Show Not Tell

PAGE THIRTEEN

N A N A

I looked up some places online. Seryoso ako sa resolution ko so I want to take action right now. Dahil nagtitipid ako, I started looking for rooms instead of a full blown house for rent. Kaso wala akong nakita na malapit lang sa area na ito.

As long as possible my new place has to be around this area. Kung saan hindi aabot ng isang oras ang byahe patungo sa pub house at sa eskwelahan na pinagtatrabahuhan ko. This will save me a lot of gasoline and be more time efficient.

Argh! Kung may malapit man sa isa sa mga ito ay masyado namang mahal ang renta.

Nag-search pa ako ng maigi. Sinubukan ko ang mga room for rent malapit sa eskwelahan na pinagtatrabahuhan ko. I bet the price won't be too expensive for me considering the boarders are often students.

“Great!”

May nakita akong post na naghahanap ng lady boarder.

Hindi lang isang post, kung hindi ay dalawa. This is great, may pagpipilian na akong bagong tirahan. This will be temporary pa rin naman. Lilipat ako agad sa oras na makapag-ipon ako ng pera para sa apartment. Apartments are more expensive than boarding houses but lesser than a condo. Kaya ayus na rin sa akin. It’s for my start-up anyway.

I was still in the middle of checking available rooms online when my phone suddenly rang. I was so immersed in looking for a new place that I forgot about work. I forgot about Jacks.

Mabuti na lang at nag-set ako ng reminder sa cellphone ko.

“I got to go.”

Dahil masyado akong naging abala sa pagmamasid kay Jacks, medyo nakalimutan ko na ang storyline ng webtoon namin. I did listen and read the synopsis but it's just the summary of the story. Kailangan ko ng detalye.

Augh. Here's where the actual work shall begin.

“I'm sorry, something urgent came so I'm kind of late,” sabi ko sa pinto ng room ni Jacks nang ako ay makarating.

Bukas ang gate ng bahay niya nang dumating ako. Ganun din ang main door, kaya naman pumasok na ako ng kusa. Besides, I received a text message from him telling me to help myself get in his house. Hindi pa raw siya tapos sa sample pictures.

I don't know what he meant by sample pictures but I just did what he told me to do. Umupo na ako sa sofa pagkatapos kong ianunsyo ang pagdating ko.

I guess I have to wait here now.

While waiting, I started to browse the documents on my phone. Nilagay ko kasi rito ang document version ng handwritten na synopsis ni Jacks.

The story still screams erotic. I can imagine how the characters will be drawn in Jacks graphic and dirty style of drawing. I don't think it will suit the romance genre. Mukhang kailangan ko rin siyang kunsultahin tungkol dito.

After a few minutes I heard a click on my left, then I saw Jacks leaving his room with a gloomy and exhausted aura. He was already looking depressed when we met at the coffee shop, and now that we're inside a house with almost zero light his terrible aura went to worst.

“H-Hi… Are you done with your work? Was it a deadline?” tanong ko sa kanya.

I have to ask him something para hindi maging awkward ang simula ng meeting na ito.

“It's not. I finished with that this morning.”

“Hm?” Tinitigan ko lang siya at hinintay na makita ang ekspresyon ko. Pero nanatili lang na nasa sahig ang mga mata ni Jacks hanggang sa umupo siya sa single seated na sofa na nasa gilid ko lang.

The atmosphere began to feel shaky. Konting katahimikan pa at baka tuluyang maging awkward ulit ang pakiramdam ko.

So, I asked him, “Then what were you trying to finish?”

Inilapag ni Jacks ang bitbit niyang tablet sa lamesa, nagbuntong-hininga siya at saka sumandal sa sofa.

“Kevin wanted me to make samples.”

“Samples?”

“Uh-huh. I don't know what he meant. I just followed what he instructed me to do.” Kibit-balikat ni Jacks.

“Then, what did he tell you to do?”

Baka ito yung tinutukoy ni Christine kanina na bagong demand ni Kevin. I swear if this is something impossible for me to do, I will have to call Kevin this instant. I have had enough sh*ts happening to me today.

