ACT TWENTY-TWO

REDEEM THE SHACKLES

There was silence, followed by a loud thud that escaped and filled the room as my father's body dropped to the ground. Rendered useless as I trembled in fear, I was rooted to my spot. Wave and waves of uncertainty attacked my system; it caused me to temporarily detach from my consciousness.

I couldn't do anything but cry and shake away my fear, but no matter how I detach myself from it, I ended up with my knees on the ground. Sa panginginig ng katawan ay hindi ko na nasuportahan ang sarili. Patuloy akong nanginginig sa takot dahil gulat na gulat sa nasaksihan.

The shouts from the audience rang in my ears. It was deafening. I couldn't hear my whimpers anymore. Pati na rin ang mga judges na nakaupo 'di kalayuan ay napatayo mula sa pwesto at inalalayan paalis ng mga gwardya habang nananatili ako sa entablado... entablado na ngayo'y kinamumuhian ko.

With the immediate glare of the lights, the scene in front of me became more visible. My mother is clutching my father's body. They were sitting at the theater's front row, the reason why I was able to see how pain and sorrow environed my mother's face. Iyak nang iyak si Mommy habang yakap-yakap ang duguang ulo ni Daddy.

I felt a force accompanying me to stand up. I have nothing left to support my weakness as I could only stare at my parents... my parents who did nothing to support me with my passion, but because of my selfishness—my thirst to create a league—it caused my father's death.

"Please get up-"

I struggled with the person's grip. "No! I want to see my father!"

"Lavien!"

Binaklas ko ang mahigpit na hawak sa braso at umiiyak na tumakbo patungo sa pwesto nina Mommy. Mahapdi ang dibdib at nanlalabo ang paningin dahil sa iyak, alam kong hindi ako namamalikmata nang makita ang dugong nanggagaling sa ulo ni Daddy. Kahit hirap na hirap sa suot na pointes ay pinilit ko ang sarili na masaksihan si Daddy habang buhay pa siya.

No. This can't be happening! My father wouldn't die because of a mere shot! Nadaplisan lang si Daddy at hindi siya ang target!

Habang hirap na hirap na naglalakad patungo kina Mommy na ngayon ay dinaluhan ng isang opisyal, nakaramdam muli ako ng paghatak mula sa likod. Nagpumiglas ako, desididong daluhan sina Mommy sa hinagpis na nararamdaman.

But if my father isn't dead, why is my mother weeping as if he is?

"Hayaan mo na ang Mommy mo-"

"Mommy!" I shouted. With the immediate absence of the audience, my voice echoed around the theater.

How dare they! How dare they escape because of their fears not minding about what happened to a mere stranger! How dare they have the courage to watch a stranger but couldn't be able to help her! How dare they disrespect us when all we ever did is to respect the silence that they want in this theater?!

My mother, with her blood-stained hands, reached out to me. With a short breath, I extended my hand to reach it. I was an inch close when I stumbled on my shaky feet. Nang dahan-dahang tumayo ay nakaramdam ako ng likidong bumalot sa katawan.

Horrified, I looked at my blood-stained hands. As I traced the blood's origin, I crawled towards my father's dead figure. Nanlalaki ang mata ay awtomatikong tumakas ang luha habang hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang gagawin sa nakikita.

My mother clutching the dead body of my father. My father kept on drenching my mother's best dress with his blood. And when I stumbled from kneeling, crimson leaked its impurity to snow.

Nanginginig ang aking sistema habang hindi makapaniwalang nakatingin sa katawan ni Daddy. Uniformed men started to detach my mother from the clutch but she chose not to. They started to talk to my mother in efforts of lessening the pain but they knew—they knew that words weren't enough to alleviate the pain of losing a loved one.

Why? Why did this happen to me? All I've ever wanted is to perform at the theater! To meddle with their stone-cold faces and replace it with nothing but admiration! Masama na bang manghingi ng kaonti?

Nakaramdam muli ako ng pwersang naghahatak sa 'kin palayo mula sa eksena. Hindi ako sumabay dahil hinayaan kong saktan ang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pagtitig sa bangkay ni Daddy.

How... how... why did they killed my father? My father did nothing but to be a good father and a husband! Walang atraso si Daddy sa kanila kaya bakit? Bakit nila pinatay si Daddy?

