Against All Odds

Chapter 1

Our life is like a canvas. We used to put colors in order to create a masterpiece. Paint it with various shades, use different strokes, to set out the desired image. Colors. These what makes a simple sketch, a plain drawing, and a naked painting into something fabulous and magical. Red, green, orange, yellow, these what makes a beautiful art. But unlike mine, my canvas is dull. I never used those vibrant colors in order to paint a subject of triumph. With my every stroke, I never captivated their eyes. Never been able to mesmerized the heart of any. My artwork was never enough.

My masterpiece was never been made with a sudden bliss. It is fading and always colorless. It is either black or white. A little bit of gray. The color of chocolate. And everything that is pale. Turning it into dusk, making all those piece of work, dull.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Keisha, are you up? Bumaba ka na dito at nakaayos na ang mga gamit mo." It's my mom. She would never open my door without my permission. She knows that I am not comfortable with it and If I would like to, I will open it willingly.

I took a deep breath and put down the pencil. It is been a while since I am holding this still, I could not draw even a single thing.

Inayos ko muna ang mga nagkalat na gamit sa lamesa, pinatay ang lampshade, bago tumayo. My mom already left and they are probably waiting downstairs. Sinarado ko ang pintuan ng kwarto at siniguradong nakalock ito. Hindi naman nila ito susubukang buksan kahit wala pa ako.

Lahat sila ay naghihintay sa pagbaba ko. Nakapalibot sila sa dalawang maleta na itim. They are all smiling. Well, except to Klio who is frowning and avoiding my gaze.

"Princess! We're gonna miss you! Make sure to call us from time-to-time, okay?" Daddy hugs me so tight that I could break into pieces.

"Always eat on time, Keisha. Don't skip your meal. And if something happens, call right away, understand?" Hinatak niya si daddy palayo sa akin at siya naman ang yumakap. Unlike dad's, she hug me softly and gently brush my hair with her hand.

I just nodded so she could stop worrying.

Lumayo sa akin si mommy at tumabi kay daddy na kasalukuyang nakatingin sa akin. As if memorizing my face. He could not even see my eyes, what would he memorize anyway?

"Tss. I told you pwede ka namang dito na lang. Bakit kailangan mo pang magdorm?" Kunot noong sabi ni Klio nang sa wakas ay tiningnan na ako. Masama rin ang tingin niya sa akin at bahagyang nakapameywang pa.

"Psh."

He's so stubborn like my dad. Klio surely takes after him. They are both handsome, anyway.

Lumapit siya sa maleta ko at nauna nang kinuha ito saka lumabas. Ilalagay ata sa compartment. Sasamahan daw niya ako sa titirhang dorm. He will drive me there and I guess he would check it out.

"I'll see you soon."

My mom kiss me on the cheeks before hugging me once again. "We're gonna miss you sweetie".

As soon as I sit on the passenger's seat, Klio immediately started the engine. He's still frowning.

"Why leave the house, Akisha Mikelle? Kaya naman kitang ihatid araw-araw, kung papasok at pauwi lang naman ang problema mo."

I took a deep sigh and just rested my head on the window. Mas magandang umidlip na lang kaysa pakinggan si Klio.

"Paano kung bigla kang magkasakit, sinong mag-aalaga sa'yo don?"

"You don't know how to drive yet, pano kung mapahamak ka habang nagco-commute?"

He keeps on mumbling things and I can not apprehended some of them. I really am sleepy but he just won't stop on talking.