heaven has gained an angel

14. Coping Mechanism

Chapter 14: Coping Mechanism

Prism

We had just finished our lunch. Ayara on the other hand already took her medicine I gave. Ngayon, ang sabi niya ay mauuna na siya sa kuwarto niya upang makapagpahinga na ulit. Iniwan niya muna ako dito saglit sa kusina dahil tinatapos ko pang hugasan ang pinagkainan namin.

"Mamaya ka mahiga, kakakain mo lang," medyo malakas ang boses ko para marinig niya sa loob ng kuwarto ang paalala ko.

"Opo."

I continued washing the dishes. Pagkatapos no'n, sumunod na rin ako sa kaniya. I saw her leaning her back against the wall, nakaupo sa kama, nagpapatunaw muna ng kinain bago mahiga. Wala siyang ginagawa, nakatingin lang sa kawalan. Tulala.

"Lalim ng iniisip," biro ko sa kaniya.

"I'm sleepy," she mumbled, it was obvious to her upper eyelid. Malapit nang bumagsak ang mga ito.

"Ayara, sorry, ah?" I said as I sat down beside her, rubbing my neck.

Her forehead creased as she catch my sight. "Sorry because? Did you do something wrong?"

"About last night."

Nanatili ang kunot niya. "Last night? We both enjoyed that night, right? What do you mean? Or maybe you meant that sorry because of the question I asked and you did not say a word? Huwag mo na lang isipin 'yon."

"Question?" clueless kong tanong.

"Kung gusto mo ako," walang paligoy-ligoy niyang tugon.

My eyes shaped circle. "Hindi naman talaga 'yon. Please, don't bring it up here." Bigla akong namula. Nahiya ako nang kaunti. That's not what I'm referring to. "Ang ibig kong sabihin, kung hindi tayo naligo sa ulanan, hindi ka magkakasakit ngayon."

Bahagya siyang natawa. "'Yon ba? Ayaw pa kasing ideretso, eh. Hindi na mahalaga 'yon, you made me feel so damn happy that night. Wala ako pinagsisisihan. Plus, may pahabol pang pag-aalaga mula sa isang Prism Estrada ngayon. Suwerte ko." Gumuhit ang isang ngiti sa labi niya.

"Mas masuwerte ako."

First time ko lang sa kuwarto niya kaya nilubos ko nang pagmasdan ang paligid. In that way, meron akong chance para makilala siya nang higit pa sa alam ko. People says, you'll know that person even better based on the style of their room, it somehow reflects to their personal trait and their most intimate self. Kumpara sa ibang bahagi ng bahay niya, hindi makalat dito. Maayos na nakatupi at naka-hanger ang kaniyang mga damit. Pati na rin ang mga gamit niya ay organized, a clean and least things in her bedroom evokes simplicity. Maaliwalas dito.

My gaze immediately fell at the wall which was in front of us. That side of the wall is filled with images. I got up and walked towards it for a better view. I was mesmerized with it. Ang daming drawing na nakadikit, mga oil pastel art, mostly sunrise, nature at clouds. I couldn't help but be amazed. Ang gaganda. This spot suddenly became my favorite part of her house.

"You aren't the one who made this?" I asked out, very impressed.

"Obviously," she answered confidently.

"Wow," I astonished. "Ang galing."

That makes me turn on. I learned something about her interest.

Pinagsaklop ko ang kamay ko sa likuran ko habang iniisa-isa tingnan ang magagandang drawing sa harapan ko. Hindi ko na maitago ang pagkamangha. Kung bibilangin, lagpas sa bente ang mga ito, iba't iba rin ang size ng mga litrato, may maliliit at malalaki. "Why am I late to discover that you are good at arts? You have this kind of talent, why I don't even know about this?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko while scanning each images.