Symphonic Waves (Ciudad de Escalante #6)

Phase 31

"Are you really doing this?"

My breathing hitched when someone grabbed my arm softly to stop me from walking. Katatapos lang ng klase at papunta akong parking lot para gawin ang ibang commitments ko ngayong araw.

"Doing what?" I asked Sylvan. Frustration swept his handsome face. May iilang butil din ng pawis sa noo niya na parang galing sa pagmamadali. They're having a group meeting earlier. Medyo nauna matapos ang group namin kaya nauna akong lumabas ng classroom.

"You'll stop going to school? Why?" Nalilito niyang tanong kaya napakunot ang noo ko.

"I already announced it two months ago, Sylvan. Why are you still surprised?" I chuckled a bit. After I knew about my sickness, I decided not to continue the second semester so I could focus on other things. Agad ko ring sinabi sa mga blockmates ko para hindi na sila magulat pa.

"I thought you were just joking!" Sylvan muttered under his frustrated breath.

I smiled and shook my head.

"I'm not. I have better plans," sabi ko at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad patungo sa parking lot. I pressed my lips when Sylvan followed me. My heart raced. May kailangan pa ba siya? May itatanong?

"Congratulations, by the way. You aced the finals, and you were chosen for the exchange student program. Do well," masaya kong sabi sa mga bagong accomplishment niya. He truly deserves it.

"Saka pala, the concert for a cause. Next month na iyon," paalala ko at binuksan na ang bag para hanapin ang susi.

"What plans are you talking about, anyway?" tanong niya habang pinapanood akong maghanap ng susi ko. I laughed a little. Akala ko tapos na ang usapan tungkol doon. Parang madami pa yata siyang tanong.

"I'll focus on my book signings and the opening of my art gallery. Projects also in church and foundation. You know, my passions in life..."

He inhaled deeply and nodded.

"When you'll come back?" tanong niyang muli sa ilang segundong pananahimik. Nginitian ko lamang siya at nagkibit-balikat.

"I'm not sure..." I traced. "Pero kung babalik man ako, wala ka na rin naman dito sa SDU," dagdag ko at unti-unting napawi ang ngiti sa hindi malamang dahilan.

I'm happy for him, really. He's going somewhere to reach his dreams. He has a bright future, and a lot of opportunities are waiting for him. After this semester break, diretso na siya agad sa Silverstone sa pagkakaalam ko.

Pero kung mag-ibang bansa man siya o hindi, iisa rin naman ang kahahantungan—we'll not see each other anymore. I'm leaving without coming back.

"May sasabihin ka pa ba?" tanong ko para sirain ang bumalot na katahimikan sa aming dalawa.

Sylvan jerked his head.

"Are you free today?" he asked.

I blinked. My lips parted. I didn't expect that question. Napalunok ako at inayos ang pagkakalagay ng bag sa aking balikat.

"I'll pay a visit to my art gallery... May kailangan pang ayusin sa design." Nangangapa kong sagot at hindi ko alam bakit pinag-iisipan ko ang bawat salita ko. Doon naman talaga ako pupunta.

"Can I come?" Sylvan asked.

Napasinghap ako at pinroseso ang narinig. I also observed his expression very well. He looked genuinely curious. His eyes are quite hopeful while waiting for an answer. It's been a long time since we hung out. Medyo na-busy rin kasi sa mga gawain.

"You sure?" Paninigurado ko. I mean, wala ba siyang ibang gagawin o ano?

Ngumisi siya. "Of course. I want to see your work."

"Okay, let's go," anyaya ko at inabot sa kanya ang susi ng kotse ko.

"How about traveling? Has it ever crossed your mind?" tanong ni Sylvan nang mapaandar na ang sasakyan.

"What do you mean?" I asked while wrapping my seatbelt around me. His question was so random.

"You said you have plans..." he said lowly, and he glanced at me. Napatango ako nang mapagtanto kung anong tinutukoy niya. Sabi ko na nga ba at hindi pa tapos ang usapan namin kanina sa university. Madami pa siyang katanungan.

"I'm planning to, actually. Travel alone, but I'm still thinking about it," hindi sigurado kong sagot. Nasa bucket list ko na iyon, pero nag-aalangan pa ako na lumayo mag-isa. What if something happened? Like passing out in the middle of the road? Who would I call for an emergency?

"Just go for it. Give yourself a break." Desidido niyang sambit at tumikhim. "Let me guess, somewhere in Europe?" He continued.

