The Universe and Beyond

Universe 21: Class Activity

ZEN

Monday. Today we are going to have our class activity. Alas-siyete pa lang ng umaga, nasa harap na ako ng bahay nina Rozend pero napansin ko si Tita Rina na naglilinis ng kanilang bakuran kaya ngumiti ako sa kanya.

"Tita Rina, good morning. Si Rozend po?" tanong ko nang makalapit ako sa kanya.

"Ah. Nagbibihis na. Bababa na rin siya," nakangiting sagot niya sa 'kin. "May class activity raw kayo ngayon? Saan kayo pupunta?"

Tumango ako. "May class activity po pero hindi ko alam kung saan kami pupunta."

"Ah, ganu'n ba? Hmmm... Let's exchange contacts. Kapag may nangyaring hindi maganda, itext mo ako agad ha?" she said with a soft smile.

Tumango ako at ibinigay sa kanya ang number ko. I also saved her number. Bumaba na si Rozend. He's wearing jeans and white V-neck shirt today while carrying his bag on his back. Nasa pickup na ang lahat ng mga kailangan namin sa pagpipinta. Ngumiti siya sa 'kin nang makita ako na naghihintay sa labas at bahagyang kumaway. He kissed his mother's cheeks and bid goodbye. Bago makaalis si Rozend, pinaalalahanan pa siya ng ina niya na mag-iingat at huwag masyadong magpapagod. Napakamot na lang sa ulo si Rozend at maluwang na ngumiti sa kanyang ina. He's still a kid in his family's eyes.

We drive to the University and park the car. Naghihintay na rin ang mini shuttle bus na sasakyan namin sa parking lot ng SAU. Nang makita nina Chantalle, Chelsey, Jax at Shaun si Rozend, agad silang nangamusta.

Mahinang sinagi naman nina Chantalle at Chelsey ang mga balikat ko at nang-aasar na nakangiti sa 'kin na tila may alam silang hindi ko alam. It seems they are happy for me but I'm not really sure why. Or maybe they see through me – my real feelings.

"Rozend! Ilang araw kang nawala ah. Ano'ng nangyari? Family vacation?" tanong ni Jax.

"Uhmm. Parang ganu'n?" nakangiting sagot ni Rozend.

"Parang hindi ka naman nag-enjoy," puna ni Shaun habang nakangisi.

Mahina lang na tumawa si Rozend at nakangiting umiling. "I like this place better."

Natigilan sila sa pag-uusap nang magsimulang mag-attendance ang class representative namin. Nang matapos ang attendance, sumakay na kami sa shuttle. I take the window seat while Rozend sits next to me.

"You said this place is better. How is it there? What is it like?" tanong ko nang makaupo kami. We're just waiting for Mr. Martinez who is now talking to the driver.

Nang-aasar na ngumiti siya sa 'kin. "You really can't wait, huh. I'll tell you soon but not now," he answers.

I roll my eyes. "I'm just curious," nakasimangot na saad ko.

"You bring your camera?" tanong niya.

"Yes. Why?"

"Pahiram," saad niya. Wala sa sariling ibinigay ko ang camera sa kanya. He turns it on and focuses the lens on us.

"Let's take a photo. This is our first class trip after all," he said with a wide smile.

We both smile when he starts the count down and take a photo. When he checks the photo, he smiles even wider and I can't really tell what he is thinking. "I'll borrow your camera today. Let's take photos from time to time." Isinabit niya sa leeg niya ang camera strap.

"This is not a fieldtrip," paalala ko sa kanya.

"Regardless," he answers then he turns to me with a smile. "Let me sleep on your shoulder, Zen."

Namula ang mukha ko at nag-iwas ng tingin. He's always catching me off guard. I turn my head and look outside the window. "Sige. Matulog ka na." Hindi na siya nagsalita pa. Napangiti na lang ako nang mapansing nakatulog siya agad, pagkalapat pa lang ng ulo niya sa balikat ko.

Seriously? How can he stay calm like this? When I'm having trouble calming my heart.

