Lost in Paradise (Morayta Series 1)

Kabanata 16

Mas naging abala ako ngayong Undas break para sa paghahanda for next month. Marami rin na requirements sa school, pero madali ko lang iyong natapos dahil inuna ko na ang mga iyon para mas focused na ako dito sa gagawin ngayon.

"Ready?" Jayce asked.

Nandito kami ngayon sa isang studio ni Jayce para gawin ang pagde-design ng mga binili kong plain shirts para sa mga bata. Kasama namin ang mga kaibigan namin para tulungan kami sa gagawin.

Gusto ko kasing i-document ang preparation ko for upcoming birthday. Theo will be the photographer today while Azariah will be the videographer. It's actually a good thing kasi mas comfortable ako to shoot this one.

I smiled. "Yup!"

Jayce taught us how to paint the shirts. Nakakatuwang pagmasdan si Jayce na matiyagang nagtuturo sa amin. He can teach in an Art class, actually. He's really good! Sinabi ko sa mga kaibigan namin na pwede nilang gawin ang kahit anong design na gusto nila basta siguraduhin nilang may stars sa gagawin nila.

Isa-isa na kaming nagsimulang mag-paint ng mga shirt. Theo and Azariah became busy filming and shooting the things we're currently doing.

"Why stars?" Azariah curiously asked as she turned her camera to me. I don't know if she's really curious about it or if it is for the video we're making.

"Stars... they are so pure. They shine bright at your darkest state, para ka niyang binibigyan ng hope... kahit parang sa tingin mo, wala ng pag-asa, stars will give you light. What makes it more special is that, they shine by their own light," I paused for a bit to smile and look at the camera.

"Like the kids, they are so pure and innocent. Unlike us, adults or almost adults, na mas maraming problema or stress na hinaharap. Being with kids feels like everything is light, parang napapagaan nila kung ano man yung nararamdaman mo. Para ka nilang binibigyan ng hope and purpose tapos mare-realize mo, you need to be a better person for them to have a better future, because one day, they will shine with their own light."

Ilang araw rin kaming nagpapabalik-balik doon sa studio dahil hindi naman matatapos iyon ng isang araw lang. Lalo na't hindi naman sobrang laki ng studio at by batch ang pagpapatuyo namin sa mga shirt. Nakakapagod, but everyone is enjoying doing it for the kids. Kaya masaya na ako roon.

"Nandito na kami!" excited na sabi ni Farrah.

Bumili kasi si Farrah ng face paint kasama sina Reese, Theo at Archer. Plano kasi naming maglagay ng face paint sa mukha, again, the stars. It was actually Calli's idea pero hindi siya sumamang bumili.

Azariah started to film as Jayce was putting the paint in our faces. Dahil gustong mauna ng mga kaibigan kong magpalagay ng facepaint, ako tuloy ang nahuli. It's okay with me since abala na sila ngayon sa pagse-selfie showing the side of their faces, except Theo and Azariah.

Medyo magkalapit lang ang mukha namin ni Jayce. Alam kong ilang beses na kaming nagkakalapit ng ganito ni Jayce pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mailang at kabahan kapag malapit siya.