She, Who Came Back (GirlxGirl)

III: Good-EVE-ning

Jason and Ella dealt with the girl back from the podium. Pinakausapan lang nila ito at walang hirap na naglaho ang babae. Ngumiti pa ito sa amin bago isang nakakasilaw na naman na ilaw ang lumiwanag sa rooftop. I wonder kung kami lang ang nakakakita non?

It was passed 7pm, uwian na, but I stayed behind para tumulong maglinis kasama ang mga janitors. Ngayon, kasalukuyang naka tinggala ako sa naka display na painting sa hallway malapit sa art club na myembro ako dati.

I smiled to myself habang pinagmamasdan ang painting ko. My signature was on the lower left, like the usual. I always put my signatures on every painting I make. This is my pride, my passion. My one of the few things that made me proud of myself. One of the few things I'm only good at.

Its been years since the last time I've held a brush. My hand was aching to hold one and get lost with the world I'm about to paint. I'm like that. When I paint I tend to blur everything and everyone around me.

"Ang ganda diba?"

My head whipped to my side. Eve was standing beside me, her eyes on the painting that hangs on the wall. There was a faint smile on her lips but her eyes were blinking back tears. I frowned.

Tumango lang ako at tiningnan ulit ang painting. It was black ang white. A hand was holding a heart. But the heart was chained up. I didn't know why I painted this back then. All I know is my heart felt like it was being squeezed yet there was nothing I could do but breath.

It was dark. But I guess it was a reflection of myself.

"Kilala mo ba ang gumawa niyan, ma'am?" I asked, testing the waters. I needed to know if she still remembers me.

"Elaine Ebañez," Eve whispered, and I almost didn't hear it.

"Elaine Ebañez," I repeated after her and cringed. My name is too girly for my own liking. "Is she your friend, ma'am?"

"No."

"No?"

"No."

Okay. I guess I can't be considered as a friend when my lips used to be on her neck. I mentally smacked myself. Too far. Too crude.

My eyes observed Eve's face. She went from looking solemn to having her face void of any emotions. Nakatingin parin siya sa painting and I peered to catch her eyes. I want her to look at me.

"Okay ka lang ba, ma'am?" I asked.

Finally, she glanced sideways and forced a smile. "Balak mo bang sumali sa art club?" She motioned for the paper in my hand.

"Ah, yes. I was about to turn it in. Hopefully makasali." I waved the paper between us.

Eve placed a hand on my shoulder and rubbed lightly. "Goodluck, Miss Santiago."

It was an innocent act, a teacher wishing her student a goodluck, but I can't help the goosebumps that runs in my arms the second her hand landed on my shoulder.

I tried to act as if I didn't just felt like I got electricuted and smiled. "Thank you, Eve." Her eyes went wide and my smile was wiped the moment I realized what I just said. I panicked.

"I mean, good-EVE-ning. Bye ma'am, see you tomorrow."

Nagmamadali na tumalikod ako at tumakbo palayo sa kanya.

"Wait. Miss Santiago!"

I turned around the corner and groaned to myself. How the hell did I let that name slip through my mouth! The sound of heels clicking against the floor made me run again hanggang sa nakalabas ako sa parking lot ng eskwelahan.