ACT TWENTY-FIVE

THE PSEUDO REBEL PAINTER

"What's with the lights off, Mikhail?"

I stood there, shocked at what I saw. I couldn't help being confused with what I saw. This is where RAN paints, he said. I knew RAN was Atlas but to think that Michelangelo is RAN? I couldn't comprehend it properly.

Is this the reason why he was so angry back then that he had the audacity to bump me? That when I saw him at the Hall at the time where Zoren asked who was RAN, he answered that I believed that Atlas is RAN? And that he knew how Atlas was in danger is because he posed to be RAN, and with Michelangelo's ability, he put Atlas in danger?

Surely, he must've been looking at the paintings at this mansion. He's not RAN. Why would I think that he's RAN? Baka naguluhan lang ako masyado.

But no matter how much I try to convince myself that he's not RAN, the anger and the irritation he showed relayed the truth.

"Tres, what the fuck? Gago ka ba?" singhal ni Michelangelo, hindi natutuwa sa presensiya ko habang matalim ang tingin sa 'kin. Sa paninitig na 'yon ay alam kong ayaw niyang nandito ako.

Is it because I mispronounced his name?

"She said she wants to see Atlas," Tres answered casually.

Hindi ko mapigilang kabahan nang mabilis na humakbang papalapit si Michelangelo at marahas na hinila si Tres paalis ng kwarto. Hindi pa nakalalayo ay bumalik siya at padabog na isinara ang pinto.

"'Wag kang sisilip d'yan," he ordered angrily before going back to his cousin.

I heard Tres momentarily chuckled before he glanced at me. Mabilis siyang lumapit sa tabi ko at marahang hinila sa braso papalayo sa kwarto.

"Why the fuck did you bring her here? Nabagok ka ba?" iritableng tanong niya, galit na galit habang naglalakad pababa ng hagdan.

Tres stopped before the stairs and looked down at his cousin. When his cousin noticed that he has no plans in going down, he stomped up angrily.

"Alam mo ba pinasok mo?" He scoffed and dragged his feet at the last flight of stairs. Sa buong durasyon na 'yon ay hindi ko alam ang gagawin dahil sa dilim ng titig ng pinsan niya.

"Oh, damn, I didn't treat you to be incoming deaf, Mika. Sabi ko sa 'yo, gusto niyang makita si Atlas."

"And you're letting her? Really, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

Nang bahagyang umabante si Michelangelo ay umatras si Tres mula sa hagdan, banayad na tinatago ako sa kan'yang likod. But even though he's using himself as a tool to hide me from his cousin's deadly stares, it wasn't enough to completely dodge me from it. Nararamdaman ko pa rin ang talim ng mga 'yon.

"I'm bargaining about her perspective. Ma ballerina decided with it. Aren't you proud of her development, Mikhail?"

"Ano sunod? Tell her that-"

"I'll let Atlas do it," kalmado ngunit may talim na sabi ni Tres. "Come on, Mika, stop showing your horns."

Narinig ko ang pagsinghal niya.

"You fucking moron," he hissed, gave me a glare, and walked away. He stopped for a while and showed Tres his middle finger. Tres' response was a chuckle.

When a loud thud escaped from a room, I used it as a chance to let out my nervousness. Napahawak ako sa dibdib nang maramdaman ang malakas na pagtibok ng puso. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin pagkatapos ng nangyari.

Michelangelo is so angry with me! Wala akong mahanap na rason kun'di ang maling pagbigkas ko sa pangalan niya. Is that a strong reason for him to be angry with me? Is that how heavy he'd hate people who'd mispronounce his name?

"You okay, Vien?" tanong ni Tres at humarap sa 'kin.

I nodded, still in shock. "Atlas is RAN, right?" I asked and looked straight to his eyes.

Ang kanina'y mapanuyang ngiti ay dumiretso sa linya. He looked away and started walking. I didn't realize that he had his hands at the side of my waist before he left.

"Atlas is this way."

With a shaky breath, I nodded and trailed behind him. I couldn't find it in my heart to walk beside him. It felt like he didn't like what happened earlier. Wala akong ibang nagawa kun'di tahimik na sumunod.