My jaw dropped.

"How did you know?"

He chuckled sexily, and this time, he bore his expressive and intense eyes at me. Sakto naman na naka-red ang stoplight, kaya huminto ang sasakyan.

"You're full of love and life. Europe is a perfect muse for artists like you. You know, Renaissance masterpieces in Italy, bohemian atmosphere in Paris, or avant-garde scene in Berlin—"

"Hey, stop giving me ideas. I'm not sure if I'm really going," natatawa kong sabi na para bang gustong-gusto niya na paalisin ako ng bansa. Wait, it's a good thing, though. Traveling is a good experience. Pero madaming kailangan i-consider muna.

"Just go, Ceres," he laughed.

"Why?" Tumawa ako pabalik. Why is he eager to make me travel?

"You deserve it," aniya at namungay ang kanyang mga mata na nakatingin sa akin. "And I want to see more of the world through your works," he uttered softly.

My throat went dry.

"You can travel yourself; first-hand experiences are great," nanghina ang boses ko nang sabihin iyon. I don't know what to feel or say.

"I want the world to be perceived by you. You made everything worth seeing and believing," Sylvan whispered before he continued driving.

Sa buong byahe papunta sa art gallery, nag-usap lamang kami ni Sylvan tungkol sa mga gawain sa school. Kahit tapos na ang final examinations, may iilang final requirements pa kaming kailangan ipasa bago tuluyang makapag-sembreak.

Our relationship is still the same. Kahit naging madalang ang interaction naming dalawa sa loob ng dalawang buwan, sa buong byahe parang walang nag-iba. I'm still comfortable and open with him.

"Medyo patapos na kaya ready na rin for opening next month," pagkekwento ko habang naglalakad kami sa loob ng art gallery.

I couldn't help but get excited while walking around. This is only in my dreams—one of the impossibilities in my head. Pero ngayon, ito na. Patapos na. Nandito lahat ng mga naipinta ko sa ilang taon.

"Oh, that's not for sale. Everything is not for sale, actually. But I could earn once I'll hold an exhibition, then donate the funds to those who need it," sambit ko nang mapansin si Sylvan na nakatitig sa isang artwork.

From the way he stared at it, it seemed like he wanted to buy it.

"When did you start painting all of these?" tanong niya habang inilipat ang tingin sa ibang artwork.

"On canvas? I started when I was nine. But I was four when I started drawing on papers," sabi ko at tinuro ang parte kung naasan ang mga drawings ko na sobrang random ng subjects at pure sketches lang. Sinama ko rin ang mga iyon dito.

"A lot happened when you were nine," komento niya at tumingin sa akin.

"Yup, full of discovery about myself," I smiled. I had my first diagnosis of this cancer when I was nine. It's the turning point of my life.

"Although writing came first, it's my first love. Wait, dito tayo," dugtong ko at hinawakan ang kamay niya para igiya sa isang artwork na isa sa mga paborito ko.

"This is one of my favorites," I giggled and pointed a painting. "This is the exact moment that I realized I'm born for this. This is a cracked and broken sidewalk near our school. People only see how nuisance it was, and I get it. This can cause accidents," pagkekwento ko habang tinuturo ang bawat elemento ng painting.

"But you know what? This is so silly, I promise. While people complain how bothersome this sidewalk is, I'm always fascinated by a tiny flower growing between one of the cracks," natutuwa kong sabi at tinitigan nang matagal ang bulaklak na sariwa pa sa alaala ko.

Natigil lang ang pagtitig ko roon nang magsalita si Sylvan. I froze when I looked at him, and I caught him staring deeply at me. Ngunit mukhang wala naman siyang pakialam na natagpuan ko na siyang pinagmamasdan ako. He even smiled when our eyes met.

"You know what? I could listen to you all day telling me the stories behind every paintings here," ani Sylvan pagkatapos kong magkwento.

Lumawak ang ngiti ko at mas lumakas ang tibok sa dibdib. I'm torn about whether to let go of my doubts and believe whatever he's saying is right or just ignore it and remind myself he's just lying.

Pero, maikli na lang pala ang buhay ko. Wala na akong panahon pa para magduda o problemahin ito. I want a peaceful heart and mind before I leave. We'll part ways eventually. Everything will not matter after this.

"If you want to know more, you can come to the opening," suhestyon ko.

"Sure," agaran niyang sabi kaya natawa ako sa sobrang bilis ng kanyang sagot.

