Milieu Euphony (In Act Series #2)

Phase 30

PHASE THIRTY

THE WORLDLESS GUILTY

The painting was devoid of emotions.

Was this what it felt like to paint while confused?

"Magaling ba talaga si Tres?"

I discreetly sucked a deep breath when I heard Versechia's voice. Next was her footsteps, an indicator that she was walking towards my position.

I was at the painting area of The Raison which I mindlessly visited. I think it acted as a place of guidance ever since I got lost and confused a few days ago. Everything was at its highest peak anyway, that's why it was hard for me to focus.

So, The Raison, there it was.

Tres Lagdameo's black painting, there it was—which I believe was created before he could even burn his paintings back at their mansion.

I felt the overwhelming sense of guilt when she finally took her space beside me, her eyes on Tres' painting. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin at ano ang hihingan ng paumanhin, kaya imbes na magpakapipi, sinubukan kong magsalita.

"They said that he's a good painter, but I wasn't interested in anything aside from sculpting so I can't say everything about it," sagot ko, kinabahan nang maramdamang lumipat ang tingin niya sa 'kin.

"Gusto mo ba talaga r'yan?"

Nahigit ko ang hininga. "S-Saan?"

"D'yan. Sculpting. Kasi tanda ko, noong bata tayo, iba ang ginagawa mo noon. 'Yun yata 'yung time na nagpa-piano ka? Hindi ko na tanda, eh. Ang tagal na rin kasi..."

The melancholy in her tone lingered in my ears. All it ever did was intensify the guilt and regrets that accumulated in the pit of my heart.

Nahihirapan akong huminga. "I'm still not sure..."

She nodded and looked back to the painting. Tsaka ko lang naayos ang hininga nang hindi na maramdaman ang bigat ng tingin niya sa 'kin.

Her presence reminded me of Tres Lagdameo—directed, and at the same time, people who were satisfied with their passion. They knew what they wanted and were able to fulfill the objectives that appeared on their paths. They could put anyone to envy because how could anyone have this much passion when someone was dying to have an ounce of it?

"What made you stay?" tanong ko, naninimbang habang unti-unting iniintindi ang daang tinatahak.

Nang tinagpo niya ang tingin ko ay nagpatuloy ako. "What made you choose singing and not other disciplines? Theater acting, dancing, visual communication... What's special about singing that made you stay?"

Versechia's eyes always appeared to be strong and determined.

When we were young, I have known her as a child who was very outspoken. She was always the one who tried to made amends, and if there were any misunderstandings, she'd talk about it and try to fix it.

She was the first person that I met who was directed before I could even realize that I was lost.

Which meant that her words always mattered, and I just realized that it's what I wanted to hear.

Pinaingkitan niya ako ng mata. "'Yan lang ba ang itatanong mo sa 'kin?"

Napalunok ako dala ng kaba.

"Ni hindi ka man lang mangungumusta kung ano ang nangyari sa 'kin? Do you know how much pain I had to get through when you left right after Lavien left? Bakit gano'n, Lael? Bakit parang balewala lang sa inyo ang pinagsamahan natin?"