of my life. I am thankful that they came into my life and changed everything, that's why I'm here, standing in front of you to tell our story..."
Nagpalakpakan ang lahat nang matapos ko iyong sabihin. A tear escaped from my eyes but I instantly wipe it with my thumb.
Bumaba na ako sa stage at nakipag kamay sa mga bisitang naroon at maging sa mga kapwa kong artists na nagbahagi rin ng kanilang talento. Everyone is congratulating me because of my presentation and said that they're moved by it.
"Congrats Eve... ang ganda ng ginawa mo." Theo said and tap my shoulder.
Sinalubong rin ako nina Professor Jed at Ms. Mendivel. Even Mr. Arellano congratulated me. Haji gave me a thumbs up, yet with his blank facial reaction.
Nang matapos ang event, nagsilabasan na ang mga estudyante sa museum hall at ipinagpatuloy ang pag-iikot. The visitors and other guests were in the visitor's lobby as the event had a small get-together party.
Inaya nila ako sa loob ngunit nagpaalam muna akong magpapaiwan sa hall. No one is around already and I'm just fixated staring at the two paintings I made.
Napangiti na lamang ako ng payak at inayos ang pagkakalagay ng canvas katabi ng mga paintings ng iba.
"What a nice presentation earlier. I'm amazed and moved…" a lady said and clapped behind me.
Para akong naestatwa sa kinatatayuan ko dahil sa pamilyar na boses na iyun. My heart start racing once again, just like before.
"Darlene…" I spoke at hinarap na siya. She smiled at me and I was so stunned upon seeing her completely.
"Hi! I just wanna say hi… I'm sorry, did i disturb you?" masayang tanong niya at dahan dahang lumapit sa akin.
She looks so gorgeous. Her brown curly hair is much longer than before. Her beautiful face is much more beautiful and her skin is so smooth. Her perfect curves showed in her red fitted dress. The lady I knew before is now a woman.
"Pardon… Is something wrong?" tanong niya at titig na titig sa mukha ko.
I blinked as I felt some tears falling on my cheek. Mabilis ko itong pinahid at ngumiti sa kanya ng pilit.
"N-nothing. By the way… you are?" pilit kong tanong at inilahad ang kanang kamay ko.
"Pearl Harrison. Nice to meet you, Eve Meneses!" she happily said and accepted my hand.
I miss her so bad. Sobrang namimiss ko siya ngunit hindi ko masabi ngayon. I thought that once we see each other again, I'll have the guts to say those words to her. Ngunit ngayon, nakatulala lang ako sa kamay naming magkahawak, dinadama ang malambot niyang kamay na katulad pa rin ng dati.
"A-are you alright? Is there something that bothers you?" sunod sunod na tanong niya kaya't agad ko nang binitiwan ang kamay nya at humarap na lamang sa canvas, forcing myself not to get emotional even though the pain felt like a wound from a double-sided blade.
"I'm f-fine… it's j-just these two paintings…" I lied only to give a lame reason. I breathe deeply and close my eyes, trying to make myself calm.
Then I felt her hand touched my left cheek and her lips kissed my right cheek. Nagulat ako sa ginawa niya kaya't napalingon ako sa kanya. She stepped back and she's smiling widely at me.
"Kainis… Bakit kasi umiyak? Di ko na tuloy magawa ng maayos acting skills ko." then she giggled.
Hindi pa ako nakabawi ng sinabi niya iyun kaya't kumaway pa sya sa harapan ko.
"Uy Gabi? Where art thou? Balik ka na sa Earth, andito na Darlene mo oh???"
Nang unti-unti nang pumasok sa isip ko lahat ng nangyayari ay natawa na lamang ako ng bahagya. I turn and face her.
"So you're teasing me again?" I amusingly asked and she acted thinking deep before nodding her head.
"Hmm… yeah. Why wouldn't I? Afterall, I'm an actress from England. You must be proud because you witnessed my acting skills with your own eyes." she bragged that made me smirk.
"Actress? I haven't heard of you."
Bigla siyang napahinto at hindi makapaniwalang sinabi ko iyun sa kanya. She chuckled in disbelief before crossing her arms on her chest.
"You haven't heard my name because you're not watching tv! Tsaka pa'no mo nga malalaman eh ni pagbukas ng social media account di mo pa magawa?" at marami pa siyang pinagsasabi.
"I haven't heard anything about you, really…" I can't stop smiling because of her priceless reaction. Mukha siyang nagtatampo na bahagyang nahihiya. She's right about me though, but I want to tease her more.
"You didn't even ask if sino nagsponsor ng event na'to, ako kaya nag sponsor nito. Tsk, as expected from you… pero mabuti na rin dahil nagawa ko plano ko… chupee." then she rolled her eyes on me and push me a bit so she can have a good view in my two paintings.
I chuckled and kick her behind her knees gently kaya bahagyang na out balanced ito. Hindi ko napigil tumawa dahil hinampas nya ako sa balikat.
"Kasing itim talaga ng budhi mo 'yang pangalan mo…" and she pouted and look at my paintings. Akma na niya itong hahawakan but I stop her hand.
"Bawal hawakan yan, baka masira…"
"Ehhh?? Ganun ba 'yun?"
Then I pulled her closer and let our body touched. She didn't expect what I did. That's why I took that opportunity to give her a peck on her lips.
"Pero ito hindi bawal…" I whispered at her that made her face become a tomato red.
Because i am facing the entrance door, napansin ko roon na nakasilip at nakangiti sina Professor Jed, Ms. Mendivel at Theo na kaagad rin namang umalis dahil nakita ko sila. I frown and look back at her while she's still staring back while blushing.
"Kasabwat mo ba ang tatlong 'yun?" I asked while our face is just an inch apart.
"U-uhmmm.. mmm. P-pati d-dad mo. T-they helped me plan t-this…" she stuttered as I pulled her even closer and wrapped my right arm on her waist.
"D-don't tease me…" and she hiccuped, which made me smile even more.
"It's my revenge…" then I caressed her cheek and pressed her lips deeply with mine. I felt how she stepped on my shoes and wrapped her arms around my neck just to respond the same.
The kiss we share is a passionate one. It shows how we long to each other, and the feeling is cloud nine.
I never expected how things would turn out to be. I never expected how the past builds up the current me who almost gave up and chose the dark path alone. I never expected that meeting these people, especially Paolo and Darlene, would make my grey-coloured life as vivid as a colourful painting, even if it was crafted in a rough and painful way.
Indeed, people are like a painted canvas. Every different stroke of colour creates and furnishes its remarkable beauty. Just like how the struggles and pain builds up and transform a person into a well crafted and better individual. That's what makes human a perfect piece of art.
The End...