Catalina Konan

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After a while at the Live House, Gavin and I decided to leave. Wala kaming ibang ginawa sa loob kung 'di ang makisabay sa masayang tugtugin ng banda habang umiinom ng soft drinks. Hindi ko rin alam, I never imagine myself to be drinking a soft drink while partying in a lively place like this. It's unusual for me.

"It’s a good a idea that I brought my spray paints with me. Let’s use it?" nakangising tanong niya habang naglalakad kami.

"In where?"

"Come on," after letting out a small laugh, he took my hand and ran across the street.

Hindi na ako nagkaroon pa ng pagkakataon na magtanong kung saan kami pupunta. Hindi kalayuan sa pinanggalingan namin, pumasok kami sa isang eskinita hanggang sa makarating sa dulong bahagi. My brow knitted as I gave a looked at the place where we are-- there’s a tons of colorful art graffiti on the walls.

Hindi gano'n kadilim sa pwesto namin, sa totoo lang, kahit magga-gabi na ay makikita pa rin ang liwanag ng araw na nandito. Hindi rin gano'n ka-tago ang lugar, pero hindi rin naman madalas pinapasukan ng tao.

"What are we going to do here?" I asked Gavin.

Nilapag niya ang bag sa sahig at nilabas ang tatlong spray paints na may kulay na pink, red at black.

"I was with my friends at school this morning and supposedly, we were about to do a graffiti art on a big illustration board. But," he stood from his feet and turned to face me, "I remember you. Sasamahan sana kita sa guest mo kanina pero huli na ‘kong dumating dahil nakaalis ka na pala. So I waited."

Napakurap ako sa harapan niya. Hindi rin nagtagal ay pabiro ko 'tong tinignan ng masama, "Talaga? Pagkatapos mo ‘kong i-seenzone ng ilang beses?"

He did a mental pout, "I’m sorry but it wasn’t my fault if I was feeling down in the dumps!"

Natigilan ako, "...did I hurt you?"

He was caught off guard as we stared at each others eyes, as if I said something surprising. Before I could speak another word, he managed to smirked and threw a pink spray paint at me. I quickly caught it to my hands.

"I like you, Konan."

Nanlaki ang mata ko at tuluyan nang hindi nakaalis ang paningin sa kan'ya. He likes me? A girl like me? And he said it so casually?!

His ears slightly redded, "I-I mean... it’s not a big deal, right? You’re cute and kind and innocent," para siyang biglang nahiya kaya umiwas ito ng tingin, "F-Forget it."

Tumalikod na siya sa 'kin at naghanda na para sa kan'yang gagawin. Samantalang hindi ako makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko. Hindi ko mapigilang magtanong kung totoo ba na gusto niya talaga ako o sinasabi lang niya ito ng walang kasiguraduhan.

Pero kung totoo man...

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko dahil sa lakas ng tibok ng puso ko.

Kung totoo man 'tong sinasabi niya... pwes, napasaya niya ako.

I like him, too... I feel appreciated, finally.

I smiled at Gavin who was busy creating his graffiti. His actions seems so casual, he seemed a bit uncorncerned with his head raised slightly. I didn’t know if it was my illusion that Gavin seemed to be venting without restraint, impacting other graffiti like a storm.

Suddenly, he stopped and turned to looked at me somewhat edgy, "Don’t you wanna try?"

I gave a shrugged and chuckled, "Well I’m sure you’re going to laugh at me," I stated.

"Eeeh?" kumunot ang noo nito sa 'kin, "Just try it. It’s fun! No matter how hideous it is, no one will laugh at you."

Lumakad ako palapit sa pader kung saan may malaking espasyo pa sa tabi ng drawing ni Gavin. Without anything specifically to draw, I pressed the nozzle imitiating Gavin’s action.

The spraying of the nozzle and the crooked lines painted the wall with pink. The sun and shadows which fell on the wall made this process particularly interesting.

After a few moments, I raised my hand to wipe the sweat in my forehead and took a step back to appreciate my masterpiece.

"Look, I’m done---"

Natigil ako sa pagsasalita nang makita si Gavin sa isang tabi na nakatapat ang nakakuyom na kamao sa kan'yang labi habang pinagmamasdan ang gawa ko at nagpipigil ng tawa. Gayunpaman, bakas sa kan'ya na gusto na niyang tumawa ng malakas.

