Deal

"You'll paint me. Are you sure 'bout that?"

From fixing his easel with a serious face, Rael's eyes went up and darted towards me. Hindi natanggal ang mapaghamong ngisi sa mga labi ko kahit na natanaw ko na ang pagsasalubong ng mga kilay niya. Nasa bakuran nila kami ngayon at naghahanda na sa gagawing pagpinta. We were facing each other while Reena was on my left side.

"What do you mean?" he inquired.

I crossed my arms and playfully squinted my eyes.

"Sure ka ba na kaya mong gayahin ang gwapo kong mukha?" Hamon ko sa kanya kahit kompiyansa naman ako na magaling siya. Ewan ko ba. Wala pa naman akong nakikitang gawa niya pero sigurado na ako. Siya na 'yan, e. Wala yata siyang hindi kayang gawin. Ako nga napabaliko niya ng walang kahirap-hirap, e!

My smirk faded a bit because of that thought. Lintek na 'yan.

"I can paint someone else if you want..." He negotiated smugly that made me unravel my arms and shift my stance uncomfortably. Agaran ang pag-iling ko. Hindi gusto ang sinabi niya.

"Bakit ka pa maghahanap ng iba, eh, nandito naman ako?" I asked in a hard tone. Nagkibit siya ng balikat at hindi na sumagot. His eyes dropped on his canvas and didn't look my way again. Abala na siya ngayon sa pag-aayos ng mga gagamitin niyang brush at pintura.

"Hindi mo ba tatanungin kung sinong ipipinta ko?" Tanong ko at nagsimula na ring mag-ayos ng mga materyales na gagamitin na siya rin ang nagbigay kanina.

I looked at his way again to get any reaction but he seems busy now. I licked my lips, my brows slightly palpitating.

"This is the first time I will paint someone so it's kinda special..." Pagpapapansin ko pa.

Hindi naman ako nabigo. Tumigil siya sa ginagawa para mag-angat ng tingin sa akin. His hazel eyes twinkled with clear amusement as he gazed at me. I smiled back, very pleased that he's now attentive to me.

Kaagad nga lang nabura ang magaang disposiyon ko nang magsalita siya.

"Magpipinta ka ng tao? Marunong ka ba?" Natatawang tanong niya dahilan para mamilog ang mga mata ko sa inis.

Ano 'yan? Minamaliit niya ba ako?

"Marunong ako!" I insisted in a grumpy way even though I was not really sure if I could do it. "Madali lang 'yon!" Saad ko, imbes na siya ay ang sarili pa yata ang kinukumbinsi.

He smirked. "Sure..."

My tongue glided on my lower lip as I prepared for a rebuttal.

"You think I'm bluffing?" Asik ko pero bahagya na ring natatawa sa sarili. "Think again."

Umiling siya at napaismid. "You can't even draw a straight line!"

My lips parted at his false accusation. Aba! Nang-aasar talaga!

"Are you kidding me?" Reklamo ko.

Reena chuckled while listening to our jesting. Palipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa amin na para bang nanunuod ng boxing match habang prenteng sumisimsim sa fruitshake na ni-request niya kanina kay Tita Danna bago ito umalis patungong palengke.

"Kaya 'yan ni Kuya Benji. Madali lang sa kanya 'yan..."

Rael raised a brow on her sister.

"See!" I spat, a bit happy that someone is on my side with this.

Akala ko lang pala...

"For sure stick man lang naman ipipinta ni Kuya Benji kaya madali lang talaga!" Dagdag ng bubwit na ikinahalakhak ni Rael. I hastily stopped what I was doing so I could look at Reena's way. The kid is now giggling along with her brother as if roasting me like that was the funniest thing in the world.

I want to be offended even in the slightiest way possible but how? Reena was so cute laughing. And Rael was genuinely amused... almost in tears.

Watching him in this state felt like something warm was touching my heart. Like a gentle squeeze as if reminding me that sometimes, happiness was not that expensive. And being a reason for someone else's joy is priceless.

"Masaya na kayo niyan?" Matabang na reklamo ko.

