The Songs and Invisible Thread

memories.

"Congratulations on your first art exhibit, Lian! I'm truly a fan." Pagbati ni Autumn habang nakahawak sa magkabilang braso ng huli. Isinama siya ni Nieves sa exhibit dahil alam nitong mahilig sa paintings ang dilag.

"I think Lian just found a wealthy dilettante." Amadea commented with a huge smile plastered on her face.

"Thank you by the way, for purchasing three of her works. We're so grateful, Autumn."

"It's a pleasure, don't mind it... and it's also for a great cause." Autumn is still trying to warm-up with Nieves' new friend.

Hindi niya maipaliwanag kung bakit hindi siya komportable sa presensya nito. Well, it's not just Amadea. Sa unang pagkikita rin nila ni Luntian ay ganoon din ang naramdaman ng dilag.

She refused to be jealous of any girls affiliated with Nieves. Bakit naman siya magseselos at mai-intimidate? She knew the latter like the back of her hand. Kung sino man ang dapat na ma-intimidate, dapat sila iyon, hindi siya.

Autumn suddenly got lost in her bubble of thoughts. Isinantabi niya iyon at pinagtuunan nalang ng pansin ang bawat paintings na naka-display.

Luntian's first exhibit is quite a success. Malaki rin ang maitutulong nito sa organisasyon kung saan lahat ng kikitain ay mapupunta sa Dog Rescue Shelter.

She's not the only person who spent a great amount of money for the love of art, there are also some wealthy literary dilettantes who took five or more of Lian's art pieces.

Nasa sulok sila ni Nieves habang hawak-hawak ang kopita na sinalinan ng red wine. The latter looked genuinely handsome wearing a light grey suit. Autumn on the other hand was wearing a nude-colored bodycon off-shoulder dress.

Everyone is busy with their own bubble so the two just decided to take a break from socializing with others.

"Thanks for bringing me here."

Napangisi si Nieves. "Are you still mad?"

"Mad? Why would I be mad?" Napakunot-noo naman si Autumn.

"Nagka-amnesia ka na agad." Napailing-iling ito. "Galit ka kay Amadea, diba?"

Autumn stared at her with a frown. "May reason ba para magalit ako?"

"I'm just saying..." Kibit-balikat na sagot ni Nieves pagkatapos sumimsim ng wine sa kopita.

"If you still have a doubt, tumingin ka sa kaliwa mo."

Sinunod naman ito ng dilag. Behind the huge painting, she saw Amadea and Luntian surprisingly close to each other, probably just inches apart. Mukhang malalim ang pinag-uusapan nila. Their hands are clasped to one another and Autumn knew there is something going on.

Agad ding nasagot ang tanong sa kanyang isipan nang biglang inilapit ng bahagya ni Amadea ang kanyang mukha upang madampian ng malamyos na halik sa labi si Lian.

Napasinghap si Autumn at agad nag-iwas ng tingin.

"Did they just..."

"Yes... they kissed." Dugtong ni Nieves bago akbayan ang huli para ilayo roon. Lian and Amadea are having their special moment and it would be weird and intruding if they stay and watch.

In the next couple of days, what Autumn had witnessed never left her mind. Hindi iyon ang unang beses na nakakita siya ng dalawang babae na naghahalikan. She had seen it in movies and even up-close when she used to go to the pubs. Hindi niya ito mga kilala kaya ipinag-sawalang-bahala lang niya iyon.