heaven has gained an angel

33. The Discovery

Chapter 33: The Discovery

Prism

Days of contemplating, I finally decided to dye my hair orange, I was convinced by Ayara's portrait, which she made for me. I didn't inform her about this, planning to keep it as a surprise. Before I heading up home after dismissal, bumili muna ako ng mga gamit at product pangkulay ng buhok. I'll be doing it on my own. Wala akong balak na gumastos nang mahal sa barber shop dahil pareho lang din naman kalalabasan.

This is my first time. I have no experience and skill for this but I'm willing to take a risk for my hair. I trusted myself enough.

Day after, I woke up early to prepare. Humingi ako ng tulong kay Tita Betty. Luckily, wala siyang masyadong ginagawa. Nandito kami sa labas ng bahay dahil magiging makalat kami kung sa loob.

Pumuwesto na kami. Nakaupo ako habang si Tita ay nasa likuran ko para asikasuhin ang buhok ko. "Are you sure about this? Ano bang pumasok sa isip mo para magpakulay?" she asked as she started to put the bleach on my hair to get white before we apply the color. I feel nervous a bit but nothing deter me.

"Ayara drew a portrait of me po as a birthday gift. Then, instead of black color, she opted for an orange for my hair because she thinks it complements me better."

"Ay, oo nga, orange pala buhok mo roon. I couldn't imagine you with an orange hair in reality though." Rinig ko ang pag-ismid niya. "Talaga bang lahat ng gusto ni Ayara, susundin mo?" she suddenly asked.

"Hindi naman po required 'to. Ako lang po talaga 'yong may gusto nito. I want something new for myself."

"Still, this is all her idea. This is for her. Orange rin hair no'n, 'di ba?"

"Opo."

"How sweet you are. Matchy-matchy pala kayo after nito," she said, causing me to laugh. After a second, I looked up at her. I just remembered something. "Oh? Bakit?" nagtatakang tanong niya.

"Tita, do you remember the last time we talked about her?" She nodded. "Nagtataka lang po ako. There are some questions in my mind and I hope you can help me."

"Like what?"

"I wanna clarify this, do you know something about her?" I couldn't help but to ask that to her. I'm curious. Ayaw ko nang sayangin 'tong pagkakataon na 'to, lalo na't kami lang dalawa ang magkasama at since nabanggit na rin naman namin pangalan ni Ayara. Palagi kong iniisip 'yong bawat salitang sinabi niya sa akin tungkol kay Ayara, bagay na parang binabalaan niya akong mag-ingat. Ayara is not dangerous, she is a good person. The only person I'm sure that I have to be careful with — is her boyfriend.

She sighed deeply. I'm hoping for the right answer. "Wala naman. Mabait na bata si Ayara, kitang-kita naman. Kaya lang . . ." pagbibitin niya.

"Kaya lang ano po?"

"Prism, I don't judge her or anything. But let me just say na kutob ko lang na may itinatago siya sa iyo," she said.

Lakas ng kutob niya para mahalata 'yon. "The only thing I don't know about her is her job. 'Yon lang po 'yong alam kong itinatago niya sa akin, wala na pong iba."

"Yes, I know, you already said that. Bakit hindi mo pala siya tanungin?"

"I did, Tita. I attempted several times already but she used to avoid that topic po. Hanggang hinayaan ko na lang, respeto na lang din po."

"Tama, that's the most important thing you consider initially, as it shows respect towards her. Uulitin ko 'to, Prism." Itinigil niya muna ang ginagawa at ipinako sa akin ang paningin niya. "Ang payo ko lang sa 'yo, you better know everything about her thoroughly before you both diving into a romantic relationship, alright? 'Wag magpadalos-dalos sa nararamdaman mo para iwas sakit sa dulo."