Kabanata 46
Matalim kong tiningnan ang wineglass na nasa harapan ko. Ang kulay lila na likido na nasa loob niyon ay nag mistulang kulay itim na sa mga mata ko dahil sa tagal ng titig ko doon.
Napakurap-kurap ako nang magsalita ang isang babae sa gitna ng malapad na stage. She's probably the emcee. Nakaupo kami ngayon sa isang round table na nakaharap sa stage kasama sina Don Yulo, iyong apo niyang babae na si Miguela, Brooklyn at iba pang mga tao na nakilala namin kanina sa pag-uusap.
The emcee called Questine to be on the stage at agad namang umakyat si Quest doon. She smiled at everyone and a loud applause was heard all over the hall. She gave a little speech about how much she loves painting and taking pictures. A little presentation was also shown about the foundation where all of the money from this auction will go.
"Number seven from your brochure is a painting entitled Shiva. This painting was painted by one of Questine's Indian student named Rohan Jose Advic. The painting was inspired by Hindu's Scared Triad."
The painting was place on front of us. Ilang sandali pa at may narinig na kami na nagsalita sa pinakalikod na upuan. Another painting was sold and another and another. Mayroon din na sold kay Don Yulo at sa iba pang bigatin na mga panauhin. Napaayos ako ng upo when ut came to the painting I've been aiming to claim.
"Number twenty two from your brochure is a painting entitled Space. Painted by Miss Questine Soriano and Miss Miguela Zarte using acrylic paint. Do I hear a ten?" Tanong noong emcee.
I raised my number and smiled.
"Ten thousand."
Brooklyn smiled at me at itinaas rin ang number niya.
"Twenty thousand." He smirked nang makita ako na inirapan siya.
"Okay. Twenty thousand from number nine, Mr. Brooklyn Tan!" Masaya na sabi noong emcee.
"Thirty thousand." Napalingon ako sa kabilang table nang marinig ang isang pamilyar na boses.
Si Clicko ay komportable na humihilig sa kanyang upuan habang tinataas ang kanyang number. Tumawa si Samantha at hinampas ang hita ni Clicko. She then whispered something to Clicko. His jaw clenched at agad na tumingin sa banda namin.
Okay. Thirty thousand? I can do better than that.
"Thirty five thousand." Diin ko at napabaling sa banda nina Clicko. I caught him staring at me. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. He tilted his head a bit and raised his number.
Asshole. Ano bang problema niya?! Hindi naman siya nagbi-bid sa mga nagdaang painting ha? Huwag niyang sabihin na type niya rin yung painting na gusto ko? Shit lang?
"Fourthy thousand pesos." Ganti niya sa sinabi ko. Napakuyom ako sa aking mga daliri.
Hinahamon yata ako ng gago na to. Okay, pagbibigyan kita.
"Sixty thousand pesos."
"Sixty thousand from the beautiful Attorney Henzon!" Sigaw ng emcee at narinig ko ang malakas na palakpakan.
"Seventy thousand pesos." Matalim kong tiningnan si Clicko na seryosong nakatingin sa stage at itinaas ang number na dala.
Huminga ako ng malalim at itinaas ulit ang number ko.
"One hundred thousand pesos."
"Seventy from Captain Colston and one from Attorney Henzon! It seems like the two really love the painting! Do I hear another?" Sigaw ng emcee.
What the fuck? He doesn't love the painting like I do! Obviously, he's just messing with me!
"One hundred twenty thousand."
