The Paintbrush Deal

CHAPTER 11

"Thanks for dining with us, sir! Have a good day!"

Isang malapad na ngiti ang ibinigay ko sa customer kasabay ng pagbulsa ko ng tip na ibinigay niya sa 'kin. Agad ko namang nilinis ang mesa na pinagkainan niya.

"I must say, our customers seem to really like you. Even our usual patrons do. This restaurant has become a lot livelier ever since you started working here," Sir Mico said as I brought the dishes to the washing area.

Ngumiti na lang ako. "Ganito po talaga ako magtrabaho, sir."

Well, nagsimula na nga akong magtrabaho rito sa restaurant. Halos isang linggo pa lang naman ang nakalilipas mula nang magsimula ako. I must say, medyo mas malalaki ang mga tip na nakukuha ko rito lalo pa't kadalasan ay mga nagtatrabaho sa kalapit na business establishments at offices ang mga kumakain dito. Maraming ring kakilalang mga executives si Sir Mico, kaya mga big time talaga ang mga tao rito.

"Kumusta pala si Skyler?" tanong pa niya.

Natigilan ako. "He's doing his usual things po. I think he's still working over his new collection," sagot ko.

Wala naman akong pakialam sa ginagawa niya sa bahay kaya isinagot ko na lang ang napapansin kong usual routine niya. Hindi naman talaga kasi kami nagpapansinan kapag nasa bahay kami.

"I see. . . Well, good for him. Still, I miss seeing his old paintings," he said.

Napataas ako ng kilay. "Old paintings?"

"Oh, I forgot. Hindi mo na nga pala naabutan ang time na 'yun," Sir Mico said. "Well, when he was still a budding painter, he used to work with really bright and lively colors. In fact, doon siya unang nakilala. His paintings back then really bring a smile to your face. They were inspiring, lively, and bright. Skyler was considered a genius for being able to convey overwhelming positivity and happiness with his colorful paintings."

Biglang sumagi sa isip ko ang mga dark at gloomy na painting ni Skyler doon sa bahay. In fact, I'm really thankful na may en suite bathroom sa bedroom ko. Lumabas ako minsan sa kalagitnaan ng gabi para uminom ng tubig at halos atakihin ako sa puso dahil akala ko ay nakakita ako ng multo. I realized after one painful fall that it was only a painting of a human which looked eerily alive in the faint light that illuminated the dark house. I had to fight the urge to burn the painting into nothing.

"But his paintings in the house are quite. . . depressing," I said quietly.

Sir Mico sighed somberly. "Well, people change. Skyler has changed a lot these past few years. His style really changed when Miles left. Still, I would love to see his old paintings. Sana makahanap siya ng rason para gumamit ulit ng bright colors sa paintings niya. Kung sakali man na may mahanap ka sa bahay niyang ganoon na painting, dalhin mo agad sa 'kin. I'll pay you handsomely."

"I think I'll pass, sir. I don't want to be stabbed to death by a paintbrush. . . or get head trauma for being hit by an easel," I said, raising a hand.

"I totally get you," Sir Mico replied, chuckling a bit. "That'll be a new cause of death."

Hapon na at naghahanda na naman kami para sa bugso ng customers ngayong gabi. Dahil bakasyon, pinili ko ang full shift at may overtime pa hanggang sa closing time. Alas-diyes ng umaga nagbubukas ang restaurant at alas-nuwebe naman nagsasara. I'm going to use this opportunity to earn as much money as I can.

Nag-aayos ako ng mga silya nang may pumasok na naman na customer. Pagbaling ko kay Ms. Olivia ay agad na nabura ang ngiti ko nang makita ko ang kausap niya.

What the hell is he doing here?!

Of course, kilala niyo na kung sino ang tinutukoy ko. I immediately concluded na may lakad siya dahil sa pormal niyang pananamit. Suot pa niya ang eyeglasses niya. Agad naman akong tumalikod at nagkunwaring hindi siya napapansin, pero ramdam ko pa rin ang mga titig niya kahit nakatalikod na ako.