Art of Serendipity

05

Hindi na siya nakapagsalita pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon. I looked at him just to see his reaction but I can't literally see any. He is in deep thinking. At some point, his reaction reflects mine. We are both staring blankly in front like waiting for a miracle to suddenly happen.

"I hope my answer will satisfy you," I said, tilting my head a bit. Pinaglalaruan ko rin ang paa ko.

He nodded. "Are you okay?"

My eyes widened a bit. This is the first time I heard that on someone, right? Am I okay? Bihira lang mga taong kumustahin ako kaya hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng pakiramdam ang idinulot nito sa akin. Kahapon, he said that he'll listen and that's already a big deal for me.

"I'm okay, still kicking. Ikaw?" I answered casually. Since when did I became this comfortable talking to him?

"I'm okay, too." He scoffed.

"I'll go now." I stood up. Hinintay ko pa kung may sasabihin siya pero nakatitig lang siya sa bawat kilos ko. Nagkibit-balikat lang ako at umalis na sa harap niya. Hindi niya naman ako sinundan kaya ayos lang.

Hindi ko maintindihan pero masarap pala sa pakiramdam kapag may kausap ka kahit sa saglit na panahon lang. Ako kasi ay ayos lang na si Nanay Luz lang nakikinig sa akin at palagi kong kausap. Hindi rin naman ako napapakinggan ni Daddy dahil madalas ay busy siya, ayaw kong dumagdag sa mga poproblemahin pa niya.

Days passed and this is the day when we're scheduled going to the art gallery. Bibili raw sila ng painting for the mansion because it looks old na raw. Wala naman akong pakialam kung magmukha ng matanda yung mansion dahil ito ang kinamulatan ni Mommy but it's okay too, to put some colors. Maybe that way, our house will look more alive.

"If may magustuhan kang painting, you can tell me, okay? You can look for paintings for your room too, darling," Daddy said as we entered the gallery.

I nodded and roamed my eyes around. Ngayon lang ako nakapasok sa ganito. Sa labas ay may malaking arko na nakalagay ay 'Velez Art Gallery'. Sa apelyido siguro ng may-ari. Sa loob naman ay open space sa gitna pero dalawang palapag. Nasa first floor pa lang kami pero napakarami ng magagandang painting, paano pa kaya sa taas? Malaki kasi ang building.

I heard from Daddy that they have branch in each three islands in the Philippines, especially in Luzon ang Visayas. So, is this their main branch? It looks luxurious. Grand to the eyes, even though the place looks old, it has still given me cinematic feel.

"Welcome and good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Vegas. Do you have an appointment with our director?" the woman with a formal attire welcomed us.

"Uhm, actually yes, I'll just talk with Mr. Velez then we're going to find a painting for us. Where is he?" Dad answered too. Nakahawak sa braso niya si Tita Donna at ako naman ay nasa likod.

The woman escorted us but I called Daddy's attention halfway. "I'll stay here na lang po, magtitingin-tingin po muna ako."

"Sige, hija. We'll be back."

Umatras na agad ako at hinayaan silang mawala sa paningin ko. Tumalikod na ako para maglibot pero hindi ko alam kung saan sisimulan. All the paintings are beautiful, sayang, we're not allowed to touch those. I want to feel and imagine how the painter or the artist did this. Sobrang pulido.

The last supper we have is originally picked by my mom so there's no need to change that one and besides, mukhang dito rin naman ata binili iyon.

While I'm looking to each of the paintings, sobrang na-aattract ako. As if there's something that meant for me to see and grasp. Parang nawawala ang stress ko sa mga nakikita ko. Ilang artists kaya ang gumagawa rito? Napaka-galing nila.

Parang gusto ko bigla maka-witness ng isang pintor habang nagpe-paint. Wala naman kasi akong talent sa arts, e. But I know how to see a beautiful artwork, not just for its physical attributes but it's meaning too. We have engineers and architects who can turn their skill and talent in arts into a realistic one pero iba ang hatak kapag totoong pintor na, hindi mo lang nakikita kung gaano katotoo ang ginagawa nila kundi, it is as if you, yourself are inside their masterpieces as well.

Paintings has this timeless beauty.

Wala akong mapili. Each of it are worth to buy, display, see and be proud of. Hindi ko naman kailangan ng painting sa kwarto ko pero noong nakita ko itong mga ito, parang na-boring-an agad ako sa kwarto ko. Eh, pa'no yan? Wala akong mapili!