"You really don't know how to paint? I can teach you..." Sagot ni Rael habang nagpipigil na sa pagtawa. Kinailangan niya pang kagatin ang pang-ibabang labi niya para tuluyang magseryoso. His lips became reddish because of the pressure and it only made him look a lot better. Tumikhim ako, napaiwas ng tingin, habang kumakamot sa leeg.

He really is so handsome, huh? Gets ko na si Jennifer.

"You can paint something basic... Like flowers-"

Umalis ako sa tapat ng easel ko at diretsong naglakad palapit sa kanya. I crossed my arms when I stopped just a foot away from him. His easel is standing between us two, like some sort of barrier.

He watched the distance. Ngumisi naman ako at nagtaas ng kilay para sa inihahandang hamon.

"Ayoko na pala magpaint. But since you're gonna paint me, I'll cooperate and stand closer to you so you can copy every detail of my face. Siguraduhin mong mukha ko ang makikita ko diyan mamaya at hindi mukha ng iba..."

He chuckled a bit. Kumunot ang noo ko nang mapansing bahagyang naging mailap ang mga mata niya. Baka may plano siya na magpinta ng iba, ah? Sino naman kaya? Dapat ako lang!

"You can't take it back anymore, Rael. Ako naman ang ipipintura mo diba?" Paninigurado ko pa.

He eyes snapped on me. It stayed. Then he nodded softly, assuring me. "Ikaw lang naman talaga." Matigas at halong istriktong sagot niya bago ibinagsak ang mga mata sa canvas.

Agaran ang pagguhit ng ngiti sa mga labi ko. "Talaga?"

"Yep," his lips curved.

My smile remained. Umayos ako sa pagkakatayo at hindi na gumalaw. I unraveled my arms and cooly slid my hands on my pockets. Hindi naman ako sure kung whole body ko ba ang ipipinta niya pero gusto ko pa ring maayos akong tingnan.

"Do I look fine or should I check myself in the mirror first?"

His smirk appeared. "Are you fishing for a compliment?"

"Do you feel like giving me one?" Balik ko sa nanunudyong boses.

From putting some paint on the canvas using a brush, he stopped just to look my way. And I had to part my lips for air so I won't get suffocated by his gaze or else I won't last a minute here. Damn those eyes. So enchanting... So dangerous I might get drowned.

"Ayos na 'yan. You look good..."

Damn. Baka hindi na naman ako dalawin ng antok nito mamaya.

"Gwapo ka naman... palagi." He added quietly before he turned his attention back to the canvas. I swallowed hard as I watched him peacefully doing his thing. Bigla ay parang gusto kong magmakaawa na bigyan ako ng kahit isang pagkakataon.

Kahit isa lang, Rael.

Just one chance... I promise I won't waste it.

I promise I won't make you regret it. I promise I will make you get up from your first love and fall for me hard and bad. And you will never look back. You will never think of her again. You will be happier with me. You will be content. I will... give you my everything.

"What's that? I feel like you're cursing me." He noticed even though he's now busy mixing paints on a palette.

My lips twisted. "What if I am?"

Bahagya siyang natawa. "Sana naman huwag mo akong gawing palaka."

Agaran ang pagsimangot ko. Bakit ko naman siya gagawing palaka? Uod pwedi pa. I chuckled at that. His eyes found me in an instant with obvious inquiry. Umiling lang ako habang kinakagat ang ibabang labi.

"Stop moving so I could paint you better..." Utos niya.

I licked my lips. Fine. Whatever you want, Villarin.

So, like what he wants, I stood there unmoving. Halos isang oras din kaming kapwa tahimik bago siya tumigil. Nangangalay na ako sa pagtayo pero syempre, hindi ko iyon ipinahalata. Ang tanga ko rin kasi, e. Dapat pala kumuha ako ng upuan kanina.

"Tapos na ba?"

Nang tumango siya ay kaagad na akong lumapit. He stepped back, giving me enough space pero inakbayan ko na siya at hinila pabalik sa dati niyang pwesto. His hand held my wrist, slightly adjusting my arm so he won't get choked. I smiled when I realized that he didn't push me away. Inayos niya lang. At hindi niya na binitawan ang palapulsuhan ko.

"What can you say?"

Anong masasabi ko? Kinikilig ako Rael. Sobra. 'Yon ang masasabi ko.

