Paper Memories

Chapter 8-II

Chapter 8-II

"Ate, let's pair up?"

When I looked up, I saw how Ricos was so enamoured with me.

I glanced around the classroom and saw everybody else with their partners, while there were some guys who were fighting over who should pair up with Nabi. I returned my gaze to the transferee, then nodded. When he sat down, I started sketching his outline without saying anything. His words were also sparse today, as his hands started to draw me as well.

Kaso hindi ako satisfied sa sketch ko. " Hey, could you put your hoodie down?"

He paused, embarrassed." Ate, ikaw nga puro yuko ka lang eh..."

I straightened my back, we need to see each other's face." Better?"

Ricos was eccentric young man,I don't think he's a bad person but his burn marks and scars made me feel uncomfortable while think how I should draw them. His burnt face is overlaid with a playful personality, childishness and mystery.

Tinanggal niya ang jacket niya...

Nalaman kong halos buong kanang bahagi ng katawan niya ay burn marks. Mas lalo akong hindi makatingin sa kanya. Ricos is just few inch shorter than me and because he wears baggy clothes he appears even younger. Plus, just like how his looks suggest he's very delicate and sickly. Ganun pa man, hindi ko inakala na maubos lang ang kalahating oras na halos lumalamang na ang disgust sa akin kaysa awa. Dahil nakita ko ang iba pang parte ng katawan niya.

"Sheena..." I think he's done drawing already. He was desperately clutching his sketchpad." Have you ever know how being burned feel like?"

I bit my lip and ignore him more, so he speak again." Curious, Ate?"

Maybe I shouldn't have pressured him to show his face, he kept talking with so much offence in his voice. Mabilis niyang pinakita ang sketch niya sa akin at tinago ulit." Ate Sheena doesn't like it--- you hate it---Ayaw mo, hindi ko maintidihan kung bakit ayaw mo."

"H-Hindi ko nakita ng maayos, Ricos." I defended." Baka namalikmata ako."

"You did see it! What did you see?" Napatayo siya. Mabilis siyang lumapit sakin habang sobrang higpit ang hawak niya sa sketchpad niya." Tell me! Take a guess!"

"It was a brutal depiction of a burning me, Ricos..."

"Ano naman ngayon?!" Sigaw niya. All while I'm thinking I shouldn't judge easily, but don't people say that an artwork is the inner reflection of their artist? Pinagkikiskis ni Ricos ng lapis ginuhit niya, tumayo ako para pigilan sa pagsayang niya sa talent niya." I hate that I'm created and forsaken like this, it's the fault of the body you gave to me!"

I held his wrist." Walang nakakaintindi sa sinasabi mo, ano ba!"

"Fucking liar, you know what I'm talking about!" He became more agitated and pointed the pencil towards his face, nang akmang ibabaon na niya ang lapis sa mukha niya ay naitulak ko siya. No, that's the wrong move, I need to restrain him! " Nandidiri ka dito, wala kang pake sa katulad ko!"

"Call the teachers!" Sinigawan ko ang kaklase ko, habang mag-isa kong hawak-hawak si Ricos. They were all just watching for heaven's sake!" Manonood lang kayo?!"

Only a few left their bystander role to help.

Without thinking I end up pinning him to the desk. I heard him groan. He was frail-----too delicate and weak for a boy. No, perhaps even worse What am I thinking? He's getting hurt! Is that bruised on his shoulder? Pero hindi ko siya pwedeng bitawan, dahil mas pinalakas siya ng kabaliwan niya. Kailangan pang pumagitna ng ibang mga lalake para pigilan siyang saktan ang sarili niya at ang iba. Humakbang ako papalayo ng pagtulungan na siya ng mga kaklase ko, handa na akong umalis ko ako man puno't dulo ng nararamdaman niya.

But then Ricos broke from them----- Ralph was suddenly in front me to stop him.

I saw Ricos smile madly." Looks who's playing hero, Ate!"

"Please calm down. You'd just get in trouble." Ralph say stupidly as he hid his hand behind his back, natatawa akong nakuha pa niyang sabihin yan sa isang baliw." At kanina pa ako naghihintay sa labas at nanood, walang kasalanan si Sheena sayo."

Nangduro-duro lang si Ricos. "You don't know what I know."

Ralph grab his wrist just I like I did, yet his eyes are soft. "Respect her better."

"Let's leave him alone. You don't want to hurt him." I whispered, I did hurt the boy already. A large and reddish mark is already imprinted on his pale skin. Awa ang nakikita ko sa mukha ni Ralph. Sarili niya ang masasaktan niya pag may nagawa siya kay Ricos." The professors are still coming, let go and let them handle it."

Ralph slowly let the boy go." Sheena has boyfriend."

But then Ricos took that opportunity to try come after me again, Ralph reacted quickly to grab the transferee's body. But because of his raw strength, Ricos screamed in anger and in pain. Ralph manhandled him that my other classmates didn't even need help. Ralph didn't go as far as me, he just held the transferee like the brat he is, but I can saw guilt on my first love's face, but just like me he have no choice but to resort into that. He raised his hands on much frailer and crazier boy. Nung nakawala ang isang kamay ni Ricos ay sumubok siyang umabot ng matalim na bagay, pero malakas na hinigit ni Ralph ang kamay nito bago pa siya may magawa.

Ralph was too gentle at offering him peace, but Ricos cried as he smiled.

"You're not the boyfriend, Kuya!