The Paintbrush Deal

CHAPTER 43

Katatapos lang ng dinner namin. Habang abala ang lahat sa living area, lumabas naman ako ng bahay para magpahangin. I found a nice spot in a garden, so I just sat on a bench and enjoyed the cold and silent evening. Kasalukuyan akong nakatingala sa langit nang biglang may tumabi sa ‘kin.
 
“Bakit ka nandito? Lalamigin ka. You should be inside,” sabi ni Skyler.
 
“It’s a little rowdy inside the house. Maganda rito kasi tahimik,” sagot ko naman.
 
Skyler didn’t say a word. Maya-maya pa ay naramdaman kong bumalot sa kamay ko ang kamay niya. He then placed our interlocked hands over his lap as he looked up and gazed at the stars. I just rolled my eyes and pretended that I didn’t notice anything.
 
“By the way, I’m sorry kung wala akong regalo sa ‘yo,” sabi ko makalipas ang ilang saglit. “I literally spent the past few days thinking about a gift that you’d like. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to think of anything to give to someone like you, a person who has everything that he wants.”
 
Skyler chuckled. “Nah. It’s okay. I’m not a little kid anymore. Also, just because I’m rich doesn’t mean I already have what I want. I still have dreams, for your info,” he said.
 
I raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
 
“Yeah. Gusto ko ring magkaroon ng museum kung saan nandoon ang lahat ng artworks ko,” sabi niya.
 
I stared at him with utmost contempt. “That absolutely makes sense. Lahat talaga ng tao nangangarap na magkaroon ng sarili nilang museo. Sa ‘min kasi, ‘pag sinabi mong pangarap, it usually means ordinary achievements like getting rich or getting your dream job. Wala sa ‘ming humihiling na maging display sa kung saang exhibit,” singhal ko sa kanya.
 
Tumawa na lang din si Skyler. “Sorry. I was just trying to make you laugh. I have a terrible sense of humor,” he said.
 
“Buti alam mo,” sabad ko naman.
 
I heard him sigh as he tore his eyes away from the sky and looked at me. “Actually, I still have little wishes in life that I also want to come true,” he said quietly.
 
“Like what? Travelling back in time to meet Da Vinci?” I said.
 
Skyler chuckled. “Not really. Well. . . A few days ago, I actually wished that a particular someone would attend my birthday today. I think that was the first time ever that I actually wished for something for my birthday.”
 
Natigilan ako. “Natupad naman ba?”
 
Skyler squeezed my hand. “Yes. The person is actually sitting beside me right now,” he answered, his hazel-brown eyes locking onto mine.
 
I immediately looked away as my heart nearly jumped into my throat. “Pinapakonsensiya mo ba ako dahil wala akong regalo sa ‘yo?” sagot ko naman.
 
“Of course not,” Skyler replied. “Sinabi ko na nga na okay lang kahit wala akong regalo. Masaya na ako na nandito ka ngayon. I couldn’t ask for more, really. In fact, I’m really grateful that you’re here. I’m already so happy because you’re with me.”
 
Hindi ako sumagot.
 
“Actually, Kelly told me just a while ago na naghanda raw kayo ng cake para sa ‘kin,” sabi niya makalipas ang ilang minuto.
 
Natigilan ako.
 
“Well, yeah. Kelly and I did prepare a cake for you,” I said in a low voice.
 
“Where is it? Bakit hindi mo dinala?” tanong ni Skyler.
 
I rolled my eyes. “Hindi ka pa ba kuntento sa cake doon sa loob? I didn’t bring it dahil baka mamatay na tayo sa diabetes. Just eat it tomorrow. Hindi ka pa nga natutunawan,” sabi ko.
 
Bigla na lang na tumayo si Skyler sabay hatak sa ‘kin papunta sa gate.
 
“Where are we going?” gulat kong tanong habang nakasunod sa kanya.
 
“We’re going home. I can’t possibly end my birthday without eating that cake,” Skyler said as we exited the gate.
 
I stared at him in disbelief. “Seryoso ka? Hahanapin ka ng mga tao rito, ulol. Ano na lang ang iisipin nila kung malaman nilang umalis tayo? They’ll look for us!” I said.
 
To my surprise, Skyler looked back at me with a sly grin on his face. “Then they’ll probably think that we went off somewhere to have fun. Besides, isn’t this thrilling? It feels like we’re runaways,” he said.
 
I just looked down and tried to hide my face as a burning sensation spread across my cheeks. Hindi na ako naka-imik pa habang hawak-hawak ni Skyler ang kamay ko. To my surprise, isang kotse na ang naka-park sa kabilang side ng kalsada sa harap ng gate ng bahay nila. Kelly was already waiting for us with a wide smile on his face.
 
“Sorry. Sayang naman kasi ‘yung cake na hinanda natin,” sabi sa ‘kin ni Kelly. “Have fun, you two. Ako na lang ang bahalang magsabi sa iba na umalis kayo. Happy birthday again, sir!”
 
