CHAPTER 7—PAINTER

Days had passed since the married couple reconnected with each other yet both of them can`t still forget about the kiss. That was the first time Travis kissed a girl and Stefan on the other hand, can`t still believe that a man kissed him. 

That kiss may not that be romantic and passionate like what we have seen on dramas or the books we have read but, that kiss is surely one of a kind. That millisecond of kiss will last forever in Stefan`s memory and anyone who has this memory will surely have a hard time to forget which seems impossible. 

A cup of coffee, a loaf of bread, and a great meal can be seen on the table. Surely, it was prepared by Stefan who is still waiting for his husband to wake up. Stefan knew that his husband is literally having a hard time on his company and as the contracted yet loving wife of a Travis Madrigal, Stefan has to serve him as his most important client. 

Once again, that contract was stock on his head that could ruin the day but, he managed to control his thoughts as he saw the angelic face of his husband. Stefan is about to sit beside the sleeping Travis but the moment he reached the bed, Travis woke up and directly took a bath. 

“Good morning!” sigaw ni Stefan ngunit wala siyang natanggap na tugon. Tanging patak lang ng mga tubig ang maririnig mula sa banyo.

 Ikinalungkot ito ni Stefan ngunit inisip na lang niya na wala pa siguro sa wisyo ang asawa kaya hindi ito makasagot. Nilisan ni Stefan ang silid at nagtungo sa kusina, nagpapahiwatig na gusto nang kumain. 

Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas, siya namang paglabas ng nakabihis na si Travis.

Nagmamadali nitong sinuot ang mga sapatos at saka kinuha ang susi ng sasakyan. 

“Aalis ka na kaagad? Ayaw mo muna bang mag-almusal?” pagtatakang tanong Stefan sa asawang kasalukuyang inaayos ang mga papeles. 

“I`m on my way” saad ni Travis sa taong kausap na nasa kabilang linya ng telepono. 

Ibinaling ni Travis ang tingin sa asawa ngunit sa pagkakataong ito, hindi mo ito kakikitaan ng kahit anong emosyon. Kaniya namang nilapitan ang mesa ngunit hindi para kay Stefan, kanyang kinuha ang tinapay at umalis nang walang paalam. 

“Ingat ka! Have a nice day ahead!” sigaw ni Stefan sa asawang tuloy-tuloy na lumabas ng condo. 

Stefan felt strange in front of his husband as another effort was wasted. He sadly stared at the blank seat on the other end of the table. The bright curve that was plastered on his face suddenly turned into straight line. The joy he is feeling earlier this morning ended. He`s all alone and he lonely ate the meal that is supposedly for Travis. 

Stefan knew that he shouldn’t feel this way but, everything is fine not until this morning came. He remembered that both of them are laughing under the moonlight. They are both listening in one music. They are both singing at the top of their lungs. This day is supposed to be a happy day—a continuation of what happened last night but in just a sudden, everything went wrong. Guess you really can never be too happy in this life, aye?

Stefan did his best not to think about the contract but, it`s also his defense against his emotions. 

“Stefan, Stefan, Stefan. Could you just accept the fact that your marriage will stay on the contract and what Travis is showing you has no malice?” he said to himself and released a deep sigh—trying his best to calm his nerves. 

“But, what about the kiss?” he said as he faced the mirror. He faced his reflection and stayed there for a while. 

Shh, that`s nothing! Nagawa lang naman niya `yon kasi magkalapit ang mga mukha niyo. Elton did that too, right? Ang kaibahan nga lang, nakaiwas ka that time— saad nito sa sarili habang inaayos ang nakalugay na buhok. 

“Yes, I need to meet you tomorrow evening” saad ni Travis sa taong kausap na nasa kabilang linya ng telepono. 

“Yes, I`ll be there” tipid na sagot ng nasa kabilang linya. 

Mula sa kompirmasyon ng nasa kabilang linya, makikita ang malaking ngiti na namumutawi sa mga labi ni Travis. 

Sa kanyang pagbaba ng telepono, siya namang pagpasok ng kaibigan nitong si Giovanni na nagtataka sa ipinapakita ng kaibigan. 

“Seems you`re in a good mood for this whole day, papirma nito” saad nito habang ibinababa ang mga papeles. 

“Yep, I really am in a good mood right now so don`t you dare to ruin it” matigas na ani nito sabay irap sa kaibigan habang pinipirmahan ang mga papeles. 

“Is this about Steffia? Kanina ka pa nakangiti pansin ko” pag-uusisa nito binabalewala ang pamatay na titig ng kan'yang kaibigan.

“Bukod sa kan`ya, mayroon pang ibang dahilan” saad nito habang nakangiti sa kaibigan na siya namang ikinataka ni Giovanni. Sa titig ni Travis, talaga nga namang kahit sino ay hindi magiging komportable—maging ang kan`yang matalik na kaibigan. 

