Paper Memories

Chapter 26-II

Chapter 26-II

"Nakasalubong ko nga nung sinama mo siya nung isa. Sinabayan ko na makalabas ng campus." Kwento sa akin Ellie mula sa kabilang linya. I am on my bathroom returning the medical kit I just used. Pang-ilang beses ko na naman ginawa to." I tried asking Ronald about things, to try to calm him.He did mentioned he dropped out of school------he must hate being back.

"You think he's also upset I force him to go inside?"

"Sobrang uncomfortable niya sa mga nakakasalubong namin, ni hindi nga siya lumalapit o tumitingin sa iba .Did you say he always prefer being alone? He must have been severely bullied back then."

"I think that make sense, he doesn't talk to anyone here except me and my boyfriend."I opened the trash can to throw all the bloodied cotton balls. Napansin ko napaparami na ang mga naitatapon kong ganto sa basurahan. Halos mapupuno na." He have mean eyes and sharp tongue---but that's it. He's not violent or anything, b-but he was just really so kind and courageous to save me in our first meeting."

Ellie paused from the other line." May nangyari ba kaya mas nag-aalala ka?"

I glance towards the stairs, Ronald's currently on the rooftop. Wala pa akong ibang napagsasabihan sa nalaman ko, na naglayas siya." ...Nagtalo Lang kami. Paano na lang kung mas layuan niya ako ng ganun ang lagay niya?"

"Teens nowadays would feel concern to be intrusive.." I fix more of my things as I talk with my bestfriend.Babalik na sana ako sa rooftop pero nadistract ako sa bukas na pinto ng attic, hindi ko pa pala nasasara." Just come in between if you feel it's getting out of hand. Pero hay! Ang rami kong sinasabi di ko nga masabihan kapatid ko."

"You're a good sister, El---they should be happy to have you."

"Aw, how about you, Shin? Are you happy to have me?"

I smiled eventhough my bestfriend can't see my expressions, pakiramdam ko yun ang tama yung ngumiti para sa katulad niya. "You're more than what I deserved, El."

"Thank you, Shin...I love you." She replied like she used to, but I can't understand why her voice is breaking. Napasinghot pa nga siya at natatagalan magsalita. Because of her shift in tone I couldn't close the attic's door." Goodnight, bukas ulit...Pasyal tayo nila Ralph."

"Goodnight, bye... I love you too."

"See you tomorrow, Shin."

"Now...I still have lot left to paint, pero... Parang hindi naman tamang ito pa ang unahin ko." I whispered to myself as soon as my call ended. I have the urge to just hide my canvases but the paint I have used is still wet. Masisira lang ang pinaghirapan ko pag tinabi ko yung agad. "...There's my classworks, yung pinapagawa sa akin sa theater...And real people in my life."

I snickered bitterly." I can't trade reality for painting."

"Pwede pa naman kita balikan, but I can't make time go back...So just wait a little, I'd finish painting you... I talk to the canvas in front of me as it can understand me, I even trace its outer frame as if it can feel my touches. Halos silhoute pa lang ko, sobrang layo sa rough sketch. May smudge at stains pa sa gilid. " You're made after real people in my life, kaya maiintindihan mo naman kung sila uunahin ko diba?"

Finally, I step back----lumabas ako sa attic.

I called Ronald's name as soon as I climb up the stairs to the rooftop. But felt sick on my gut when I saw his visible bruises because of his sleeveless shirt. Hile-hilera ang mga pasa niya at kakapal pa rin ng benda at mga band-aid na suot niya. He's passively gazing at the skies while his old point-shoot camera is on his hands.