At ano nga ang sinabi niya kani-kanina lang? No one will laugh, huh?

"Tignan mo ‘to, sabi n‘ya wala raw matatawa sa gawa ko pero ikaw pa talaga ang number one candidate, ‘no?" bulalas ko.

Doon na tuluyang lumabas ang tawa niya, "Hahahaha! I’m sorry...! hahaha! Is this a sea monster? It’s so cute!"

Napanguso ako sa kan'ya na may pahawak-hawak pa sa tiyan. Akala mo naman propesyonal!

Tumingin ako sa gawa ni Gavin para hanapan siya ng pang-aasar pero bigo ako. The flaunting design was imposing, as if it was about to jump out at me the next second. I must admit, he has really a talent for drawing.

Sa huli ay bumuntong hininga na lang ako, "Oh well, your work is well drawn. Compare to my cat, yeah."

That's actually a cat. I can't believe he mistook it to a sea monster.

Gavin shook his spray can and started spraying it on the wall. In a flash, a cloud of bright red covered the original artistic graffiti of his work and was still flowing down slowly.

Nagulat ako sa ginawa niya kaya naman sinubukan ko 'tong pigilan sa kamay na siyang kinatigil niya at gulat na kinatitig sa 'kin.

"Gavin!" I yelled his name.

He blinked and perked up his lips mischievously, "How about it? Don’t you think our drawings were matched now? They are both ruined."

My forehead creased, "What are you saying?"

Gavin glanced the graffiti behind me, kept quiet for a few seconds and then smacked his lips gently, "I did ruined it so that your artwork will match mine. They looked both uglier now."

Saglit akong napatitig sa nakangiti niyang mga mata. So... he really did it to matched my work?

That action actually moved me.

Tumalikod ako para muling tignan ang mga gawa namin na ngayo'y parehas nang mukhang na-baboy. Pero kahit gano'n, hindi naman sobrang sakit sa mata tignan. Honestly, they seem... quite in harmony?

Habang parehas kaming nakatitig sa aming mga gawa, ramdam ko na tuluyan nang nawala ang lungkot at pag-aalala ko dahil sa nangyaring meeting kay Sir Dennis. Gavin, really made a way to help me cheer up and that's what I like about him. I like how genuine he is, I like how supportive he is, I like how appreciative he is.

' ' '

1:30 ng hapon nang makarating ako sa sinabing address ni Hailey kung saan siya nakatira. Masasabi ko na napaka kalmado ng atmosphere dito sa bahay niya. Sa ganda ng loob, aakalain mong nasa isang condominium ka.

"I’m sorry you had to come all this way because of me," nakangiting paumanhin niya nang maupo kami sa sofa.

"Oh no, why are you saying sorry?" bahagya akong natawa, "Ako nga dapat ang humingi ng pasensya dahil day-off mo ‘to pero naglaan ka pa rin ng oras para tulungan ako."

"You are a member, so it’s natural to help each other."

Natigil ako at napakamot sa ulo ko nang may maalala, "Well, I really have to say sorry because I didn’t even managed to bring anything even though you were kind enough to invite me to your home. Sorry!"

Tumayo siya at naglakad sa kan'yang kusina, "It’s okay. I’ll grab some refreshments."

Napatingin ako sa laptop na nasa ibabaw ng dining table sa kusina. May mga nagkalat na papel doon, magkakapatong na folders at clear books. She's really busy... even at home and on her day-off she's still working.

Dinapuan tuloy ako ng matinding hiya sa katawan. Kahit pa siya ang nag-alok sa 'kin, hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mahiya.

Dumating si Hailey na may bitbit na dalawang baso ng iced coffee.

"Hailey, you seemed really busy. Why are you still working when it’s your day off?" tanong ko na kinangiti niya sa akin.

"I’m used to it. Being Sir Claudius’s chief assistant will have most of your time. It’s very tiring but this is my living," aniya.

"Gusto mo bang... tulungan kita?"

Para siyang nabigla sa naging tanong ko kaya naman kumurap-kurap ito, "Konan...?"

I nodded cheerfully, "Hm-mm! Pwede mo ‘kong gawing taga-salansan ng papel, taga-sulat, taga-encode o taga double check! Hindi naman mabigat na trabaho ‘yun kung gano’n lang, ‘di ba?"

