SEVEN AND ARROW (Montana Series 2 | BXB)

25: Oblivion

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Days had passed, but I still didn't give Arrow an answer. I was weighing things, pondering what might happen once we go beyond our friendship. Bukod sa nagdadalawang isip ako kung totoo nga ba ang nararamdaman niya ay pinakikiramdaman ko rin ang sarili ko kung totoo na rin ba ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya.

Isa pa sa iniisip ko ay si Tita Meryl. Natatakot ako sa maaari niyang sabihin sa oras na malaman niya ang tungkol sa amin ng anak niya. I wanted to follow Dandrix suggestion, to slow down and calculate things first. Arrow also said the same thing before, but I was surprised because of his sudden rush.

"Anong oras raw matatapos si Arrow sa lakad niya?" tanong ni Tita Meryl habang inihahanda ang babaunin namin ni Arrow sa art center.

"12:30PM daw po," sagot ko. "Pero susubukan raw po niyang magpaalam kay Mr. Tor para makapunta siya sa art center on time."

"Okay," Tita Meryl said, smiling at the snack boxes.

She prepared slices of bread paired with creamy cheese and fresh juicy tomatoes. She also added sliced apples and chocolate chip cookies. Tita Meryl was humming a cheerful tune as she assembled the snack. Tila unang beses niyang ginawa 'yon para sa kanyang anak dahil sa mga ngiti niya. She's like a mom ready to send her son on a fieldtrip.

When Tita Meryl finished preparing our snack, I waved a goodbye to her and went to the art center using their car. Tinawagan ko si Arrow upang ipaalam sa kanya na papunta na ako sa art center, ngunit hindi siya sumagot. I just left him a message for him to read.

When I reached the art center, I was struck by its facade. There were also some people holding their own attache case with art materials. Some were carrying sketchpads and canvas. Naglakad ako papunta sa session room kung saan magaganap ang lecture tungkol sa painting.

I was amazed by the place because it gave me comforting ambiance. Naupo ako sa bandang gitna at inilapag ang aking gamit sa aking tabi para reserbahan si Arrow ng upuan. Bawat tao na nililingon ko ay nginingitian ako, kaya naman naging komportable agad ako.

"May nakaupo ba dito?" tanong ng isang lalaking lumapit sa'kin.

"Wala naman," sagot ko sa kanya habang nakatingin sa upuan na nasa harapan ko.

There were circular tables inside the room, and each table composed of four seats. There were ten tables in total so I was expecting there would be around forty people registered for the painting session.

"May kasama ka ba?" tanong muli ng lalaki.

"Oo," sagot ko. "Nandito na rin siguro siya maya-maya."

"Okay," he said, nodding. "Can I reserve this other chair for someone?"

"Sure," I replied, then he put his bag on it for reservation purposes.

"By the way, I'm Ringo," he introduced and offered me a hand.

Nakipagkamayan naman ako sa kanya. "I'm Severino, but you can call me Seven," I said.

"I've never seen you before. Bago ka lang ba dito sa Montana?" tanong niya.

Tumango naman ako sabay sabing, "Oo. Kakalipat ko lang dito last summer."

"What school are you?" he asked like an excited kid. He looked like a happy sunshine beyond cloudy skies.

"I'm from Northside High," I answered.

"Really?" he reacted. "I graduated there under the Performing Arts Program. For sure you're also from that program."