My Imaginations: A collection of one shot stories

The Girl Behind the Painting

"Students! Umayos kayo sa pila!" Agad naman naming sinunod ang utos ng aming tour guide.

"So we are about to enter one of the most famous museums in the World. Kindly, follow the proper etiquette when roaming around..."

Madami pa s'yang sinbi ngunit hindi na ako nakinig doon. "So... students, shall we come in?"

Pumasok kami sa museum at bumungad ang naglalakihang paintings sa'min.

There are famous paintings like Espana Y Filipinas by Juan Luna, La Laguna Estigia by Fèlix Hidalgo.

"Again, don't touch anything." She kept on repeating that sentence over and over again.

"Don't touch anything daw sabi ni Ms. Sunglasses." Biro ng isa at nagtawanan naman ang kanyang tropa. I looked at her and she still haven't removed her black sunglasses since we saw her.

"Go, explore the museum."

I went with the group of boys roaming around as well. The place seemed to be a historical book without words.

The ambiance of the place gave a classy vibe to me. The crystal chandeliers, the creme walls, the red carpet.

"Felix! " Agad naman akong lumingon at nakita ang mga kasama kong mga lalakeng paalis na.

"Dun muna kami sa kabila. Ha?"

"Sige."

I decided to walk around more but a painting captured my eyes.

The girl in painting... She looks so innocent.

It was as if my eyes got hand capped by the picture. It was so silent I can only hear the beating of my heart. It seemed like time had stopped.

The girl...

Do I know her?

May bilang sumangi ng kamay ko.

" No touching." It was our tour guide. Tinignan ko muli ang kamay ko at halos pala mahawakan ko na ang painting.

"Sorry."

She stood beside me and looked at the painting, admiring it. She was a few inches shorter than me.

"You know..."

"This painting has a very beautiful story behind it."

"Wan't to hear it?"

"Sure." I'm so captivated by the painting. To the point that I didn't even think if I wan't to hear the story or not.

"Taong 1892, sa isang baryong hindi nalalayo sa dalampasigan kilalang kilala ang pinakaunang anak ng pamilyang Aviso. Ang padre de pamilya ng Pamilyang Aviso, si Ginoong Marco Aviso, ay isang mayamang mamamayan ng kanilang baryo. Ilang hacienda ang kanyang pag mamayari. Ang alam ng buong baryo ay napakaperpekto ng kanilang pamilya. May matipunong ama at ubod ng gandang ina ay nagbunga ng babaeng kinagigiliwan ng lahat ng binata sa kanilang baryo, Si Anastasia Aviso."

She smiled as if remembering the story.

"Ang pamilyang Aviso ay hindi ganon kaganda ang samahan. "Anastasia! Ayusin mo ang iyong upo! Hindi ganyan ang upo ng isang babae!" Sigaw ng pinakamatandang Aviso, Si Ginang Marcela. "Patawad po, Lola." Humingi ng paumanhin ang pitong taong Anastasia na tila ba'y maiiyak na. "At balita ko, hindi ganoon kaganda ng marka mo sa ibang aralin. Anong nangyari sayo Anastasia?!" Mapuno ng boses ng matanda ang napakalaking mansion. "P-patawad po." Patuloy na humingi ng tawad ang pinakabatang Anastasia. "Tandaan mo, isa kang Aviso! Kaya umayos ka!" Sigaw ng matanda at umalis sa hapagkainan. Tuluyan nang naiyak ang batang Anastasia. Simula noong namatay ang kanyang ina, wala nang nagtatagol sa batang Anastasia mula sa kanyang lola. Ang kayang ina ay pinaslang sa paraan ng pagsaksak. Ang sumaksak ay hindi pa nakikilala. Simula noon lumaki ang batang Anastasia na laging nangunguna sa lahat ng bagay. Maliban sa kayang apelido doon s'ya nakilala sa pagiging magaling sa lahat.