He then hugged the two of us before dashing towards the house. Pagkapasok ni Kelly sa gate ay bumaling naman ako kay Skyler na binuksan na ang pinto ng kotse para sa ‘kin.
 
“Let’s go?”
 
I rolled my eyes before entering the car.
 
It’s a little late in the evening already, at hindi na gaano karaming mga tao o sasakyan ang nasa labas. Despite the much more spacious streets, hindi mabilis ang pag-drive ni Skyler. In fact, tila sinusulit pa niya ang oras na nandito kami ngayon sa kotse niya. Tumanaw na lang ako sa labas ng bintana para maiwasan na makipagtitigan sa kanya.
 
“Ano ba’ng flavor ng ginawa niyong cake?” tanong sa ‘kin ni Skyler.
 
“It’s just an ordinary black forest cake,” I said. “Nothing special. Ayoko namang walang maibigay man lang sa ‘yo sa birthday mo kaya ‘yun na lang ang ginawa ko.”
 
“Black forest is actually my favorite,” Skyler replied.
 
Yeah. Kelly told me that, bulong naman ng utak ko. Malamang aalamin ko kung ano ang paborito mo.
 
Hindi nagtagal ay nakarating na kami sa bahay ni Skyler. Agad naman akong dumiretso sa kusina para ilabas ang cake mula sa ref.
 
“Do you want some coffee? Magtitimpla ako para sa ‘tin?” I asked Skyler as he ate a cherry from the cake.
 
“Sure. Uh, do you want to eat this upstairs? Doon tayo sa balcony. Gusto kong magpahangin nang bahagya lalo’t medyo malamig din tonight. Okay lang ba?” tanong niya.
 
“Fine. Go ahead. Just wait for me there,” I said before turning my attention to the coffee maker.
 
Habang hinihintay kong mapuno ang mga tasa namin ni Skyler ay naka-receive ako ng text mula kay Kelly.
 
Well, nasabi ko na po sa mga tao rito na umalis kayo. Enjoy the cake. Have fun po! We’ll see you tomorrow. ‘Wag ka pong mag-alala at matinong tao si Sir Skyler, unlike kay Mico na. . . well, alam mo na.
 
I just rolled my eyes before pocketing my phone. Pareho lang kayo ng boyfriend mo.
 
Naghihintay na sa ‘kin si Skyler sa open space pagkaakyat ko sa taas. May tig-isang slice na rin kami ng cake. Ibinigay ko naman sa kanya ang isang tasang kape na hinanda ko. I glanced at Skyler for a moment as I sat on the seat in front of him.
 
“Uh, happy birthday ulit,” sabi ko. “Sana magustuhan mo ‘yan na cake.”
 
Skyler smiled at me. “Of course I will.”
 
Hindi na muna ako kumain at hinintay ko muna siyang makatikim ng cake. I absolutely have no idea how to bake a cake, kaya nagpatulong ako kay Kelly na may kaunting alam. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung ano ang lasa ng ginawa namin ni Kelly.
 
“You should’ve just told me na gagawa ka pala ng cake,” Skyler said after eating his entire slice. “We just wasted money on that one that we ate earlier. This tastes so much better.”
 
“Are you sure you’re not telling me that to make me feel better?” I asked him.
 
“Why don’t you have a taste? You’re always so doubtful of other people,” he said.
 
I just rolled my eyes before eating my own slice. Well, it tastes like a cake. At least I didn’t mess up the one thing that I was able to give to Skyler. Nakakahiya naman kung ang pangit ng lasa nito lalo’t ito na nga lang ang nakayanan kong ibigay sa kanya.
 
“It’s the end of the year,” Skyler said as he took another slice. “You’re graduating in three months. Ano na ba ang plano mo? By this time next year, malamang matatanggap mo na ang unang 13th month pay mo.”
 
“Hindi ka naman excited, ano? Well, my plan has always been the same. I will try to find a job as soon as possible, and then I’ll work my way up from there. In five years or less, dapat makaalis na ako sa bansang ‘to. Hindi ko pa alam kung saan ako pupunta, but I’ll just figure it out along the way. Sa ngayon, kailangan ko munang mag-ipon ng maraming pera,” paliwanag ko naman.
 
“Talagang desidido ka nang umalis ng bansa?” tanong ni Skyler.
 
I nodded. “Wala naman akong rason para manatili rito. I don’t know. I just really want to start a new life out of this country. Maybe it really is my destiny, to leave this country and start a new life somewhere else. I really can’t picture myself growing old here,” sagot ko.
 
Skyler sighed deeply. “Maybe you just want to travel. Baka bumalik ka lang naman dito matapos ang ilang taon. There’s no place like home. I can tell you that dahil naisipan ko na ring hindi umuwi rito matapos kong makapagtapos sa art school,” sabi niya.
 
“Nah. Wala naman akong babalikan rito,” I said, shaking my head. “Well, malamang bibisita ako rito para tumulong sa mga batang kagaya ko. Once I’m rich enough, saka ako rito babalik para tulungan ang mga batang dumaranas din ng pang-aabuso at kahirapan. I don’t want anyone to experience the same hell that I endured during my younger years.”
 
