The Universe and Beyond

Universe 7: Unfinished Canvas

ZEN

I'm standing outside Rozend's house. Sa harap ng bahay nina Elaine. Nanlalamig ang mga kamay ko. I fiddle with my fingers and I can't help but sweat. The memories are haunting me and Elaine's memories and sweet smiles are once again seeping inside my head. Suddenly I'm filled with longing and grief.

Dahil natalo ako sa paghahanap sa constellation ni Hercules, kailangan kong pumunta sa bahay nina Rozend. Rozend asked me to check his paintings and after that, we will buy the things we need for the Painting workshop.

Nakatitig lang ako sa harap ng puting pintuan. I took a deep breath. Maybe it's now time to face reality and accept that Elaine is already gone and will never be coming back. I have to say goodbye to her now and move on from grief and despair. I want to properly bid her farewell and I hope she's now in a much better place.

Sa kabila ng pag-aalinlangan, nagawa kong pindutin ang doorbell.

May narinig akong kaluskos mula sa loob at nagmamadaling yabag. A pretty girl opened the door for me and I figured that she's Rozend's sister due to their resemblance. She smiled at me and opened the door widely.

"Ikaw ang kaibigan ni Kuya? 'Yong nakatira sa kabilang bahay?" she asked with a curious look in her caramel innocent eyes.

Medyo namula ang mukha ko dahil sa tanong niya. Medyo weird lang talaga kapag may nagtatanong sa 'kin kung kaibigan ko si Rozend. I'm not really a close friend. It's just weeks since we've met. Alright. Maybe we're really already friends.

Maybe friendship isn't about how long you've known each other. Maybe it just happens and then you just both clicked like a perfect fit.

Tumango ako. "Ako nga pala si Zen," pakilala ko.

Sumenyas siya sa 'kin na pumasok na ako sa loob ng bahay. "I'm Shanty," she said. "Tawagin ko lang si Kuya. Wait lang. Upo ka muna." Umakyat sa hagdan si Shanty at dumiretso sa dating silid ni Elaine.

Bumungad sa 'kin ang pamilyar na ayos ng bahay nina Elaine nang ilibot ko ang paningin sa loob. Wala silang binago at ginalaw sa gamit. Siguro dahil nirerentahan lang nila ang bahay. Wala sa sariling umupo ako sa kulay gray na sofa. Napansin ko pa ang mga inspirational quotes stickers na ikinabit namin ni Elaine sa puting pader ng sala nila noon.

Positive vibes only.

Dream.

No excuses.

Laugh as much as you breathe.

Love as long as you live.

Stay Strong.

Be fearless.

Wala sa sariling napangiti ako. Elaine has always been the strong one. Mas matibay siya kaysa sa 'kin. She's always the one who's encouraging, adventurous and seeking. Hinihiling ko na lang ngayon na sana maipasa niya sa 'kin ang ugali niya. I want to live like she did when she's still alive. And I envy her for always being the brave one.

Natigilan ako sa pag-iisip nang marinig ko ang mga yabag mula sa hagdan. Bumaling ang tingin ko kina Shanty at Rozend.

Ngumiti sa 'kin si Rozend habang suot niya ang putting t-shirt at itim na shorts at tsinelas na pambahay. Magulo pa ang buhok niya na tila kababangon lang sa kama. It's already ten in the morning and it makes me wonder why he looks like he just woke up. I noticed that Shanty casts him a worried glance.

"Zen," tawag niya sa 'kin. "Sorry. I overslept." He said with an apologetic and shy smile.

"No worries," saad ko. He's the one who set the time though. Am I too punctual? Baka sabihin niya excited ako masyado na pumunta rito.