21/09/2023
Story title: A TAIL OF ART AND WORDS
Genre: ROMANCE
Written by: BERNADETTE BOSI and MARK JOHN PAGULAYAN
PROLOGUE
Si Callista Veridian ay isang dalagang may mata na kulay ng kalangitan at buhok na kasing haba ng gabi. She was an independent woman who had a passion for art. Ngunit sa kabila ng kanyang kasarinlan, may isang bahagi ng puso niya na nag-aasam ng pag-ibig.
One sunny afternoon, habang siya ay naglalakad sa malapit na park, she noticed a guy seated on a bench. His name was Lucius, a young man with eyes that sparkled like stars. He was writing something and Callista couldn't help but be drawn to him. After so many months of always admiring him from afar, she mustered up the courage to approach Lucius and said, "Hi, can I sit here?"
Lucius looked up from his things, and his eyes met Cally's.
"Of course," he replied with a friendly smile. As they sat together on the bench, they started talking. Although she often sees Lucius in the park, she didn’t have an idea that Lucius is a writer. Calli learned that Lucius was a writer who found solace in the park for inspiration. Lucius, on the other hand, discovered that Callista was an artist who often painted scenes from this very park.
Time seemed to fly as they shared stories about their lives, dreams, and aspirations. Callista found herself captivated not only by words but also by his genuine kindness. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lucius invited Callista for a cup of coffee at a nearby café. It felt like a natural progression of their conversation, and Calli gladly accepted. Over coffee, they continued to talk, and it became evident that they had a deep connection. Calli couldn't help but think that perhaps fate had a hand in their unexpected meeting. As the evening grew darker, Lucius walked Callista back to her car. It was a quiet moment filled with unspoken emotions. Before parting ways, Lucius asked for Calli's number, and she willingly gave it to him.
"Can I see you again?" Lucius asked with a hopeful smile.
Callista nodded, her heart beating a little faster.
"I'd like that."
And so, their story began with an unexpected meeting in the park.
CHAPTER 1
"Nasaan na ba kasi yung brush kong 'yon? Saan ka na naman ba nagsususuot!" Inis na saad ni Callista habang kinakalkal ang art kit nito.
Umabot ang limang minutong paghahanap ay paiyak itong nagdabog paalis sa liwasan buhat-buhat ang mga gamit niya sa pagpinta. Pinara niya ang parating na tricycle na huminto naman agad sa tapat niya. Mabilis siyang pumasok at mangiyak-iyak na ibinagsak ang sarili sa upuan.
"Sa dinami-daming pwedeng mawala, yung pinaka-importante pa!" Singhal nito na ikinagulat ng drayber.
"Jusko Panginoon ko, uuwian ko pa ng pandesal ang asawa ko." Bulong ng drayber ngunit narinig pa rin ito ni Callista.
Humihikbi siyang sumandal sa gilid ng traysikel at napabuntong-hininga habang punong-puno ng kaguluhan ang isip niya. Nagbayad siya at mabilis na pumasok sa tahimik at maalikabok niyang tahanan.
"Nasaan na ba kasi 'yon? Gusto ko ng matapos 'tong—"
Hindi na natuloy ni Callista ang sasabihin nang hawakan niya ang sarili niyang buhok. Napakagat-labi ang dalaga nang makapa ang kung ano'y nakatusok sa buhok niya upang maging gamit sa pagpuyod ng kanyang buhok. Natatawa niyang tinanggal ang brush at umupo.
"Kala ko nawawala ka." aniya pagkatapos ay bumungisngis ito.
Naisipan nitong tapusin ang pinipinta. Patapos na siya nang may biglang tumawag sa kanyang telepono. Sinagot niya ito nang hindi tinitignan ang caller.
"Calli....”
The ecstatic sound was pounding her ears and she started to tremble. Her hands were trembling that lead her to drop her paint brush. Napatayo ang dalaga ngunit nawala ito sa balanse na naging dahilan upang bumagsak ang katawan niya hindi sa sahig ngunit sa isang matigas na braso ng kung sino. Her eyes was half-opened and she started feeling dizzy. She couldn't see whose arms she fell off but it was familiar with her sight.
"Calli..." A familiar voice filled her ears until she lost her consciousness.
CHAPTER 2
Callista was preparing their breakfast when an arms with tough biceps wrapped around her waist then kissed her temple. She giggles and her cheeks were reddened in a second.
"You're tickling me!" Callista said while chuckling.
She turned her back to what she's doing and faced the person who kissed her. Her smile fell off and it was replaced by confusion. Nawala rin ang ngiti sa labi ng taong hinarap ni Callista. He stepped closer to her and whispered on her right ear.
"I am Lucius, your boyfriend. One and only," then he kissed her forehead and hugged her.
Callista was absorbing what Lucius said until her hand unconsciously started to wrap it around his body to hug him back as well. After they ate their breakfast, they decided to go to the park to get some fresh air.
"Lucius!" Callista shouted, finding her boyfriend.
