Sinking Deep (GL)

CHAPTER 13

Despite admiring her appearance, it pained me to know that she belonged to someone else, not me.

Suddenly, a voice broke me out of my thoughts, calling my name. It was her, my professor.

"Ms. Mercedez?" she asked, making me quickly stand up.

My colleagues chuckled at my absentmindedness. Pati si Charlotte tumawa kasi nagulat talaga ako.
Tumayo naman ako agad saka tumingin sa masungit na propesora.

"Last week, you won the competition and painted Van Gogh's Starry Night. What inspired you to reference his painting?" she inquired, her gaze firm and unwavering.

As I stood there, facing my professor, her question lingered in the air. My heart raced with mixed emotions nervousness and excitement entwined. I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts before answering.

"Well, Ma'am," I began, trying to steady my voice, "My affection for Van Gogh's Starry Night is unwavering. He captured the night sky and the dancing stars in a way that inspired awe and mystery. It's as though the picture communicates to me on a deeper level, luring me into its beautiful and imaginative universe."

Her intense stare made me wonder if there was a flicker of understanding in her eyes, but I brushed it off as I noticed she was fully engrossed in listening to me.

"Also," I continued, "I wanted to challenge myself as an artist. Starry Night is a masterpiece, and I wanted to see if I could capture even a fraction of its brilliance in my own work.

As I finished speaking, I awaited her response, hoping that my answer had resonated with her in some way. But in that moment, all I could do was hold my breath and wait for her reaction.

Nagpalakpakan ang mga colleagues ko at lahat sila ay nag-ingay.

"Congrats ulit Frey!"
"You deserved the crown!"
"Wooohhh!!"

Iba-ibang boses ang maririnig sa room at nakita ko naman ang pagtalim ng tingin niya sakin nung ngingiti na sana ako.

"You can sit," she commanded. She then continues the discussion as if wala siyang pake sakin. Walang pasalamat ang lumabas sa bibig niya, kahit man lang sa pagsagot ko wala.

Confirmed, galit siya sakin.

Natapos ang schedule niya samin at lumabas itong hindi man lang nag dismiss, matalim pa rin ang binitawan niyang mga sulyap sakin habang pinapanood ko siyang lumabas. Tama, may practice ako mamaya with her.

Gusto kong mag focus muna doon, hindi ko na muna siya iisipin. Wala naman na akong pag-asa.

Pumunta ako ng cafeteria mag-isa kasi hindi sumama si Charlotte sakin. Naglalakad ako nang makita ko si Ma'am Rhea tsaka si Sir Montejo papasok sa office nito, holding each other's hand.

Pero bago ko alisin ang mga tingin ko sa kanila ay nakita ako ni Ma'am Rhea nang magtama ang mga mata namin ay kunyari akong walang pake, inalis ko agad ang tingin ko na parang walang nakita.

Ang sakit, masakit talaga umasa sa wala.

Dumaan ako sa office ni Ma'am Vivien at sa hindi inaasahang lumabas ito sa pintuan at nakita ako.

"Frey?!" gulat niyang sabi sabay lapit sakin, "how are you?"

"I'm fine, Ma'am" sagot ko sa kanya, "how about you po?"

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko, "I'm fine, I missed you."

Ngumiti ako pilit kunin ang kamay ko na hinawakan niya pero ang tindi ng kapit niya, wala akong nagawa kundi pabayaan nalang siya total wala namang issue.