Love on a Broken Canvas (An Artist's Love Story)

Chapter 2 - The Crimson Queen

I smiled to Rin in front of the mirror while she stood behind me holding me in my shoulders. She does magic with her make-up skills na animo'y magmamala-dyosa ang inaayusan n'ya.

"Oh tingnan mo't ang ganda mo na. Mabuti pa kausapin mo ulit si Aaron mamaya baka sakali pumayag na. He can't possibly say no if he sees you like this." Rin squealed after fixing up my hair.

Three days has passed since the not-so-decent offer ng one-time deal ni Aaron.

I've been thinking about it and I arrived with the decision to take him up on that offer. I'm gonna ask him and talk to him mamaya sa birthday party ni Tita Marielle, Rin's mom, na gaganapin sa resort ni Aaron.

I'm pretty sure he can't miss Tita's party.

Hindi ko pa nabanggit kay Rin ang offer na 'yun ni Aaron sa'kin. Not comfortable with it kasi. I think she'll make a big deal out of it.

"Ang OA mo. Hindi ba pwedeng magaling ka lang talaga sa pagme-makeup?" Patawa kong sagot.

"Pwera biro, ang ganda mo Ly. I-surprise attack mo n'yang seductive long red bodice mo si Aaron mamaya sa party." Sabi nito.

"Napapansin ko rin ha palagi mo 'kong tinutulak d'yan sa pinsan mo. Naku tigilan mo ko sa mga ganyan-ganyan mo. Allergic ako n'yan." Pakiwari ko.

"Ang OA mo rin ah. Magiging matandang dalaga ka n'yan. Bagay naman talaga kayo tsaka pareho kayong single, parang buhok ko walang sabit. So, what's wrong if I try pairing up my grumpy handsome cousin sa aloof but beautiful bff ko, aber?" Here comes the nagging Rin.

"Never. He's not my type. At wala akong type ever." I rolled my eyes at her.

"Aba tingnan mo 'tong babaeng 'to. Nagtataray na naman. Ly, 'wag mo kasing i-generalize lahat ng lalaki. Kung masakit pa rin loob mo sa Dad mo, it doesn't mean lahat kalahi n'ya." Paglilitanya nito.

"Opo Madame para manahimik ka na. Someday 'pag magkakamali ako at may magkakamali rin sa'kin." I smiled at her.

Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan ko and faced her.

"Tsaka Rin bruha ka talaga. Maganda ka rin naman ah. Napaka-sexy mo sa black halted dress mong 'yan. I'm pretty sure andaming magkakandarapa sa'yo sa party mamaya. Behave ka dahil binilin ka sa'kin ng boyfriend mong si Steve, ako pagagalitan 'nun." I laughed at her.

Kasi naman 'yung seloso nitong boyfriend na si Steve parang bodyguard kung makabantay. Nasa Manila ito nagpaiwan dahil busy sa trabaho. Isa kasi itong magaling at sikat na surgeon.

Minsan nga OA kasi ayaw papuntahin sa party ng isa pa naming kaibigan itong si Rin dahil may pinagseselosan itong ibang lalaki na dadalo sa party na 'yun. Well, tama nga naman kasi papansin talaga 'yung lalaki kay Rin so in the end, ako lang natuloy sa party at nagpaiwan na lang silang magkasama. Who knows what they did after. Maharot kasi ang dalawa eh.

Anyway, after we're done fixing ourselves up, bumaba na kami. We took off papunta sa resort with Rin's little sister, Chelsea.

We're almost late dahil 6 o'clock na ng gabi kaya tawag ng tawag ang Daddy ni Rin muntik pa kaming napagalitan.

Nang dumating kami sa malaking pavilion ng resort where Tita Mar's party is taking place, sinalubong kami ng mom and dad ni Rin.

"Mommy happy birthday! I love you so much. Sorry we're almost late." Rin kissed her cheek.

"Hi baby, hi Illya. You both look gorgeous. Kaya nga siguro natagalan kayo." Tita Mar said and smiled.

"Tita, happy birthday po. You're looking younger po. Age n'yo lang talaga tumatanda." I said and kissed her cheek.