Beyond Her Abstraction

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4
Light of Hope

Alizarin

"In fact, I like him..." I said. "He really cares for his artwork. I would like to be friends with him," dagdag ko.

Tumingin ako sa mga mata ng lalaking nasa harap ko. I saw that he gulped after I said those words. He took away his gaze from me.

Is he startled to hear that I want him to be my friend pagkatapos ng hindi kanais-nais niyang pakikitungo sa akin?

Phthalo Cipasco.

In a span of one week, maraming beses akong napasulyap sa kaniya but only when his eyes are away from me. I notice him everytime because he stands out among the crowd. I think, it's not just me who would turn a head once seeing that guy. For holy sake, he is close to giant only if he's not skinny.

The more I look at him secretly in every single day that passed by, the more I feel enchanted by seeing his enthusiasm towards his art and captivated by the way he looks. His features are soft but they magnetize like iron.

I thought he would be someone that I would look up to not until he came to me with intense aura after I suggested to put his work to somewhere else. Kakaalam ko lang ng pangalan niya noon and I don't want to judge him immediately for acting that way.

Kanina ay naabutan ko siyang nagliligpit sa hall. I tried to reach him out to settle things between us habang wala pa naman si Uncle Sebb.

Seriously, I don't want him to stay annoyed at me just because of that incident. I tried to make an effort. I even got his cellphone number to reconcile! I already explained myself and I know it's not totally my fault. I was just trying to help but it's the hate that I got from this man.

His fitted black shirt made his biceps visible. The silver watch on his wrist screams masculinity.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay when he said "I don't like it here" straight to my eyes. I stand still though his eyes are throwing daggers at me. He then went out of the area without further ado.

I sighed. I thought that it will be my chance to fix the tension between us. Well, I don't have any guilt towards him but he has.

It is me who can understand more kaya pinipili ko na lang na intindihin siya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang bumabagabag sa isipan niya. Maybe he's not in the mood. Maybe he has a problem deep inside him kaya madali siyang mainis. I have to be holistic with my judgments as much as I can lalo na at bagong salta lang ako rito.

As soon as I saw Uncle Sebb, we headed to the samgyupsal place just near the hall. He asked me if I would be okay staying there. He knows that I don't eat pork but I assured him that I would be fine. I can just eat the side dishes. Isa pa, that's the first time we will be sitting together in one place. That's a good opportunity to socialize, know my fellow artists, and start new strong connections.

"That's good, Rin. Phthalo is good man. I think, you both can be good colleagues," tumatangong pahayag ni Sir Salve.

"I agree. I've known Thal for years and he's friendly... especially with girls," sabat ng magandang babaeng nasa tabi ko. Ngayon ko lang siya nakita. She gave out a smile pero hindi kita ang ngipin. Her eyes became half-mooned shape showing a lively expression.

Phthalo in front of me pshawed. His friend let out small laughters as well.

All throughout the dinner, tahimik lang siyang nag-grill at kumain pagkatapos no'n. The organizers and other artists opened new topics. Sometimes I would join them if they ask me something.

Sumulyap ang lalaking nasa harap ko sa akin. Hindi niya alam na nakatingin na ako sa kaniya kanina pa. I gave him a smile pero iniwas niya lang ang kaniyang tingin.