"It's not that detailed since I don't have enough time..." Patuloy niya.

From looking at his side profile, kinailangan ko pang pilitin ang sarili na balingan ang gawa niya sa harap namin. And the moment my eyes landed on his art, which was my damn face, my lips slowly parted in awe.

Magaling nga siya.

The way he painted my face looked unfinished but at the same time, it feels like it was created to be that way. Na hindi talaga tapos. Na sinadya talagang hanggang ganiyan lang.

The left side of my face was complete even the tiniest details. My dimple was on sight. While the other half was in a blur. As if covered by smoke... or waves... I'm not sure which one.

"Do you like it?" Untag niya sa akin.

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Nanatili akong namamanghang nakatitig doon. My heart was racing fast, I'm afraid he could hear it.

"Hindi mo ba nagustuhan?"

Agaran ang pagsasalubong ng mga kilay ko. Nilingon ko siya. "What? No! I like it so much, Rael..." Pag-amin ko, hindi natutuwa na naisip niyang hindi ko iyon nagustuhan.

Don't worry, Rael. Mukhang wala yata akong hindi magugustuhan sa'yo.

"Really?"

Tumango ako. Sigurado. "Oo."

"Dapat lang." He answered in a smug way before he looked back at the canvas. "Itatapon ko 'yan kung hindi mo nagustuhan."

Tingnan mo 'to. Ang sama talaga ng ugali.

"I'll frame and put that inside my room." Wala sa sariling sambit ko bago binalikan ng tingin ang painting. He scoffed at that. Tinulak niya ako at kumawala siya sa akin. Ngayon ay hinarap na niya ako, nakahalukipkip habang tinataasan ako ng kilay.

"Sinong may sabing ibibigay ko 'yan sa'yo?"

The hell? What does he mean by that? Hindi ba 'yan sa akin na? Eh mukha ko naman 'yan, ah?

"Akin 'yan." He said with so much clarity.

"What? Hindi mo ba ibibigay sa akin? Mukha ko naman 'yan..." Reklamo ko, naiinis na kaagad.

His lips twisted as his eyes glinted with so much playfulness. "I am the one who painted that kaya technically, ako ang may-ari niyan. At hindi ko ipinamimigay, Benj."

I glared at him. Unable to say anything.

"Though we can negotiate." He smirked. "I can give that to you but in one condition, you need to pass all of your exams this coming finals."

Damn that finals... but, fine...

"I need another prize." Saad ko.

His brows moved, curiosity was dripping. Nagpatuloy ako, diretsong nakatingin sa mga mata niya.

"You need to introduce me to the person you like... I want to meet her." Seryosong sambit ko. "Like what I've told you, I want to check if you suit each other. Kasi what if hindi naman pala kayo bagay?" I explained ridiculously.

"At kung hindi nga kami bagay, ano naman?" Balik niya, nanliliit ang mga mata.

I clenched my jaw. Oo nga, Benj. Kung hindi sila bagay, ano namang gagawin mo? Bakit ka nakikialam?

"I'll... help you find someone else." Confident na sagot ko na ikinatawa niya.

Anong nakakatawa do'n? Siraulo ba siya?

"What's funny?" I inquired, slightly pissed off.

"Bold of you to think that I will still be interested in someone else." He said while cleaning his paintbrushes.

Is that a challenge?

I clicked my tongue and tilted my head. "So... let's have a deal, then?"

"Fine..." he drawled lazily. "But I want all of your grades higher than eighty five percent. In each subject..."

Bahagya akong napaisip. Kaya ko ba 'yon? Ilang buwan akong liban sa klase. Kompleto naman ako sa outputs dahil sa mga kaibigan ko pero paano pala kung mga palpak naman 'yong gawa nila? Can I still achieve that average that he wants?

Tila nabasa niya ang iniisip ko, bumuntong-hininga siya bago nagsalita. "You still can. You just need to ace your periodic exam. Magagawa mo 'yon kapag mag-aaral ka ng maigi. You still have enough time..."

"Alright-"

"But if any of your grades fell behind eighty five percent, or worse you failed a subject, I will no longer be your tutor. I will quit because that only means... me being your tutor wasn't effective at all..." He stated mercilessly that made me unable to speak.

