When Autumn Blossoms

Chapter 15

Chapter 15
The Autumn's Spring

Middle Autumn Peak, a.k.a. MAP, is a magical resort that exists somewhere no one knows. Only those who needed that place will be sent there. That's according to the book Saive had been reading since yesterday. Nang matapos niya ang huling pahina kagabi ay halos tumunganga lang siya sa ceiling buong magdamag.

She couldn't believe it. Sir Ben was right. Their stories were almost exact copy of each. How was it possible?

When Autumn Blooms. A story written by Kharlsean Mercado Liliamton, a Fil-Am writer who stayed most of his days in America. His work was published in 1953, under the New Laurent Times.

Tapos ang When Autumn Blossoms naman ni Saive ay maipa-publish pa lang sana. But, it wouldn't happen anymore. Sino ba namang magpa-publish ng kuwento na may kapareho? Wala.

Napabuntong-hininga si Saive at napabangon na lang kahit gusto niya pang magmukmok buong magdamag. She took a whole week leave from her job.

Kaninang umaga ay nakatanggap siya ng E-mail mula sa manager ng museum na madalas niyang puntahan. He informed her about a new painting. Espesyal daw iyon dahil taong 1905 pa 'yon naipinta, at ngayon lang nadiskubre. Of course, hindi niya iyon palalampasin, lalo pa't isang linggo lang doon ang painting dahil lilibutin pa nito ang iba't ibang museum sa bansa at daigdig.

Napatingin si Saive sa entrance ng museum. Napaismid siya nang halos magsiksikan ang mga tao papasok. Mukhang nakakuha nga ng madla ang bagong painting.

Naglakad lang siya hanggang sa marating niya ang receiving area. Dinukot niya ang kanyang VIP card at ipinakita sa front-desk staff. She registered for a VIP membership a month ago already.

"This way, ma'am." Nagpatiuna na itong maglakad papasok sa VIP entrance kaya napasunod na lang siya.

"You will be delighted by the new painting, ma'am," kausap sa kanya ng staff. "It's magnificent and has vibrant pigments still, despite of its old age."

"Anong taon ulit 'yon nai-paint?"

"Year 1905. It was painted by a famous Filipino-Hungarian painter. Although he stayed most of his time in Hungary, he left several masterpieces in Filipinas. And this one is one of them."

Napatango lang si Saive. Excitement started to build inside her system. She couldn't wait to see the painting everyone was talking about.

Nang makaharap na sila sa makapal na wooden double-door ay pinagbuksan sila ng dalawang security guard. Agad silang pumasok at nilandas ang lobby patungo sa kinalalagyan ng painting.

Isang hakbang. Dalawang hakbang. Tatlo. Apat. Lima. Hanggang sa nasa harap na nila ito.

Napasinghap si Saive. Namilog ang kanyang mga mata. May malamig na sensasyon na dumaloy sa kanyang sestima. Napanganga pa siya nang bahagya.

"T-this can't be," she whispered, confused. Napakurap pa siya upang masigurong totoo ang nakikita niya.

"That masterpiece is called Autumn's Shine, painted by the famous Alecerio Bonifacio Gustave."

Alam ni Saive na kinakausap siya ng staff pero hindi niya iyon pinagtuonan ng pansin. Nakadikit lang ang titig niya sa painting na nasa harapan niya ngayon.