Art In His Breath (Japan Series #2)

Prologue

Prologue

Colors have been accompanying me throughout the dilemma of life ever since. I know how it works, how it functions. The various emotions it can display, consoling me in every angle. The different shades it has, identifying the intensity of my feelings.

Blue means melancholy.

Yellow means happiness.

Red means anger. Dark red means wrath.

Every single color has a purpose. On the other hand, seemingly absurd, colors can give a purpose to a one specific thing. 

Ang diamanteng rubi, kapag berde, hindi na rubi pa ang tawag. Kapag ang bahaghari ay kulay itim, hindi na ito bahaghari pa. Ang lilang ginto, marahil batid ng lahat, hindi isang ginto.

Colors are powerful. As powerful as those people who can entirely deceive us. 

Sapagkat ang kulay, napapatungan ng iba pang kulay. At ang katotohanan, nababalutan ng kasinungalingan.

"Ano ang kulay ng dagat?" minsan kong tinanong sa isang naging kliyente. 

Nangulubot ang noo ng hubo't hubad na babae na nakahilata sa sofa.

"Isn't it color blue?" she answered with hesitance. 

"Sa gabi?" dagdag kong tanong. 

"Black? Because you know, the sea reflects the color of the sky. But it could be also blue! The only color that changed was the sky's and not the sea's! Grabeng tanong 'yan, ah! Hindi ko napaghandaan! Ano ang sagot? Ano ang sagot?" She upheaved her back from leaning and excitedly waited for my answer.

Gaya ng mga naging kliyente ko nitong nakakaraan, nadismaya siya nang ngumiti lang ako at bumalik sa pagpipinta. 

I do not know the answer as well. 

My eyes give me a certain answer but my rebuking heart won't just accept it. 

What if the color of the sea at night is neither black or blue? Paano kung wala naman talagang kulay ang dagat at nililinlang lang nito ang ating mga mata?

Sa murang gulang, inalam ko na kung anong dapat na paniwalaan o mas dapat pagtuonan ng pansin. Ang nakikita ba ng mga mata o ang itinatanggi ng puso. 

At sa dalawampu't pitong taon kong pananatili sa mundong ito, hindi pa rin ako nakapipili. Ang puso din kasi'y nagsisinungaling. Lalong higit naman ang mga bagay na nakikita.

"Wow, wow, wow! Our fomer Iska is now having her own exhibition! You are very successful right now, Miss Dayamanti Riem! Congratulations! How are you feeling tonight?" paglapit ng isang imbitadong interviewer sa akin. 

"Thank you!" I lifted the corners of my lips for a warm smile. "I'm feeling great tonight! I'm very grateful for this opportunity!"

"Well, dedicated and determined people always attract opportunities." Pumlaster ang saglit na ngiti sa kaniyang mukha ngunit ilang segundo lang ay nagpakita ng pagka-ilang. "Uh..."

I swallowed. I think I know where this is going.

"There were leaked photos of you back when you were in Japan, right? You modelled for a certain agency. Do you have plans in going back to your modelling career? I mean!" He laughed awkwardly when he probably noticed the sourness in my face. But still, he continued. "I mean, obviously! You're doing great in painting but goodness gracious! You looked so hot with your bikini photos! Everyone would love to see you model again!"

I stopped breathing for a few moments. Inisip kong maigi ang ireresponde ko sapagkat paniguradong nakaimprinta na iyon sa loob ng magazine kinabukasan.