The Paintbrush Deal

CHAPTER 23

I must've passed out last night dahil hapon na nang magising ako nang sumunod na araw. Alas-tres na pala pagbaling ko sa alarm clock. Judging from the heavy feeling in my body, mukhang nilagnat pa ako. Nevertheless, I was strong enough to stand on my own. Medyo nagugutom lang talaga ako kaya agad akong bumaba sa kusina.

"Hey, you should've just stayed in the bed," sabi bigla ng boses ni Skyler pagkababa ko ng hagdan. Agad naman niya akong hinawakan sa braso.

"I'm hungry. Alangan naman magtiis ako ng gutom?" sagot ko naman.

"May itinabi akong pagkain para sa 'yo. I'll set the table for you," replied Skyler.

Aalalayan pa sana niya ako pero agad ko namang binawi ang braso ko. Sinundan na lang niya ako hanggang sa nakarating na ako sa mesa. After several minutes, Skyler placed bowls of chicken soup and chop suey in front of me.

"Here's your medicine, too," he added before placing a tablet on the table.

"Thanks," I muttered.

The two of us sat in total silence as I ate the food. Skyler looked like he wanted to say something, but I just ignored him. Sinubukan ko namang alalahanin ang mga nangyari kagabi pero sumasakit lang ang ulo ko.

"What happened last night after you found me?" I asked him.

"You passed out, so I carried you back here. Pinalitan na rin kita ng damit kasi basang-basa ka na—"

My eyes widened.

"I covered you," Skyler added right away. "I didn't see, or do, anything. Medyo mataas din ang lagnat mo kaya pinainom kita ng gamot. You've been unconscious since last night. Tinatawagan ko si Kelly kagabi pero hindi naman siya sumasagot. I was finally able to contact him earlier. Pupunta pa lang siya rito mamaya."

I nodded.

He stared at me for several moments. "Do you feel fine? May masakit ba sa 'yo? Should I bring you to the hospital?" he asked.

"Calm down. I feel fine. I just need to rest this one," sagot ko naman.

"Also, about last night, I'm really sorry for what I said—"

"I don't care—"

"Hear me out first, please," Skyler said.

I waved my hand impatiently.

"Please don't blame yourself for what happened last night. It was all my fault. I should've just told you that there's something important inside that workroom para hindi ka na nagtaka pa. I didn't mean what I said last night. I'm sorry if I hurt you. I'm sorry for driving you away. Please forgive me," Skyler said.

I sighed. "Pagod na akong makipagtalo. I understand why you're so defensive when it comes to that room. However, sana naman maisip mo na hindi lang ako ang may mga tanong tungkol sa workroom mo. Mismong mga kaibigan at pamilya mo ang nagtataka kung ano ang itinatago mo diyan sa kwarto mo. Akala mo ba hindi sila nag-aalala sa 'yo? Akala mo ba wala silang pakialam sa mga itinatago mo? Ano sa palagay mo ang nararamdaman nila, knowing that their own friend or family member is hiding something from them?"

Skyler just bowed his head low.

"As for me, I couldn't care less about your personal drama, pero sana naman 'wag mo na akong kakaladkarin pa sa mga problema mo. I just want to pay you back for what I did. That's our deal. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't expect me to carry your personal burden for you. You're not my family. You're not my friend. I don't care about you," I added.

Huminga na lang ako nang malalim.

"At kung ayaw mo nang tumira ako rito sa bahay mo, just tell me to leave. Mababayaran ko naman ang utang ko sa 'yo kahit hindi ako nakatira rito. I'd still visit you regularly to do chores. Hindi naman natin kailangang magtiis sa presence ng isa't-isa," sabi ko pa.

Agad namang tumitig sa 'kin si Skyler. "Like I said, I didn't mean what I said last night," sabi niya.

"I know," sagot ko naman. "Hindi ko lang gawain ang ipagsiksikan ang sarili ko sa isang tao na ayaw naman sa 'kin. I've been rejected numerous times in the past. Matagal ko nang natutunan ang katotohanan na hindi ko kailangan ipagpilitan ang sarili ko sa ibang tao."

"Are you mad at me?" asked Skyler, his hazel-brown eyes locking onto me.

I paused. Hindi ko na pala namamalayan na tumataas na ang boses ko. Huminga na lang ako nang malalim para pakalmahin ang sarili ko.

"Lolokohin ko ang sarili ko kung hindi ko sasabihing nasaktan ako sa ginawa mo kagabi. Ano ba sa palagay mo ang mararamdaman ko nang magwala ka sa harapan ko nang hindi ko man lang alam ang rason? I wasn't just hurt. I was also shocked and frightened," sagot ko naman.