Haay, maliit na bagay lang 'yun. Pambawi lang sa gagawin niyang tulong sa 'kin ngayon...

Hailey looked a bit surprised but managed to redeem herself and smiled, "That’s very helpful, yes, but I cannot let you do that."

"You don’t trust me, do you?" I pouted.

"It’s nothing like that," she chuckled, "You don’t have to lend me a hand. Being our event coordinator is a big help already. This mistake, I’m sure it’s just for now. Saka nakakahiya kung magpapatulong ako sa ‘yo kaya ayos lang iyon."

Sa huli, ngumiti na lang ako at ininom ang iced coffee na hinanda niya. Sana hindi niya iniisip na palpak ako sa trabaho kaya ayaw niyang pumayag. Amp!

Nagsimula kami ni Hailey ng diskusyon namin sa party. Pinaliwanag ko sa kan'ya ang mga nasimulan kong outline hanggang sa concept na kung saan hindi nagustuhan ni Sir Dennis. Nakita ko sa isa sa mga past documents ni Silvanna na four years ago, inimbitahan na rin nila ang Shiloh Orphanage-- mali ba ako ng pagkakabasa na cute theme din 'yung ginamit ni Silvanna as party concept?

...o hindi ko lang talaga naintindihan kasi slow ako?

"I’ve asked Sir Claudius to get in touch with Light to confirm the party date but as of now we have no response yet," ani Hailey habang tinitignan ang panibagong outline na gawa ko sa laptop.

"Light was at the office last time but he said he haven’t decided the date yet so I guess it can’t be help," sagot ko.

Tumango ito sa sinabi ko, "It's okay to skip it for now. The important matter is the concept and the document to present."

"And this is it, right?"

"Yes, this is the final concept," pagtukoy niya sa natapos ko.

"Aww...!" I squeled in delight, "Thank you so much, Hailey! It’s still the original concept but revised--- plus, the formality of the document and the draft pamphlet design. Yay! Hindi na pucho-pucho ‘yung maririnig ni Sir Dennis!"

She let out a small laugh, "Pucho-pucho?"

"Oo! Ngayon ko lang na-realized na ang dami ko palang kulang," I sighed.

Naputol ang pag-uusap namin nang tumunog ang email notification ni Hailey. Hindi ako nakiusosyo pero nakita ko sa mukha ni Hailey ang pagkagulat at bahagyang kunot ng noo niya.

"Sir Claudius..." mahinang usal niya sa sarili.

"Why, what happened?" tanong ko agad.

Huminga ito ng malalim at sumandal sa sofa, inayos niya ang kan'yang salamin, "Mr. Lefebre is fairly angry. According to his secretary, after Sir Claudius left in the middle of their dinner with his father, he never answer his phone calls, totally avoiding his father."

'Yun ba 'yong oras na dapat pupunta si Sir Claudius sa Slobbovia kasama ang pusa niya? 'Yun 'yong oras na may dinner meeting sila sa pagkakatanda ko.

"I must contact my boss," aniya at bago pa niya makuha ang kan'yang phone sa mesa ay tumunog na ito senyales na may tumatawag.

Nakita ko ro'n ang pangalan ni Sir Claudius.

Kaagad na sinagot 'yun ni Hailey, sa tahimik ng lugar namin, rinig na rinig ko ang seryoso at malalim na boses ni Sir Claudius sa linya.

"Sir Cla---"

"This is for the preparations of Protegé stock prices that might drop so gather the board of directors on tuesday. That is all."

After that, I heard the phone hunged up.

"What in the world is that...?" kunot noong anas ni Hailey habang nakatingin sa screen ng phone niya.

"Nag-away ba sila ng Papa n‘ya?" tanong ko na lamang.

Umiling ito at problemado akong tinapunan ng tingin, "He’s in a serious situation right now that everyone in the CVA doesn’t know yet."

Dinapuan ako ng kuryosidad sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko alam pero naramdaman ko ang paglakas ng tibok ng puso ko. Para bang hindi ito makapaghintay sa susunod na bibigkasin ni Hailey.

There it goes again... the strange feelings.

"I don’t know the details but it seems that Sir Claudius... is in arranged marriage with a woman named Lauren Lovato--- owner of ‘The Urban Foody’."