Milieu Euphony (In Act Series #2)

Phase 17

PHASE SEVENTEEN

THE ORIGIN OF THE DEAF

"You didn't respond when I asked you last night," bungad niya pagkalabas ng classroom.

I moved away from the entrance and went beside Michelangelo who was leaning at the wall. With the strap of his bag slung across his shoulders, he looked at me, his arms crossed.

Nagbuntonghininga ako at sumenyas na ayaw kong pag-usapan ang bagay na 'yon dito. Umalis siya mula sa naunang pwesto at mabilis na pumunta sa tabi ko, ang atensyon ay nakatuon sa 'kin.

"I don't know what to respond," I replied.

The truth was—I was confused about my reason for why I asked him the question, and about his reply.

Kasi bakit kung makaakto siya ay ako ang hindi nagpapapasok kung ang katunayan ay siya 'yon? He had been acting that this whole ordeal was all about me and my stubbornness, but was he unaware that he played a big role in this?

To begin with, he didn't want me to venture into his discipline, so I did everything just so I wouldn't get on his path. I resigned on being taught by his cousin, Giuseppe, but Michelangelo kept on getting on my path.

It should be enough reason for me to meddle with his, wasn't it? It was, but I tried to focus on my path, afraid that I'd be misled.

But there he was.

"At hindi ko alam kung bakit tinanong ko sa 'yo 'yon. I think it's a spur of a moment," pagrarason ko, nakatungo.

"I wasn't bluffing when I said that I could teach you in my studio." Hinarangan niya ang daan ko kaya napatingin ako sa kan'ya.

There was a strong emotion in his tone—determination, which was hard for me to disregard. His eyes weren't brooding too, rather, inviting which took me aback.

"Hindi ako kumbinsido," sagot ko.

Before I left without any reply, Michelangelo did tell me that he could teach me in his studio. Hindi ako naniwala noong oras na 'yon dahil akala ko'y pahabol lang para kumbinsihin akong um-oo.

But the truth was before me, so he meant it.

"Bakit hindi ka kumbinsido?" tanong niya, ang mata ay nangungusap.

I tried not to look at his now-hospitable eyes because it bothered me.

Hindi ako sanay sa kabaitang ipinakikita niya dahil tingin ko'y pagkatapos ng ilang usapan ay mawawala na agad 'yon. Hindi ko rin siya nakikitang nakikipagbati agad sa kaaway kasi alam kong iyon ang tingin niya sa 'kin.

O baka ako lang ang nakakikita no'n at iba ang trato niya sa 'kin?

Because from what he had said—everyone has different interpretations but does that apply to someone like me?

"I don't see you as someone welcoming." Nagpakawala ako ng hininga. "Nasanay ako sa kasungitan mo kaya naninibago ako sa kabaitan mo. Why would you teach someone like me, anyway? Hindi ka ba natatakot na baka manira lang ako sa—"

"Kung maninira ka, matagal mo nang ginawa 'yon."

Hinuli niya ang tingin ko pagkatapos ay hinawakan ang magkabilangbalikat ko. "Pero ilang buwan ka na rito? Mag-iisang taon na pero ni isang paninira, wala kang ginawa. That's why I trust you, Lael. I misjudgedyou pero kaya nga ako nandito, 'di ba? I want to open my doors for you because I want to know you."