Canvas of Romance

Begin

Everything was bombarded with academics after the long vacation. We were assigned to create a plate featuring our favorite structure that we had to color. Guess what? After all the events I participated in, painting became quite a struggle for me, especially regarding blending for the structure I chose. The structure I decided to paint was the ChronoVista Gallery, which holds a special place in my heart as it inspires me to learn more about painting.

That day at school, Miya and I went to the cafeteria to eat during our break. The cafeteria was packed that day, with some tables occupied by higher-year students from nursing, engineering, and other programs. We lined up at a*****e selling pancakes and juice.

While I was checking my wallet, Miya whispered to me and said, "Are those the multimedia arts students who taught us?" I scanned the students seated at the table, chatting and laughing. One person caught my attention – he was eating bread, listening to his friends, and laughing. From where I was standing, I could sense that his laugh was quite distinctive, almost like a bark of laughter. He seemed genuinely happy, and in his uniform, he looked quite presentable. His hair was thick and black, he had a pointy nose, soft features, red lips, and when he smiled, his dimples showed.

I was taken aback when Miya called me as it was our turn to buy some food. After we bought our meals, we sat near the table of the higher years from the multimedia arts department. Miya sat in front of me, blocking the view of the multimedia arts table. As we began to chit chat and eat our food, in the middle of our meal, Miya got her bottle filled up at the water station, leaving me alone at the table. Now, the view from the other table was clear.

While I was eating at our designated table, Marco looked up at me, waved his hand, and smiled. I smiled back, then heard my phone receive a notification. When I finished checking my phone, I was taken aback because I thought Miya was the one sitting in front of me. I was shocked by who I saw. Marco sat in front of me. I was stunned but I didn't show based on my facial expression.

“Hi there Miss Danica! ” he said.

Miss?

“Hi Macro! How are you?” I replied.

“I’m good, you?” he said.

“We’re loaded with plates, then one prof gave another plate a while ago. It sucks, but well, this is college.” I said out of exshaution.

He looked a bit amused, “what about it?” he replied while raising his one eyebrow of curiosity.

“We were assigned to do a plate about our favorite structure and should paint it.” I said.

“I see, I can help you with that. If you let me.” He said.

I was stunned about what he said, I said “Really?” out of excitement.

After that conversation, I continued with my classes and went home afterward. While I was busy working on my plates, I heard my phone receive a notification. I was so focused on what I was doing that I decided to continue my work. During a break, I checked my phone, and I was stunned when I read what was on the screen.

‘@marcoazielS wants to follow you’ 30 mins ago.

2 post 251 followers 192 following

His profile picture shows him wearing a simple white tee while exuding a mysterious vibe. I quickly browsed through his account, and the first photo was a clear picture of him amidst a messy background filled with paintings, scratch paper, and canvases – perhaps from his first year as a multimedia student. The post has 250 likes.

The second picture I saw was of him smiling, with dimples showing, standing topless near the shore. It was posted two years ago. As I was zooming in on the picture, I accidentally liked it. I quickly removed the like, but it was too late.

My phone buzzed and it said @marcoazielS sent you a message.

From: @marcoazielS

"I didn't realize that you're into topless photos, that you liked my post right away even before accepting my friend request. ” with a matching thinking emoji face.

I didn’t know what to reply. My hands were shaking while I was typing for my response.

To: @marcoazielS

It was just an accident, I already followed you though. :)

From: @marcoaziel

Okay, valid answer. I purposely follow you so that we’d have contact since I want to help you with your plate. Remember?

To: @marcoazielS

I see. When will you be free? My plate should be submitted in less than 3 weeks.

From: @marcoazielS

I’ll see you on Saturday then Miss Danica.

To: @marcoazielS

Sure, see you Marco!

That was a relief to me, since I liked one of his pictures. After that conversation, I quickly went back to doing my plates.

Saturday came, and we decided to meet at the nearby park. I quickly checked my outfit, wearing a white puff sleeve schiffy dress with matching black sandals. And a black tsuno bag. I grabbed my drawing materials and headed to the park.

When I got to the park, he was already seated at one of the tables. He stood up when he saw me and smiled. As I scanned his outfit, he was wearing beige baggy pants, a dark brown belt tucked into a white long-sleeved polo. The sleeves of the polo shirt were folded up to the elbows, and he wore dark brown loafers. It was breezy in the park, and I noticed that he was holding something. As I approached him, I waved and smiled back.

“I’m sorry, I’m late.” I said.

"It’s okay, I don’t mind. Also, I bought some food so that while we’re doing something, we can eat," he replied and showed me the food he bought.

“I see, I didn’t bring anything. But maybe next time, I will.” I said.

His brows furrowed playfully as he heard what I said.

“So there’s still next time huh?” he replied while smiling jokingly at me.

I was caught up’ he’s clearly teasing me, I just said, “I mean, I said next time it will be my treat!”

“Sure, but I will pay. I’m not comfortable letting a woman pay for me.” he said.

“What? How am I supposed to make it up to you then?” I said.

“You just have to choose what food we’ll eat, that's how you can make it up for me.” He said.

“Okay, if that’s what you say. Shall we start then?” I said.

We sat at the table, and he took the seat beside me, placing my drawing materials in front of me. I then realized I had forgotten my water bottle, leaving me without water to use. Quickly scanning the park, I fortunately spotted a water refill station. I was about to stand to get some water when, seemingly reading my mind, Marco stood up with the cup I had brought and refilled it. His gentlemanly behavior surprised me, and it appeared to be just a normal gesture for him.

“Shall we start then?” he asked me while he’s back getting water.

“Yes, sure! By the way, thanks for getting me water.” I said

"No problem, Miss Danica," he said, smiling, his dimples showing.