“Hoy! Umayos ka ah!” pagpapaalala ni Giovanni sa kaibigan habang dinuduro ito na siya namang ikinatawa ni Travis. 

“Dude, huwag kang mag-alala, hindi kita trip” saad nito habang nagkukunwaring tinatakpan ang sariling katawan na tila ba pinagnanasahan sabay halakhak. 

“Ito na, you can go” saad ni Travis habang iniaabot ang mga napirmahang papeles na siya namang agad na kinuha ni Giovanni at nilisan ang opisina ni Travis. 

Naisin mang umuwi ni Travis nang maaga, alam niyang dadatnan niya ang asawa kaya kahit tapos na ang trabaho, nanatili pa rin ito sa opisina hanggang sa tuluyang lumubog ang araw. 

The clock states it`s 9:00 PM yet Travis is still not in the condo. Stefan got worried although this isn`t the first time that Travis went home late. Stefan looks tired yet he`s doing his best to stay up for Travis. He sighed and leaned his back on a sofa until he didn`t noticed that he fell asleep. Few minutes more, Travis arrived and saw his wife patiently waiting for him. 

Travis went close to his wife and caressed its hair covering Stefan`s face. He then tempted to kiss his wife but he noticed that Stefan`s eyes moved so he quickly distanced himself before Stefan caught him. He pretended that he saw nothing as he walks into their room. 

“Nakauwi ka na pala, how`s your day?” saad ni Stefan habang inaayos ang sarili, kinukusot pa nito ang kan'yang mata. 

“All good, magpapahinga na `ko, good night” walang emosyong saad nito at tuluyang humiga sa kama. 

Stefan felt Travis is distancing himself from him, he then did the same thing as he didn`t enter the room to accompany his husband. He stayed in the sofa and closed his eyes again. 

Meanwhile, though Travis closed his eyes, he`s still waiting for his wife to accompany him but, there`s no Steffia entered the room, not even her shadow. After hours, he noticed that his wife slept in the sofa. He saw the how his wife takes his peaceful rest, surely, he`s deeply asleep.

Travis decided to bring Stefan on their room—he gently lifted his wife as he doesn`t want to disturb Stefan. Finally, he placed Stefan on the right place—still asleep and in peace. He then kissed his wife`s forehead and spent the night peacefully staring at his wife and feeling its breath. Travis did nothing but to admire Stefan`s beauty. After hours of staring, he felt sleepy and decided to sleep but not at the same bed where Stefan is. 

The next day, Stefan woke up wondering how he got there. A smile escaped on his lips as he thought of his husband. 

“Siya lang naman pwedeng gumawa no`n” he said and jumped off from the bed. As he took his first step out of the room, he saw a huge box on the table. He wonders what it is and what it might be and it seems that Travis left the condo early. 

“Tama na panghuhula, lapitan mo na!” he said to his self and hesitatingly opened the box.

 As he removed the lid of the box, he saw a red dress and a letter on it which made him confused. 

The letter or a note maybe said “Steffia my dear, wear this dress and go to this restaurant before dinner time.” As Stefan read the letter, his lips drew a curve once again and he quickly took the dress out of the box. Nothing fancy about the dress—it`s just a plain red dress that fits on his physique well and shows the curves of his body. He then noticed that there is also a pair of footwear which is in the next box—a simple yet elegant heels. 

He spent the day familiarizing himself on heels as he`s not used on this stuff. He fell and tripped multiple times until finally, he can elegantly walk using these heels. 

The said time has come and Stefan arrived on the said restaurant but, there`s no single soul inside the restaurant. He then remembered that the note says “just enter the restaurant and you`ll see me there.” He followed what the note says and hesitatingly entered the restaurant. 

“Travis?” he said and turn his gaze on each corner of the restaurant but no Travis or at least a single person appeared. Few minutes more, a voice of a man echoed which made him flinch. 

“Miss, kindly follow me” saad ng lalaki na sinundan naman ni Stefan bagaman naguguluhan. 

Tumigil sila sa isang mesa at dito pinaupo si Stefan. Nilibot ng paningin ni Stefan ang kan`yang kinaroroonan at isang pamilyar na pangangatawan ang kan`yang naaninag. Kaniya itong tinitigan at tama nga siya, ito ang kan`yang kabiyak!

Habang papalapit si Travis, siya namang pag-alingawngaw ng isang romantikong awitin. Nang nasa harapan na ni Stefan ang asawa, siya namang pag-abot nito ng isang rosas at nag-alay ng kamay itong lalaki¬—senyales na nais nitong maisayaw ang binibini na siya namang pinaunlakan ni Stefan. 

Nagsayaw sila nang nagsayaw at inikot nila ang buong restaurant habang patuloy na sumasabay sa awitin ang kanilang mga katawan. Habang nagsasayaw, inamin ni Travis na ito ang kan`yang pinagkakaabalahan sa opisina—ang sorpresa para sa asawa.