The bus starts to move. Dahil hindi rin ako sanay gumising nang maaga, hindi ko na rin napigilan ang sarili nang unti-unti akong makatulog. When I wake up, my head is already leaning on Rozend's head.

"Lola, ang bigat ng ulo mo," pang-aasar niya na nagising na rin pala.

"Mas mabigat ang ulo mo," buwelta ko nang umupo ako nang tuwid. Tumawa lang siya sa sinabi ko at inalis na rin ang ulo sa balikat ko. Napansin namin na tumigil na ang bus sa harap ng isang malawak na taniman ng mga bulaklak. I can also see a mountain covered by low clouds from afar.

Tumayo na si Mr. Martinez at nagsalita. "Okay class. We're stopping here. For today's class activity, we will focus on painting landscapes. You can choose your center of interest anywhere. It's alright to paint people as long as the highlight is still the landscape. A good landscape gives you the feeling that you can walk into and around it, so you must consider how you will lead the eye into the painting. Here are the things you need to consider when painting a landscape. Plan the picture. Plan how to paint the foreground or if you need to crop it. Select the focal point. Consider how you will create space. How you will apply light and colors. I suggest you go around the place first before you paint to your heart's content. You can make your surroundings dramatic or relaxing. It all depends on you. I want to see everyone's point-of-views. I want to see you paint thousands of tales."

After saying those things, he already allows us to go outside and wander around the place. Napangiti ako sa malawak na taniman ng iba't ibang uri ng mga bulaklak. There are field of roses, sunflowers, lavenders, zinnias, tulips and more. May mga ilang puno rin ng acacia sa malayo at natatanaw ko ang mataas na bundok na napaliligiran ng mga ulap. The whole place is refreshing and relaxing. I can't hide the smile slowly forming in my lips. This place is a mesmerizing panorama.

Rozend takes photos of the place. Sometimes, he's sneakily taking photos of me too and I can only frown at him while he's just smiling widely at me.

"So what are you going to paint?" tanong ko sa kanya habang nag-iikot kami sa malawak na taniman ng mga bulaklak. Hindi ko maiwasang hawakan at amuyin ang mga bulaklak na nadadaanan namin. I really like the smell of flowers. They have this calming scent that makes me feel at ease. I feel like I'm floating in the middle of this field without worries, without problems. And it's nice to know that some little beautiful things can suddenly lift your spirit up outside their own intentions.

"I guess I'll paint this flower field while you're smelling those beautiful flowers," he answers suddenly.

Namula ang mukha ko pero salubong ang mga kilay na tiningnan ko siya. "Seryoso ako sa tanong ko."

"Seryoso ako sa sagot ko," nakangiting saad niya.

My heart suddenly skips a beat. "Bakit kasama pa ako?" kunot-noong tanong ko.

"Because you're the most beautiful thing that exists in my world – in this landscape," he answers with honesty.

Mas lalong namula ang mukha ko at siguradong napansin niya ito. "Hala. Pa-fall si kuya," pang-aasar ko para mawala ang hiya ko.

Lumawak ang ngiti niya. "Bakit nahuhulog ka na ba?" pang-aasar din niya.

"Pwede ba?" hamon ko.

Natigilan siya sa tanong ko. His smile falters a little that secretly makes me panic. "We're still young and there are things you still don't know about me."

Marahan akong tumango pero tila nasaktan ng bahagya ang puso ko. Is this what they call rejection? Well, it's not an outright one but I still feel rejected. "I understand. You're right. We're still young. It's not like I'm rushing these kind of things. It's alright if we don't talk about this. It's alright if these feelings aren't what I'm thinking of. But you're willing to tell me the things I don't know about you, right? Because I want to know you – all about you," mahinang saad ko. I turn to him with a hopeful gaze.

He smiles softly at me. "Yes. But I still need time. I still need time to be brave. I'm still gathering enough courage. Because at this very moment, being brave is the hardest. Will you wait until I can tell you everything about me? Will you listen?" he asks almost whispering.

I smile at him to ease the heaviness in his deep voice. "Definitely. I can wait until you are brave enough. I will listen when you're ready," I say with a nod.

I have a feeling his secret will be a heavy one. But I'm willing to accept everything about this sun.

***