“I was told to create different soft art styles. Something that might suit the romance genre…”

Nagpaliwanag sa akin si Jacks kung ano pa ang kailangan naming gawin sa meeting ngayon. It was kind of a challenge for me to understand a man of a few words such as Jacks himself.

Kailangan daw niyang gumawa ng mga sample para sa akin. Apparently, Kevin also has the same thought as mine. Mukhang nakita rin ni Kevin na hindi bagay para sa isang romance story ang art style ni Jacks bilang erotic webtoon artist. Kaya naman kailangan niya itong ibahin. The story will still be erotic-romance, but we have to consider the romance theme itself.

“Okay, so what do you have there? Let me see tha samples.”

I admit, this is quite interesting.

Kinuha ni Jacks ang tablet niya sa lamesa. Kinalikot niya muna ito saglit bago muling inilapag at tinulak patungo sa akin.

“Check it out.”

I did what he told me.

Kinuha ko ang tablet at sinimulan na pindutin ang unang file mula sa kaliwa. Namangha ako sa lamig ng mga kulay na ginamit ni Jacks sa sample canvas niya. Hindi kagaya ng madilim na kulay ng erotic webtoon niya ay mas maputla ngunit mas presko sa paningin ang gamit niya rito.

The image is of a man sitting in park bench. Asul ang langit at kulay berde naman ang lupa gawa ng mga damo. The lines are so precise and clean. Maihahalintulad ito sa mga coming of age na anime series.

Sunod ko naman na tiningnan ang ikalawang file. Hindi kagaya ng nauna ay hindi solido ang gamit na kulay. Akalaing watercolor ang ginamit dito. Parehong imahe pa rin naman ang gamit niya, pero ibang art style naman. Kagaya ng nauna ay malamig din ito sa mata, presko, at maaliwalas.

“Is this watercolor?” I unknowingly uttered.

“It is.”

Oh, now I get it. Siguro may watercolor na feature ang illustration program na gamit niya. I don’t know the technical terms but I at least know a few things about it.

Sunod ko naman na binuksan ang huling file. This last one is just as refreshing as the previous ones. Yet, the only difference is the man in the drawing. The firm and precise lines are gone. This is more childish and curvier than the previous ones. Ngunit kahit ganun ay may kakaiba itong emosyon na pinapakita.

Melancholy, at the same time the imperfect lines show the vigor of youth. And when I remembered what kind of romance the story will be I suddenly felt warm in my cheeks.

Oh. This is it.

The art style is perfect.

The vigor and melancholy of the youngsters combined to create an erotic canvas… “This is perfect!” mutawi ko.

Sa isang iglap ay inakala ko na nasa loob ako ng mundo ng canvas na tinititigan ko. Subalit nang inangat ko ang aking ulo, napagtanto ko na nasa bahay pa rin pala ako ni Jacks – isang madilim at malungkot na lugar.

Kung iisipin ng mabuti ay parang canvas na ito ang awra na inilalabas ni Jacks. The only difference is that he’s so dark. Not refreshing at all, but intriguing. Enough to make anyone be attracted to him.

“You like that?” tanong niya habang nakatitig sa tablet.

“Ah… I- I guess. Yeah. I like this one.” I smiled as I gave him the tablet, “how about yours?”

“I don’t have to. Let’s choose what you chose.”

“Uh… sure.”

“Then, I’ll send this to my editor.”

It was a quick decision-making session. I can’t believe I just literally chose a picture. Madali lang naman pala ang gagawin ko. I guess Kevin’s safe. Ito naman kasing si Christine, kung makapagsalita parang ang bigat-bigat ng ipapagawa ng editor ni Jacks.

Hindi na muling nagsalita pa si Jacks pagkatapos kong namili. Sa palagay ko ay pinag-uusapan pa nila ng editor niya ang napili naming art style.

“Why didn’t you choose? I bet you also have your own preference?” tanong ko sa kanya.

Pinipilit ko na lang na magkaroon kami ng pag-uusapan.

“You’re the romance writer here,” he replied.

It did not sound offending nor annoyed, he just sounded cold and emotionless.

Mukhang pagod ata siya. Hindi na nakapagtataka. Nabanggit niya nga kanina na katatapos niya lang habulin ang deadline niya.