Is it my fault? Did this competition draw out my father's competitors? And with this competition, it fulfilled their never-ending desire for killing?

Or maybe they didn't like how I danced? Maybe they opposed the standing ovation that was given to me? Maybe my father was the one who started the ovation, they got annoyed by it because they weren't satisfied with what I did, the reason why they shot my father to death?

Why? What's their reason? How could they be so evil when all I ever did is to pursue my passion? To pursue my dreams? To pursue what my heart wants me to?

Is it because I was overwhelmed with the event before I performed my act? Is it a concrete reason for their hatred? Are they thinking that the people of this league dance just to satisfy the audience?

They got it wrong. Passion-induced people dance to fulfill what their heart wants—I'm one of them! I just want to feel how passion flowed through my veins—to feel the ecstasy that it gives that whenever I dance, I'd be filled with nothing but contentment and bliss.

But, is this the fruit caused by the clashing of the beliefs—the righteous and the unrighteous?

O siguro namali ako ng ikot. Kung hindi siguro ako namali ng ikot, hindi mababaril si Daddy. Kung ginalingan ko pa lalo ang pagpa-practice, hindi mabubwisit ang manonood at babarilin si Daddy.

Pero sa dami ng mga nanonood, bakit si Daddy pa? Bakit hindi na lang ako?

Kung galit sila sa 'kin, sa akin nila ibuntong ang galit! Bakit kailangang ibaling pa sa iba? Para tuluyan akong pagluksain? Para lunurin ako sa kagustuhan kong sumayaw at isampal sa 'kin na ito ang katotohanan—na walang taong pinupursige ang pangarap para sa sarili lamang?

Kung gano'n, masama na ba ang mangarap? Masama na bang hangarin ang kagustuhan ng puso? Masama na ba gawin ang mga bagay na nakasasaya sa sarili? Masama na ba akong maituturing kung ang gusto ko lang ay ituloy ang mga 'yon?

Masama na ba ako?

Pero hindi ko maintindihan... hinding-hindi ko maiintindihan... pinagkakait ako ng katotohanan at wala akong ibang magawa kun'di um-oo at makinig, tahimik na nagdadasal na sana'y hindi na pansinin ang nangyayari.

Ngunti dahil sa pagkawala ng atensyon sa pangyayari—sa paghahangad na huwag na alalahanin 'yon—sumabay sa pagkawala ng buhay ni Daddy ang pagpupursige ko sa pangarap. Nawalan na ako ng rason para ipagpatuloy pa ang pagbaballet dahil bakit ko pa gagawin kung sa kagustuhan kong sumayaw ay may namatay?

I was shocked. I was lost. I was- why? Why do they have to do that?

I realized that when a person is satisfied, the other would feel the opposite. If a person is happy, the other would feel the opposite. They'll always oppose the righteous that they're seeing and turn it to nothing but unrighteousness.

It brought me to a belief that a person can never, ever be satisfied. They'll say that they are but they aren't fully contented.

The hospital's usual smell didn't wash away the scent of my father's blood. Kahit anong pilit nila na magpalit ako ng damit, hindi ko maitulak ang sarili na gawin iyon. Masyadong mabigat ang aking puso para isagawa ang bagay na 'yon. Kung gagawin ko ay paniguradong hindi ko na maaabutan pa ang eksaktong pag-alis ng ambulansya mula sa theater.

When my mother sat beside me a few moments later, I could hear how she let out her ache through her cries. Hindi ko magawang patahanin si Mommy dahil pati ako ay gulat sa nangyari.

At hindi panaginip ang mga 'yon. Ang ebidensya ay suot-suot ko.

I could only stare at my blood-stained Swan Lake costume. I finished my act. I did my best. I was satisfied with it but I think I was the only one.

"It was a headshot, Mrs. Sevilja," rinig kong saad ng doktor kay Mommy.

According to the autopsy, my father was headshot with a .22 caliber pistol, a deadly assassination weapon. The shot was presumed to be done a few meters near where my father was sitting. It was timed exactly before my father took a seat after he led the standing ovation. They said that this work could've been done by someone skilled.

Succeeding details after that weren't contained by my fragile mind. Nanatili lang akong nakatulala habang tinititigan ang may bahid na dugo na sapatos.