The second floor stretched a lot more with doors and paintings lining the walls. The white marble floor looked shiny, it quietly responded to the sound of the shoes. I even noticed that there was a mini chandelier hanging from the circular ceiling before we took a left turn.

We stopped in front of the familiar door; the nervousness that I felt lessened. But even with the decrease in it, I couldn't stop myself from being anxious about what's going to happen.

"Are you expecting anything, Vien?"

Nahihirapan akong napalunok. "Is it okay to expect anything?"

"As long as you're capable of what you're expecting in, it is."

I nodded and formed my fist to knock on the door. Lumingon muli ako kay Tres, humihingi ng permiso. Nang tumango siya ay pinakawalan ko ang takot sa pamamagitan ng tatlong katok sa pinto.

I nervously stepped away from the door when I heard footsteps. Nanatili ang tingin ko sa doorknob, hinihintay na pumihit at tuluyang bumukas ang pinto. Nang nabuksan ay bumungad si Atlas, gulat na gulat sa nakikita.

"Putangina," he cursed. "Bakit ka nandito?"

Tres chuckled but it sounded a little bit darker than earlier. "She arrives and all she'll ever get is a curse? That is disrespect."

"I heard that you're in danger," I answered, my heart beating wildly. Mariin kong ipinagdaop ang daliri, doon itinutuon ang kaba. "I want to ask some questions if you're okay with it, but if not-"

"Teka lang muna." Kunot na kunot ang noo niya. "Tangina, Lagdameo. Sinabi mo ba?"

Tres only shrugged. His response made Atlas angrier.

"Sumagot ka nga nang matino!"

"Matino," Tres answered in a humorless tone and pushed the door open.

I was forced to go inside when he carefully pushed me. Sunod kong narinig ang pagsara ng pinto.

"Sinong may sabing may karapatan ka-"

"Pinatuloy ka namin dito, Atlas. At least, respect."

Atlas impatiently sucked a deep breath. Annoyed, he went to his bed. Iritable siyang sumalampak doon, ang hita'y nakabukaka at ang braso'y nakapatong doon. Nanahimik siya nang ilang minuto. Ang katahimikan na 'yon ay nagparahas ng tibok ng aking puso.

Tres made me sit at the comfortable Victorian chair but I declined. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay at tahimik na nagpunta sa isang gilid, pinanonood ako mula sa pwestong 'yon.

I couldn't find it in my heart to throw Atlas any questions, the reason why I only stared at Tres. With crossed arms, he tilted his head and bobbed it, urging me to start asking questions.

I shook my head; he replied with a mocking glare.

Just do it, I could hear him say.

Sucking a deep breath as I'm standing in front of the impatient rebel man, I gathered my courage.

"I know I shouldn't be here-"

"E 'di umalis ka na-"

"Atlas, let her talk," singit ni Tres, nakatingin sa 'kin bago mag-iwas ng tingin.

"Referee ka? Boxing? Lawyer?"

He clenched his jaw. "Do you want the security-"

"Oo na, makikinig na! Makikinig na!" wala sa puso niyang sabi bago tapunan ako ng matalim na tingin. "Ano?"

I glanced at Tres, yet again. He urged me to go on. I nodded and decided to fight my fears. I want to tell him what I've been thinking of.

"I shouldn't be here because I hate you—I hate you for tricking me into this mess. Kung hindi lang sana ako nakipag-usap sa inyo, hindi ako madadamay rito." He was about to speak but Tres stopped him. "But now that I'm here, might as well brainwash myself into this."

His mouth went ajar. With the way how he acted, I knew that he wasn't shocked—it angered him more.

Atlas let out a mocking smirk. He chuckled dryly. "Plastik mo, Lavien. Ano? Bigla-biglang magbabago paniniwala mo? Spy ka, gano'n?"

I sucked a deep breath as I prepared myself to carry on with his unrighteous responses. I know that I'm taking a big leap with this—to breach the safety of righteousness—but I have known not to be fazed too much with the safety it's been giving me.

