A Spark in the Frost
"Anak, does going abroad ever cross your mind?" my papa asked me one time sa breakfast. I still feel conscious eating because of kuya Levi. Our interactions lately have levelled up and it's making me feel... things.
One time I accidentally slept over my assignment at the library and when I woke up there was a blanket draped over my shoulders... And it smells so much like him. It most likely came from him.
And in the late evenings, I sometimes find myself sitting in the living room, waiting for him to come home. Wow home! Bahay niya ba 'to?
But I do find myself waiting for him to come home from school. At some days he looks good, but often he looks worn out. It's likely that college is challenging for him. I've heard Civil Engineering is not easy. And it's also a five-year program, meaning may last year pa siya...
There are times when he offers to assist me with the projects and tasks I have to do for pre-calculus.
"And that's the standard deviation."
I wasn't looking at the paper, sa kaniya ako nakatingin. He looked back at me with his normal bored face.
"Eyes on the paper." Sabi niya, then he moved his pointer to my cheeks and tilted my head to face the paper.
I remember feeling so flustered by his touch. Na buong gabing nakangiti lang ako at minsan tumilitili.
Though, our conversations were shallow and nothing deep... those interactions are still making me feel so much foreign feelings.
I blushed while eating.
"Anak?" si papa ulit.
"Ah, oo, p-papa."
"Gusto mo?"
"Tsk, she can just study here, Abner." Mom shook her head.
What was the question again?
"Uh, ano po ulit 'yon papa?"
"Gusto mo bang mag-aral abroad?"
Oh, now to think of it. Studying abroad is a dream. I do want to study in Europe or States, though. I'm not sure, but either of the two, okay lang!
My gazes met Levi and he was also looking at me, as if he's waiting for my answer.
But... it's not also bad to stay, right?
"Pag-iisipan ko muna, papa."
Tumango si papa. My mom sighed, "Do you have a course in mind, hija?"
I shrugged, "I want to pursue fine arts."
Mama nodded, "Arts is nice, but choose a practical course. Besides, San Carlos is far."
"Mahal, arts is a good course. A lot of people are pursuing arts these days. Practical or not, let's support whatever she wants. If her target school is far then gawin natin ng paraan." My dad softly smiled at me.
My papa has always been so supportive of the things I love. I smiled back at him.
That day, wala kaming klase kaya naka tambay ako sa garden namin. I had my canvas and pain ready. Nakaharap ako ngayon sa mansion namin. I've decided to paint it while on a call with my closest cousin, Liza.
The sun wasn't hot enough to burn my skin, but it was bright enough to light up our mansion and the landscape around it beautifully with good colors and contrasts that I think would look good painted.
"Huy, bisita ka na dito."
"Yes, I will. Busy ako recently sa school, e."
"Sus! Excuse mo 'yan, tamad ka lang pumunta dito!"
