Gone Forever (1/4)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

A week had passed but his words lingered on my head. It was a more favorable response. Dean and him said the same thing but Miko had a firm plan. That's why.

Today's the foundation day of our university. Pagkatapos ng opening program, karamihan sa mga estudyante ay pumunta na sa mga booth ng iba't ibang colleges. I also went on a stroll and peaked on every booth.

"Da! Come here sa booth namin."

I saw Yela in front of their booth. There was a signage that read 'Portrait for a Cause' beside her. She waved at me and gestured me to come closer. So I went.

"Magpapagawa ako ng portrait kung ikaw ang gagawa," bungad ko sa kaniya.

"Too bad, may naka-assign na seniors, Da. Pero can you still have one? All of the money that will be raised will be donated to a Bahay Ampunan."

Gusto ko rin naman talagang magpagawa ng portrait at makatulong. Tumango ako bilang sagot. Yela hugged me in joy.

Kinuha ko ang telepono ko para maghanap ng litrato.

"We're doing a live portrait drawing, Da. Fast sketch."

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa gulat. Architecture students must be really talented at drawing.

"Okay." Ibinalik ko ang telepono sa bag. "Saan ako pupwesto?"

"Tara sa loob."

Sumunod ako sa kaniya.There were a total of five drawing stands inside their booth. Dalawa sa limang artist ay abala na sa paggawa ng portrait ng customer nila.

"Kuya Derek, draw a portrait of my friend, Dana."

Lumingon ang lalaking may blond na buhok at ngumiti.

"Halika," anito at inayos ang upuan sa harap. Nilingon ko si Yela bago umupo roon.

"I'll just be outside, Da."

"Okay, bring more customers."

Ibinaba ko ang bag na dala at hinarap ang student artist na guguhit sa larawan ko. I was about to ask him how should I pose but someone called him.

"Derek, si Henry na ang gagawa sa portrait niya," sabi ng kadarating na lalaki.

"Nakapwesto na siya, oh," aniya at binalingan ako.

The other person didn't respond but it seemed like he gestured something based on the puzzled expression of the artist in front of me. He nodded in the end as if he realized something. He looked at me and said that Henry will be doing my portrait.

He took in another customer and began drawing her shortly. However, the Henry guy that will going to do my portrait hasn't arrived yet. Am I less important than the other customers? May libre pa namang isang artist pero bakit walang gustong gumawa sa portrait ko? I was ready to leave the place when someone took the seat in front of me.

Mabibigat ang paghinga nito. Halatang dumaan sa mahaba-habang pagtakbo.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," anito at muling humugot ng malalim na hininga. "Shall we start?"

"You can take a quick rest po muna."

Umiling ito bago ngumiti. "I can manage."

Tumango na lang ako. "Paano po ang pwesto ko?"

"Face slightly to your right."

Sinunod ko ang sinabi niya.

"That is your best angle," anito at ngumiti.