As Tres said, the safety would lead me nowhere—it's much better to risk it.

"I didn't know that you're treating it that way," I said, trying my best to tell him the point of my appearance. "I'm trying my best to understand what's going on so I gave a chance to know the reason why you're doing this."

But no matter how hard I try my best to let him understand, he wasn't with it—he chose to judge me with his thinking. I let it pass. I knew it's unbelievable to hear that a righteous person was to side with the rebels.

"I know you won't believe me, but I didn't expect that I'll do this," I confessed; he wasn't convinced.

Atlas stood up as annoyance oozed from his form. Tres was about to step forward but Atlas didn't leave his spot.

"Panghuhusga lang ba ang ipinunta mo rito? Ipaalam na ano? Magaling ka at hindi rebelde katulad ko? Kapal naman ng mukha mo."

I firmly closed my eyes and tried my best to understand where he is coming from. "You've had a share of unrighteousness-"

"Magaling ka na n'yan-"

"And I'm trying my best to have it that's why I'm here!" I shouted with my closed eyes. Nang idinilat ko ay nakita ko ang gulat sa mukha niya. "To listen! To broaden my perspective! Because no matter how I try not to be involved in this unrighteousness, sooner or later, I will be. I better be educated than to be shocked because of my narrow beliefs."

Marahas ang tibok ng aking puso pagkatapos sabihin ang nararamdaman.

"A person like you shouldn't work with rebels. Bakit nandito ka sa mga rebelde? Wala ka na bang prinsipyo? Gustong-gusto mo na bang magrebelde? Naiinggit ka na ba?" He is enraged. "Sumagot ka, Lavien!"

Napapikit ako dahil sa naramdamang bugso ng galit mula sa sigaw ni Atlas. Pinigilan ko si Tres mula sa paggalaw sa pwesto.

When I was a child, I didn't think of safety because I aim for excellence—to do things out of my league. That no matter how it tires me, how it harms me, and how it gives me sores and blisters, I'll continue to do it just because I want to. But because of the death of my father, I chose to be safe—to be secured—so I wouldn't involve anyone.

I know safety. I know security. I know righteousness. I know politeness and respect. I loved how it felt but I think it's time to return to what I was before.

The way on how I gave in to my yearning for ballet would be the same way on how I'll give in to the unjust and rebellious side of the system.

"It doesn't mean that I have no principles," I said. "It happened that my viewpoint has changed—it became broader. I have opened my mind a lot more."

Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti para sa sarili.

Something felt nice with what I've said. It felt like I was redeemed with the hindrances that I had before. With the way how it flowed around my body, it gave me bliss and satisfaction. It made me feel good... the best thing that I've felt since the last day of the contest.

"I have tried so hard to understand why you're insulting me with your words, Atlas, and you're good at it. I want to thank you for doing that," I sincerely said.

Atlas looked a little bit relaxed than earlier. He was able to return to his bed and hang his head low. His hands were clasped together before he took a sigh.

I glanced at Tres only to see him looking at me, still with his raised brow.

Magtatanong pa sana 'ko pero pinigilan ako ng halakhak ni Atlas.

"Kung sasabihin ko, huhusgahan mo ba 'ko, Lavien?" he asked, a hint of eagerness escaped from his tone.

I realized that the reason why I was shocked is that I didn't acknowledge both sides. Sure, I was aware that righteous and unrighteous people exist, but I wasn't aware of what they're capable of. I'm at fault, the reason why I'm allowing myself to have a broader perspective in this process.

It's time for me to—not only respect their beliefs—but also know to know why they have those beliefs.

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. "I won't question you about your beliefs anymore, Atlas. I'm tired of treating it whether it was righteous or unrighteous. It's time for me to acknowledge another person's reason."

For so long, I have treated people unrighteous because their belief was against mine. If I were the other, I am sure that they'll treat it the same.

I realized that if a person were to mature—to be righteous fairly—a person should be able to look at both sides. That if he were to draw a line, he should've known the right or wrong. But since every person's perspective differs, the line was vague, the reason why it was easy for some people to treat it as unjust.