Huminto lang ako sa isang painting ng sunflower. Not literally sunflower, but it's color and harmony can attracts you. Isang napakalawak na landscape, may haring araw mula sa kanluran kung saan nakaharap ang mga sunflowers. In the middle of the way, there's a woman who are smiling while facing the sun, holding a sunflower but what captures my attention the most is... the woman's back is full of daggers.

I know it's meaning. So far, dito ako tumagal ng titig. Walang kahit anong titulo na nakakapagsabi kung sino ang gumawa nito... para man lang sana mapasalamatan siya sa pagpapakita ng isang magandang masterpiece.

"Do you want to buy this one, sweetie?" Daddy's voice interrupted me from staring at the painting.

"Uh..." hindi ko masabing oo dahil never naman akong magsabi ng ganito kadirekta kay Daddy ng mga gusto ko. Because of course, someone will ruin it.

"Hon, I saw a luxurious painting up there. Let's go and see it," Tita Donna approached us. Daddy's eyes remained on me and the painting.

"Who is assisting this painting?" he asked me, ignoring Tita Donna.

"I didn't see anyone po," I answered honestly. Nasa dulong bahagi kasi ang painting na ito kaya hindi na masyadong umaabot pa rito ang mga tao dahil sa entrada pa lang, busog na ang mga mata nila. I just had the urge here and saw this.

"I see, I'll ask-"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Vegas. The assistant of this painting is busy as of the moment, but I can assist you instead," someone interrupted us. My eyes widened and stared at him for a while. With his white polo ending in his elbow and a black jeans. His hair is a bit messy but he still looks good.

What the hell? What is he doing here? Is he an employee here? I looked at him from head to toe. Ginagawa nito rito?

"Okay, it seems like my daughter likes this painting. Would you mind telling us the details?" Dad smiled at Levi.

Levi's eyes darted on mine, mabilis niyang pinasadahan ang kabuuan ko, and it's a bit uncomfortable. Hindi ako kumportable na nandito siya, kumakalabog ng ewan yung puso ko. Why is he here for heaven's sake?

"Really, Miss Vegas? What do you like about this painting then?" his husky voice really hits me so hard!

I gulped. "U-uhm..." I looked at the painting again. Kung kanina parang ang dami kong gustong sabihin tungkol dito sa painting na ito, noong dumating siya nawala lahat! Palagi na lang tuwing nandiyan siya!

"Hon, this painting looks so cheap," Tita Donna approached us. "No offense, hija, but hija, is this really your choice? There is more expensive painting out there. I mean, look at the price!" she exaggerated.

I looked at the price at mas nabuo ang desisyon kong bilhin iyon. Mababa ang presyo kumpara sa ibang mga nandito, kaya siguro nasa tagong parte pero wala akong pakialam kung ano pang maging presyo nito.

No offense, huh? Like I would not get offended if she said something really offensive.

"I like the painting, Dad. I'll purchase it," I said to my dad, ignoring Tita's words too. Kung namumurahan siya, e'di ako na lang ang bibili, pera ko. Ano bang pakialam niya? Wala dapat. Hindi ko naman siya pinakikialaman.

Her face turned red. "Hindi ka talaga nakikinig, ano? You will buy this? Nagsasayang ka ng pera? Oh my, God. Your daughter is giving me headaches, hon." She massaged his temple.

"Tita Donna, nagsasayang ng pera? I'm not. The painting's price is maybe as low as your standards but I don't care po. I don't care about the price because its price has nothing to do with its meaning and purpose, Tita. Can you let me this time?" I said full of sarcasm. Naiinis ako sa ugali niya.

"As low as my standards? Are you really that stupid? Oh, no need to ask that because it is clearly seen." She looked at the painting. " I think I know now why do you pick this one. Sunflower is your mother's favorite flower, right? Nonsense, your reason is nonsense."

"My mom is not nonsense so are you!" I gritted my teeth out of anger. How dare she talk like that?!

"Stop it, Donna. You're starting with my daughter again!" Daddy massaged his temple too.

"Ayan, kinukusinti mo kasi 'yang anak mo kaya lumalaking bastos at walang respeto," galit ding ani sa kaniya ni Tita Donna.

I held my chest because my breathing become heavy. Ganito ako tuwing nababanggit si Mommy. Nakakagalit si Tita Donna, sobra. She is so childish and immature. Our house is not even her territory so she has no rights of demanding like that. Sino ba siya? She is not my mother and she will never be!

And I cannot believe that we are fighting over a painting!

~~~