"I heard you had a fight with the governor's daughter" narinig ko na naman ang nakakainis na boses ni Sheldon.
"Not now, Sheldon" I said
"What she said is true. I'm way smarter than you, you know?"
Binato ko siya ng paint brush na agad naman niyang nailagan.
With a mix of irritation and amusement, I resumed my painting, trying to block out Sheldon's presence. The strokes of my brush danced across the canvas, each movement a deliberate attempt to capture the vibrant hues of the setting sun. Yet, despite my best efforts to immerse myself in my art, Sheldon's disruptive behavior continued to intrude upon my thoughts.
His sudden appearance had caught me off guard, as he sauntered into the room with his usual swagger, his presence exuding an air of mischief. I couldn't help but wonder what trouble he had gotten himself into this time, especially since his usual cohorts, Kent and Kenzie, were conspicuously absent.
"Where are Kent and Kenzie?" I inquired, breaking the silence that had settled between us. It was unusual for Sheldon to be alone, and their absence only added to the intrigue of the situation.
Sheldon merely shrugged in response, a nonchalant expression on his face. "I don't know. Probably bullying someone on the rooftop," he replied casually, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. It was a typical response from him, one that highlighted his penchant for mischief and disregard for the consequences of his actions.
As he spoke, a smirk played at the corners of his lips, his demeanor betraying a sense of satisfaction at the thought of causing trouble. It was a familiar sight, one that I had grown accustomed to over the years, yet it never failed to irk me.
My lips curled upwards slightly as I recalled the incident on the rooftop, where Sheldon had nearly crossed the line in his attempts to assert his dominance. The memory served as a reminder of the darker side of his personality, the one that reveled in the thrill of power and control.
"By the way, I didn't actually intend to drop him. Just messing around," Sheldon added casually, as if seeking to absolve himself of any responsibility for his actions. It was a feeble attempt at justification, one that fell flat in the face of his previous behavior.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his flippant remark, a wave of exasperation washing over me. It was typical of Sheldon to downplay the seriousness of his actions, to brush off the consequences with a carefree attitude. Yet, deep down, I knew that his words held a kernel of truth, a reminder of the dangerous game he played with the lives of others. And as much as I wanted to believe otherwise, I couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was never far behind when Sheldon was involved.
"Whatever you say" pinilit kong mag-focus sa ginagawa ngunit hindi ako nagtagumpay dahil sa ingay na ginagawa ni Sheldon. "Pwede bang sa labas ka na lang manood? Can't you that I'm painting?!" Iritado kong sabi sa kaniya.
Nakaupo siya sa silya at nakataas ang dalawang paa sa lamesa. Ang isang paa ay nakapatong sa isa pa at mukhang comfortable siya sa postura.
Tamad niya akong tiningnan, "Maingay sa labas"
"Kaya rito ka nag-iingay?" Mataray kong tanong
Hindi niya ako pinansin at nagpatuloy na sa panonood. Bumuga ako sa hangin dahil sa inis at padarag na dinampot ang brush. Naging maganda naman ang painting ko kahit na may istorbo sa paligid. Nakita ko lang ang sunset na 'to sa terrace namin. It was a breathtaking view kaya naisipan kong i-paint. I love sunsets, actually. It warms my heart everytime na nakakakita ako ng sunset.
"You're smiling like a witch"
My smile vanished when I heard someone speak. I took a deep breath, "Ugh, I didn't know there's a wandering ghost in this school."
"What did you say?" the person retorted.
"And it even talks," I said. I could see the annoyance on his face from my peripheral vision. I wanted to laugh because he looked irritated. Well, it's his fault for being here anyway. Sumandal ako, crossing my arms casually as I continued, "You know, it's quite amusing to encounter a ghost who not only wanders aimlessly but also has the audacity to engage in conversation."
Sheldon's gaze darkened further as he looked at me. "I didn't know a witch could paint," he remarked, and I shot him a glare.
"This is the first time you've realized it?" I retorted sharply, not bothering to hide the annoyance in my voice. It irked me how he always seemed to find a way to belittle my talents, as if being a witch automatically meant I couldn't excel at anything else.
But I wasn't about to let his snide comment go unchallenged. With a flick of my wrist, I gestured towards the canvas before us, where my artwork lay in all its intricate glory. "Maybe if you took the time to appreciate art instead of making ignorant assumptions, you'd understand that talent knows no bounds," I shot back, my words laced with thinly veiled disdain.