However, if we were to keep on treating it that way with our beliefs as the basis, there would always be someone who will treat it unrighteous. The best thing that a person can do is to broaden his perspective and to try his best to understand where they're coming from.

Maybe what Atlas did is to help me evaluate the righteous from the unrighteous—the justice from the injustice. That no matter how I put the blame on them, the blame's still on me, because my perspective's too narrow to analyze things righteously.

And for them to do that—to force me to confusion to think what's right or wrong, I couldn't help thanking them for that. That if there were no one to tell me the other side of the line, I'd always be stuck at where I'm at—safe yet naïve.

"My father wants to kill me." Hindi ako nakagalaw sa narinig. "Nalaman nina Mikhail 'yon kaya tinatago ako rito."

"And they made you a room for it?"

Napaangat siya ng tingin. "Akala ko ba walang husgahan?"

"Sorry," I said and sat down at the Victorian chair. Narinig ko ang marahang pagtawa ni Tres nang ginawa ko 'yon.

"Gusto akong patayin ng tatay ko dahil dinumihan ko ang pangalan niya." Bahagya siyang natawa at napailing. "Dati pa lang, gusto ko nang maging magaling sa mata ni Papa. He wants me to pursue politics but I didn't want that. Sinabi ko na mag-aart school ako, hindi pa rin siya pumayag. Gusto talaga niya akong maging kurakot katulad niya."

"Pero hindi ko kaya, alam mo 'yon? Gusto ko lang sundin ang gusto ko, kaya para mapilit si Papa, inuto ko siya. Sabi ko, papasok ako sa RCA kasi maraming anak ng politiko ro'n. Kung papayagan niya ako, magbabalita ako tungkol sa nangyayari sa loob. Tangina, ang desperado ko."

Napasinghap ako nang unti-unting maglabasan ang luha mula sa mata ni Atlas.

I panicked; I didn't know what to do yet he stopped my actions when he spoke again.

"'Yung pagpasok ng mga rebelde sa RCA? 'Yung kaguluhan sa RCA? Tangina, plano ko 'yon. Pansin niyo bang lumuluwag seguridad? S'yempre, kagagawan ko rin 'yon. Ako nagpadelikado sa kaligtasan ng mga estudyante ro'n kahit na ang ibang estudyante ro'n ay gwardya dahil may utang na loob sa pamilya namin. S'yempre, para rin protektahan ako. Sino nga ba namang gustong ipahamak ang ka-isa-isang anak ng Bise Presidente?"

Tumawa siya nang mapakla. Malapit ng humagulgol si Atlas ngunit hindi pa rin siya nagpatitinag kahit na namumula na ang mukha sa kaiiyak.

"Alam mo bang..." Humugo siya ng malalim na hininga. "...atensyon lang niya ang hinihingi ko? Pero hindi ako hihingi ng paumanhin sa kaguluhang ginagawa ko sa RCA. Ginusto ko 'yon para mapansin ako ni Papa. Nagrebelde ako, sumali ako sa kung ano-ano, nag-ingay ako sa university pero anong nangyari? Eto. Nag-backfire sa 'kin plano ko. Hinahabol ako ni Papa kasi dinumihan ko raw pangalan niya."

Marahas niyang pinalis ang luha. "E tangina pala niya, e. Sino isusunod niya? Si Mama? Gusto niya ng rerun sa nangyari noon, kaibahan nga lang, VP ang delikado? Gago siya, bakit ko ba tatay 'yon? Kung ganito lang pala, sana hindi na ako ipinanganak, deputa."

I could only stare at the weak rebel painter's shaking form. Sinusuntok-suntok ni Atlas ang dibdib niya habang pinakakalma ang sarili.

"Ang gago lang talaga..." Nanginginig ang labi niya. "Gusto ko lang naman mag-paint. Alangan namang mag-paint ako habang nagsasaulo ng mga batas! Tangina, mababaliw ako ro'n."

