Hues of an Abstract Mind (Arte del Amor #4)

Chapter 17

"Missy? The one who painted that new thing on Mom's wall?" tanong ng kapatid ni Sean nang nanatili ang tingin niya sa akin.

My face heated up, I felt shy all of a sudden, knowing that he's seen one of my works. My reaction gave my answer away, obviously.

"It was really beautiful. Nice work." Napangiti ako agad dahil sa puri niya. Iminuwestra ni Sean ang daan papunta sa mga pinsan niya kaya nagtataka ko siyang tiningnan.

"You may want to meet the others. They could come off as intimidating but I promise, they're kind." natatawa niyang sabi.

Tinulak ako ni Ciana para mauna akong maglakad at para makalapit na kami. Bruhang 'to. 'Di porket may iilan pang pogi doon!

They were kind, indeed.

Their presence is somehow too much for one person to carry around, but they knew how to smile and make someone comfortable even with their strong presence. They aren't snobs.

"Ang saya naman siguro na maraming pinsan." sabi ni Ciana.

Offended, I scandalously turned to look at her, "Are you not happy with me?"

"Pwede na."

What a gaga.

One of his cousins named Yvan excused themselves, saying they'd be resting inside their villa for the rest of the day with everyone else. Mukhang pagod sila kaya naintindihan namin. Nag-island hopping pala sila noong umaga kaya ganito na lang sila kapagod ngayon.

"Kayo? Hindi kayo sasama sa kanila?" tanong ko sa magkapatid na Nepomuceno. Mukhang pagod din si Quentin tulad ng iba pero mahigpit ang akbay sa kaniya ng kuya niya kaya hindi siya nakasama.

Umiling si Sean, "Nope. What are your plans for today?"

"I kinda want to swim, pero masyadong masakit sa balat ang tirik ng araw." sagot ko. Ciana agreed with me. We agree sometimes, surprisingly.

Sean pointed in one direction, towards the shore. "See that? May lilim sa mga puno. Hindi makakalangoy, syempre, but we could do something else."

I followed it with my sight and I saw that there is indeed a large and wide part of the beach that couldn't be reached by the sun. It's farther from the water compared to the other parts, but it's the best option for someone who doesn't want a sunburn.

"Looks good to me. Tara!" sabi ko dahil nakaka-engganyo ngang magpunta roon.

Ciana and I were about to leave the borders separating the beach from our resort when Sean stopped us.

"Anong problema?"

"Where's your villa? We have to ask permission from your parents."

Eh? Hindi ba pwedeng umalis na lang kami nang basta-basta? Tumawa si Cian, "Yeah, right. Kailangan natin ipagpaalam si Missy. Her mother's really strict, you know?"

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, Sean. Goodluck dealing with Tita Eliza."

Nagtinginan si Quentin at Sean. Sabay silang nagkibit-balikat, tila nagkakaintindihan sa pamamagitan lang ng tingin.

Is that a brother thing?

I experience that telepathy thing more with Ciana that I do with Ate Sydney.

"Let's give it a try. It's worth a shot. We can't just leave without them knowing." Sean smiled at me. Umiwas ako ng tingin dahil nakakahiya na naudlot pa ang pagpunta namin doon para ipagpaalam ako...

Ako lang muna ang pumasok sa villa namin at nahanap ko si Mama sa second floor, nagkukulot ng buhok. Maganda and mood niya dahil ka-kuwentuhan niya si Tita.