Seeking Serendipity

Kabanata 15

Kabanata 15

Memorize

Alas siyete ng umaga ay naghanda na kami ni Laurence. I brought my drawing pad and put the drawing tools we need inside to my back pack. We have the plan to go to a beach. I rapidly pulled on my clothes at pumasok na sa comfort room.

I'm wearing a sweatshirt, jumper, and converse shoes. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I didn't even bother to brush my hair with a comb, my fingers would do. I pulled my hair into a braids. And then, I was good to go.

Lumabas na ako sa comfort room. As I seized my things, I heard Laurence yelled from the outside.

"Aleng! Speed up, I bought some breakfast for us!"

"Alright, alright!"

My phone cautiosly ring, kaya agad ko itong kinuha sa bag. The name of my mom flashed on the screen of my phone. Sinagot ko ito.

"Hey sweetie, how's the camp?" she automatically asked as I answered her call.

Napangiti naman ako. "Fine. It's fun. I'm learning a lot of things," I paused. "Kamusta na kayo diyan?"

Humalakhak naman ng mahina si mama. "We're okay naman, dapat nga ako ang magtatanong sayo niyan e. Kamusta kana with Laurence?" I barely imagined his teasing grin to me. Kahit hindi ko yun nakikita pero ramdam ko yun sa tono ng pagtatanong niya.

"We're doing fine. Actually, he helps me whenever he can. Masaya naman siyang kasama." sagot ko.

She let a loose of a loud guffaw, and it became from worse to worst. May nakakatawa ba sa sinabi ko?

"Ma," giit ko.

Tumigil naman siya sa pagtatawa at nagsalita, "Okay, sweetheart. I won't disturb you na. Goodbye at take care."

I bid a goodbye before she hang up the call. Narinig ko ulit na tinawag ako ni Laurence kaya agad ko nang kinuha ang bag at lumabas na. Paglabas ko sa room namin, ay agad kong nakita si Laurence na may dalang lunchbox. He's wearing his black overruns shirt, khaki short, and a black sandals. He brought his easel and a backpack kung saan doon nakalagay ang mga gamit niya sa pagpinta.

"Aleng, halika na at kumain na tayo," sambit niya nang nakita ako.

Bahagya akong ngumiti at tinulungan siyang dalhin ang lunchbox. "Huwag ka nang kumontra," I spat as I saw his eyebrow raised.

He chuckled. "Opo, Aleng."

I put the lunchbox to the table ganun din ang ginawa ni Laurence.

"Oh, wala na akong utang sayo Aleng ha." agad niyang sumbat nang binuksan ko ang lunchbox.

I rolled my eyes. Oftentimes, I end up frowning and Laurence would laugh at me. He would then place his arms on my shoulder, ruffle my braid hair. He's so close to me and this weird feelings occur again. I hate it! I was really getting self-conscious. Geez, where these feelings came from?

"Are you okay?" he asked in a serious tone.

Naiilang akong tumingin sa kaniya. "I am, why?"

"Namumula yung pisngi mo," he teased.

Mas lalo akong nailang sa sinabi niya. "A-Ang... baho mo kasi," palusot ko. I bared my teeth and my brows furrowed.

He examined hisself, and sniff his shirt and body. "Parang hindi naman Aleng ah," he stated as he keep on smelling hisself.

"Umayos ka na nga diyan at kumain na tayo!" I irritately said.

***

Now we're going to a beach to paint. Laurence wearing a refreshing smile as he saw the sun rises with a bright rays. Hindi ko maiwasan na mapatitig sa kaniya. I just like how his smile glows. Para talaga siyang araw.

We carried the things to the beach, with our easels and the wood foldable stool. I turned to him who is now serious by getting the supplies of art he carried from his bag. I didn't realize that I'm eyeing him for too long and he noticed that.

He beams. "What? Napo-pogian ka ulit sakin?" he said.

"Tch."

Humalakhak naman siya. "Ano nga yun, Aleng? May gusto ka bang sabihin?" he asked me now with a warm smile.

"Yeah, hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipinta lahat ng tuh," I admitted.

He chuckled on my odd statement "Woah, wait a second, do you feel inspired now?" he asked me again in an amused tone.

I formed my lips into a light smile. "Yes. The scenery is overflowing."

"Well that's good. Matatapos tuh natin nang maaga." giit pa niya.

"Will you allow me to paint you?" bigla kong tanong na siyang ikinagugulat nito.

"Why not? Ipapasa mo rin ba tuh sa kay Mr. Gomez?" he asked curiously.

I shook my head. "No, I will give it to you as a gift." A gift for being a good friend of mine.

He teased with a light grin, "If that's the case, I will paint you too. And let's exchange." masaya niyang sambit.

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. That's a good idea. "But for now let's focus on our by pair activity." I declare.

Tumango siya at inalagay na ang easel sa fordable stool at ang canvas. He started to sketch and me as well. Tinitingnan namin ang magandang tanawin sa aming harapan. I decided to paint this place with the sunrise. Laurence is so serious as he sketch the sea. And then I realized that only the art can make him serious and sober.

Inflaming his love towards art hits me different. He was filled of nostalgia.

I continued to sketch the splendid view infront of me. I truly appreciate the beauty of the sun.

"Look beyond the things you want and all the wishes need to flaunt," he said as he keep on sketching.

I know this poem. I smiled. "Take this as a new day in life, where you would smile all through the strive,"

He scanned my eyes with amazement. "You know that too?"

"Of course. Me and Sean used to memorize this poem during our primary life." nakangiti kong sagot.

"Me too, let's memorize it again." he suggested.

I chuckled a little. "Let's start of it's title,"

"Sure."

We looked to each other and mutter. "It's a bright and sunny day,"