And every time I wonder what's real
You make me feel
You make me feel, like a lavender sweater,
When I'm caught in bad weather, in my
Volkswagen Jetta. You make me feel like a
Complete work of art, When I'm just falling apart.
A really nice piece of art...

--Nice Piece of Art by FM Static

--

"Where are we going?" Lena asked. She's been excited since he told her about a surprise. They rode a cab on their way to it, and she's been asking him nonstop, but he wouldn't give her even the slightest hint.

They weren't going to his condo, she figured that much. Iba kasi ang daan. Mukhang hindi rin sila pupunta sa bahay ng parents nito. Just where are they going exactly? Tumataas na ang metro ng taxi pero wala pa rin siyang ideya.

"Are we there yet?"

He kissed her hair. "Be patient," he told her.

"Kanina pa kasi tayo nagbibyahe, e. Wala ka man lang binibigay na clue."

"Anong kanina pa? Lena, we're stuck in traffic," he pointed out.

She made a face. If not for traffic, baka kanina pa sila nakarating sa pupuntahan nila. Halos thirty minutes na sila sa daan. Nagsisimula na rin siyang magutom. The Belgian waffles weren't enough, kahit siya halos ang kumain ng dalawang serving.

She wanted to suggest that they eat first, pero gusto na niyang malaman kung ano ang sorpresa nito.Her gut tells her that it's something big.

When the taxi took a turn and was finally unstuck, she almost shouted hallelujah.

"What do you think it is?" Cyrus asked.

"An elephant."

"A what?" he snorted.

"I've always wanted one," she explained. "But I guess that's not it. Bawal yata 'yon, e."

"Ang layo sa katotohanan ng iniisip mo."

"Bigyan mo nga kasi ako ng clue."

"Ayoko," tanggi nito. "Just wait. We're almost there."

--

That 'we're almost there' spiel meant another hour. Napakamahal tuloy ng pamasahe nila. But that was all worth it when they arrived at the surprise. There was an open space off the road, with a little pathway that went a long way. Cyrus pulled his suitcase with one hand and held hers with the other.

She wanted to stop him from walking. There are so many trees around with balding branches. They were a sight to see. But he told her that she can take pictures later, when the sun is low. Mas maganda raw iyon against the sunset.

There's a house at the end of the pathway. Kulay puti iyon na parang isang malaking bloke ng concrete. The sliding windows were a bit tinted. May mga kurtinang nakaharang sa loob na sa hula niya ay kulay puti rin.

"Kaninong bahay 'to?" tanong niya.

"Mine," he answered. "Let's go inside."

The interior was no different from the outside. Puting-puti rin ang mga pader at kurtina. Even the couches, tiles and carpet in the middle of the living room. Mabuti na nga lamang at may mga furniture na kahoy na may natural varnish, which provided a striking contrast against all the whiteness.

"I had it painted in white, but it's not the final color. Pinag-iisipan ko pa kung ano." Cyrus headed off somewhere. Pagbalik nito ay wala na itong dalang maleta. "Gutom ka na, di ba?"

When she nodded, he led her to the kitchen. The fridge was already filled with food.

"They knew I was coming home," he explained.

"So ako lang talaga ang hindi informed?"

Inakbayan siya nito. "Surprise nga kasi."

"Okay, okay."

"Do you like the house?"

She nodded. "Yes. It's a bit too white, but it's nice here."

"Don't worry. I know an artist who can go crazy with paint. I'll just ask her to decorate the walls."

She felt a little annoyed. Why would he ask for other artist to decorate his house when she can do it herself? She can be a little crazy with paint too.

"Who?" she asked.

He simply laughed and shook his head. "Some things never change."

"Did I miss something again?"

He kissed the tip of her nose and made her sit on one chair. "Magluluto lang ako."

Hindi na niya pinilit alamin pa kung ano ang ibig nitong sabihin. She's been told that she's a little dense so she knew that she missed something again. She just doesn't know what.

Pinanuod niya itong gumalaw sa kusina. She missed this. She missed being taken care of. But she also got a bit alarmed when he took out some carrots and a cabbage from the fridge. Kumuha rin ito ng sayote. Nilapitan niya ito at kinuha ang mga nasabing gulay mula rito.

"Masyadong maraming gulay," sabi niya.

"Hindi ko naman ilalagay lahat."

Sumimangot siya. "Kahit na."

He took the vegetables from her hands. "You'll like the dish, I promise."

Binawi niya ang mga iyon. "I don't think so."

Cyrus took the vegetables once again and placed it near the sink, out of her reach. Then he lifted her up and sat her down on the counter.

He placed his hands on her waist. She cupped his face. They stayed like that for a few minutes before he spoke.

"You've changed," he said. "Dati, ayaw mong tinititigan kita. Ngayon, nakikipagtitigan ka na sa 'kin."

"Well, I got used to looking at you though a screen, but it's nothing compared to looking at you in person."

"Mas gwapo ba ako in person?" nakangiti nitong tanong.

"The video calls don't do you justice," she answered with a nod.

"At ngayon bumabanat ka pa."

She smiled. "Ang galing mo kasing magturo."

Mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti niya nang tumawa ito. She just loves hearing him laugh. Nakakagaan ng loob. She couldn't help but kiss him. She didn't mean to overdo it, though. It's just hard to stop once you've started. She even bit his Adam's apple once. Isang beses lang naman, but his entire mood changed.

"Stop," he whispered throatily. "Or you're going to get into trouble."