Strokes of Memories

The room was filled with the familiar tone, it was already 5 minutes since the annoying noise from my alarm clock started. I scowled and gently opened my eyes. Humikab ako at unti-unting bumangon para patayin ang alarm. I tilted my head as I felt the familiar pain in my head. Dahan-dahan akong umalis sa kinahihigaan at kinuha ang tuwalyang nakasabit sa upuan tsaka ako pumasok sa bathroom para makaligo.

Nang nakalabas ako ng bathroom ay nakatakip lang ako ng tuwalya habang patuloy na bumabagsak ang mga natitirang tubig sa aking katawan. Nang akma kong bubuksan ang cabinet ay narinig ko ang pag-ingay ng aking cellphone kaya dinaluhan ko agad 'yon.

[Hello?] I said as soon as I answered the call from an unregistered number.

[Hey, this is Marcos. This is my new number.] He said in a soft tone.

Agad na lumiwanag ang mukha ko nang marinig 'yon. [Uh, y-yes sir. I'll save this number.]

[Umm-hmm. Anyway, I just want to have an update from my commission.]

I gulped when I remembered. [I'm about to work on it, sir! Matatapos ko na po 'to after two to three days!] I positively said.

[Alright thanks, glad to hear that. I'll end the call now. Good morning.]

[Good morning and thank you rin po,] giit ko bago niya ito ibinaba.

When his name wasn't on the screen anymore, I sighed in relief. Inilagay ko na ulit sa bed side table ang cellphone ko at pumunta sa closet para makapagbihis. Pagkatapos ng breakfast ay agad akong pumunta sa art room.

It was a messy art space. May mga pinapatuyong canvas sa gilid at ang iba nama'y nakahilata lang sa sahig. The walls were painted with some medieval patterns. May mga nakapintang anghel rin sa ceiling, some of them were holding trumpets while the others are holding white mantel that covered their bodies. I was once told few months ago that all of these were my works. Everything from this room are all my works, yet wala akong maalalang ginawa ko ang mga 'to noon.

I sat on the swivel chair and rested my elbows on the art desk. Some parts of the table was splashed with some paints that I accidentally messed up few months ago. May mga brush sa gilid ng table na nakalagay sa iisang container. An empty canvas was in front of me at nagkalat na sa mesa ang iba't ibang paints; from oils, acrylics, gouache, to watercolors. There was also a small stall with graphite pencils and stacks of calligraphy pens.

I clasped my hands after starting the camera that was pinned to my table used for making time lapse.

"And time starts.... now," I whispered and began. Agad kong kinuha ang isang graphite pencil at nagsimulang gumuhit sa canvas. On my right hand was my phone with the description of what I should make.

I was on the middle of sketching the mesmerizing scenery when the door knob clicked and the door creaked open. My mom in her pajamas with a tray on her hand, went to me. Dahan-dahan siyang naglakad at ingat-ingat na nilalakangan ang bawat canvas na nakahilera sa sahig.

"Sumasakit ba ang ulo mo?" Tanong niya nang bahagya nang nakalapit. Umiling ako at pilit na ngumiti sa kanya. Inilapag niya sa gilid ng mesa ang isang bowl ng cookies at baso ng gatas.

She gave me a worried smile and slowly nodded. I understand her worries, she was there when I was rushed to the hospital and now she's here while i'm trying to make some progress and revive my lost memories.. The accident that took place few months ago and how it took my memories still wasn't clear to me.

"Don't force yourself to remember too much, okay? Let your memories find their way back to you," she smiled and held my chin to give me a soft kiss on the forehead.