Sheldon's expression faltered for a moment, a hint of realization dawning in his eyes before he quickly masked it with his usual facade of superiority. "Well, forgive me for not realizing that a witch could possess such mundane skills," he quipped, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
I scoffed, rolling my eyes in exasperation. "You're impossible," I muttered under my breath, turning my attention back to my painting. I refused to let his narrow-mindedness dampen my spirits. If anything, his skepticism only fueled my determination to prove him wrong.
As I continued to work on my masterpiece, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that, despite Sheldon's doubts, I was capable of creating something truly extraordinary. And if he couldn't see that, then that was his loss.
"And did you just admitted you're a witch? Well, I guess you'd pass as a modern witch," he added.
Sa inis ko ay tumayo ako at handa na sanang ihampas sa kaniya ang paint brush nang bigla siyang tumayo at tumakbo papunta sa pinto. Huminto lang siya roon at natatawang tiningnan ako.
"Just go away!" Sigaw ko sabay bato ng paint brush ngunit hindi tumama iyon dahil mabilis siyang nakalabas. "He's always getting into my nerves"
Nang matapos ko nang i-finalize ang painting ay itinabi ko muna ito sa gilid at babalikan ko na lang mamaya kapag uwian na. Ayokong magdala ng mabibigat na bagay. Hassle para sa akin.
Inubos ko ang oras sa pagpipinta. Hindi ako pumuntang cafeteria ngayon dahil paniguradong nasa rooftop na naman si Rinoa at paniguradong makikita ko na naman ang babaeng anak ng gobernador na mukha namang espasol kung mag-makeup.
Tumunog ang cellphone ko kaya napahinto ako sa paglalakad. Agad akong pumunta sa gate para kuhanin ang in-order kong pagkain. I'm hungry now. Hindi ako nagpapalipas ng gutom kaya hindi ako sanay nang hindi kumakain sa tamang oras.
"Here. Keep the change, kuya" Sabi ko nang ibigay sa delivery rider ang bayad. Nagpasalamat naman siya at umalis na. Sa garden ako kumain dahil nga ayaw kong pumunta sa canteen. May thirty minutes pa naman ako bago magstart ang class.
I ordered pizza and lasagna because I'm on a diet and decided to skip rice for the meantime. As I took a bite of the pizza, I savored its delicious flavor, finding it immensely satisfying. Opting for a new flavor this time, I wanted to break the monotony of my usual orders. With each mouthful, I found myself nodding in approval, thoroughly enjoying the culinary experience.
The aroma of melted cheese and savory toppings tantalized my senses, making it difficult to resist devouring the entire slice in one go. Despite being on a diet, I couldn't deny myself the pleasure of indulging in such delectable treats. Besides, what harm could a little cheat meal do?
As I continued to savor each bite, I couldn't help but appreciate the subtle nuances of flavor that danced on my palate. It was a welcome change from my usual routine, injecting a sense of excitement into an otherwise mundane day.
With every slice I consumed, I felt a surge of contentment wash over me, momentarily forgetting about the restrictions of my diet. After all, life is too short to deprive oneself of the simple joys of good food.
In that moment, surrounded by the comforting aroma of freshly baked pizza and lasagna, I allowed myself to fully indulge, relishing in the sheer pleasure of each mouthful. And as I reached for another slice, I couldn't help but smile, knowing that sometimes, it's okay to treat oneself, even in the midst of a diet.
Nang matapos kumain ay iniligpit ko ang pinagkainan nang maayos at itinapon 'yon sa basurahan bago bumalik sa room. Naubos ko ang pagkain since small lang naman ang binili kong pizza. I'm so full right now.
Habang naglalakad ay bigla akong nakarinig ng malamyos at magandang boses nang madaanan ko ang music room. Napahinto ako at umatras para sumilip nakaawang na pinto ng music room.
I could only see the back of the man, his silhouette illuminated by the soft glow of the lights in the music room. His fingers delicately caressed the strings of the guitar, producing melodic notes that filled the air. As he began to sing, his voice, cool and mesmerizing, enveloped the room, captivating everyone within earshot.
Each strum of the guitar was calculated, every chord resonating with precision and emotion. There was a rawness to his performance, a vulnerability that drew the audience in, holding them spellbound with every word.
Occasionally, he would pause, his fingers stilling momentarily before he adjusted the tone and tempo, breathing new life into the lyrics. It was as if he was painting a masterpiece with sound, each brushstroke carefully crafted to evoke a myriad of emotions.
His voice soared and dipped, rising and falling in perfect harmony with the melody. It was a symphony of sound and sensation, a testament to his skill and artistry.
