Chapter Two
LYA
Nang makapasok na kami ng tuluyan sa loob ng studio, I slipped off my riding gear and just left it in the floor. Napalingon si Valerie sa iniwan kong kalat doon sa sahig, at pinulot nalang niya iyon at isinabit sa loob ng cabinet banda sa pintuan. I stopped walking and looked at her with confusion. "Where is my laptop?"
"Over there. Geez, you look like you're going to war." Sabay turo niya doon sa laptop na napapalibutan ng mga papel sa lamesa.
I sat on a chair and opened my browser, looking for the email that Wyn's Gallery sent before the Gala last night.
"Because I am."
Nang makita ko yung email, binasa ko muli yung kontrata at mga nakasaad roon. Shit. What she's saying is true! Sa sobrang busy ko sa pagpaplano kung paano susundan si Gino sa mga galaw niya, hindi ko na nabasa ng maayos itong kontrata. "Sinabi mo ba sa akin 'to?"
"Yes! You just nodded at me, tapos pinirmahan mo na pagkatapos." She said, a guarded look marred on her face. "Am I in trouble?"
I sigh is defeat. "No, you're not. I'm sorry. Kasalanan ko ito." Which is true. I should have not let my guard down thinking that no one would buy two of my artworks.
"So, ano na gagawin natin?"
Hinalungkat ko yung emails ko at hinanap kung sino yung buyer ng 'Her Despair' and 'The Ascension to Death'. Pero hindi pa dini-disclose ng Wyn kung sino. The gallery sometimes doesn't let artists know who the buyer is for privacy and safety purposes. Syempre kailangan nilang itago kung sino, lalo na't mayayaman ang mga bumibili. All I know for now is, it is a man who just shouted that three-million pesos sa auction. I'm not even sure if I could be familiar with his face kapag nakita ko siya muli. Hindi rin nakakatulong yung dim na ilaw sa gala kagabi.
"I will personally ask Wyn soon. 'Wag ka na mag-alala. Alam niyang mahalaga yung 'Her Despair' sa akin, and just for viewing purposes lang yun. At hindi niya dapat iyun binenta. Aware tayo sa doon sa isang kondisyon na bibili rin ng isang artwork, pero dapat iba yung ibinenta niya. Hindi yun."
She nods in agreement. "Want me to set a meeting between you two?"
Umiling ako. "Don't. I want to surprise him." Yumuko ako sa lamesa para hanapin yung sneakers ko sa ilalim at sinuot iyon. "Have they sent our cut sa the auction?" Tanong ko sa kanya.
"Nope. Bukas pa raw yun. Ifa-finalize pa nila yung mga details ng mga buyers, bago ibibigay yung hati natin."
Napatango ako. "That's good. I will visit him now. Hangga't sa hindi pa nakakapagbayad yung bumili—kung hindi pa nakabayad."
In an instant, Valerie rushes to the desk looking for her work journal at ipinasok niya iyon sa bag niya. "I will be coming with you! I mean, pwede ba akong sumama?"
"Um...sure?" Tiningnan ko yung suot niya.
I was planning to ride my bike again para mas mabilis makapunta roon, but her outfit is not fit for a motorbike ride in the city. She is wearing a short denim skirt and a pastel baby blue sweater. Tapos naka sandals pa siya. I will just have to use the Jimny then.
She is smiling like a little kid nung tumayo ako at hinanap yung susi ng sasakyan.
Wyn's Gallery is located at Legazpi Village in Makati. The building is surrounded by cafés and restaurants, fit for every working people in the area looking for a quick brunch or afternoon breaks. Yung façade ng gallery ay simpleng black lamang na may logo ng W Gallery sa gilid. When we parked beside the street, Valerie immediately jumps outside and heads to the door to probably ask for Wyn. Nung sinundan ko siya sa loob, I was instantly blasted by their AC and Wyn's receptionist greets us.
"Hi Ms. Ilya. How was the party for you last night?" Nginitian niya ako.
"It was good. Is Wyn around?"
"Yes. I have already told him of your visit. Kaso may ka-meeting pa siya sa taas ngayon. If you don't mind waiting for a few minutes? Or kung gusto niyo maghintay nalang muna sa gallery. I will find you once he's done."
Tumango kami ni Valerie at pumasok nalang sa looban pa kung nasaan naka-display ang iilang artworks na naka-prisenta kagabi. Some are gone in the wall and their cases. Mine included.
I fear the worst. Mukhang nakapagbayad na nga yung buyer, dahil wala na yung painting ko sa dingding.