Did he really finish all these samples today? Ang galing. Aabutin pa ako ng isang buong araw para lang sa pagkulay ng background. I know how to draw but that’s not important anyway so…

“Uhm, Mr. Jack—I mean, Jacks.” He stopped whatever he’s doing and looked at me. “I wonder if I can start creating the story transitions?”

“Transitions?”

“It’s what I call the small scenes that serve as bridges towards the turning points that you wrote in the synopsis. It’s necessary for a smooth flow and in order for the readers to get your character’s personality more.”

“It’s necessary, huh.”

“Yes. In that way they can relate with the characters and love them. Because they, you know, have personality and become more dynamic in general… They won’t be just drawings with a few dialogues anymore.”

Jacks stared at me. Sana naman naintindihan niya ang ibig kong sabihin. I figured out since Jacks always creates one shot doujinshi, I thought he wouldn’t know about it. But then I remembered his popular fantasy creations.

Napatikom ako ng bibig.

I think that long explanation became too preachy.

“Uh-huh. I am aware of that,” he quietly replied before continuing whatever he’s doing,

Naiilang akong tumawa, bago pasimple na nagtanong ng, “So, will you allow me to do it?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Cool. I’ll do it when I get home.”

The next seconds after my last words were silence. Tanging ang tunog lamang ng pagpitik ng kamay ng orasan ang narinig sa sala.

Hindi pwede na wala akong gawin kaya naman ay muli akong nagsalita.

“Uhm, are you sure you can do the style? I mean, the previous one is really different from your usual art style.”

Even in his fantasy webtoons, Jacks usually draw in heavy lines and dark color tones.

“It will be alright. I will try to be consistent.”

“Aah. Great. That sounds great.”

Grr. Palaging isang tanong, isang sagot lang itong si Jacks no matter what topic I try to open.

Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang sunod kong gagawin pagkatapos ng tanong kong iyon. Bumalik na kasi sa tablet niya ang atensyon ni Jacks. That’s why I also kind of started typing my ideas for the first chapter of the webtoon.

I was thinking of doing an in medias res plot where the story began in the middle of the plot. Prologue pa lang ang meron kami. And it was like the pieces of a puzzle that has yet to be arranged in an image kaya technically wala pa iyong masyadong silbi.

Ah. Oo nga pala. I forgot how Jacks did the prologue.

Lumingon ako sa kanya. We are so close pero para siyang nasa loob ng isang silid silid. There’s an invisible wall. Hindi siya nagsasalita pero sa paraan ng pag-upo niya at sa concentration niya ay para na rin niyang sinasabi na huwag ko siyang pakialaman.

This is killing me. Ang hirap niya lang kausapin. Thomas was already a challenge for me when we were in college, but the Thomas now has become more challenging… in a whole different way.

“Uh, Jacks? Can I ask for the second draft of the prologue. I have to check some details.”

Saglit siyang tumingin sa akin, pagkatapos ay humarap ulit sa tablet niya.

Did I ask the wrong way?

Kung ayaw niyang ipakita sa akin ang draft, ayos lang naman din.

I secretly rolled my eyes. I was about to forget my request when I felt a sturdy thing nudging my arm, and when I looked around, I found Jack reaching for me with the tablet.

“Make it quick.”

“Ah. S-Sure.”

He sure sounds grumpy but not mad.

Kagaya ng sinabi niya ay binilisan ko lang ang pag-check sa prologue. There’s nothing to read there anyway because it’s mostly drawings with a few dialogue bubbles. There’s nothing there but promotional narration.

Ibabalik ko na sana ang tablet sa paraan kung paano ito binigay sa akin ni Jacks nang hindi ko sinasadyang mahawakan ang screen nito. Soft touch and screen kaya madaling nailipat ang page nito.

I was planning to ignore it when my eyes caught something strange.

“Ah! What was that?”

“Hm?” Tumingin siya sa screen ng tablet. Kung kanina ay walang ekspresyon na makikita sa mukha ni Jacks, ngayon naman ay nagkaroon ito bigla ng mga linya.

Kumunot ang kanyang noo at kumurba pataas ang kanyang mga kilay.

“What now?”

Pinitik ko ang dila ko sabay hablot ng tablet bago pa man niya ito tuluyan na makuha.