Bumaling siya kay Tres at dinuro-duro. "Kaya ikaw na gago ka, alam mo bang inggit na inggit ako sa 'yo? Nagagawa mo gusto mo! Nakagagawa ka ng rebolusyon sa pagpipinta, alam mo 'yon? Tangina, p're, ang husay mo. 'Di mo yata pinapansin na nakikipagkompitensiya ako sa 'yo."

"Art is not created to compete in."

Atlas chuckled humorlessly. "Tangina ka parang gago ang puta. Ang dami-dami kong sinabi, 'yan lang narinig mo? Nang-iinsulto ka ba? Ewan ko na lang sa 'yo, Tres."

It was Tres' turn to chuckle. "I'm telling you, Atlas, don't keep up with that."

"Bakit? Dahil kagaya kita, 'di ba? Uhaw ka rin sa atensyon ng Papa mo." I saw how Tres clenched his jaw. "Pero sorry, p're, iba na gusto ko. Acceptance na gusto ko. Ayoko na sa atensyon, iyong-iyo na 'yan. Nakasasawa kaya, alam mo 'yon? Parang ni-rereheat mo 'yung ulam mo tapos pawala nang pawala ang lasa."

Kumunot ang noo ni Tres. "You know how to cook?"

With his tear-stained face, Atlas glared at him. "Naka-filter ba tenga mo, ha? Kanina pa 'ko naiinsulto sa 'yo."

"I filter words that I didn't want to hear," Tres casually said.

Marahas siyang humugot ng hininga. "Palibhasa, nakukuha mo kasikatan na gusto mo."

Napansin ko ang paniningkit at pagtalim ng mata ni Tres. Umigting ang kan'yang panga habang tinatantiya si Atlas.

There seemed to be a battle between the two of them. Is this a battle of who's father was better? It is inappropriate to think like that but considering what they've been talking about, I think it is.

The silence stretched in the room as the rebels silently fought each other. I stood there as I allowed them to fight in the way how they want it to be. If I were to interfere, I would be stepping on their beliefs. I hate that.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano sila katagal nagtatantiyahan doon. Tres was the one who broke away from the silent fight before he looked at me.

"Vien, I'm going to leave for a little while." Inilipat niya ang tingin kay Atlas. "And you, don't try to hurt her. The next thing you know, you'll be-"

"Oo, magsusumbong kayo kay Papa," pagtutuloy ni Atlas, bahagyang madilim pa rin ang itsura.

Nanunuya siyang nginisian ni Tres. The way how he grinned made me shiver.

"I'm telling you, if you try funny things..." Those were Tres' last words before he walked away. Tinanguan niya ako bago tuluyang isinara ang pinto.

There seemed to be things that only a rebel could understand, that's what I thought as I stared at the door. For them to silently battle, it seemed to me that there's more than to the art and rebellion for both of them.

Hindi ko na lang pinansin ang bagay na 'yon.

Nagpapalis ng luha ay sinamaan ako ng tingin ni Atlas.

I looked at him, curious about why he's glaring at me. "Are you not yet convinced with what I said-"

"Sinabi na ba ni Tres?"

Kinunotan ko siya ng noo. "That they're hiding you here? Yes, why?"

Mariin siyang napapikit at nagpakawala ng mura. Nang idinilat ang mata ay may kung anong emosyon doon bago nagpakawala ng halakhak.

"Anak ng..." Hindi niya maituloy ang sasabihin. "Talaga lang, Miss Fashion Designer?"

"Is there something I need to know?"

He looked at me, amazed by what I'm showing. Is there anything to be happy of? What? My cluelessness?

"You're RAN, right?"

Nagliwanag ang mukha niya at mayamaya'y natawa. Pansin ko pa rin ang inis do'n.

"E? 'Di ka pa ba aalis? Sasali ka sa Assembly?"

I stood up, finding his questions a little bit confusing.

Nagpunta ako rito para tingnan kung ano ang kalagayan ni Atlas dahil sa kaguluhang ginagawa niya. Ngayon na nakumpirma ko na ang kan'yang estado, hinanda ko na ang sarili para umalis.