I know to myself that I wouldn't forget that day—when snow bled crimson, when my dreams turned to ashes, and when the stage lost its spark.

The death of my father accompanied the death of my passion, and that day I declared that I will never, ever step a foot on dancing ballet. I will never, ever wear that promise ring.

I will never, ever follow what my heart desires to do so.

❦

Tita Alessandra was the one who helped with my father's burial. Dumating din ang mga kamag-anak nina Mommy't Daddy at ginawang pribado ang burol at libing. It only took two days for the wake before my father got buried at the third.

Nalaman ni Teacher Carlos ang tungkol doon at dumalo rin sa burol ni Daddy. Hindi na ipinaalam ang naging plano at estado ni Mommy tungkol sa pagbaballet sa sumunod na mga araw.

Wala akong ibang nagawa kun'di titigan ang kabaong ni Daddy na inilibing sa musoleo. Iyak nang iyak si Mommy habang tahimik akong nakatayo sa tabi niya.

All I'd ever do is to silently cry my ache as I put all the blame to me.

When the blame and the guilt dominated my overwhelming feeling of passion, it detached me from the path that I dreamed to take, the reason why I'm pursuing another league other than it.

I made myself believe that I was the one who caused the death of my father. That because of his attendance at a contest—a contest that a true ballerina shouldn't have taken the interest in—it caused his death.

Kung hindi lang siguro ako masyadong mataas mangarap noon, siguro hindi mamamatay si Daddy. Siguro nagbaballet pa rin kami ni Mommy.

Mula nang mamatay si Daddy, hindi ko na napansin ang paggamit ni Mommy sa ballet room. Hindi na rin ako pumupunta roon dahil sa takot na madagdagan pa lalo ang paghihirap ni Mommy.

Since then, I tried a lot of ways on how to detach myself from the league. Pinilit ko ang sariling ituon ang atensyon sa iba upang hindi na mag-ballet. Dahil bakit ko pa gagawin 'yon? Hindi pa ba ako natuto sa nangyari kina Mommy't Daddy? Mas gugustuhin ko bang sundin ang gusto ng puso at maging makasarili upang makamit ang sariling kasiyahan?

Paano naman sina Mommy? Paano naman ang sinakripisyo nila para makapag-ballet ako noon? Bakit hindi ko suklian?

I tried my best to search for it—I badly tried. But as we were putting our mind off the incident, the Little Prima Ballerina title arrived in front of our doorsteps. 

My mother was furious. She lashed out in pain. She deteriorated in front of me as she cried the suffering that she's been.

"The title! The title, Vien! I told you about the title!" she shouted as she broke down in front of me, her hands gripping my arms.

Mangiyak-ngiyak ako habang sinusuportahan ang sarili na tumayo. Si Mommy naman ay makahihiga na sa sahig kung hindi lang nakakapit sa aking braso. Nararamdaman ko ang higpit ng pagkahahawak roon. Tingin ko ay mamumula na.

"Mommy, I'm sorry..." I could only cry in front of my weeping mother.

When the death happened, I realized that there is no need for titles anymore. It's just a title—mere words constructed into it, making the aspirants believe that the contest is worth it.

But what could the title bring? In achieving it, what would be the hindrances?

It's worthless. I don't deserve it. Pakiramdam ko ay kinaawaan lang nila ako kaya may titulo akong ganito. Ano nga naman ang pagkuha mo rito kung kapalit ang buhay ng minamahal mo?

Now that I've got this step for my league, what would be next? Nothing, because I'm not going to dance anymore. I won't follow my passion anymore. I joined the contest because I was overwhelmed by passion, and when I did, something bad happened.

That day, I pledged that I shall never be overwhelmed by passion or by people that are filled with it. I have come up with a belief that I don't deserve the passion that I have. I don't deserve the dreams that I'm striving for. I don't deserve anything but sadness and guilt.

I kept on blaming myself about what happened. I even imposed myself passion-deprivation just so I could discipline myself because of the unrighteous things that I've done.

But even though I kept on doing it, the thing is... my mother never blamed me for this fault. Hindi ko alam kung mas mabuti ba 'yon o hindi.

❦

Five years after my father's death and here I am, watching the aspirants fulfill their dreams at the stage that I used to dance. Though the place is different from the venue where my father died, I couldn't find it in my heart to pursue it again. I was reminded of the pain that I felt five years ago.