As I listened, I found myself lost in the music, transported to another realm where time stood still and worries faded away. The world around me melted into the background, leaving only the man and his guitar, weaving a tapestry of sound that was both hauntingly beautiful and utterly captivating.
And as the final notes lingered in the air, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe wash over me. For in that moment, I had witnessed something truly extraordinary – a performance that transcended the ordinary and touched my soul.
Ngayon lang ako nakarinig ng lalaking may ganitong boses. I wonder what he looks like? Pinilit kong tingnan ang mukha niya ngunit hindi ko talaga makita.
There's a rainbow always after the rain...
Hindi ko namalayan na nakahawak pala ako sa doorknob at bahagya ko itong natulak dahilan para lumuwag ang pagkakabukas nito. Nag-cause iyon ng ingay kaya huminto sa pagkanta ang lalaki at nang makita kong titingin siya sa gawi ko ay mabilis kong sinarado ang pinto at umalis doon.
Shit! Did he saw me? Gosh, bakit ba kasi ako nakahawak sa doorknob? Malalaki ang hakbang ko papunta sa room. That was embarrassing. What if he saw me? Pero nasara ko naman agad ang pinto. What if he didn't? I really hope so.
Habang nagtuturo si prof ay nagre-replay sa utak ko ang boses ng lalaki sa music room. Ang ganda talaga ng boses niya. Napapikit ako at inalala ang lalaki habang kumakanta. Sumasabay ang ulo at daliri ko sa bawat lyrics strum ng gitara. Sana pala ay ni-record ko iyon but that's against the law.
"Miss Davies?"
Take a little time, baby...
See the butterflies' colors
"Miss Davies, can you hear me?"
Mabilis akong dumilat nang marinig si prof.
"Ah..." Ngayon ko lang napansin na lahat pala ng classmate ko ay nakatingin sa akin, "What?"
"You're humming. Sinasabayan mo ang pagdi-discuss ko" sabi ni prof.
"I'm not humming" pagtanggi ko dahil hindi naman talaga.
"Yes, you are" sabi ng isa kong kaklase kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya. Pinakita niya sa akin ang cell phone niya at ni-play ang video ko na naghu-hum nga.
Napangiwi ako. I really did hum.
"Are you listening to music?" Tanong sa akin ni prof.
"No" nilagay ko ang buhok sa likod ng tenga para ipakitang wala akong earphones na suot.
Tumango lang siya at nagpatuloy na sa pagdi-discuss. I'm not listening to music but I'm listening to his voice. Itinuon ko na lang ang pansin sa board kahit na wala akong naiintindihan.
Bago ako umuwi ay pumunta muna akong music room para tingnan kung may tao ba. Nang makitang wala ay bahagya akong nakaramdam ng panghihinayang. Akala ko ay makikita ko siya rito. Bigla kong na-realize ang inisip. Wait, what? Who cares if he's not here? Mas maganda nga iyon.
Nilibot ko ang music room. Nakita ko ang piano na ginagamit ni Rinoa. Well, it's her own piano kaya siya lang ang gumagamit at wala nang iba. May violin, drums, bass and electric guitar, at kung ano-ano pang klase ng intruments. Nang makita ko ang nakapila na mga gitara ay lumapit ako roon. Hinawakan ko iyon isa-isa. Hindi ko alam kung anong gitara ang ginamit niya sa mga ito. I even strummed it.
Natigilan ako nang marinig kong bumukas ang pinto. Hindi agad ako tumingin sa likod. Is it him? No, right? Baka nakita niya ako kanina at binalikan ang room na ito dahil alam niyang babalik ako rito? What is it's him? What if it's not him? What am I thinking? Gosh.
"Niona?"
Mabilis akong humarap sa kaniya nang marinig ko ang boses niya.
Pinilit kong ngumiti, "Hey, what are you doing here?" I even forced myself to laugh.
Nagtataka naman akong tiningnan ni Rinoa, "What are you doing here?"
"Well..." nag-isip ako ng pwedeng sabihin, "Am I not allowed here?"
"Nope" aniya saka ipinatong ang bag sa lamesa at dumiretso sa piano niya. "It's unusual to see you here" nang sabihin niya iyon ay sinimulan na niyang magpiano.
Lumapit naman ako sa kaniya at sumandal sa gilid ng piano. "Why? I'm listening to music, too" I said at pinanood ang eksperto niyang mga daliri.
"Nakikinig ka ng music sa phone mo, hindi sa taong kumakanta in person" sabi niya na ikinatikom ng bibig ko.
She's right.
"By the way, may nakikita ka bang lalaking marunong kumanta at magguitar dito?" I asked
Huminto siya sa magpiano at tumingin sa akin.