"There are a lot of rallies in the school, Atlas. Kagagawan mo rin ba 'yon?"

"Kahit wala ako ro'n, talaga? Ano sa tingin mo? Manghuhula ka, 'di ba? Galing mong gumawa ng prediksyon 'kala mo naman totoo," he mocked.

This is how rebels treat their way. I should be used to it.

Nagtungo ako malapit sa pinto at hinawakan ang doorknob. Ibinalik ko muli ang tingin kay Atlas na ngayo'y nakatayo mula sa pagkauupo.

"I have realized..." I said, finding the proper words to tell. "I think it's not right to hide anymore... I guess. We should face it. It's hard to restrict ourselves from the things that we love. I know I have chosen to be righteous for my own safety, but I realized that it's suffocating."

I tried to carefully choose my words because even though I told him the truth, for a rebel like him, it wouldn't sound like it.

I let out a sigh. "You know what? It's tiring to be a person who only respects but doesn't know how to hear it out. I'm sorry if I'm exercising my first trial on you but I want you to know... I want you to know how much it would pain someone to hide—to restrain ourselves from the things that we love."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin, hinanap ang lakas ng loob para idirekta sa kan'ya. "Atlas, kung sa tingin mo ay tama ang ipinaglalaban mo, bakit hindi mo ituloy?"

I gave him a smile and twisted the knob before pulling the door open. Hindi pa ako nakahahakbang paalis ay narinig ko ang sagot ni Atlas.

"Magtatago ako pansamantala. Hindi mo mababago ang desisyon ko."

I nodded, respecting his decision. "Then, I hope-"

"And, Lavien," he called.

I turned my head to look at him, only to see him behind me.

"I'm not RAN, by the way," balewala niyang sabi, marahan akong itinulak paalis ng kwarto.

Napaawang ang aking bibig, hindi makapaniwala sa narinig. Napaharap ako sa kan'ya. Unang bumungad ang mapanuya niyang ngisi.

"What do you mean you're not RAN? Stop denying it. I know you're RAN," diin ko, ngunit alam kong sa lahat ng kasinungalingan na sinasabi ni Atlas, ito ang katotohanan.

"Hindi ko inaakala na mauuto kita ro'n. Sa bagay, hindi ko naman kasalanan kung uto-uto ka," he said and prepared to close the door. "Bye, Lavien. Manghula ka na lang."

I could only stand there, shocked and confused with what I heard.

The lie that he said sounded like the truth and I'm scared... I'm scared that it is the truth.

If he wasn't RAN, then who is it all along?

Umalis ako mula sa harap ng kwarto ni Atlas at inalala ang daan pababa. I know I needed to find Tres so I could confirm what was going on. Even though Atlas' words sounded like the truth, it doesn't sound convincing enough.

All of the evidence he'd been showing me showed that he is, indeed, RAN. Is this one of his games? Does he want to play with me? Does he want me to doubt what he said earlier—that his father plans to kill him, the reason why he was hiding at this mansion?

Or are all of those a lie? That all along, he was living here and creating paintings here? And that they are helping in masking the truth?

Sa okupadong pag-iisip ay hindi ko namalayang nakarating na ako sa gitna ng hagdan. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang mapansing nakahawak ako sa barandilya.

I know to myself that I wasn't convinced with Atlas' words. He was oozing with lies—those are one of it. He must've been so good in lying, the reason why he had the chance to make it sound like the truth.

Sa pag-iikot ay nakapunta ako sa malawak na kusina. Even in the dark, the first thing that caught my attention is the shiny,black marble adorned with gold lines. Though the exterior of the mansion was a classic vintage, the open kitchen reeked of modern.

I stopped walking when I noticed small movements near the big refrigerator.

My forehead creased. I tried my best to figure out who was in the dark yet he was the one who revealed himself after he stepped out.

Marahas akong napasinghap nang makita ang hubad na itaas ni Tres. Kaswal siyang umiinom ng tubig nang makita ako.

With a little smile drawling across his lips, he placed his glass at the countertop.