Tinabihan ako ni Valerie. "Sa tingin mo makakausap natin ng maayos si Wyn? I hope you could get your painting back."
"I hope so too."
That painting was my revelation. Yun yung unang painting ko noong naglakas ako ng loob ilabas ang aking nararamdaman since the incident happened. While some artist gets inspirations from others, I on the other hands dwells on mine. All my works are from my experiences. Madaling linlangin ang mga taong nakakakita ng gawa ko dahil hindi naman nila aakalain na ang isang Ilya Gusarev ay may malungkot na buhay.
I was the epitome of normalcy and grace on the outside. Little do they know that I am a time-ticking atomic bomb.
Just waiting for a random time to strike and blast on those deserving motherfuckers.
"What is about this one?"
Nagulat ako nang may nagsalita ng mahina sa kaliwa ko. I searched for Valerie—who was now gone on my side and is seen on the other end of the gallery. Bumalik yung mga mata ko roon sa nagsalita.
He is not speaking directly at me. He is just looking at the bare wall where 'Her Despair' was once displayed. Napabalik yung mga mata ko sa dingding. Suddenly feeling like a joke staring at nothing compared to the countless artworks surrounding me.
"Um..." Hindi ko agad nasundan yung sasabihin ko sana, dahil napabuntong-hininga ako sa lalaking nasa tabi ko ngayon. He's side profile palang is gorgeous.
He stood beside me with his jaw clenched, and his dark eyes fixed on the wall in front of him. His gaze was unwavering and intense, as if he was trying to bore a hole through it with his stare. He was determined and focused nang para bang nakikita rin niya yung nakikita ko at iniisip kung ano bang meron doon sa nasa harapan niya. As he waits for my answer, he finally faces me.
Para akong biglang sinagasaan ng truck nang makita ko ang buo niyang mukha. He is fucking beautiful. His profile is every artist's dream of sketching, and it deserves to be put on a canvas. If I were a sculptor, I'd die and go to heaven just to let him have me use his face as reference. His build is not helping too. Kasi it is obvious that his body is a testament to his dedication to fitness and health, and it is clear that he puts in the work to maintain his physique. He dresses well in a navy-blue dress shirt and charcoal pants too. Fuck. I am having a crisis just by staring at this beautiful man.
Should I ask him if he could be my male muse?
The only muse in my artworks is me.
I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry. I may look silly by staring at this empty wall, but my painting was displayed here last night."
"You're the artist? What happened to it?" Tanong niya.
Umiling ako sa inis. "It was bought. Without my permission." Dinig ang dismaya sa aking mga salita. I looked again for Valerie who was looking at me and the stranger beside me.
I mouthed, "Wala pa ba si Wyn?"
She just shook her head in answer. Pero may ngiti sa mga labi niya na nakakapang-asar.
Ilang beses na niya akong inaalok na sumali sa mga dating apps, dahil never pa raw niya akong nakitang may ka-date. So, seeing me right now with a man is making her giddy with joy. Little does she know that most men make my skin crawl.
Except Sergei and this man beside me. Which is surprising para sa akin dahil hindi ako ganito kabilis makaramdam ng maganda sa iba. Especially to men.
There is something calm about him. Para bang kahit na sunugin ko itong gallery dahil sa inis ko kay Wyn ay maglalakad lang siya ng tahimik at palabas bago lumaki yung sunog. But being calm is dangerous too. He could be just like me. Nasa loob ang kulo.
"Hindi ba dapat maging masaya ka na nabili yung painting mo? I bet it is spectacular."
"It is spectacular. But it was bought without my permission, kahit na sinabi ko na kay Wyn na for display lang yun, at hindi pwede bilhin." I said seething with anger. "His meeting is taking too long... I can't wait to give him a piece of my wrath."
Despite my reaction, he smiled. "Can you explain to me what your painting is like?"
Why the fuck is he smiling like that?
Shaking off his reaction to my anger, I answered him. "It is just a faceless girl. The eyes, nose and lips are gone on the head. But you can see different pair of eyes floating around it."
Tumango siya nang para bang nai-imagine niya yung detalyado kong painting. "I can picture it. What I meant to ask was, what is the story behind it?"
I smiled back at him. "An artist doesn't reveal the true meaning behind the painting. It is the job of the viewer to voice out their perception and opinion about it."
Natawa siya bigla. "Of course, but how would I know kung wala naman yung mismong painting sa aking harapan?" His brow knots in a challenge at me.
