She's A Bad Girl

Chapter 19

               *****

Bago sumikat ang araw ay gising na si Jacob. Lumabas siya ng tent at payapang pinagmasdan ang mahamog pang kapaligiran. The grass field is almost covered with fogs and the wind brings cold but gentle breeze. Humarap siya sa silangan upang saksihan ang pagsikat ng araw.

He did some stretching and only stopped when sun slowly spreads it's golden rays. Huminga siya ng malalim habang ang pakiramdam ay punong-puno ng lakas at sigla ang katawan. The fogs are disappearing little by little hanggang sa may napansin siya sa bandang kalagitnaan ng damuhan.

He saw Miisha sitting on a stool facing a canvass while holding a  paintbrush. Nakasideview ito at nakaharap sa mga kabundukang nababalot ng mabababang ulap. Seryoso itong nagpipinta habang nililipad ng hangin ang mahabang buhok. Again, he is mesmerized by the sight. With the tall grasses swaying same time with her long black hair and the foggy air slowly disseminating, ito na yata ang isa sa mga pinakamagagandang tanawing pwede niyang makita sa umaga.

He fixed his eyes on the beautiful artist habang wala itong kamalay-malay na may mga matang nanonood sa kanya. A smile draws on his face. This girl is starting to influence his moods and emotions. Kagabi habang nakikipagsayaw ito sa mga alitaptap, she had given him some kind of magical feeling that even made his heart pounds for a while. And now while watching her in silence, he felt calmness and tranquility inside.

Nagpapasalamat siya sa pagcacamping nilang ito sapagkat dahil dito'y napatunayan niyang hindi siya nagkamali ng pagtulong kay Miisha. She is indeed a special person who impacts those people around her.

"Good morning. You're up early."

Napalingon siya kay Laarni na hindi namamalayang nasa tabi niya na pala.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" he responded with smile.

"Yes. Ikaw?"

"Nakatulog naman ako ng mahimbing."

"I saw you smiling with yourself kanina. What was that all about?" tanong ng dalaga.

Itinuro ni Jacob ang kinaroroonan ni Miisha. "Look at her."

"Huh is that Miisha?"

"Yes."

"No wonder why she's not in the tent anymore. But is it okay for her to paint this early? Did she just start?" usisa ng dalaga.

Jacob shrugged. "I don't know. Paggising ko ay nandiyan na siya."

"Did she even sleep?  Alam ko parang late na siya nakatulog kagabi. Naalimpungatan kasi ako nang bumalik siya sa tent. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung anong oras yun."

"Around 12:30 midnight," kusang sabi ni Jacob.

"How did you know?" takang tanong ni Laarni.

"She spent sometime gazing at the stars and catching fireflies. Sinamahan ko na. Nag-alala ako na baka sumpungin na naman ng pagiging wierdo, maisipang gumala sa kalagitnaan ng hatinggabi."