Reaching Your Hands

05.

TW: Mention of death and self-harm.

MIREILLE'S FLASHBACK.

"Lolo," I asked, "Why is the Mona Lisa painting so famous?"

As Lolo paused his painting, he carefully set his brush down on his palette and turned to respond to my inquiry. "The reason is quite simple, apo," he said thoughtfully. "It's because the painting demonstrated the incredible skill of Leonardo Da Vinci; it was an incredibly lifelike portrayal."

"It was actually never finished, maraming teorya ang ipinalabas pero wala naman talagang nakasigurado kung bakit hindi 'yun natapos." He continued, "As you mature, you will gain a deeper understanding of his paintings. Interestingly, one of his paintings was once hung in Napoleon's bedroom, which may lead to some confusion about who he was."I slowly nodded. Nasagot naman ni Lolo 'yung tanong ko kung bakit kilalang-kilala ang pinta.

At mabilis ko rin naman itong naunawaan, sa tuwing bumibisita kami sa bahay ni Lola, awtomatikong pupunta ako sa isang kwarto nila na puno ng mga pinta ni Lolo. He was and will always be my ultimate source of inspiration in the world of art.

As I observed, the brush glided up and down, delicately adding vibrant hues to the canvas with each stroke. Umupo ako sa malapit na upuan hawak-hawak ang aking sketch notebook, I began to sketch a scene of two lovers standing in a vast and vibrant flower field, their eyes locked in a tender embrace.

Something I wish to happen in the future.

Ate Kelsey challenged me to remake the Mona Lisa painting of Leonardo Da Vinci when I am finally able to paint. "Dali, Rei! Ayaw mo ba ng reward?" She giggles, alam niya namang hindi ko kayang gayahin 'yon, tapos ipapagawa pa! "Ugh! Ano bang reward?" Reklamo ko rito. Tinawanan niya ako saglit bago sabihing, "Secret ko na 'yon." 

"Hi, Lolo! I know how to hold the brush now properly!" I ran to my grandfather as fast as I could. Today was the day that I could finally paint. Bago pa man ako magsimulang mag-pinta ay tinuro muna sa akin ni Lolo kung paano hawakan nang mabuti ang paint brush. Mabilis namang huminto sa pagpipinta si Lolo at tinakpan ng isang puting tela ang kaniyang pininta. "Nakita ko po sa basement 'yung old painting ko nung 5 at 6 years old ako," Napangiwi ako.

Lolo chuckled softly and then remarked, "No matter what, there's always space for improvement." His words were a gentle but potent reminder of the endless opportunities for growth and development. 

Two weeks before my 12th birthday, I took a photo of my two old paintings. Despite finding it unattractive, I decided to give it a makeover. There's something about capturing the tranquil beauty of a flower-filled landscape that I truly enjoy when I paint. Nung nakaraan nga e, pinipilit kong bisitahin namin ang Keukeunhof Gardens, but knowing that my parents are too busy. It won't happen.

I was strolling in the garden near our house when I noticed a boy sitting under the tree. As I observed from a distance, I saw him leaning back, his eyes gently closing, fully immersed in the music from the headphones draped over his ears. Mag-isa lang siya at walang pakialam sa iba pang mga bata sa paligid namin.