Don't freak out, it's me! (lesbian)

Chapter 13

Lalo akong naconfuse sa sinagot ni Mars regarding kung engaged na ba sya. Simpleng yes or no lang naman pero yung in between ang pinili nya. But according to her, it's for the love of her life. So meaning may pagbibigyan sya? Kung tama ako, sino? Pero bakit sya ang magbibigay? Agh! Ayaw ko ng mag-isip. Saka  ano ba kasing pakialam ko diba? Ikakasal din naman ako soon and Mars's life isn't my business anymore.

"Yeah, that's right Nike." Sya namang pagconvince ko sa sarili ko na may kasamang malalim na buntong hininga. "Stop thinking about that ring."

At para maoccuppied ang isip ko, nag-ikot ikot nalang ako sa napakalawak na living room ng mga Estrada habang naghihintay kay Mars. I left her room para makatakas sa awkwardness between us. Pakiramdam ko kasi Mars is seducing me at heto naman ako sobrang affected.

Bigla akong napatigil when something caught my eyes. The lone painting hanging against the wall. I'm such a fan of any art works na namana ko kay Papa. We even have a room for his collection.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Biglang nagsalita si tita Aby na nakatayo sa tabi ko. "That's ponte vecchio in Florence Italy."

Nilingon ko si tita Aby. "Sino po ang napinta nito?"

"Mm I'm not sure Nike, nakalagay lang ay wan." Napaisip si tita Aby habang nakatingin sa painting. "Binili yan ni Samuel  for 50$ when he visited Italy few years back."

It makes me feel sad though dahil parang sobrang mura ng 50$ for this masterpiece. "50$..."

Actually, there are many great painters today but their talent get wasted because the lack of opportunity especially if you are a struggling and independent artist. It will take years, even adecades for the world to notice.

"That was really cheap Nike." Pagsang-ayon ni tita.

"My father would love this." Wala sa loob na sabi ko na may ngiti sa labi. "For his collection."

"Gusto mo ba?"

Napasulyap ako kay tita nang marinig ko ang sinabi nya. "Alin po?"

Ngumiti si tita Aby sabay hawak sa painting, she caressed the paper very gently. "This.. you can have it for your father."

I'm surprised sa offer ni tita Aby. "Nako wag na po tita, it was your husband...."

"Oh Nike, it's okay." Paninigurado ni tita Aby. "Magpaparenovate din kasi kami ng bahay Nike, wala kaming mapaglalagyan ng painting." Then she smiles at me, very genuine. "Besides i know mas maaalagaan ng Papa mo ang painting na yan——" Natigilan sya saglit. "Ano nga ulit ang pangalan ng Papa mo?"

Hindi rin naman sila nagkakausap at nagkita ni Papa kahit nong high school palang kami ni Mars. Since busy lagi si Papa sa trabaho.

"Arnel po tita Aby."

Tumango tango si tita Aby. "Please tell Arnel to take care of the painting okay Nike?"

"Nakakahiya naman po." Titig na titig ako sa mukha ni tita Aby, carbon copy nya si Mars. Older version nga lang. She is still beautiful though. So parang i already have the glimpse how Mars would look like kapag tumanda na. "But can i please pay the painting?"

Tumawa si tita Aby sabay pisil sa palad ko. "No Nike just consider it as a gift and free..."

"Nothing is free anymore." The voice of Mars echoed in the living room.

Sabay kami ni tita Aby napatingin sa hagdanan kung saan nanggagaling ang boses ni Mars. I'm in total awe by how beautiful and graceful she is with her all white sabina stretch sateen jacket, theo pants and gold stilleto. Sobrang bagay kay Mars ang hanggang balikat na buhok and her body....perfect.