Photos And Canvases

6

1:22pm

Zach has his camera. He's busy taking pictures of his subject. Ali,who was sitting on a bench on her hand a sketch pad and a pencil on the other.

***

Ali's having this time when her fingers were like having it's own life,just doing a wonderful piece in this sheet of blank pages.

She looks up to find how this garden so lovely and calming. Her work tho,almost copied the beauty of the scene but differs that she included a man sitting on a bench just like waiting for someone. She has someone on her mind. Zach. It's just that she always want Zach to be a part of her piece. Because when she thinks about him she can  draw. When she thinks about him it follows the magic.

**

He focuses his camera on her face. She bit her lip upon looking at her sketches. Her eyes smiles as her lips curves. The color of her hair reflects under the sunlight. She tucks her hair on her ear then look somewhere. Not in his direction. Zach follows her gaze to find an old couple on the bench next to her,having some alone and lovely moment. When his gaze goes back to Ali,her back now on his direction.

**

Ali turns to face the old couple. The old lady was resting her head on his shoulder. The old man's arm was wrapped around her shoulder. They were not talking. They were just sitted quietly. And momentarily smiles as if they remember something wonderful.

Ali turns the page of her sketch book then starts to draw.

Zach continues to watch her from afar. His camera focuses on her every move.

15.

20.

30.

35 minutes.

**

She gets up and walks towards the old couple.

'Lolo. Lola. Kamusta po?'

'Mabuti naman. Kamusta hija?' the old man greeted her with a smile.

'Pasensya na po hindi ako nakapag-paalam. Ang ganda nyo po kasing pagmasdan so--' she handed them her work.

'Naku. Napakaganda naman. Mahal, ang husay nya.' the old lady amazed at her work.

'Magkano ba ito? Bibilhin ko na.' the old man looks for his wallet at his pocket.

'Ayy hindi po. Ok lang po,sainyo na lang po.'

'Naku salamat hija. Napakagandang regalo nito samen. Ika 50 years anniversary namin ngayon.' the old lady looks at her husband. A look of happiness and contentment.

Ouch! Something tugs at Ali's heart.

And out from nowhere. Wind blew. Her tears fell.

***

Zach watches her as she runs towards the hotel. Hinabol sya nito pero mabilis itong nakasakay sa elevator.

Shit. What happened?

Naabutan nya ito na papasok sa kwarto. He calls her name. He's sure she hears him but she continues inside.

'ALI? ALI? OK KA LANG? ANONG NANGYARI? BABY?'

'LATER NA LANG ZACH!' her voice broke.

She's crying. What the hell?

'ALI? PLEASE. OK KA LANG BA? ANONG NANGYARI?'

'ZACH! I'LL TALK TO YOU LATER. GO AWAY!!'

Go away! That's it. She's shutting me up again. She's pushing me away again. But no. Hindi ako dapat maniwala sa mga sinasabi mo diba? Nag-promise ako. Kahit ipagtabuyan mo ko hindi ako aalis. I promise you. Dito lang ako.

'BABY? IM JUST ON MY ROOM. I'LL WAIT FOR YOU!!'

***

Damn it Ali. Ano na? Umiiyak ka na naman? When are you going to stop? When are you going to be ok? When are you going to look at couples without feeling hurt and without feeling pity of yourself? Tang*na lang kasi talaga e. Alam mo yung feeling na dapat ngayon ganun ka na din. Dapat sobrang saya mo na starting your own family. Now what? Here I am alone and feeling pity of myself.

Nagago.

Niloko.

Iniwanan.

Baby?
Dinner time. Kain tayo.
Ali? Can I go to your room?
Baby? Please. Answer your phone.
R u ok?
Baby?
Come on. Please! Pick up.
Ali,im outside your room. Open your door please.
Im waiting here.
Hindi ako aalis dito.
Baby?
ALI!!

Seen.