Heavy footsteps were slowly heard by Callista coming her way.
"Yes, my love?" A baritone voice covered her ears that made her heart pound faster.
Wala pang sampung segundo nang dumating ang binata. Callista saw her boyfriend's soft smile towards her. She feels safe and at peace when he's around. He was her comfort zone. Pumitik ang binata sa hangin upang hingin ang atensyon ni Callista.
"Callista, back on earth!" Lucius said.
Callista was back on reality and smiled on him.
"Have you seen my paintbrush ba? Something that looks like vintage." Napataas ang dalawang kilay ng binata at napangiti.
"Yes—
"Where? Can I have it now?" Callista said that cut him.
Lucius chuckled while something is circling on his head.
"Hmm, before I give it to you, can I have a reward first?" He playfully said.
"Sure! Just give it back to me po." Calli smiled with soft look in her eyes.
"Give me a peck of kiss— “
Callista kissed his lips as if there's no tomorrow and quickly get off.
"Give me back my paintbrush," Lucius pulled something from her hair.
Nagtataka ang dalaga dahil sa ginawa ng binata hanggang sa nakita kung ano ang hawak nito. Napatitig ang magkasintahan sa bagay na iyon at natawa nang malakas nang mapagtanto kung ano iyon.
"You're really adorable, mi amore." Lucius said then handed her the paintbrush that he pulled from her hair.
Nakalugay na ang buhok ng dalaga na bumubungisngis na naging dahilan upang matitigan ito ng lalaki. Her natural red lips filled with happiness, her reddened cheeks covered with joy, at ang bagsak nitong mahabang buhok na makikintab at malambot kung hawakan. She looks like an angel with its natural beauty. She really deserves Lucius as his protector and lover. Nagpunta nga ang magkasintahan sa liwasan, lulan ng sasakyan ni Lucius. He held her hand until they were in the park.
Callista started to prepare her things to paint while Lucius prepared his things to write. They started to do their activities with fresh air around them. Dancing trees with the wind, birds chirping in the sky and people around them with their own worlds.
CHAPTER 3
Lucius was staring at a gorgeous woman beside him. His mind was full of her, picturing himself with her. Napangiti siya ng pumasok sa kanyang isipan ang ideya na mayroon silang maliit na bulilit na aalagaan. But then the thought that his girl would suffer excruciating pain in order to deliver their baby, that made his eyebrows meet. Natawa ang binata sa sarili, nahihibang na talaga siya. He's really crazy over her. Bumalik sa wisyo si Lucius nang tumayo ang dalaga at nagsabi sa lalaki.
"Naiihi ako, I'll go to the comfort room in a couple of minutes. Wait for me okay? Hold this paintbrush for me," Cally said then quickly took her steps towards the comfort room.
CHAPTER 4
When they got home Lucius started to put their things upstairs. Pinaupo niya muna ang dalaga sa k**a at nginitian ito. Tahimik lamang ang dalaga at walang imik na nag-obserba sa galaw ni Lucius. Tila ba ginigiling ng utak niya ang mga nakikita ngayon. Then Lucius got the medicine kit wherein it made Callista frown. Tahimik pa rin ang dalaga hanggang sa buksan ni Lucius ang isang gamot at i-abot ito sa kanya kasama ang isang basong may lamang tubig. Nagtaka ang dalaga ngunit nginitian lamang ito ng lalaki.
"Take this Callista, you are suffering from memory loss. We didn't meet earlier, we've been together for 8 years now."
Mas lalong nagsalubong ang kilay ni Callista nang marinig ang sinabi ng lalaking kaharap niya ngayon. Hindi mawari ng dalaga kung nagbibiro ba o may katotohanan ang sinabi nito sa kadahilanang nakangiti pa rin ang lalaki sakanya ngunit kung may anong nararamdaman ang dalaga sakanyang puso na mayroon ngang katotohanan sa sinabit nito.
"Memory loss... then from what?" Callista asked.
"You and your both parents were traveling that day." Ani Lucius habang hawak na ang dalawang k**ay ngayon ni Callista.
"All of you were inside the airplane nang mangyari ang trahedya. Maayos ang pag-launch ng eroplano ngunit habang nasa byahe ay nagkaroon ng problema."
Nakatitig sa kawalan si Calli at tila ba iniintindi nito ang bawat salitang namumutawi sa bibig ng lalaki.
"Maniwala ka man sa hindi, ikaw ang nag-iisang tao na nakasurvive sa aksidenteng iyon."
Ang namumuong luha sakanyang mata ay bumagsak nang tuluyan at para bagang dinaanan ng 16 wheeler truck ang puso ng dalaga sa narinig.
"Parang himala ang lahat dahil wala kang major injury na natamo nang araw na iyon. Sa pagdaan ng araw, nagdalamhati ka nang mag-isa. Kita sa mga mata mo ang puyat at iyak na dinanas mo. Day by day dinamdam mo ang nangyari na naging dahilan upang magkaroon ka ng depresyon. In that case, depression caused you to have memory loss."