Teacher Carlos was clueless about what my mother and I felt in the course of five years. We easily masked the truth because we weren't in the same place as the ballet school. When my father died, it was a word that shall not be spoken of inside the household.

As the day passes by, I deteriorated myself into a belief of passion-deprivation because, even until now, that it is the best thing to do.

Nang makarating sa teatro at mapukaw ng atensyon ang entabladong nasa harapan, hindi ko maiwasang maalala ang nangyari noon. Kung paano ko nagustuhan ang pagsasayaw, kung paano ko nagustuhan ang nararamdaman, kung paano ako umikot... at kung paano namatay si Daddy.

I know that it's all in the past now but I couldn't help thinking about what happened. Pinilit ko na lang ang sarili na matuwa sa nakikita ngayon—the aspirants reaching their dreams.

Hindi ko mapigilang mainggit sa mga bata nang umakyat sa stage. The stage is adorned with thick crème-colored curtains at the back and velvet red curtains at the sides. There was an LED screen where a visual was displayed at the back.

Napangiti ako nang magsimula silang sumayaw, tuluyang inalis sa isipan ang nangyari noon.

I need to enjoy this. I really need to.

When the Sugar Plum Fairy got her chance to showcase her hard work through the spotlight, she didn't spare any second to create mistakes. As if a ballerina in a music box, the little girl aced her solo as the sound of her pointes hit the stage. It was the sound that accompanied Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the air.

The little girl has a few years ahead of her before she could reach her full potential, but the way how she leaked passion in her turns and poses, I knew that she is a Prima Ballerina in the making.

Hindi ko mapigilang malungkot sa titulong 'yon. It was a title that caused a lot of rift in the ballerina community. Some even paid just to land a spot at the Top 10 but their dreams to be one of the Top 10 Prima Ballerina got destroyed when the organization took it off.

My batch was the last one to get the Little Prima Ballerina title, after that, it got immediately dispelled.

Do they really need death before they'd end their ridiculous rankings? I couldn't help sighing.

When the little girl did her bourrée steps as she flapped her wings, I was amazed by her ankle strength. I suddenly remembered Miko Fogarty's Giselle performance. If this little girl were to continue her dreams in ballet, I'm sure that she'll be able to develop a strength similar to hers.

The crowd started to applause when the Sugar Plum Fairy did her turns as the end of her solo is nearing. At the skills that she's showing at such an age, there is no doubt that she'll be one of the best Prima Ballerinas when she grew old.

Once their performance has finished, I immediately left the audience seat and went backstage.

I didn't want the contest day to arrive. I didn't want it to end, either. Kung magkaroroon ng pagkakataon, gusto ko na lang magturo nang magturo sa kanila. Iyon na ang pinakamalapit na nararamdaman ko sa pag-baballet.

Ang tangi ko lang magagawa ay panoorin sila at hindi sumayaw sa harapan nila. Hindi ko kayang maranasan pa muli na may mamamatay sa harapan ko habang sumasayaw. That is enough to make me believe that I am not fit for this league.

The kids immediately screamed as soon as they got inside their own makeup room. Nagsisitalon sa tuwa ang maliliit na mga bata habang magkayakap. A little while later after they have recovered, they went to the choreographer and said their thanks. Nagpunta sila sa 'kin pagkatapos.

"Hi, Miss Lavien! Ang galing niyo po magturo!"

"Sabay tayo mag-thank you. One, two three..."

"Thank you po!"

I crouched down to meet the height of the young aspirants. Ang iba sa kanila ay pinaulanan ako ng halik sa pisngi kasabay ng hagikhik.

"Kung hindi niyo po kami hinelp kasama ni Miss Bea, hindi po namin kaya 'to!"

"Thank you so much po, Miss Bea and Miss Lavien!" Bumaling sila kay Teacher Carlos. "Teacher, thank you rin po sa pagsali sa 'min dito sa contest!"

Bahagyang napawi ang ngiti ko nang matandaan ang rason sa pagsali sa contest. Nakaramdam ako ng hapdi sa dibdib. Napalingon ako kay Teacher Carlos na bahagya ring nalungkot sa narinig.

"Walang anuman, mga bata! Ang gagaling niyo mag-ballet kanina. Napakahusay!"

