The Seat We Sit On (HFS #1)

seat #38

After my work in the cafe, I head immediately to Maddie's apartment. Nandoon din daw si Santi. Well, Aaron and Yara pursued college away from the province. Santi helps in managing their small computer shop. Meanwhile, Maddison Henry turns to be a full-time vlogger with a niche of makeup, skincare, and some travel journeys. Minsan ay sinasali niya ako nang hindi ko alam kaya tuwing nahahagip ako ng camera niya ay agad akong nagtatakip ng mukha.

“Ano bang content mo ngayon?” I ask her pagkarating ko.

“Ikaw raw,” halakhak ni Santi habang inaayos ang stand ng ring light. “Ako cameraman.”

Nagtataka, binalingan ko siya. “Ako?”

Maddie is fast to approach my hands and acts like she is pleading me for her life. “Please, Freesia. Sa 'yo ko raw i-try 'tong bagong makeup trend sabi ng mga followers ko!”

I sigh and purse my lips. “Kapag ba pumayag ako, bibilhin nila paintings ko? I should have a talent fee for the exposure.”

“I'll promote it! Santi will also help na mag-paint for free para mas maraming artwork mabenta natin!” she giggles in an enthusiastic tone.

“Bakit nasali ako?”

Hindi namin siya pinansin. My mind focus more on how we should do it. “Mahal ang canvas,” I said.

Nagkibit ng balikat si Santi. “Edi DIY. G?”

“See. Papayag ka rin naman pala, e. You're so arte!”

“Luh,” Santi huffs. “Nag-suggest lang ako?”

My eyes narrowed at them. I was more of a spontaneous kind of person. Who plans? Those who are only scared of uncertainty. But then, I did not even know that Maddie's random suggestion worked well! I did not expect that lots of people will appreciate and buy what we made. Art was my first heartbreak when I received sharp words from Rico. Then it taught me to forgive him. Now, the reason why we have food on our plate tonight.

I occasionally paint. These past few days, my hands found their way back in the colors, the emotions, the lines, brush strokes, like an addiction that I never successfully wiped away when rehabilitated. It was scary. No matter how I stay away from it, my left hand will always get pulled back by the blank canvases, tempting me to stain them with the palette in my right hand.

Pagod ang katawan ko pagkauwi, ngunit noong pagkaraan ko sa salamin, napansin ko sa repleksiyon na parang nawala ang bigat sa mga mata ko. I sigh and proceed walking to our room. I watch the firefly dancing outside my window, sharing its small green light on everything it touches. Pinihit ko pabukas ang bintanang parihaba upang mas lalong titigan.

But then, my mind cannot help but wander and go back on the encounter I had with Mrs. Reyes that day. First of all, I was not expecting her to buy a cold coffee. Actually, it is not on her personality to go in coffee shops at all. And her words, among all of those who seemed to clap for my downfall, are the one that quite lifted me up. It sounds like a sweet promise for a future. Speaking of future and promises, will Rico do his? Would he still come back even when I was the one who had let him go? Will that distant future still come to me?

For the past six years, I am at my own pace. On my own journey as I achieve the dream my heart has been burning for. It was the flame of the young passion. Unforgotten maybe, but I dug hard for it to resurface.