“I may not be skilled in drawing but I can tell what's ugly, the problem, and what's lacking. It's called taste, Jacks. It's called taste. And apparently, people said that I have a pretty high one.”

“Then what do you think is wrong with this page?”

“Uhm, the hand? You know, I’m not quite sure. But the hand here doesn’t suit this woman here.”

Itinuro ko ang inosenteng mukha ng guhit niyang babae. The art style is the same with the one I just chose for the webtoon, so it’s so refreshing and youthful to see. Kaso dahil nga sa presko ang kulay at ang itsura ng babae ay hindi tama na maugat at masyadong detalyado ang kamay nito.

Hindi muna nagsalita si Jacks. He just stared at the tablet for a while before saying, “Yeah… that’s right.”

“See? Besides, look how inappropriate the waist is here. The positioning is wrong. I mean, as someone who has another perspective, this just looks… not right.”

Ah! Baka nagtunog bossy ako sa mga sinasabi ko. Kinakabahan ako at baka hindi niya nagustuhan ang mga sinabi ko. I know siya ang artist sa aming dalawa but I have to tell what’s on my mind to improve the canvas. This is our project after all.

I was surprised when he questioned, “Then what do you suggest?”

He did not sound offended or vexed. He was just politely asking me what else I can say about his work.

Tumikhim ako ng mahina para linisin ang lalamunan ko bago muling nagsalita.

“I don't know, ha. Pero the woman’s waist here looks stiff like a man’s. I don't know if it's because of the angle or perspective or whatever… I am not an expert, disclaimer. But that is…”

Gosh! This is so much pressure. Seryosong nakadiin sa akin ang mga mata ni Jacks. Nagpapaliwanag pa lang ako ng punto ko ay nahihirapan na akong huminga dahil sa kaba.

I have to do something!

Nang magsalubong ang mga mata namin ay kusang gumalaw ang mga kamay ko. Hinila ko si Jacks at hinarap ko sa akin.

“I'll take us for example; you're the man and I am the woman…” Gosh ano ba itong pinagsasabi ko?

Dahil nahihirapan akong magpaliwanag at naiilang sa pagtitig sa akin ni Jacks, naisip ko na idemonstrate na lang ang punto ko.

Babae at lalaki ang nasa illustration ni Jacks. Nagyayakapan sila at saktong nakatalikod ang babae habang kita naman ang mukha ng lalaki na nakangisi. Binigyan niya ng maling impormasyon ang babae dahil may binabalak siyang masamang gawin dito. The man’s expression is perfect, kaso may mali lang sa pagguhit ni Jacks sa baywang ng babae.

No wonder he was so immersed on his tablet.

Ginaya ko ang position ng dalawang nasa drawing. I tiptoed to reach his shoulders. Nakapatong kasi sa balikat ng lalaki ang dalawang braso ng babae sa drawing niya.

“Like this!” I said in restraint.

Nahirapan akong abutin ang tuktok ng balikat ni Jacks dahil sa tangkad niya. I was technically wrapping my arms around his neck… Gosh! I am hugging Jacks!

I gasped as soon as I realized what I did. Bibitaw na sana ako sa (hindi ko sinasadyang) yakapan naming dalawa nang may maramdaman akong pagharang mula sa likod ko.

“Wait. This position’s perfect,” aniya.

Napalingon ako sa gilid ko nang mapansin ang reflection naming dalawa sa stand-alone na salamin sa tapat namin.

“Look ahead,” sabi ni Jacks nang mapansin niyang nakatitig ako sa salamin. Agad ko naman siyang sinunod at umiwas ng tingin.

Nangangawit na ang mga daliri ko sa paa. Sunod ko na lang na narinig ang pagpitik ng camera ng tablet niya.

“That's enough.”

Kusa nang lumayo sa akin si Jacks na para bang walang epekto sa kanya ang yakapan namin.

I guess, wala nga.

Wait. Was he taking pictures?

I tried to look over the screen to see what he took, and it was a mirror selfie of us hugging each other.

“Is that for the refe—”

“It's a reference.”

Right. I was going to say that.

“I guess showing works better than telling,” I commented with an edgy laugh.

Goodness! How nerve-wracking!