The children did their stretches to cool down. Puno ng kwentuhan ang kwarto habang hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng kaba.

We waited for a few hours before the announcement of the winners. Malakas ang tibok ng aking puso habang naghihintay muli sa dating pwesto. Nagsimula ng tawagin ang Top 3 kung saan may mapananalunang cash prize.

Teacher Carlos and Miss Bea stood beside the children as they waited to be called. Dumating na si Tita Alessandra kanina at doon din sa backstage pumwesto.

Puno ng kaba ang aking puso habang inaantisipa ang resulta.

I don't know what will happen to the aspirants' dreams once they didn't win one out of three spots. The cash prize is adorned with a pass to be a part of a ballet workshop at one of the famous ballet schools around the world. If they were to win, it would help boost the school's reputation. Magkakaroon muli ng maraming estudyante. Mas maraming matutulungan.

My anticipation about the champion kept on getting bigger as I waited for the school's name to be called. Magkadaop ang palad at taimtim ang pagdarasal ay nakatuon ang atensyon ko sa host na nag-aanunsiyo ng mananalo.

"Keep calm, Vien."

Napalingon ako sa katabi. Hindi ko mapigilang mapasinghap at magulat mula sa nakita.

With his eyes dominating even in the dark, there is no doubt that Tres Lagdameo is sitting beside me. Wearing a formal suit with his slicked-back hair, the regality he portrayed didn't fail to reek even in the dark. The dim lights from the stage shadowed his high cheekbones which emphasized how royalty lies in his blood—that if you were to be laid upon by his eyes, you are destined to be dominated.

From his lips in a thin line, he slowly drew it into a smirk. I couldn't help feeling dominated as he raked a stare over my body. The little sparkle that my champagne dress gave off a hint of light in his eyes. Hindi ko pa sigurado kung dinilaan niya ang ibabang labi.

"Aren't you cold with what you're wearing?" he whispered quite lowly; I shivered.

Palihim akong napasinghap at inayos ang bahagyang nakakulot na dulo ng buhok. Itinuon ko ro'n ang kabang nararamdaman mula sa mapanindig-balahibong mga tingin.

I silently sucked a deep breath when my hair at the back moved. Nang mapansing ginagalaw 'yon ni Tres ay hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili na kabahan.

What is he doing? Is he trying to...

"Your hair looks like the waves of the sea." Napunta ang buong tingin ko sa kan'ya. Panandalian niyang inilipat ang tingin sa 'kin bago ibinalik sa buhok ang atensyon. "Charming and captivating."

I didn't realize that I was staring at him if he weren't staring back at me. His domination started to work its way towards me. Unrighteousness started to bud from his eyes and irked me to do the same as I let myself be dominated.

But I couldn't, that's why I looked away. Palihim kong sinapo ang dibdib at napansing nagtatatalon sa tuwa sina Teacher Carlos.

I looked back at Tres only to see him with his contented smile. "They won. The children are champions," he said.

I blinked and looked away. Ibinalik ko ang atensyon sa stage at nakitang patuloy pa rin sila sa pagtalon. I let out a contented smile after I realized that the aspirants' dreams would be continued.

This is a bliss that I'll forever treasure—helping someone to fulfill theirs because I know that I wouldn't be able to fulfill mine. Ever since the death of my dream, I didn't know what I'll be capable of. I'm happy that I saw a glimpse of it.

"Ang bilis..." I whispered.

"Time slows down when what you're doing is crucial," he said, his eyes trained at the stage. Lumingon muli siya sa 'kin nang magbadya akong tumayo. "You need a coat, Vien?"

I stopped from standing up only to stare at him, shocked. Why is he acting civilly around me? I think he wants to debate...

"You want to debate about-"

He shook his head as he chuckled. "No, Vien. It's a simple question. Stop being overwhelmed," pagbibiro niya.

Nahihiya at hindi maintindihan ang sarili, itinago ko iyon sa pamamagitan ng kalmadong paghingi ng paumanhin upang dumaan. Napansin ko ang maliit niyang ngiti bago ako tuluyang padaanin.

My heart beat wildly as I went my way towards the backstage. Hinanap ko agad ang makeup room at nakitang kadarating lang nina Teacher Carlos doon. Pinilit kong alisin ang panggugulo ni Tres sa isipan at itinuon ang atensyon sa kasiyahang nararamdaman.

