The Paintbrush Deal

CHAPTER 45

Puno ng tao sa paligid, at halos lahat ng tao ay may dala-dalang mga bagahe. It’s just a little past ten in the morning, and the December sun is currently shining in the sky. Despite the bright, sunny day, the weather is quite cool, thanks to the frequent breeze brought by the usual weather during this month of the year.
 
Yana Seleno is currently waiting outside her car just outside the arrival area of the airport. Nakasandal lang siya sa kotse niya at walang imik na naghihintay kagaya ng ilang mga tao sa paligid niya. Manaka-naka naman siyang tumititig sa phone niya, pero mas madalas siyang tumingin sa mga taong lumalabas mula sa airport.
 
All of a sudden, she straightened herself and took her sunglasses off. Her eyes also focused on a person that just appeared at the far end of the arrival area. The guy really stood out from the crowd, and even the people stared as he walked past them. He’s wearing a close-fitting inner shirt topped by a sleek leather jacket. The way he walked radiated with grace and finesse, and his gentle face looked just as bright and warm as the sun shining outside.
 
Yana smiled widely when the guy finally reached her.
 
“Well, look who’s here. Who would’ve thought that the awkward and goofy bowl cut kid would grow up to be a famous model in the US?” she said, opening her arms. “Also, it’s a little cold here in the Philippines, but it’s not that cold for you to wear something like that. You really stand out.”
 
The guy immediately approached Yana and hugged her tightly. “You’re always so strict, Yana. Give me a chance first to say that I missed you so much,” he said, his voice sounding just as soft and gentle as his face.
 
He then looked around the surroundings after pulling away from their hug. “It really feels great to be back. A lot has changed here, huh? Ilang taon na ba akong wala? You even look so different now.”
 
Yana headed straight to her car. “Let’s go. Mag-usap na lang tayo habang nasa daan tayong dalawa. A lot of people will be happy to see you, especially that bastard. I can’t wait to see his reaction once he sees you in that attire,” she said as she opened the door of her car.
 
She then glanced back at the newcomer before smiling lightly.
 
“Welcome back, Miles. Welcome back.”

● ● ●

Elio’s POV
 
Bumalik na kami sa bahay ni Skyler matapos ang Pasko. I have to prepare for the resumption of my on-the-job training, at kailangan na ring asikasuhin ni Skyler ang exhibit niya na ayon kay Kelly ay mangyayari in about a couple of months. Nangako naman kami na babalik kami sa bahay ng parents ni Skyler for New Year’s Eve.
 
Kahit babalik na kami sa usual naming mga ginagawa, hindi pa rin naalis sa isip ko ang muntikan nang mangyari sa ‘min ni Skyler noong Pasko. Hindi naman ako tanga para hindi ma-realize na muntikan na kaming maghalikan that time. Kung hindi lang talaga dumating si Kelly, malamang ay natuloy na ang halikan namin ng boss niya. I don’t know if we’re lucky or unlucky the Kelly barged in on us at that moment.
 
I tried my best to act like nothing happened, pero sa tuwing nakikita ko si Skyler ay parati kong naaalala ang muntikan nang mangyari sa ‘min. Sinubukan ko na lang na hindi ipahalata na lagpas na sa buong pagkatao ko ang kahihiyan na nararamdaman ko kapag nakikita ko siya.
 
“That smells good,” Kelly said as he entered the dining area. Buti na lang at dito pa rin siya tumutuloy sa bahay ni Skyler kaya hindi ko kailangang tiisin na mapag-isa kasama siya. Nandito rin siya para tulungan ang boss niya sa paghahanda para sa nalalapit nitong art exhibit.
 
“Patapos na ako rito. Just get some bowls and then we’ll eat,” sabi ko naman.
 
“Nasa workroom ba niya si Sir Skyler?” tanong ni Kelly habang kumukuha ng mga gamit sa isang cabinet.
 
Natigilan ako. “Yeah. He’s been spending a lot of time in his workroom lately. He’s probably getting serious about his exhibit,” I said, trying to sound as casual as possible.
 
Kelly stared at me for several moments. “I’ve been trying to avoid mentioning this, but you and Sir Skyler almost kissed that night, right?” he said in a low voice.
 
I flinched. “What are you even talking about? Like I said before, we were doing absolutely nothing. Ikaw lang ‘tong may makulay na imahinasyon,” sagot ko naman.
 