"You might as well check your schedule first. I don't want any change of mind," I warned him. The opening is one of the most important things right now. Everyone who'll take part in it will take up a huge space in my heart.

"I will not change my mind. I'll definitely come. I might bring Rei with me..." He assured.

"Hmm, okay. I'll look forward to that," sambit ko at nagsimula muling magkwento sa mga artwork na matagal niyang tinititigan.

Sylvan and I spent an hour and a half inside my art gallery. Most of it was just me talking about the stories and my inspiration for my work. Kung wala lang siyang ibang plano, siguradong magtatagal pa kami roon. Hindi ko rin namalayan ang oras dahil sobrang natutuwa ako magkwento.

Gladly, he looked interested, and he's really paying attention to everything I'm saying. As an artist, I pour my soul into every stroke, every hue, and each line. And whenever Sylvan spoke and gave comments about it with such genuine appreciation, it felt like he was unlocking the secret language of my creativity.

He didn't just like the color or composition, he understood the stories. He understood me. I don't know why it matters so much that he appreciates my work. I mean, it's just art, right? But no, it's not just art. It's a piece of me—my thoughts, my silent battles, my humble victories—all there on one page, or on a canvas.

Suddenly, my art wasn't just a collection of my books and paintings. It was a conversation between us. It was a silent dialogue that spoke volumes.

I can't help but fall a little deeper again.

"Saan pala ang gig mo?" tanong ko nang makalabas na kami ng art gallery.

"Snowbird," aniya at inabot na sa akin ang knitted cardigan ko. Medyo madilim na sa labas at lumalamig na rin ang ihip ng hangin.

"I remember that place..." I muttered, and I recalled a memory. That was the first time I saw him perform on stage.

"Gumagabi na, ihahatid na kita," deklara niya at akmang lalakad na patungo sa kotse ko ngunit pinigilan ko siya.

"No, hindi na," agap ko at huminga nang malalim. Hindi ko alam anong pumasok sa isip ko para sabihin iyon.

"I'll watch your gig tonight. Is it fine?" I asked softly.

I bit my lip when Sylvan's eyes widened.

"Really?" Hindi makapaniwala niyang sabi.

I nodded shyly. I know it's really surprising. He has invited me several times, but I always decline. Kaya ngayon siguradong napapaisip siya bakit nagtatanong ako kung pwedeng manood.

"Hmm, yes. I don't have anything to do, so..." sabi ko at napanguso. Ang pagbisita lang sa gallery ang nasa to-do-list ko ngayong araw.

"Gagabihin tayo," he said as if it was something to consider.

"Magpapaalam ako," sabi ko. Mom and Dad aren't super strict now. My life is on my terms. My decisions are all mine.

"You think your parents will allow you? With me? How about Zyris?" Sylvan asked, still surprised and worried. Natawa ako nang mahina sa pag-aalala niya.

"It is fine, Sylvan. Don't worry—"

"Paano kung hindi kita iuwi?" he interjected.

I gasped.

What?

"Saan mo ako dadalhin kung gano'n?" Nalilito kong tanong. Hindi iuuwi? Is he crazy?

"I know a place," he chuckled.

"Place? Ano? 'Yung music studio niyo? Huwag na lang," pagtanggi ko kaagad.

"Pero pwede ka nga?" Pagbabakasakali niya. I heaved deeply, having second thoughts.

"My parents aren't at home, so hindi naman ako hahanapin," I stated. Nag-init ang mukha ko nang lumapad ang ngiti niya na para bang isang magandang balita iyon.

To be honest, I'm also suppressing my smile. There's something with me today that I don't wanna go home yet, and I want to spend the remaining hours of the day with him. Okay, I admit it. I missed Sylvan so much. We may see each other at school, but it's been a long time since we've hung out together. Alone.

"It's a yes, then?"

"Saan muna?" agap ko. Mga bar at hotel lang ang alam kong bukas hanggang madaling-araw. Ayaw ko naman magpagala-gala sa kalsada.

"I'll think on our way," aniya kaya lumukot ang mukha ko.

"Tsk, wala ka naman palang plano tapos inaaya mo ako?" Pagsusuplada ko kunwari.

"Just trust me. I'll not let anything bad happen to you," he uttered softly.

I glared at him.

"My brother is just one call away. I'll not stop him from ruining that gorgeous face of yours if anything bad happens to me," pagbabanta ko na tinawanan lamang niya.