"I have explained to you what it looks like. Now, ano sa tingin mo ang istorya sa likod nito? I would love to hear your perspective."
Hinarap niya muli yung dingding as if imagining it's right in front of him. Ginaya ko rin siya. "I see a sad girl, obvious giveaway na doon yung title. But all I can think of is how her sadness is swallowing her whole. It's like she just let it eat her up, hanggang sa mawalan na siya ng nararamdaman. Hence, the lost eyes, ears, nose, and mouth...like loosing her senses." He explains. "The eyes floating around could be the people around her watching and criticizing her. But she doesn't care anymore, kasi masyado na siyang malalim sa nararamdaman niya to give a fuck."
As he finishes his explanation, napabalik ako ng tingin sa kanya. His perception is too accurate.
Nakaramdam ako bigla ng 'di kanais-nais sa loob ng aking katawan.
How does this perfect man get it right through an absent painting on a wall? What the fuck?
Bago ko siya matanong ay narinig ko na tinawag ang aking pangalan. Napalingon ako sa likod namin, at nakita si Wyn at isang gwapong lalaki na papalapit sa amin. The other guy looks familiar.
"Ilya!" Wyn greets me.
"You ready Killian?" Tanong naman nung lalaki na kasabay ni Wyn para doon sa katabi ko.
Killian.
His name suits him, at napatingin ako sa kanya muli. Despite my five-feet and six-inches of height, this man is still towering over me. Lumingon lang siya doon sa tumawag sa kanya at nginitian ako. "Nice meeting you, Ms. Ilya. You have a wonderful work. I hope makuha mo yun ulit. Good Luck." Sabi niya sa akin at naglakad na sila ng kasama niya paalis. I saw Wyn thanking them for visit.
I watched their backs as they leave the gallery, wondering if I will see this man again.
"Ilya? Would you like to come upstairs and discuss your visit?" Singit bigla ni Wyn, at nawala yung mga tingin ko sa papaalis na sasakyan nina Killian.
Hindi na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik pa at tinanong na siya agad kung bakit niya ibinenta nalang ng ganun yung painting ko. Wala akong pakialam kahit na may iilang tao ngayon sa gallery na bumibisita.
"Why did you sell it, and was it already been paid?" Tanong ko ng madiin sa kanya.
Nagsimula siyang maglakad pabalik sa office niya at pumasok kami, smiling at the guests in apology. Valerie hot on my heels, entered too. "Ilya, 'Her Despair' was a hit to a client last night. Since, siya ang nanalo sa bid ng 'The Ascension to Death', naisipan niyang bilhin rin ang isa sa mga artworks mo."
"I have four other paintings na nasa display rin, Wyn. Why did you allow the client to buy it despite me saying it's not for sale?"
"The client insisted. And for five million pesos? That is more expensive than the painting he won sa bidding. Why does this upset you so? Shouldn't you be happy you'd get sixty percent of all the earnings." Pagmamakatwiran niya.
He has a point for the earnings. Pero pag sinabi kong hindi yun pwede ibenta, hindi pwede. His stubbornness is starting to get into me, I might add him to my list right now. Kaso hindi makakatulong sa plano ko ito kung kinabukasan ay may mababalitaan na isang kilalang gallery owner ang patay sa loob ng gusali nito.
I wanted to cut him right now and use his blood as a red paint.
Napansin siguro ni Valerie yung hitsura ko ngayon. Kaya siya nalang muna nakipag-usap kay Wyn. "May we know who the buyer is? What if we talk to them?"
Wyn shrugs. "I mean, you could try to find out. But not from me." Asshole.
As if naman papayag siya sa amin.
"Please Mr. Wyn, let us just talk to them. Kung ayaw nilang ibalik yung painting—wala na kaming magagawa doon. We just wanted to know if it will be on the right hands." Val says, at napatingin ako sa kanya. I don't agree to her words, but her lie seems like a plan.
He shook his head again. "I'm sorry. You signed a contract, without fully reading into it. The buyer also signed his part too. It's too late, Val and Ilya."
His part.
The buyer is a man. Racking through my brain, is there a possibility that the buyer of my painting was the man I met awhile ago? Fuck, mukhang siya nga.
'I see a sad girl, obvious giveaway na doon yung title... '
Alam niya yung title ng painting na nakasabit roon sa dingding, kahit na pati yung label ay tinanggal na rin ng gallery. He lied when he asked me kung ano ba yung yung painting na naksabit doon kagabi. Plus, he even knows what is the meaning behind it. Fuck.
Killian. He is the buyer.