Kelly just smiled at me lightly. “Elio, you don’t have to hide it. I feel really bad that I barged in on you at that exact moment. Alam ko naman na nag-iba na ang trato niyo sa isa’t-isa. That’s even more true for Sir Skyler because I’ve known him for years. Kaunting pagbabago lang sa behavior niya ay napapansin ko na agad,” sabi niya.
 
“I know that you’re more than just a friend in Sir Skyler’s eyes. I mean, he looks at you the same way Mico looks at me. Ilang buwan na akong nagpapaka-third wheel sa inyong dalawa, kaya kabisado ko na ang timpla ng samahan niyo. It’s obvious that Sir Skyler has grown quite fond of you,” he added.
 
I sighed heavily and bowed my head low.
 
“Of course I know that,” I said quietly. “Hindi naman ako manhid o tanga para walang mapansin sa ‘ming dalawa. Tama ka rin sa hinala mo na muntik na kaming maghalikan noong gabing ‘yun.”
 
“Ano po ba ang nararamdaman mo para kay Sir Skyler?” tanong ni Kelly.
 
“I. . . don’t know. I mean, this is the first time in my entire life that I felt like this. It’s weird, it’s scary, it’s absolutely strange. . . Hindi ko naman alam kung ano ang gagawin ko. There’s a part inside me feeling happy that Skyler’s treating me really nicely. However, there’s also a part of me feeling apprehensive and uncertain. Paano kung ako lang pala ‘tong assuming? Paano kung ako lang pala ‘tong nag-iilusyon na may iba na sa ‘min?” sabi ko.
 
Ngumiti na lang si Kelly. “Seryoso ka ba? Ikaw na nga ang nagsabi na muntik na kayong maghalikan. Palagay mo ba susubukan kang halikan ni sir kung wala siyang nararamdaman para sa ‘yo? Again, it’s pretty obvious na hindi lang kaibigan ang tingin niya sa ‘yo, so I don’t really understand why you’re so afraid of admitting your true feelings.”
 
“Although, I also know what it’s like to be confused about your feelings. Ganyan din ang naramdaman ko noon kay Mico. Tinanong ko ang sarili ko kung worth it ba na maging kami, kung kaya kong tumaya sa kanya. I was afraid of getting hurt mainly because of Mico’s past. However, naramdaman ko na importante ako sa kanya. Mico made me feel that I matter to him, that he really cares for me. Eventually, my heart softened for him, and I took the risk. Tingnan mo kung nasaan na kami ngayon,” dagdag pa niya.
 
“What should I do?” I asked him.
 
“Well, it’s all up to Sir Skyler to man up and admit his feelings,” replied Kelly. “I mean, seriously, kung muntikan ka na niyang halikan, dapat umamin na siya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi ka pa rin niya kinakausap. Although, kasalanan ko rin naman kung bakit napurnada ang halikan niyo. I’m really sorry about that.”
 
“So I should just wait? Ano naman ang gagawin ko kung kausapin na niya ako?” tanong ko pa.
 
Kelly smiled at me warmly before tapping my chest. “Trust this, Elio. Trust your heart. I’m pretty sure na alam na alam na niyan ang sasabihin niya. Let me also use this opportunity to tell you that I’m happy for you. Sir Skyler is a good guy, and I know that he’ll treasure you just like how he values his paintings. Come here. I want to give you a hug.”
 
The two of us hugged each other tightly. “Pero seryoso, habangbuhay kong dadalhin ang nagawa  kong katangahan sa gabing ‘yun. Pasensya na talaga, Elio,” sabi bigla ni Kelly.
 
“Seriously, it’s fine. You don’t need to punish yourself for that,” I said, rolling my eyes.

● ● ●

Buong maghapon na nagkulong si Skyler sa workroom niya. When Kelly checked on him, apparently ay babad na babad sa pagpipinta ang tao. Hindi na lang niya ginambala ang boss niya lalo’t importante naman ang ginagawa nito. Nag-ayos na lang kami ni Kelly ng buong bahay lalo’t malapit na rin ang Bagong Taon.
 
“Mukhang kailangan kong umalis muna para mabigyan kayong dalawa ng privacy at space,” sabi ni Kelly habang nagdidilig kami ng mga halaman.
 
“Buong araw na lang natin na topic ‘yan. Hindi ka pa rin matunawan?” sabad ko naman.
 
