Cool Off

Chapter 10

Athena's POV

Kenji is still in comatose. It's been six months now.

I submitted Kenji's artworks to the Japan Exhibit and it will open the exhibit later this evening. There is even a live streaming.

I am not into arts and I did not expect that this event would have millions of viewers online.

Marami rin ang pumunta sa exhibit in Japan.

The event global reach for all sketch artists who passed the screening. Also, all of their artworks will be for auction.

I also learned that each artwork would have its own moment in camera.

"Iha, nagsimula naba?"

"Ayan na Tita, bago lang po. Excited na nga po ako. I remember when I handed down the artworks to the event organizer, halos di maipinta ang muka nila."

"Now, a total of forty million are currently viewing our live stream for the Sketch Artists Japan Exhibit. As of now, we can see that a lot of people are still falling in line to see the world class sketch artists' output and story." Sabi ng host sa event.

When we saw the artworks of Kenji, sobrang tuwa naman ni Tita. She said kasi na pangarap ni Kenji to be known sa larangan ng fine arts, especially sketching.

After a few hours, now they feature Kenji's work.

Nandito rin pala ang tropa ni Kenji. Sobrang saya naman namin dahil maraming nag comment at nakaappreciate sa unique style of Kenji. Siya lang ang gumamit ng shades of orange sa lahat ng pumasa ng artwork.

Babasahin ng host ang background and story ng artist. Halos mapaluha naman kami dahil they follow our instruction. Kenji once told me na bagay daw ang artwork niya sa isang kanta.

Reference: 7!! - Orange (Willy Anggawinata Cover)

When it played in the background the host started narrating the story. I did not expect that the song is in a Japanese song – hence the Japanese people and the fan of the said anime there got interested with Kenji's artwork.

"Now, the sketch artist of this 5-Piece Sketch Series is Anon Kenjiro Santiago. When he created these pieces, he was about to undergo brain surgery that would result in memory loss. However, he tried his best to finish these artworks before he could forget everything. His best friend, Athena Zobel, submitted his application and artwork on his behalf because Anon is currently in a coma. We wish the best for the artist's recovery. We were told this is a sketch for someone the artist truly loves. Here's a brief background on the art from the artist himself:

The 5-Piece Sketch Series: Cool Off

Cool off is often associated with cold treatment, especially in relationships. But from another perspective, it can mean warmth. And that's how I want to see our cool off, _ _ _ _ _—as warmth. It's a feeling so familiar that even memory loss couldn't erase it. The heart will always remember that warmth you once felt. A warmth that even a sketch can make you feel.

First Sketch. – (sketch is about a little girl happily eating an orange)

- Orange

This is when we were 5 years old. She likes orange because it's both a fruit and a color. That's also why the canvas is orange. I never want to forget how cute you were back then. I was actually the first one to have a crush on you, _ _ _ _ _.

Second Sketch. – (sketch is about A kid holding a sunflower to a little girl who is in bad mood)

- Sunflower My neighbors once said, 'The girls are always right,' and indeed, they were. I can't forget how grumpy you'd get whenever we argued. And if I didn't call you 'Mahal,' our childhood endearment, you'd ignore me and even cry. You looked so scary when you were angry, which is why I gave you a sunflower – it symbolized that happiness was on the way. I could never let you stay mad. You know how much I hated seeing you cry, _ _ _ _ _.

Third Sketch. (sketch is about Transition of sunrise and sunset and car with Amara inside)

- Sunrise and Sunset. I was sad when you left for college. I told myself that when I saw you again, I'd make sure you'd enjoy our province like before. I even counted how many sunrises and sunsets it would take until I'd see you. I never expected to see you in a car, hitting me. It was unexpected, but I wouldn't mind being hit by your car again — as long as I get to see you, _ _ _ _ _.

Fourth Sketch. (sketch is about Amara with a bon fire's reflection)

- Eternal Flame

I dreamed of you singing 'Eternal Flame' for me, the bonfire's reflection dancing in your eyes. 'Do you feel the same? Am I only dreaming?' That's when I realized I had fallen in love with you. If I could dream my memories back, I would want to keep dreaming until I can remember you, _ _ _ _ _.

Fifth and Last Sketch. (sketch is about Amara and I with a sunset along the road)

- Ethereal –I thought my heart would burst from how fast it was beating at that moment. We shared a kiss, and it was then that I first confessed my love for you. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize that I cannot lose you. With the sunset in the background, you looked so ethereal, _ _ _ _ _.

To all artists and who loves art out there, if you are one, you will understand for whom this message is meant. Please tell her, because I can no longer remember her." Sabi ng host sa event.

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Third Person's POV

Inside the exhibit, when people heard of the story about Anon's artwork, a lot of people wanted to have a snap and glimpse of the artwork.

Some people are even crying when they are reading the brief background of each of the canvas.

They were amazed because among all artworks, it is the only one in shades of orange. A pure pencil sketch in an orange color.

Even the world known sketch artists, painters, sculptors, and even digital artists present in the exhibit, rushed to see the artwork itself.

"Don't view the art of Anon, you will cry!" Sigaw ng ibang tao na nahagip ng video.

"I can feel the warmth in the sketch."

"I didn't expect cool off can actually be seen as warmth."

"Who is the girl?"

"There are 5 blank spaces, who is she?"

"That was the most romantic sketch art I've ever seen." Said by a famous painter from Europe. Nahagip ito ng video kaya halos ng viewers ay naging interesado.

"The name is AMARA." Another famous sketch artist from Asia said that was caught in the camera.

People are started to look how can they see the AMARA?"

People started posting snippets of the art and it trended.

Famous artists even shared the picture of the art, and several of them even said:

"This is how a great artist tried to preserve his memory before the memory loss."

"Hoping for you faster recovery Anon. We will let your message reach your great love."

"Amara, whoever you are, I hope Anon loves for you can reach you."

"Amara, where are you? The artwork is for you!"

"Only love can hurt like this"

Ever since that exhibit, Amara keeps on trending. The people are sharing the posts, they also got curious until some netizens posted look-a-likes of the woman in the said sketch.

What even made the world in arts go wild is when the amount of Anon's artwork skyrocketed into 10 million dollars for each piece.

This is the first time in the history when people get interested in a new artwork, a sketch to be exact offering million of dollars.

It became famous overnight and has been dubbed as the "most romantic sketch art" that ever existed.

The auction is still ongoing. They even made it for three days to let other wealthy people go for it.