Patuloy ang pag-agos ng luha ng dalaga sa sariling pisngi nito. Panay rin ang pagpunas ng lalaki gamit ang sariling k**ay sa luha ni Calli.
"Then the day came when I had the urge to come to your life. I prepared myself for everything, for all of the consequences. I introduced myself to you at the park. Where I always see you everyday. You used to get some fresh air there, at doon tayo nagkakilala. Halos everytime na pupunta ka sa comfort room, I already know what will happen next. And it really does happen, my love."
Mas lalong bumuhos ang luha ng dalaga at nagsimula na itong humikbi. Ngayon lamang nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob si Lucius na ibunyag ito sa kasintahan.
"You always asked to sit beside me there and I also asked for your number. That's how our first meet up goes and we used to do it now. I would gladly consider your condition in order for us to cope up with and have improvement for the better. According to your doctor, you're really improving. Noon hindi mo naalalang may vintage paintbrush ka, but now you're always seeking for it."
May tila ba pumiga sa puso ni Lucius nang niyakap niya na nang tuluyan ang kasintahan. She really deserves the world, and he will give and risk everything for her.
"Its fine, vent it out. I feel sorry, I didn't have the courage to tell it to you earlier. I love you, love. Everything will be fine, take your time to heal from everything." Lucius said.
CHAPTER 5
After 2 years...
"You did a great job, Callista. This journey really improved something in you. You're such a strong woman. Now, you don't need anti-depressant for your medication. All you need to do is believe and be good to yourself. Congratulations, Ms. Callista," her doctor said.
It was really a journey with many memories to keep. Now she's totally healed from the past. Now, she will only think what's good in the present and in the future with her boyfriend.
"Lucius, alagaan mo pa rin ha. Baka naman pagkatapos ng session na ito ay pabayaan mo na 'yan. Malalagot ka sa akin," biro ng doctor nito.
Natawa naman ang tatlo pagkatapos ay nagpaalam na sa isa't isa. Callista and Lucius are now in the park. The place that witnessed their journey and trials. Callista started to paint some of their new little events in life while Lucius started to continue writing down their story. That is how they want to remember things in the near future. The sunset is now occuring on horizon and has this color purple sky. It made callista paint it on her canva with her pretty vintage paintbrush. While on the other hand, Lucius is nervous on what he was about to do.
"Love..." Pagtawag ni Lucius sakanyang kasintahan. Lumingon naman agad ang dalaga dito.
"Can you stop what you're doing right now? If you don't mind." Lucius carefully asked.
Callista took a deep breath. She hates when someone stops her from painting yet something inside her now just want to go with the flow.
Tumayo ang binata at nginitian ang dalaga. Sumabay sa agos ng paglalakad ang dalaga papalapit sa sulok kung saan ay kita lalo ang paglubog ng araw. Nang makarating ay ngumiti ang dalawa dahil sa tanawing nakikita ngunit lingid sa kaalaman ng dalaga ang gagawin ng binata.
"Purple ang sky ngayon, love!" Callista clapped her hands and stared at the sky with amusement in her eyes. May namuong luha sa mata ng binata na siyang pinigilan niya. Habang nakatingala nga ang dalaga ay sinamantala ng lalaki ang pagkakataon upang lumuhod sa nag-iisang babae sa buhay niya na nais niyang pakasalan. The only woman he want to be with until their hair will be gray. Callista was drowning on the view up to the sky and smiling from ear to ear. Narinig nang dalaga ang hiyawan ng ilan sa mga natitira sa liwasan nang oras na iyon. Napatigil siya at balak lingunin ang madla ngunit nauna niyang nakita ang lalaking nakaluhod na sa harap niya. Unti unting namuo ang luha sa mata niya at para bang may humaplos sa puso niya. Lucius really proves everything to Callista, until now that his right knee is kneeling in front of her. A sign that he can even go lower just to be with her, in lifetime.
Tears ran down until Lucius said the magic word, "Marry me, Callista. Please."
May ngiti sa labi ng binata habang ang dalaga ay lumuluha sa nakikita.
Tumango siya ng ilang beses at inabot ang sariling k**ay sa lalaki.
"Of course, I am yours until eternity." Callista said with sparkling eyes while Lucius put the ring on her finger.
They hugged each other and kissed. One cameraman shot the view of two lovers and printed them out. The photo showed so much love decorated with the sunset and purple sky.
"Eto photocard oh, baka mamaya magalit ka sa akin. I stopped you from painting the view. Ito naman ipinta mo." Nakangiting ani Lucius.
"If stopping me from painting and be with you in a lifetime then I will. Basta isulat mo rin ito." Natawa pa nang sabay ang magkasintahan. And after that day they still continued to paint themselves and write their story to remind themselves that Callista and Lucius were lovers full of love in their hearts. She's painting him while he's writing his point of view towards her.
