Piece of Your Heart

CL.

INT. GALERIE OLYMPUS — EVENING

Leon is sitting in front of his two artworks which are positioned in the middle of the gallery as the main highlights of his exhibit. These are his current favorites—current because he knows he will have more; he will always have more with her as his inspiration, as his muse.

GALATEA
Ehem.

Leon turns his head after hearing her fake cough. She is wearing a simple black dress with her hair up in a simple ponytail and of course, her white sneakers... the only shoes where he doodled stars and the back design of the tarot cards that she is using.

He watched her as she walked towards him. There is really nothing extraordinary about her at first look—she is beautiful, yes, but nothing out of the ordinary. However, the way she makes him feel things with just a look, a smile, a touch... extraordinary.

GALATEA
Ako lang ang tao?

PYGMALION
Ikaw lang ang gusto ko na nandito.

GALATEA
Walang guests? Clients?

PYGMALION
Well, they don't know the true value of my artworks.

Galatea finally takes the spot beside him, leaving a little space between them. She gives him a confused look as his eyes never left her.

GALATEA
Bakit no'ng kausap kita kahapon, parang kailangan kong ihanda ang sarili ko?

PYGMALION
Kasi naisip ko, baka matakot ka, baka isipin mo na masasaktan ulit dito. I told you yesterday, right? I know you don't have a happy memory here. I also don't.

GALATEA
Dahil?

PYGMALION
Dahil dito kita unang nakita na naglalakad palayo sa akin. I don't like that. I don't like seeing you walking away from me.

GALATEA
Pero ikaw nilayasan mo ako no'ng una mo akong nakita?

Alam ni Leon na nagbibiro lang si Galatea sa sinabi nito. Sabay silang tumatawa habang simple niyang idinadampi ang kamay niya sa kamay ng dalaga na nasa maliit na espasyo sa pagitan nilang dalawa. Nakita niyang ngumiti si Galatea bago nito inangat ang ulo para tignan ang dalawang artworks na nasa harap nila.

PYGMALION
Had I known back then, I would've stayed. I would've brought my mom to Quiapo every single day just to see you.

GALATEA
Tinawag mo kaya akong 'fraud'.

PYGMALION
You called me 'hambog'.

GALATEA
Binigyan mo ako ng cheke, sampung libo.

PYGMALION
Your best friend threatened to 'barang' me.

Sabay silang ngumiti, hindi inaalis ang mga mata sa artworks na nasa harap nila habang inaalala kung paano sila nagbatuhan ng mga insulto noon... at kung paano sila umabot dito, mismo, habang magkahawak ang mga kamay nila.

GALATEA
Natapos mo na 'yung painting.

Sabay nilang pinagmasdan ang dalawang kamay na parehong may nakataling pulang tela sa magkabilang dulo ng mga daliri nito na ipininta ni Leon. Katabi nito ang unang imahe ni Galatea mula sa panaginip na ipininta rin niya at tinawag niyang "Tala".