Ano bang pumasok sa kukote ko at naghamon pa ako ng deal kay Rael?

Nandito tuloy ako ngayon, kasama ang mga kaibigan ko sa isang café para mag group study kahit na katatapos lang ng klase namin.

"Nananayo balahibo ko sa'yo Benj! Akala ko ililibre mo lang kami ng meryenda! Bakit may study portion na ganap?" Kumakamot na reklamo ni Diego pero naglabas na rin naman ng handouts niya.

"Mag-aaral nga tayo. Malapit na ang finals, 'di ba?" Sagot ko nang hindi inaalis ang mga mata sa binabasang aklat. "I heard that group studies are effective. So I wanna try..."

"Sa akin walang problema basta may pagkain!" Singit naman ni Miggy.

I nodded coolly at that. "Sagot ko na rin dinner ninyo. At ihahatid rin namin kayo ni Kuya Ramil pauwi... Walang problema..."

I waited for Eros' side comment but nothing came. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at naabutan itong seryoso nang naghahighlight ng aaralin niya habang bumubulong sa hangin ng...

"Bobo pala ako ha... I'll make sure you're gonna eat your words and my high grades this sem... you fucking bastard..."

Napakamot ako. Wala naman siguro sa amin ang tinutukoy niya, 'di ba?

I didn't let it linger on my mind any longer. Mabilis akong bumalik sa binabasa lalo na't nagsi-aral na rin ang tatlo.

Rael's condition was brutal... but I think, I can do it.

Hindi nga lang siguro kilay lang ang susunugin ko kundi pati utak na rin. Hayop na 'yan.

Kahit pagdating sa bahay ay wala akong ibang inatupag kundi ang mag-aral. Kahit pagkain ko ay natutulala na ako minsan sa kakaisip ng mga aralin ko. Minsan rin ay nahuhuli ko na ang sariling nagsasalita ng mag-isa.

Tumayo ako at tahimik na nagtungo sa harapan ng klase bitbit ang isang chalk. I was one of the three students that were called to solve the same equation on the board. Nasa gitna ako ng dalawa na halatang pinagpapawisan na.

I could feel Rael's stare on me from outside. Nasa labas na kasi siya at naghihintay dahil nagsinungaling akong magpapaturo ng isang mahirap na assignment pagkatapos ng klase.

Ang hindi niya alam ay yayayain ko lang siyang magmeryenda mamaya.

"Ma'am, kapag natapos ba ako rito, pwedi na akong mauna pauwi?" I asked lightly while I was solving the equation. Narinig ko ang pagsipol ni Diego pero nagkibit-balikat lamang ako.

"Bakit Mr. Ferrera, nagmamadali ka ba pauwi?" Istriktang sagot ng guro namin sa PreCal.

I smiled as I continued writing my solution on the board. Halos mapuno ko na ang space na para sa akin pero hindi pa ako tapos. Hayop na Calculus na 'to. "May lakad po ako..."

"Date?"

How I wish...

"Hindi po." Hindi pa...

"Sige, basta tama ang sagot mo." Sa wakas ay pagpayag nito na mas ikinagana ko lang sa pagsagot. Hindi nagtagal ay natapos na ako. I then encircled my answer so everyone could see it clearly.

Pasimple kong nilingon si Rael na nakatayo sa labas at hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang mayabang na pagngisi nito. I smiled when I realized that my answer was correct. I was sure of it. The way he scanned my solution, with pride in his eyes, I just know that I did well today.

And I sighed in happiness when he slowly gave me a thumbs up while mouthing the words, "Ang galing mo..."

Diego threw me my bag after our teacher declared that my answer was correct. It gained different reactions from my classmates.

Syempre, marami ang nagulat na nakaya kong sagutan iyon. Kilala ba naman ako sa pagiging bobo simula grade seven, e. Kaya sobrang nakakamangha talaga.

Though, I wasn't sure if I could do this consistently. Like I was always saying, I am not academically inclined. Plus, I'm also too lazy to study.

But these are the things that I'm sure about right now...

I won't lose in our deal.

I won't let him quit being my tutor...

I don't want him gone in my life.