YuanFen

Chapter 3

Akira

"Are you really sure that you don't want to show your face on the crowd?"

Mula sa pinaghahalong mga kulay sa palette na hawak ko ay napaangat yung tingin ko sa art dealer ko. "I'm sorry?"

"I'm getting offers, Aki." Huminga ito ng malalim. His hands were obviously shaking as he carelessly rub his right eyebrow. "Everyone is intrigued to meet Ark. You're obviously creating a space for your alter self in the art industry. Halos lahat gustong makilala kung sino yung painter ng mga paintings na dinadala ko sa exhibit. I have been receiving bribery just to spill any details about your whereabouts. Don't you want to consider that?"

Dumiin yung hawak ko sa brush. Sa sobrang diin ay pakiramdam ko kayang kaya ko na iyong putulin sa pagitan ng mga daliri ko.

"Why? Aren't they happy with the art?"

"No... No.." Mabilis na umiling si Carlos at lumapit sakin. Pero kusa din na huminto ng mapagtanto na hindi ako kumportable sa presensya nito. "I'm sorry." mabilis na hingi nito ng paumahin.

Tumango lang ako. I am not taking it against him. He is one of the people I fully trust.

Carlos immediately picks on where he left off as he continued on what he was saying. "Contrary, they are quite pleased of your artworks that they want to meet you personally to express their appreciation. They want to know more about you."

Umismid ako."You mean, they aren't quite contented with the art I am giving them. That's why they want to know more about the person behind Ark."

"They want to know Ark to know more on what urges you to paint such incredible paintings. I don't see any problem with that, Aki."

"Oh, that's stupid." Ibinaba ko yung palette at tumayo mula sa kinauupuan ko. I gave him a disguting look. "They want to know more so they could criticize how the painter thinks so crap. They want to figure out what's running on my head. If I am crazy or how bizarre or how peculiar those ideas I have in my mind that's urging me to paint such theme."

Tahimik na ipinamulsa lang ni Carlos yung mga kamay nito sa bulsa ng suot nitong slacks. He eyed me with the same compassion that convinced me to open up my artworks in his art gallery when I was still starting up my name in the industry.

Noong mga panahon na lahat ng tao sa paligid ko ay sinasabi na aksaya lang ng oras ang pagpipinta at hindi ako mapapalamon ng mga ipinipinta ko.

When I was still a starving artist.

And I still am.

Carlos was one of the passing curators in the  University where I am paying to display my artworks. Ito yung kauna-unahang bumili ng unang painting na ipininta ko noon. And No, he was not one of those na nakikipagtawaran pa sa presyo at sasagarin yung floor price. In fact, he paid a decent price and left a message for me that he wants to meet me so he could pay for what he owed me for such art.

And I am glad that I did. I decided to meet him on one of the coffee shops na malapit sa University noon. At first, he was showing an interest that could make me think that he was literally hitting off on me. But when I left his table saying I am not interested for any relationship other than supplying my artworks for his gallery, he then offered me a regular paycheck which I took adavantage of.

Binabayaran ako nito kada katapusan ng buwan para sa pagdisplay ko lang ng mga paintings sa gallery nito. He was saying that he was earning from the art enthusiasts and he was just paying my share. And for every piece of art na nabebenta, he was only taking a percentage from it, but most of the profit is still going to me. Siguro ayun din ang rason kaya hindi ako naghanap ng ibang art dealer hanggang sa makapagpatayo din ako ng sarili kong art gallery.