"Niona, in case you don't know, this is a music room" She said, malayo sa tinanong ko.
"Yeah, I know, so what?"
tamad niya akong sinagot, "So, a lot guitar boys gather here to sing"
"oh..." Sabi ko nang ma-realize ang tinutukoy niya.
Huminga siya nang malalim at bumalik na sa pagpi-piano, "be specific"
"What do you mean?"
"Describe him"
Nag-isip ako, "Hmm, he has a good voice and..." wala na akong ibang masabi dahil ayon lang naman ang alam ko.
"And?"
"And I don't know his face. Hindi ko nakita yung face niya kanina" I honestly said.
I saw her grin, "Why are you suddenly asking me about a boy?"
Mataray ko siyang sinagot, "Because I'm curious about him."
she chuckled, "You know, curiosity leads to..."
Sinadya niya talaga bitinin ang sinabi.
"Leads to what?"
she just smiled, "Nevermind"
I rolled my eyes, "Ano na pa lang nangyari sa pagpunta mo sa rooftop?"
Huminto ang kamay niya sa pagpiano ngunit nananatili pa rin ang mga daliri niya roon.
"About that, they are kind"
Tumagilid ako ulo ko sa narinig at kusang nagkrus ang aking mga braso.
"They are kind, you say?"
Shr nodded.
"They're easy to get along with but I don't feel like being close to them"
"Oh" I said in a mocking sound, "Why not? They are kind, right?" I almost laughed.
Sinamaan naman niya ako ng tingin, "Because they are poor"
"Sus, you're just saying that because you don't want me to bully you" biro ko ngunit hindi naman siya natawa.
"Whatever. Aren't you going home?"
Nang tanungin niya iyon ay bigla akong napatayo ng maayos at tumingin sa relong pambisig.
"I should be home right now, bye" Maglalakad na sana ako paalis ngunit tumigil din ako at tiningnan siya, "What about you?"
"Later pa"
I nodded, "Alright" I said with an accent. Natawa naman siya nang marinig niya ang panggagaya ko sa boses niya.
Naabutan ko si Mommy sa sala pagkapasok ko ng bahay. Nagkatinginan kami ngunit agad din siyang umiwas at bumalik na sa ginagawa niya sa laptop na parang hindi ako bagong dating. I just shrugged it off because I'm used to it.
Imbes na sa kwarto ay sa kusina ako dumiretso. Nakita ko naman si Manang Vicky na may niluluto. Nang makita niya ako ay agad siyang tumigil sa pagluluto.
"Oh, dumating ka na pala. Nagkita ba kayo ng Mommy mo sa sala?"
Umupo ako sa upuan at inilapag ang bag sa katabing upuan.
"Yeah"
"Anong gusto mong kainin?" Tanong niya at binigyan ako ng plato at kutsara. Inilapag niya ang kanin at mga ulam sa lamesa.
Tumingin ako sa niluluto niya, "Anong niluluto mo, Manang?"
"Ah ayon, champorado iyon, pinaluto ng Mommy mo"
kumunot naman ang noo ko, "Champorado? At night?"
Ngumiti lang siya at inilapag ang baso na may juice para sa akin.
"Kain ka lang diyan, bumili ang Mommy mo kanina ng maraming pagkain" Aniya at bumalik na sa paghalo ng champorado.
Iba rin ang trip ni Mommy e. Mas gusto niya yata ang champorado sa gabi. Kumuha ako ng bacon at kare-kare. Gusto ko sanang kumain ng kanin kaso diet pala ako today.
Nang matapos kumain ay iniligpit ko ang pinagkainan at inilapag sa lababo. Huhugasan ko na sana iyon nang pigilan ako ni Manang.
"Ako na 'yan, magpahinga ka na sa kwarto mo"
At dahil tinatamad din naman akong maghugas ay tumango na lang ako. Inubos ko ang juice sa baso at inilapag iyon sa lababo bago lumapit sa kaniya para tingnan ang niluluto.
"Bakit color violet?" Tanong ko nang mapansin hindi itim ang kulay nito.
"Ang sabi ng Mommy mo ay gusto niya ng ube. Paborito niya 'yon, 'diba?"
Oh...I forgot
"Gusto mo bang kumain nito? Dadalhan na lang kita sa kwarto mo"
I shook my head, "No, I'm full."
Pagkalabas ko ng kusina ay nandoon pa rin si Mommy sa sala at tutok na tutok sa ginagawa. Nilagpasan ko lang siya at umakyat na sa taas.