Paint Me Like A Lover

00

"Hala ang ganda nito masyado! Baka hindi maniwala art prof ko shet."

"Do you want a do-over?" I offered kasi mukhang concerned talaga siya na baka hindi maniwala prof niya. Fair enough, sinabi naman niya sa akin na i do it on her level but she failed to explain her metrics so I ended up doing it my way.

She extended her arms to get a good look at the glass painting. "Hindi na pero I swear sobrang hater ng prof ko kainis. Anyway, thank you ha! Next time ulit."

Upon receiving the pay, naglakad ako papunta sa student lounge to eat my lunch. I had to pull an all-nighter dahil rushed yung commission kanina at hindi pa ako kumakain ng umagahan. I also needed to make some drafts for my figure drawing plate due tomorrow and draft another one for next week and may pending commissions pa ako. Well, shit.

Before I had the chance to complain about the workload I brought upon myself, nilabas ko na yung bento box na pinrepare ni Mama. It was such a privilege that I didn't have to put up with the canteen's expensive crappy food kasi masarap magluto ang nanay ko. Not to mention, very cute bento boxes!

Pagkaupo, sumubo ako ng dalawang omelette roll at inilabas ang sketchpad. I had no time to waste so I just started studying people's faces within my line of sight for some reference and then scribbled random facial features. The lounge was packed and busy so I took advantage.

I was already in a flow state when I caught on somebody staring.

Nangunot ako ng noo nung hindi siya natinag sa inuupuan niya ilang metro mula sa akin. Nagpatuloy lang siya sa pagkain ng burger niya with amusement all over his face.

"What?" I mouthed.

"What?" he mimicked.

The hell. Was he messing with me?

Pinagpatuloy ko ang pagdodrawing hanggang matapos ko. I was satisfied with how it turned out and thanked the cramming spirit that worked its magic again. Thirty minutes before class, inubos ko na yung natitirang pagkain at nilagay ang gamit ko sa pencil bag then to my tote bag.

"Hey."

I looked at the guy who was now carrying a duffle bag and a kicking paddle in his hand.

"Sorry, I was just messing with you earlier." he said, making a sign when another guy I assumed was his friend called him up.

I grabbed my pad and stood up.

"Weird that you find staring at people fun but okay."

I looked at my side only to see him following as I walked.

"For the record, and I think you haven't realized it just yet but you were staring at me for like a good thirty seconds and I was feeling petty so I got even."

Tumigil ako sa paglalakad. Was I?

"Atleast, I was not staring for the wrong reason." I retorted, thinking of showing him my pad pero wala akong energy for that so whatever.

"Figured." Tinuro niya yung pad na hawak ko. "Anyway, gotta go." he said and waved at me before jogging back to his friend.

After class, pumunta ako sa usually binibilhan ko na arts and crafts store para magrefill ng inks at bumili na rin ng another supply ng cartridge paper para sa plate mamaya. Actually, meron pa naman ako but I love getting my hands on new paper so there's that.

I ended up buying another pigment set a well.

Sale naman.

Maagang natapos sa trabaho si Mama pagdating ko sa bahay kasi nakasandal na siya sa sofa at nanonood ng tv. Mabilis akong kumain ng dinner na niluto niya at umakyat na.

"Ma, gagawa ako ng plate today. No barging in, please." I reminded her before closing the door to my room.

I had to tell her that dahil mahilig siyang magtanong ng mga random questions about internet and tv stuff and she'd always find the perfect moment to ask when I was in my flow state. And I knew very well what would happen if that flow state broke off. One reason why my first year as a fine arts student was such a disaster.

I began as soon as I set up my drawing table. I also made sure to put on a good music dahil hindi nakakastimulate ang tunog ng aircon. Pagkatapos ko sa plate, I set it up for a snap and posted it on IG. As much as possible, I put out everything I make kasi this will attract clients and more clients, more money and ultimately, more money, more art supplies. Yes, that's basically what I'm doing this all for.

Bumaba muna ako dahil nagtext si Mama na nagtimpla siya ng kape.

"Thank you, Ma." I hugged her from the back while she prepared the cup. Ginagawa niya 'to kapag alam niyang gumagawa ako ng plates kasi for sure, kailangan kong magpuyat.

"Hanggang 1 lang ha, Olivia. Ituloy mo na lang sa morning if hindi mo matapos. Ilang araw ka nang walang tulog sinasabi ko sa'yo." sermon ni Mama at kumuha ng gamot na iniinom niya bago matulog.

Pagkabalik ko, I was notified that someone messaged me on IG. I immediately recognized him in a taekwondo uniform from the display photo.

kielyoung: Hey

livpaints: hi you're here for a commission?

kielyoung: Uh no just wanted to apologize again. Sorry my bad.

I couldn't help but raise a brow. He didn't strike me as someone who would go out of his way to apologize for something as trivial and brief as what happened this afternoon. I kinda knew this guy and he was not particularly the one you would want to associate yourself with if he meant a different business.

I ignored the message and began drafting on my Ipad.

kielyoung: You don't entertain non clients here?

Yes, take the hint.

Ilang minuto after that message, minessage niya ako ulit, offering a lineart commission this time.

livpaints: my commissions are packed this week. sorry can't accommodate.

kielyoung: Can I be in the cut for next week? A friend said you're good and this one's a gift.

livpaints: sinong friend?

As expected, he stalled. I could see him typing and then disappearing.

kielyoung: Is that important?

livpaints: they vouched for me. i need to give thanks

kielyoung: Right I'll tell him :)

I figured he was lying so I just made the deal to get it over with. Pumayag siya na sa third week of the month ko mabibigay. I thought he would decline because it was supposed to be a gift and it needed not to take that long but whatever. I got another commission; that was the important part.

I continued my draft until I was done. Nasimulan ko rin yung isa kong painting commission. It was already past 2 so I finished my coffee and brushed my teeth.

After settling in the bed, I opened my IG to get back to my clients and updated them about the progress.

livpaints: i need the reference for the lineart thanks

He saw it as soon as I sent it. I rolled my eyes when he sent me a bed selfie.

kielyoung: shit wrong pic lol

Few minutes after, nagsend siya ng picture ng babae. If I had to guess, girlfriend.

After saving the picture, I closed the conversation immediately as I could.

I've had enough guys sliding into my dms to tell this one was no different.