Smoke and Mirrors

𝕊𝕞𝕠𝕜𝕖 34

      "Skye, you're going to be late for school!" I called out as I opened his bedroom door.

Expecting the usual sight of him rushing to pack his things, I was surprised when the room was empty. His bag, which was usually slung over his chair, was missing, and the desk was completely clear. Hindi rin nakakalat ang Lego set na binili ko sa kaniya sa sahig, na hindi niya natapos kagabi. Kaya inaasahan ko na tinutuloy niya itong buuin.

"Si Skye ba ang hinahanap mo? Nasa may sala na hinihintay ka," banggit ni Nanang Pina na may mga dalang bedsheets, mukhang pinalitan ang sa amin ni Lucian.

"Thank you, Nanang Pina," I replied.

I made my way toward the living room, and there he was—sitting on the couch, his eyes glued to the television during a commercial break. Across the room, Lucian stood near the window, engaged in a quiet conversation on his phone, though his eyes glanced in my direction, giving me with a soft nod.

"Skye," tawag kong muli sa kaniya.

Napalingon siya sa akin na may ngiti sa mga labi kaya naman lumapit ako at umupo sa tabi niya. Habang nakatuon ang tingin niya sa tv,tiningnan ko ang suot niyang uniporme kung maayos niyang naisuot. I also checked his bag to make sure his lunchbox was inside. The other day, he had left it behind in his rush.

"May hinihintay ka bang palabas at seryoso kang nanonood dyan," pagtatakha ko, dahil sa matinding pagtutok niya sa tv.

Walang siya sinabing salita, tumango lamang ito at napaturo ng daliri sa tv. Napalingon ako dito, and the familiar music hit me before the visuals did.

Unang makikita ay ang paghagip ng camera sa loob ng photo studio ni Blake, showing the framed pictures on the walls and various photo setups. Unti-unti na akong nakikita ngunit nakatalikod pa ako  dahil kinukuhanan ko ng litrato ang isang magpamilya hawak ang isang baby.The commercial transitioned, showing the family over the years: the child's graduation from elementary school, then college, and finally the grown child holding his own baby, continuing the cycle of life and family.

Hanggang sa tumapat na sa akin ang shoot. Nakangiti ako sa harap habang may hawak ng camera.

"We believe every photo tells a story—your story," I said in the ad, my voice crisp and confident, even if it felt like someone else's.

For the last part, the shot pulled back, showing the family photos I had captured and the logo of the studio fading in.

I had seen this commercial countless times, but it always felt surreal to see myself in it.

"Papa Claude, ang galing mo!" May mangha sa tono niya na akala mo first time niya lang napanood ito. Mas excited pa nga siya na mapanood ang mga commercial ko kaysa sa akin. Talagang inaabangan pa niya.

Nangiti ako sa sinabi niya at pinisil ang pisngi nito. Nagiging proud tuloy ako sa ginagawa ko kapag nakikita ko ang ganito niyang reaksyon.

"You really like seeing yourself on the screen, don't you?" biglang salita ni Lucian.