Skyler lowered his face. Maya-maya pa ay bigla siyang may inilapag na box sa ibabaw ng mesa. Agad namang nangunot ang noo ko pagkakita ko sa box.

"I'm sorry. . ." Skyler said as he looked away. "I'm sorry for making you angry with me."

I realized na isang box pala ng cake ang inilagay niya sa mesa.

"I bought that yesterday from the bakeshop where we ate. That was supposed to be a gift for you, but given the circumstances, peace offering na 'yan ngayon. I don't know what will stop you from hating me, but I want you to know that I never wanted to hurt you and your feelings. I'm not good at this kind of thing, but I'm genuinely sorry for what I did to you. Please believe me."

I just massaged my temples and looked away. I'm not used to seeing this bastard looking all down and dejected. Gustuhin ko man na mas lalong magalit sa kanya, hindi ko naman magawa dahil sa hitsura niya ngayon.

"Bilang respesto sa 'yo, hindi ko sasabihin sa iba ang nakita ko kagabi. Ikaw lang ang may karapatan na gawin 'yun. Sana naman makaisip ka ng paraan para sabihin sa iba ang laman ng workroom mo," sabi ko.

Skyler nodded. "Thank you. I'll find a way."

"Ano na? Ipapakain mo ba 'yan na cake o hindi? Tapos na 'kong kumain. Baka panis na 'yan," sabi ko.

His face brightened up a bit. Agad naman siyang kumuha ng utensils at binigyan ako ng halos one-fourth na slice ng chocolate cake.

"Hindi nga ako masyadong nilagnat, bibigyan mo naman ako ng tonsillitis," sabi ko pagkalatag ni Skyler ng platito sa harap ko.

Ngumiti na lang siya. "This cake is for you, anyway."

"You're in luck. I love chocolate," I said after taking a bite.

For some strange reason, Skyler looked really relieved when I said that. Naupo na rin siya sa katabi kong upuan at sabay naming kinain ang cake na binili niya.

"Hindi ka na galit?" tanong ni Skyler makalipas ang ilang sandali.

Hinampas ko na lang ang ulo niya, sanhi para masubsob siya sa cake na kinakain niya.

"Just shut up already and let me eat in peace."

●●●

Kelly's POV

"I'm really sorry if I wasn't able to answer your calls, sir! I was just so busy yesterday! Please don't fire me!"

Sir Skyler stared at me flatly. "You always say that whenever you're late. Alam naman natin pareho na hindi kita pwedeng tanggalan ng trabaho," sagot niya.

"Pinapakonsensiya ko lang po kayo, sir," sagot ko naman. "Where's Elio? I bought lomi for us!" sabi ko sabay taas ng dala kong paper bag.

"He's in his room, resting. Dalhin mo na lang doon sa taas. Just leave mine here. Ba't ka pala hindi nakapunta rito agad? May nangyari ba sa bahay? Also, why the jacket? Kalagitnaan ng summer ngayon tapos balot na balot ka. Are you feeling sick?" he asked.

Agad na nag-init ang pisngi ko. "Something. . . came up. Nothing important. Anyway, bakit po nagkasakit si Elio? May nangyari po ba?" tanong ko naman.

Sir Skyler narrowed his eyes at me. Good thing he didn't ask any more questions. He just let out a long breath before massaging his temples.

"Well, something happened last night. . ."

Kinuwento niya sa 'kin ang lahat ng nangyari sa nagdaang gabi. Ngumiti na lang ako nang bahagya nang matapos na siyang magkwento.

"Actually, kahit hindi niyo po sabihin sa 'min, may ideya naman po kami sa kung ano ang laman ng workroom mo. Hindi lang talaga kami nagtatanong kasi ayaw naman po naming manghimasok sa private life niyo. Well, Tita Susan actually forbade us from asking you about your workroom," I said.

Sir Skyler didn't reply.

"Okay na po ba kayong dalawa?" tanong ko.

"I think we're good. I don't know if my apology was effective, but the cake helped a lot. Thanks for the suggestion, by the way," sagot niya.

"Well, what matters is that okay na po kayong dalawa. After all the bickering that you've been through, sana naman po ay huling misunderstanding niyo na 'to. Also, to be honest, I didn't expect that you'd lash out at Elio. It seems that he's capable of bringing out extreme emotions from you. I'm impressed," I said.

Sir Skyler just waved his hand impatiently. "Just bring that food upstairs. Magsasaing na rin ako."

