A Night To A Lifetime

Kabanata 2

Tulala pa rin ako at wala sa sariling huswisyong nanatili sa art studio. Isa pa, wala namang masyadong ginagawa. Nag-usap lang kami ni Ms. Jade about sa mga kailangan kong gawin: terms and conditions, at s'yempre 'yong tungkol sa oras na dapat ako magbubukas at magsasara.

Boredom sucks, you know. Pero ganito naman ako noon kaya sanay na ako riyan lalo na noong mga panahong hindi pa ako nag pa-party. Natuto lang akong lumabas kasama ang mga kaibigan ko at nang natuto, mas naging sakit pa ako ng ulo kaysa sa kanila.

But I will never go back until I'll be able to find my happiness. Kaligayahan na ako mismo ang gagawa at hindi ang kung sino man lang. Probably like my father. God knows how much I wanted him to treat me fair for he was being irrational.

"Sandra, alis muna ako ha? Babalik ako mamayang mga alas kuwatro ng hapon. I am not expecting anyone to come, anyway. " She smiled.

"Oh. Okay. Thanks for informing."

Napaiwas ako ng tingin sa klase ng panunuri niya sa 'kin. Masyado ba akong naging halata? I shouldn't have to speak like that.

Sa huli tumango nalang si Ms. Jade at naglakad diretso palabas.

Ang ganda niya talaga. Maamo, palaging maaliwalas ang kan'yang mukha at plain lang din ang suot niyang make up. Ang alam ko ay may lahing Spanish ang mga Madrigal na namana nila sa kanilang Lolo. Kung sa bagay, lahat naman sila magaganda't gwapo. The boys are breathtaking while the Madrigal girls are alluring.

Lahat sila nakita ko na maliban kay Jade. Hindi ko kasi siya napapansin sa mga gala ko. Bakit kaya nandito siya? Or maybe she stayed here for good kasi nandito ang ang art studio niya, her passion.

Mas matanda siya kay Carrick, isang taon samantalang limang taon ang agwat ng edad namin. I sometimes wonder kung may asawa na ba siya kasi nasa tamang edad naman na. I couldn't tell for she's a beauty.

So I did my job that day. I fixed schedules, entertained costumers, and do the filing. Masyadong sikat ang studio niya para hindi dagsain ng mga married couples na nagpapagawa sa kaniya ng wedding portraits. Sometimes, ang mga pumupunta ay bumibili ng arts or nagpapa-sketch para pangregalo. The rest, it was purely business matter between them and my boss.

I wasn't bored, I started loving my job. Hindi gano'n ka tight ang schedule ko at hindi ako nahirapan. Mostly when the ambiance of the studio is peaceful and calming.

The next days were fun as well. I met costumers that are fun to be with and to talk while Jade was away. I was there to lead them where they can find the best arts. I toured them inside the gallery. Sometimes I joked and laughed around them.

I also met Callie, Jade's best friend. Palagi niyang dala ang cute na si Khyziah, she is just four. It was easy for me to get along with them. Iyon ang naging rason kung bakit ako nabunutan ng tinik dahil sa hindi pagbisita ni Carrick sa studio.

"Mr. Martinez, nice meeting you. I have Engr. Ryker Fuentebella with me," ani ng matanda isang umagang iyon.

"Sandra Manalo. Nice meeting you, Sir and Engineer."

I was smiling when I took their hands for a handshake. Then, they sat on the table in front of my table.

"Oh, you're new. I see."