Paint Me, Violet (Sanford Series #6) [Completed]

CHAPTER 11

MULA SA pagkatitig sa malaking painting na nasa kanyang harapan ay inanggulo niya ang kanyang ulo sa kanyang kaliwa upang tingnan kung sino ang taong tumabi sa kanya. Namilog ang kanyang mga mata at kahit na hindi siya nakatingin sa salamin ay alam niyang nagniningning ang mga iyon.

She was in awe while looking at his side profile. Hindi siya makapaniwala na nakikita niya ito ngayon sa malapitan, gusto niyang tumalon sa katuwaan ngunit hindi niya magawa dahil magmumukha siyang katawa-tawa.

He looks good at a close angle, his nose was sharp as well as his jaw. He had facial hair but not too exaggerated and his hair was long and was tied in a bun. His eyes were black and mysterious, they have always been mysterious, just like the owner. He was in his mid-forties, but he still managed to look good and a walking mystery. He was not only good-looking, but he also smelled good too.

"Lady Merideth."

Napakurap-kurap siya nang marinig itong magsalita at doon lang nahimasmasan dahil sa presensiya nito. Nakatingin pa rin ito sa painting na nakasabit sa dingding habang may naglalarong ngiti sa gilid ng mga labi.

She yanked her gaze away from him and centered it on the art piece in front of them. "She's beautiful," she commented when she redeemed herself.

"She was. She was the most beautiful girl in the barrio. Her hair was longer than the hays and the smoothest, as dark as her eyes. Her caramel skin was as soft as her smile. I remember her to be a lovely and nice lady."

Napangiti siya sa narinig mula sa magaling at kilalang pintor na nasa kanyang tabi. Tugmang-tugma ang inilarawan nito sa babaeng nasa painting. She was in the farm where farmers were planting rice on the background. May ngiti sa mala-rosas nitong mga labi, sa isang kamay ay may hawak na malaking sombrero gawa sa rattan habang ang isa pa ay nakahawak sa may kahabaang saya.

Hinahangaan niya ang pintor na gumuhit niyon mula pa man nang mamulat siya sa larangan ng pagpipinta. Si Pablo, ang lalaking katabi niya ngayon na hindi pa rin niya mapaniwalaan. Iyon ang unang beses niyang nakita ito ng personal, nakausap pa.

Hindi niya inaasahan na magpapartisipa ito sa exhibit na iyon at magdodonate ng mga paintings. Pablo had made a name for himself, he was one of the most important artists in the country who had received an enormous amount of recognition both inside and outside the country. He was a portraitist and was known for his illuminated landscapes that often portrayed traditional Filipino customs, culture, fiestas, and occupations.

Sa kabila nang natatanggap na rekognasiyon at papuri ay nananatili itong misteryoso sa publiko. He kept his private life private as possible, no one knew what his real surname was, he was Pablo all along. No known siblings and parents but it was rumored that he was from a struggling family from the countryside. Hindi rin ito madalas makita sa publiko, ayon sa artikulo kung saan pumayag ito sa isang panayam ay mas gusto nitong manatili sa loob ng bahay at magpinta kaysa lumabas.

She loved and looked up to Pablo as an artist. Hindi lang dahil magaling ito sa napiling larangan. Sa kabila ng katanyagan ay hindi nito nakakalimutang magbalik sa kapwa, tumulong sa mga nangangailangan at napapanatili ang mga paa sa lupa. Wala siyang nalamang nagmayabang o lumaki ang ulo nito dahil sa pagiging sikat na pintor.

Kanina nang ipinakilala siya rito ni Lian ay literal na naumid ang kanyang dila sa pagkamangha. Ilang sandali siyang tila nahipnotismo hanggang sa pukawin siya ng ngiti nito. Nang makabawi ay gusto niya itong yakapin at pasalamatan dahil sa pagbibigay inspirasyon sa kanya ngunit nakahiyaan na niyang gawin.

"I always love your painting," she said. "I love Lady Merideth," tukoy niya sa painting na nasa harapan. "I look up to you since I was ten, you were one of my inspirations and motivations when I entered art school... Thank you."