Naabutan ko sila sa loob na umiiyak. Hindi ko mapigilang mapayakap kina Teacher Carlos dahil punong-puno ng luha ang kanilang mata.

"Maraming-maraming salamat, hija. Sobrang laki ng naitulong ninyo ni Bea."

I hugged the old instructor back as I felt my yearning that's satisfied for a little while. "Thank you for trusting me rin po... It means a lot to me."

Bumaklas mula sa pagkayayakap si Teacher Carlos at hinawakan ako sa kamay. Teary-eyed, he gave me a gentle smile that I'm used to seeing since I was a child. "Napasaya mo kami at ang mga bata. Sana pagkatapos nito manatili ang kasiyahan sa puso mo. Sana ay masunod mo na ang plano ng puso mo—mag-ballet ba o iba."

Umiiyak ay tumango ako kay Teacher Carlos.

Kahit anong pilit ko na alisin ang inggit dahil nakasasayaw ang mga bata, hindi ko magawa. Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili na tanggalin sa isip ang nangyari noon. Kung hindi lang siguro ako sumayaw sa laban na 'yon, buhay pa rin siguro si Daddy.

Ito nga siguro ang kabayaran kapag hindi ako nakuntento sa isang bagay.

"Hija, I'm worried about you, pero kung d'yan ka masaya... Lagi mong tatandaan na kahit iniisip mong walang susuporta sa pagbabalik mo, nandito lang kami para sa 'yo."

I smiled as a response. I know that after this unrighteousness, I'd find it hard to go back to my routines—to discipline myself and to wholeheartedly go to any path but ballet.

Kahit may bakas ng luha ay kumuha kami ng litrato. We took countless pictures with the children holding their awards. Si Teacher Carlos ang may hawak ng malaking trophy kung saan naka-molde ang naka-pirouette na gintong ballerina.

Bago umalis ay nilapitan muli ako ni Teacher Carlos. "Hindi mo kasalanan ang nangyari noon, hija..." nakangiti niyang sabi.

Ngumiti muli ako at yumakap. "Thank you po..."

After the aspirants changed into more comfortable clothing, we immediately left the theater. Puno ng hagikhikan ng mga bata ang naririnig ko habang pababa ng marmol na hagdan.

I fixed my scarf from my arms across my back as I felt the cold wind of the night hit my skin. Hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili na lamigin kahit na mainit sa tuwa ang nararamdaman.

I carefully descended down the stairs as I dodged the pouring departure from the entrance. Puno ng tawanan at usapan ang pumailanlang sa paligid nang magsimulang bumuhos ang mga taong nanood sa performance.

Napakunot ang aking noo nang maramdamang may tumawag. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad, iniisip na baka namali lang ang dinig.

"Lavien."

I stopped walking only to look back and see the passion himself. Tres stood a few steps ahead of me, the reason why I'm slightly looking up to him. With the level of his gaze, I couldn't help feeling the domination his eyes are giving me.

Nakasuksok ang isang kamay sa bulsa habang mataman akong tinitingnan, bahagya siyang ngumiti. "You look wonderful in that dress." Nakita ko ang mapanuri niyang tingin sa suot ko, partikular sa telang nakabalot sa aking balikat. His eyes nurtured for a moment before it darted to mine, again. "I'll paint that someday... when I'm ready."

Pinigilan ko ang sariling mapangiti. Hindi ko alam kung papayagan ko ang sarili na maguluhan sa nararamdaman.

I don't know the reason why he approached me and the reason why he acted so friendly. I didn't even know how did he know about the event where I am at.

No matter how I tried my best to think righteously in order to not be brainwashed with his unrighteousness, I didn't know why I allowed him to dominate me. Is it because of his stares? Is it because I'm already brainwashed into this? Is it because I have started to be aware of what was happening, the reason I was confused?

But with the turmoil that I had in mind; I did nothing but to smile. Somehow, his gentleness devoured his dominance. All I could ever see is the respectful and noble Tres Lagdameo.

"All right," I said, my heart beat wild.

He closed his eyes when he chuckled as he shook his head. Another gentle smile and I have come with the realization that a rebel could also be righteous.

"Take care of your art. You're precious," he said and disappeared from my sight.