“Masaya lang po kasi ako. I’m happy because you two are perfect for each other. Gustong-gusto ka pa nina tito at tita, including the kids. I’m pretty sure Tita Susan will explode with joy kapag nagkaaminan na kayong dalawa. I mean, kulang na lang ibugaw nila ako kay Mico. I seriously had to strongly convince them na ayaw ko munang magpakasal kay Mico. I’m pretty sure na ganoon din ang gagawin sa inyo ni Tita Susan,” paliwanag ni Kelly.
 
Biglang nag-init ang pisngi ko. “Don’t be too advanced. Besides, wala akong sinabing may gusto ako sa boss mo. Ang sinabi ko, wala akong ideya kung ano ‘tong nararamdaman ko. Don’t just jump to conclusions,” I said.
 
“Alam ko po ang nararamdaman mo,” sagot ni Kelly. “You’re in lo—”
 
Agad ko namang tinutok kay Kelly ang hose na hawak ko. “You saying something?”
 
Bigla na lang na may bumusina sa tapat ng gate ng bahay, sanhi para mapalingon kaming dalawa ni Kelly. Thinking that it’s just one of Skyler’s family members, agad naman akong nagpunta sa gate para pagbuksan sila. The car looked unfamiliar, though; and I just stared at it as it entered the yard and parked in the garage.
 
“Is that you, Kelly? You look so different now. How are you?”
 
Natigilan ako habang isinasara ko ang gate. Paglingon ko ay nakita ko si Kelly na yakap-yakap na ng isang lalaking nakasuot ng isang pulang sweatshirt. Nakilala ko rin agad si Yana na mukhang siyang nagda-drive ng kotse.
 
The guy suddenly turned around, and I immediately recognized his kind, gentle face. Despite his styled brown hair and striking facial features, I will never forget his innocent and smiling face that I’ve seen several months ago. I will never forget the face that served as the centerpiece of Skyler’s workroom.
 
“You should probably go inside. Susunod na lang po ako sa inyo. I think Sir Skyler’s in his workroom po,” dinig kong sabi ni Kelly.
 
Yana ushered the guy into the house. “Let’s head inside, Miles.”
 
My chest suddenly tightened so much that I felt like I was having a heart attack. I just stared blankly at the ground—numbed, deafened, and unsure about what to do. Tila nawalan ng lakas ang buo kong katawan, at ang kamay kong nakahawak sa gate ay lumungayngay na lang sa gilid ko.
 
Images of my past suddenly came rushing back into my mind. I remembered the night when I ran away from our house, when I escaped from the horrifying grasp of my stepbrother. The memory was immediately replaced by another one, when I ran away from Luke’s place to escape the same nightmares that haunted me in my old house.
 
Yeah. . . That’s right, my mind whispered. That’s the only thing you’re good at. You’re always running away. You’re always trying to escape. Sa tuwing may problema kang kinakaharap, walang kang ibang ginagawa kung hindi ang tumakbo palayo. You’re caught in that stupid, pathetic cycle.
 
My eyes suddenly fixed themselves on the road in front of the house. Nothing has changed in your life, Elio. Kahit kailan, hindi ka nagkaroon ng lugar kahit saan. You don’t belong anywhere. You will always be alone.
 
My feet suddenly moved on their own. As if fueled by some mysterious force, I just found myself walking away from the house, a place that suddenly felt so alien and unfamiliar to me.
 
You no longer have a place here, Elio. Run away.
 
“Where are you going, Elio?”
 
A gentle hand suddenly landed on my shoulder. Agad naman akong lumingon at si Kelly ang bumungad sa ‘kin. He was smiling at me gently, his face radiating with warmth that seemed to melt away the thoughts clouding my vision. Naramdaman ko rin ang pagkalma ng buo kong katawan.
 
“I’m here, Elio,” Kelly said, his smile widening. “You don’t have to do that anymore. After all, we’re both runaways. We don’t belong anywhere. We just happened to be lucky enough to be accepted by kind and generous people. Rejects will always be rejects, right? That’s the reason why we like each other so much.”
 
He then held my hand firmly before guiding me out of the gate. “Let’s go. I was getting hungry from working all day anyway. Let’s eat some street food!”
 
I just allowed Kelly to drag me away from the house, my eyes staring blankly at the empty space in front of me.
 
“Okay. . .”