No Label

Metamorphosis: Prologue

September 24, 2018

Blue means trust or calm.

Red means love or anger.

If you combine these two colors, it makes it purple.

"Ano meaning ng painting mo, Mina?", Kiran is being curious with my work while she's also busy doing her own. I put down the flat brush with purple stains on it. I look at her for a second and back to the painting I just finished.

"Dominant color is purple. Means royalty, mystery... sadness"

"That's deep", she sneered and focused again to her work.

We are having an activity for our Art Appreciation class. Painting had been a hobby for me since elementary. I participated various mural painting in high school too. Good thing we have this general subject in college, at least I could take a break from our major subjects. Painting is tiring but it heals me whenever I'm stressed.

Being in a school with good reputation in the field of Engineering had been causing me a lot of pressure.

I can say... Math is my strength since elementary. I used to join Math quiz bee also in high school. Then college came, I learned a lot of curse words because of Math. Though I didn't regret coming to this course. This is my dream. We all need hardships to success. I'm just an average student so I need to work hard for it.

"Time's up!", our teacher instructed us to put a title to our artworks. Everyone wrapped up their works and arranged the canvas. Then the panel of judges roam around to give scores.

I've been thinking a good title for my work but I went to the simple one.

'Broken World'

The main subject of my painting is a face of a beautiful woman where half of her face turned colorless and flowers bloom as it cracks. It represents 'Mother Nature' and how it is currently being destroyed by humans. Simple as that.

"Now class, the result is out!", everyone howled in excitement. "And the best painting for this class goes to...'Broken World'"

They all cheered and congratulated me. I was happy, of course. It means high grade.

I took a picture with my canvas along with the local artists who judged.

"Everyone, I'll leave this form here. Fill this up if your painting is for sale. Also, name your price", My classmates lined up to fill that form. Of course, I did too. I have no space to display that at home.

"Galing talaga ng friend ko!", I pinched when Kiran suddenly tapped my shoulder. I'm standing and staring at my painting. Honestly, I'm not very satisfied with my work. I didn't put a lot of details and the time is too short for me to do it. Though I appreciate that it won as the 'best painting' even if it's not my best.

"Did you sell yours? ", I asked.

"Syempre. Tag hirap ngayon sizt!"

"Mina?", lumingon ako ng marinig ang pagtawag ng prof namin. She's young, maybe on 20's. Super bait niya and she obviously knows a lot about art.

"Tingin muna ako sa ibang artworks", paalam ni Kiran to give us privacy.

"Yes, Miss?", I shifted my attention to Miss Gail.

"Uhm... one of the panels wanted to buy your painting"

My lips parted. "Really? That's good news!", I was excited. This will be my first commissioned artwork. Good thing dahil panel yung bibili kaya matitiyak kong maalagaan ito. There are four panels. One of them is a bit young and good-looking. Medyo type ko.

"Can I critic your work?", she asked.

"Sure Miss.", I love hearing art criticisms. Every masterpiece has different meaning. It doesn't just rely on what the artist wanted to convey. Everyone is free to give its own interpretation because art can be understood infinitely.

"Metamorphosis", she just uttered a single word but it caused me to ask a lot of questions.

"Metamorphosis? As in, butterfly evolution?", tinignan ko ulit yung painting ko. I don't see any butterfly in there.

"The word Metamorphosis isn't only for butterflies, dear.", she smiled. Gosh, I looked dumb. "It's a concept of unlimited transformation. Just like a chameleon, it's blending to its surroundings. As you've said, like the butterfly, from caterpillar it transforms into a beautiful flying creature.", she paused a bit. "And like a personality, it's changing."

I don't know the right word to respond. She gave a deeper meaning to a painting I just painted for the love of nature.

"Ah... Miss, can I ask which panel yung bibili ng painting ko?", I just changed the topic before we could immerse completely to her emotions.

"Si Engr. Ramirez. He said his daughter wanted the painting"

I'm a bit disappointed kasi hindi si handsome panel yung bibili but it's a good thing kasi Engineer. I can make a good price for it.

"Will he gonna take it today?", I asked,

"Yes. I'm about to give you this contract.", may inabot siya sakin na isang papel. Hindi na ako nag dalawang isip na permahan yun.

I sold the painting that day. I'm sure of it.

It caught my attention as I saw the same painting again. It's my work and I know it's mine. I don't know why is it here. Why is it hanging on our wall? It's impossible for that painting to come here itself.

I saw my sister standing and staring at the painting. Like she's been there for long and just couldn't stop staring. I have no idea she's that emotional towards art.

"Bakit 'yan nandito? I sold that painting two years ago", sabi ko at lumapit sa kanya. She didn't respond.

Her expression is different.

Her stares are sharp.

Parang wala siya sa sarili.

The next thing I saw is the knife on her hand...with stains of blood.