Skyler stared at me intently for a few moments, his hazel-brown eyes piercing right through my soul. I just found myself averting my gaze from him. Ever since I met Skyler, I’ve always found it hard to look at him right in the eyes.
 
“Palagay mo ba sasaya ka kung makapagsisimula ka ng bagong buhay sa ibang bansa?” tanong niya.
 
I sighed. “I think so. Sa ngayon, ‘yan ang dinidikta ng puso ko. ‘Yan ang gusto kong gawin. I really think that’s going to make me happy. People always say that you should trust your instinct, so I’m trusting mine with this one. Besides, I already learned my lesson several years ago. Hindi ko na ulit daranasin ang impiyernong dinanas ko noon.”
 
Skyler finally tore his eyes away from me. He looked like he was about to say something, but his lips just curved into a lifeless smile. His hand also rested on top of mine, giving me the familiar warmth that has always comforted me.
 
“If that’s what makes you happy, then I’ll support you. At the end of the day, it’s all about your happiness. Makita lang kitang masaya, masaya na rin ako. You have my full support, Elio,” Skyler said.
 
I smiled at him faintly. “Thank you.”
 
Matapos naming maubos ang cake ay ako na lang ang naghugas ng mga pinagkainan namin. Dahil malalim na ang gabi, dito na lang kami matutulog at hindi na kami babalik sa bahay ng parents niya.
 
Katatapos ko lang na makapaghilamos at makapagsuot ng pajamas ko nang may kumatok sa pinto ng kwarto ko. I opened the door only to be greeted by Skyler who was also wearing his pajamas and carrying a couple of pillows.
 
“Can I sleep here?”
 
Bigla na lang na nag-init ang pisngi ko.
 
“What?”
 
“I want to sleep here,” Skyler repeated.
 
“Why?”
 
“Just because,” he said. “Besides, we’ve slept together before, so this shouldn’t bother you. Let’s just say na hiling ko na ‘to sa ‘yo lalo’t wala ka namang regalo na ibinigay sa ‘kin.”
 
“You just told me na ayos lang sa ‘yo kahit na wala kang regalo, tapos ngayon sasabihin mo sa ‘kin ‘yan? Ginagawa mo ba akong tanga?” singhal ko sa kanya.
 
“Well, this is just a tiny wish. It’s not like I asked you something really difficult to do,” Skyler mumbled, looking like a kid who’s been denied a candy.
 
I just rolled my eyes before throwing the door open. “Get inside, you jerk.”
 
Within moments ay nakahiga na kami sa kama. Nakatalikod naman ako kay Skyler dahil hindi ko maatim na harapin siya. Despite our distance from each other, I could still feel his warmth on my back.
 
“Hey, Elio.”
 
“What?”
 
“Face me.”
 
“I don’t want to.”
 
“Why?”
 
“Just because.”
 
Skyler sighed. “Kung hindi mo ako haharapin, yayakapin na lang kita,” sabi niya.
 
Mabilis pa sa alas kwatro na umikot ako, pero laking gulat ko na lang na halos katabi ko lang pala si Skyler pagharap ko sa kanya. Bago pa man ako makagalaw ay hinatak pa niya ako palapit.
 
“This feels so much better,” Skyler said, my face only inches away from his.
 
“Alam mo, bwisit ka,” singhal ko naman sa kanya.
 
Tumawa na lang siya nang marahan. “It’s my birthday, so pagbigyan mo na ako.”
 
“Oo na lang,” sagot ko naman.
 
Skyler smiled at me lightly. “Thanks again for today. I want you to know that you made me so happy. This is easily my best birthday in my entire life. Thank you so much, Elio.”
 
I looked away. “I didn’t even do much, so I don’t even know why you’re thanking me,” I said.
 
“Kagaya ng sinabi ko, masaya na ako na nandito ka. You don’t even have to do anything to make me happy. Your presence alone is enough to lift up my mood and brighten up my day. After all, your name literally means the sun,” Skyler replied.
 
“At gabi po ngayon. Walang araw kaya matulog na tayo,” sabi ko sabay pikit sa mga mata ko.
 
Nagkunwari akong natutulog na para hindi ko na siya makita at makausap pa. Unfortunately, hindi ako agad na nakatulog. I still tried my best to pretend that I’ve already fallen asleep.
 
For some strange reason, pakiramdam ko ay gising pa rin si Skyler at nakatitig lang siya sa ‘kin. My suspicion was confirmed when I suddenly felt a kiss on my forehead. Halos tumalon ako sa gulat dahil sa ginawa niya, pero nagpigil pa rin ako ng sarili ko dahil mas magiging awkward lang ang sitwasyon kung mumulat pa ako.
 
After kissing my forehead, I felt Skyler pulling a blanket over us. His arm also wrapped around my body as he pulled me closer to him, my face resting against his chest.
 
“Good night, Elio."