Mabilis akong nag-iwas ng tingin at sinanggahan ang paningin. "I... I- um... why are you shirtless-"

"Oh, Lavien," nanunuya niyang sabi. Why does he sound like Elton! "Do you want to paint me? Stare at me again, then. Or rather, create creases for body armor and use my body definition as a template?"

"No!" bigla kong sabi dala ng kahihiyan. Naramdaman ko ang malakas na tibok ng puso kasabay ng pamumula ng mukha. "I-I mean... your body's great for a body armor but I'm not working on some-"

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi dahil sa kahihiyan. What am I even doing? Why can't I get his defined upper torso away from my mind!

"Will you just- will you just..." I peeked to see if he was already wearing something but he wasn't! Napaiwas muli ako ng tingin. "Where are your clothes? Bakit shirtless ka?"

He chuckled. I felt him moving forward. Napahakbang ako nang malaki papaalis sa pwesto.

"Don't look at me like that, Lavien Rosette," natatawa niyang sabi. "I'm happy because a burden's been lifted from my shoulders. Pwede bang lumapit sa 'yo?"

"Why do you even ask permission-"

"I'm intimidated, Vien," he confessed, his tone serious. I glanced at him in hopes that he was wearing anything. Wala pa rin!

"Can you please wear something-"

"I'll show you something upstairs-"

I firmly closed my eyes. "Just stop being shirtless!" kabadong-kabado kong sabi. "T-then I'll go."

Tumawa muli siya. "Okay, Vien. Can you wait here for me? Magdadamit lang ako."

I nodded. When I felt that he already left, I used it as a chance to open my eyes. Marahas akong nagpakawala ng buntong-hininga at napatingin sa baso ng tubig. I think I'm thirsty! I hate it. Ayoko na ulit makakita ng gano'n.

I let out another sigh as I waited for his return. Nang marinig ko na pababa si Tres ay dahan-dahan akong nagtungo sa hagdan.

I let out a sigh when I saw that he was wearing a gray v-neck shirt.

"Chill, Vien. I'm a good guy."

I pursed my lips and slightly nodded. I know I haven't fully recovered about what happened but I'm trying my best to look like one. Kahit kinakabahan ay sumabay ako sa pag-akyat ng hagdan. Nang tumigil siya sa kwartong pinuntahan kanina ay hindi ko maiwasang kabahan.

"What are we going to do in the painting room?"

"The Rebel Room?" he corrected. "I'm going to show you something."

Hindi ko maiwasang mapatitig muli sa pinto. I know we went here earlier but I didn't get the chance to look around. Nadala ako sa pagkagulat nang makita si Mikhail sa loob.

But why is he giving me another chance? What is going to happen?

I looked at him, confused about what's going to happen. He gave me a gentle smile and placed my hand at the knob. Bumalik muli ang kaba na naramdaman ko kanina.

"Now, the only thing that's left to do is to push the door open. I know you can do it, Lavien."

Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa doorknob. "We went here earlier, Tres. Nakita ko na ang loob."

"But you haven't seen the paintings yet, Vien. You're missing a lot."

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata. With the way how Tres' words sounded, I couldn't help feeling the familiar feeling of nervousness.

"There's nothing left-"

"I told you, there are a lot."

Marahas akong napalunok at napasinghap, pilit na kinakalma ang sarili.

I know I have tried my best to understand what was going on and with that, I came up with a conclusion to search for Atlas. I realized it wasn't enough, the reason why I am held clueless about what's going to happen next.

To think that he confessed that he wasn't RAN wasn't enough to convince me. What would it take for him to do so? Someone claiming that he was RAN? Then who he could possibly be?

"Go on, Lavien. It won't hurt for you to do it."

Naramdaman ko muli ang presensiya ni Tres sa likod ko. Lalong lumakas ang kabang nararamdaman ko.

Pinihit ko ang doorknob. "If this-"

I didn't have the chance to tell what I want when he was the one who pushed the door open. Napasinghap ako nang makita ang ilang pamilyar na paintings na naka-display.

"My painting room's nice, isn't it?" he asked confidently.

Hindi ako makagalaw dahil sa narinig.