Letters To Mr. Artist

Chapter Eight: Mr. Artist's Greatest Confession

CHAPTER EIGHT: Mr. Artist’s Greatest Confession

Today, I am the king and my queen is Andrea. We won as the Miss and Mister Sport Fest.

I am so HAPPY even I tried to deny the feeling. For all the heartaches, I still can’t help myself from liking her even more…

So tonight, I just found out that she cannot give her heart to Lance. I think this is my chance to be at least, nice to her by giving advice;

And to help myself from jealousy.

Almost four years ago, I was sixteen when I lost my sight by a car accident in California. That time, I was in great success in competing with the different young artists over the country. So I almost got really wanted to die that time.

Then I came to Philippines, in my Grandmother’s province. There I met Andeng, a mischievous but very optimistic fourteen-year old girl. We became friends then soon I realized that she means a lot to me. Because of her, I gained my strength to try the third operation for my eyes. Before I went back to US, I promised that I would draw her as soon as I get my sighting.

That she would be my inspiration for my artworks. We also promised that we will remained friends and would send letters to each other regularly.

But that never happened!

She lied to me. I tried to contact her but my Lola’s maids said that Andeng was no longer there. I asked what her real name is, but what they only knew is her last name ‘Alcantara’. I was so furious that time and couldn't believe why she did that to me. I also found out that my letters to her remained sealed which means she never read my letters.

When I had an opportunity, I went to the Province and tried to look for her. I visit Andeng’s lola’s house and there I found out that she was in Manila studying. I asked her lola what’s Andeng’s real name.

ANDREA ALCANTARA

Her lola had no idea what was going on so I just told her to not tell Andeng about my visit. The old woman invited me to come in her house so we had a chat. I learned that Andeng is an only child. Her father died when she was little and her mother was an over sea worker. Inside their house, I saw some picture frames that were hanging on the wall.

Then for the first time, I finally I saw her face…

Her grandmother said that Andeng was very ashamed of herself. She was always telling her self ugly. She got bullied from school so she lost her confidence.

That time… I finally got the idea.

ANDREA IS A FOOLISH DUMB GIRL!

(TAGALOG NA PO ITO… PROMISE! NAKAKA-NOSEBLEED KASI!)

Labis ang nararamdaman kong galit noon. Napaka babaw ni Andeng para pagtaguan na lang ako basta-basta! Masyado niya akong pinaasa at sinaktan.

Napak-selfish niya! Dahil ba sa wala siyang matinong mukhang ihaharap sa akin ay kakalimutan na niya ang pangako niya?

HINDI LANG SIYA PANGET SA PANLABAS NA ANYO… PATI SA LOOB!

Napagdesisyonan ko na gaya niya, kalilimutan ko na rin siya. Hindi ko kailangan ang sinungaling at manlolokong katulad niya!

So I spent the following years with hatred. Pero sa kabila ng magaganda kong tinatamasa noon, lagi pa rin ginugulo ni Andeng ang buhay ko. Then I realized, kailangan ko ng closure sa kanya para matahimik na ang buhay ko.

Nagre-search ako. Kung su-swertehen nga naman, doon pa siya mismo nag-aaral sa school na pag-aari ng mga Andrews. Kaya nang makapagdesisyon ako, kahit laking gulat ng pamilya ko, umuwi ako ng Pilipinas.