Matapos kong mailagay sa tray ang mga lomi na dala ko ay umakyat na ako sa kwarto ni Elio. Good thing he was awake. He immediately straightened himself up and fixed his hair as I entered the room.

Pansin ko na medyo alanganin sa 'kin si Elio ever since the first day we met. Tila nag-iingat siya na hindi ako matarayan. Well, I'm actually flattered dahil maayos ang pakikitungo niya sa 'kin unlike kay Sir Skyler. I can also feel that he's genuinely being nice to me, that he's not just forcing himself to act kindly.

"Hey. I bought lomi. Let's eat together," sabi ko sabay latag ng tray sa harap niya. Kinuha ko naman ang bowl ko.

"Thanks po," sagot niya.

"Do you feel fine? Pinainom ka ba ni sir ng gamot? Inaasikaso ka ba niya?" tanong ko pa.

Elio smiled at me patiently. "I feel perfectly fine po. Kailangan ko lang po talagang magpahinga para maging maayos na po ang pakiramdam ko bukas," sagot niya.

"Good. I'm glad to see that you're okay."

He then eyed me for a few seconds. Medyo nangunot ang noo niya nang mabaling ang titig niya sa leeg ko. Agad ko namang inayos ang jacket kong suot.

"Are you fine?" Elio asked. "You look dazed. To be honest, mas mukha kang may sakit kumpara sa 'kin."

Hindi ako nagsalita at nilagok ko na lang mula sa bowl ang lomi na kinakain ko.

"You should probably rest, too. Parang magkakasakit ka," dagdag pa niya.

"I'm totally fine, really," I said.

Ngumiti na lang si Elio. "You can tell me po kung may nangyari man. I mean, sinasabihan ko naman po kayo ng mga reklamo ko tungkol sa kulot na 'yun. You can tell me anything," sabi niya.

"You won't tell anyone, okay?" I asked.

Elio nodded.

I let out a sigh before taking off my jacket. Sando lang ang suot ko dahil sobrang init talaga. Sa mga exposed na bahagi ng katawan ko ay nagkalat ang mga pulang marka. Muntik pang tumilapon ang lomi na kinakain ni Elio pagkakita niya sa mga marka sa katawan ko.

"This is the reason why I wasn't able to come here right away," I said.

"You did it? With Sir Mico?" Elio asked.

I nodded.

"I see. How did it go? You look like you had a good time. Was it good?" tanong pa niya.

I looked away. "Well, I didn't hate it. . . But my body's still really sore, especially my chest and. . . down there," I answered.

Elio just chuckled. "I can't wait to see Sir Mico's reaction. Kayo na po ba?" tanong pa niya.

I nodded before burying my face on my hands.

"That's great. Congratulations po! I'm happy for both of you."

Hindi ko na natiis pa ang kahihiyan na nararamdaman ko kaya agad kong binago ang usapan namin.

"Anyway, hindi ako nagpunta rito para pag-usapan ang personal life ko. Kinuwento na pala sa 'kin ni Sir Skyler ang nangyari sa inyo kagabi," sabi ko.

"Did he now?" Elio replied.

"Hindi ko kakampihan si sir dahil obvious naman na siya ang may kasalanan sa nangyari. Still, sana hindi magbago ang pakikitungo mo sa kanya. I'm sure na nadala lang siya ng emosyon niya. He's a really kind and gentle person. Sana hindi magbago ang pagtingin mo sa kanya dahil sa nangyari sa inyo kagabi," sabi ko.

"Kagaya ng sinabi ko sa boss mo, I couldn't care less about his personal woes. Pinakiusapan ko siya na 'wag na akong kakaladkarin sa mga personal niyang problema. I understand his behavior last night. Alam ko ring hindi niya sinasadya ang mga nagawa niya kagabi. However, it doesn't feel nice na sigaw-sigawan at palayasin ka. I know I'm rude and irritable, but no one deserves to be treated like that," paliwanag ni Elio.

"I understand."

He took a deep breath as he shrugged his shoulders. "Well, nag-usap na kaming dalawa kanina. We're cool, so you don't have to worry about us anymore. Hindi mo naman kailangang problemahin parati ang boss mo. He can sort things out all by himself," dagdag pa niya.

Biglang bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Sir Skyler na may dalang isang pitsel ng juice at dalawang baso.

"I brought you something to drink—"

Agad na napako ang titig niya sa 'kin. Kasabay noon ay pinadaanan na ni Sir Skyler ng titig ang leeg at mga braso ko. His eyes immediately narrowed behind his eyeglasses. I realized with a jolt that I wasn't wearing my jacket.

"Care to explain what those things are?"