Hiding Behind the Lenses (Arte del Amor #3)

Chapter 10

The day started out fine. I was in a good mood, but I don't think I can say that now that I found out there's a project due this afternoon!

We were given two weeks to complete it, so that's basically fourteen days of making me forget about it! Hindi ko pa nasubukan na magpasa ng late, paano pa ang hindi talaga makapagpasa ng kahit ano?

It's just first period, and I have until lunch to finish it. I don't even know if I can do it! I'm not even going to take any course related to drawing, why the hell am I required to do something like this?

May usapan kami ni Nikolai na sabay magrecess, pero mukhang hindi ko siya masisipot dahil sa drawing na ito. I'll make sure to just say sorry later.

"Ngayon mo palang ginagawa? One week bago ko natapos iyan, may mga essential questions pa kasi sa likuran." one of my classmates said behind me, which didn't help at all.

Hindi ko siya sinagot at itinuon na lang ang buong atensyon ko sa kamay na nangangalay na dahil sa kapit ko sa color pencil na hawak ko. The fact that all my classmates are done with it and just enjoying their break added to the stress that I am going through.

Nakakainis naman. I hate that I can't blame this on someone else, that would be a lot easier! Kaso, kasalanan ko talaga, eh. I forgot about it completely.

I'm sure that my classmates have a group chat without me. Nakita ko iyon sa cellphone ng isa kong kaklase nang sumasayaw kami sa PE dati. I don't mind that, hindi ko rin naman sila kakausapin. Pero ngayon ko nakikita na baka makatulong sa akin iyon na maging maalam sa mga bagay.

I blocked out all the noise until all I hear are muffled, faint voices that didn't interrupt my concentration. It's supposed to be an impressionism artwork but with the way I'm doing it in a rush, all I can see is a elementary grader's work.

I'm just sketching it, pero ang pangit na! Paano pa kaya kapag kinulayan ko na? I can't even start imagining how much of a disaster that would be.

Napilitan akong itigil ang ginagawa nang dumating na ang teacher para sa pangalawang klase ko sa araw na iyon. We had a surprise quiz, adding fuel to the fire of all my frustrations.

What a bad day this has been. Hindi ko pa nakikita si Nikolai...

When lunch came, I accepted my fate. Hindi na ako kakain at gagalaw pa sa inuupuan ko nang hindi ko pa natatapos ito. Isang subject na lang, tapos subject na sa kung saan ipapasa ito. I have at least three hours before that. I should maximize that.

I was busy minding my own business when I felt someone poking my shoulder to get my attention. Marahas akong lumingon sa likod at tinarayan ang kaklase kong 'yon, "Ano?"

"May naghahanap sa'yo sa labas." I groaned in irritation, which immediately was replaced by some kind of positive emotion when I glanced at the doorway and saw Nikolai.

Nakasilip siya roon at nang magtama na ang mga mata namin ay nawala siya. I hurriedly stood up and went outside. Nakahilig siya sa barandilya at nakapamulsa.

His smile grew wider and wider as I made my way to close the gap between us, leaving only little when I stopped in front of him. Parang gumaan ang kanina ko pang nararamdaman.

Nikolai started to examine my face. Napanguso ako roon, gustong-gusto nang ikuwento sa kaniya ang pinagdadaanan ko ngayon. His smile faded because of that.