My Handsome Katipunero

KABANATA 39

Hanggang ngayon napapaisip pa din ako sa sinabi sakin ni Karlos. I understood the rules in time travelling since day one. He told me over and over again. And I understand why he doesn't want me to interfere and hell, the last thing I wanna do is wage war against him. He's time. Who knows what he could do to me the moment I throw stones at him. And he's overacting. It's not like I'm gonna save someone from his predestined death.

Well... I did want to save someone from a predestined death.

Death..

Palaging napapasabak si Antonio sa mga mapnganib na laban. His life is always at risk. I remembered the first time I saw him returning home from battle. He was wounded and weak. He cried because his comrades died. It was horrible. What if..

I shook my head. I shouldn't be thinking of stuff like this. Too many /what ifs. Of course, it won't happen. I won't let it. Nasabi ko na kanina that I won't wage war against Karlos. But I'd be more than willing to do it if it involves Antonio. Nangako ako sa sarili ko na kahit sa ganitong paraan ay maibibigay ko sa kanya ang kalayaang inaasam at nararapat sa kanya. Antonio and the others had been fighting for it ever since. These people deserved it more than I do. More than the others in my generation. All I did was idolize other countries. I was free but I didn't fought for that freedom. They did. Antonio did. That's why, I wanted to show him, them, the freedom I have.

I stared at Antonio's face on the piece of white cloth. It was my memory of him the first time I saw him smile. The first time I found him charming. I would do anything to keep seeing that smile. Even if it means embracing haram or risking my life, I'll protect those smiles.

My brother found the most precious thing in his life. I have found mine. Everyone does. And those are our loved ones. That's why we are ready to commit atrocities and the craziest things in order to protect their happiness.

"Ang ganda," gulat akong napatingin sa babaeng nagsalita mula sa likuran ko.

"Corazon!"

Napangiti siya, "Naku, pasensya na kung ginulat kita. Hindi ko lang talaga mapigilang mapahanga sa iyong pininta." She continued staring at my painting. Her eyes were twinkling."Hindi ko alam na marunong ka palang magpinta."

Umalis siya sa pagkakatayo sa likuran ko at nagpunta sa upuang katapat ko. Ipinatong niya ang dalang inumin bago umupo. Napangiti ako at ibinalik sa painting ang tingin.

I visited Corazon today. Di niya inexpect na bibisitahin ko siya kaya naabutan ko siyang abala sa pagpipinta. She was still learning the basics. Hindi pa man kami masyadong nakakapag-usap ng matagal ay tinawag siya ni ginang Asuncion- Lola Adelina's sister. Dahil wala akong magawa ay tinignan ko ang mga pininta niya. And for starters, she was good. She blended the colors like a pro. Di ko nalang namalayan na hawak ko na ang paintbrush at pinipinta ang mukha ni Antonio.

Bago ako nagsimulang mag-aral ng fashion designing, nagtraditional drawing muna ako hanggang sa naging digital. Then, I was introduced to painting. I painted alot of things. But what I like most are landscapes, cityscapes, the sky. Pero natigil ang pagpipinta ko when I turned 15. All of a sudden, natuon ang atensyon ko sa paglikha ng mga damit. I had forgotten painting. I never touched a paintbrush ever since. And after so long, nakahawak ulit ako. Hindi ako makapaniwala na kaya ko pang magpinta.

"Hilig ko itong gawin noong bata pa ako. Ito ang ginagawa kong pampalipas-oras. Ngayon nga lang ulit ako nakapagpinta," I said. "Pasensya ka na pala at pinakialaman ko ang mga gamit mo."

"Naku! Huwag kang mag-alala, ayos lang. Napakagaling mo nga."

I smiled, "Salamat."

"Maaari ko bang mahiram?" she asked. She was referring to the painting I painted. I gave it to her. "Kuhang-kuha mo ang mukha ni kuya Antonio. Nakakamangha dahil kahit na wala kang tinitignan ay naipipinta mo ito. Para makapinta ng ganito, kailangan mong kabisaduhin ang bawat detalye ng iyong ipipinta. Kabisadong-kabisado mo na ang mukha ni kuya Antonio.." She raised her head and she gave me a meaningful smile.