Stefan got flattered as he heard the truth on why Travis is acting that way. All this time, Stefan thought Travis is taking his distance but he`s doing it for a reason. 

Stefan couldn`t utter a single word, he then locked his husband on his arms and placed his head on Travis` chest. Travis did the same thing and kissed his wife`s forehead. 

The romantic tune finally reached its last note, the couple took their seats facing each other. Stefan can`t still utter a single word and he`s just staring at his husband who is now spending time at his phone. 

“I know you`re staring at me, gano`n na ba ako kagwapo sa suot ko?” he said while looking at his phone. 

Stefan flinched as he heard Travis` words and tried to turn his gaze away. 

“Ang kapal mo naman, mister ko” he said and crossed his arms. Although Stefan managed to somehow defend himself, he can`t deny the fact that his husband looks great tonight—that tuxedo that suits his built, his captivating image, and simply him is surely a killer. Plus, Travis is smiling all this time which Stefan found too rare. 

“You should thank your gwapong husband for treating you this way” Travis said as he faced Stefan and finally put his phone on the table. Nakipagtitigan pa Ito Kay Stefan na tila ba nanghahamon sa kan'yang asawa. Agad namang napaiwas si Stefan dahil sa hiyang kan'yang tinatamasa ngayon habang isang munting hagik-ik naman ang narinig nito mula kay Travis na mas lalong nagpapula sa kan'yang mukha. 

Damn, Stefan! Wag kang papauto sa mukha niyang asawa mo, Ghad!—pangkwekwestiyon pa niya sa sarili sa kan'yang isipan. 

Stefan tried to conceal his feelings but he failed. Stefan felt his cheeks are turning red and it is obvious which made Travis laugh. Travis saw that his wife seems pissed as the smile plastered on her face is now gone and all he can see is the serious face of Stefan. 

“Pardon me, dear. Did I mention how good you look in that dress?” saad nito habang nakangiti, hinawakan nito ang kamay ng kan'yang sintahan at unti-unting inalayan ng mga mumunting halik, napadilat naman si Stefan ng mata kay Travis at agad nilinga ang paligid. Stefan can't help not to bite his lowerlip while his husband repeatedly kissing his hand.

Mabilis naman nitong binawi ang kan'yang kamay at kinalma ang kan'yang sarili, pasimple pa nitong nilalagay ang kamay sa may dibdib dahil sa tindi ng kabog ng kan'yang puso.

“Mabuti naman at napansin mo!” masungit nitong tugon at inirapan ang lalaki upang hindi mahalaga ang labis na pagkabigla nito sa ginawa ng asawa niya.

“Hey, chill! Para kang tigre sa itsura mo but I like that face of yours” pamumuri pa ni Travis nang mapansin na sobrang tensyunadong mukha ng kan'yang sinisinta ngunit hindi pa rin pinapansin ni Stefan. 

Damn! What should I do para mapansin ako ng babaeng `to? I`m not good at this—saad ni Travis sa isipan. 

“Seriously speaking, you`re not beautiful” saad ni Travis na siyang ikinagulat ni Stefan at dali-dali naman nitong hinarap ang lalaki. 

“Aba, anong…” hindi na nito natuloy ang sasabihin nang muling magsalita ang kabiyak. 

“Because you`re gorgeous—ack and you don`t deserve to be called beautiful, No word can comprehend how valuable you are. ” seryosong tuloy nito habang malumanay na nakatitig sa kan'yang asawa na ngayon ay panay ang pag-inom ng wine natila bang walang narinig.

Bagaman may kalaliman ang kan`yang pananalita sa mga oras na ito, may kung anong kumiliti sa kaloob-looban ni Stefan. Napangiti na lamang ang binibini bilang tugon. 

“Actually, we`re not here for a simple date, I want you to meet someone” saad ni Travis na siyang ikinalito ni Stefan. 

“What do you mean?” nagugulumihanang tanong ni Stefan at bahagyang napakunot ng noo. Bakas sa kan`yang mukha ang pinaghalong kaba at lito.

Hindi sinagot ni Travis ang tanong asawa at iniwan siyang mag-isa sa kanilang mesa.

 Sumimangot itong si Stefan at iniisip kung sino ang nais ipakilala ni Travis sa kan`ya. Ilang minuto pa, bumalik si Travis kasama ang isang lalaki na mukhang nagmula pa sa kalayuan.

 Agad namang tumayo si Stefan sa kinatatayuan—senyales na nais nitong magpakilala at makilala ang lalaki ngunit makikita si Stefan na kinikilatis ang lalaki na tila ba nakita na niya ito noon. 

“Vincent, I want you to meet my good friend, Steffia and Steffia, meet Vincent Brandt, a worldwide famous painter” pagpapakilala ni Travis sa lalaking kasama. 

Stefan`s eyes widened as he heard that the man standing in front of him is Vincent Brandt—a famous painter. 

This painter involves various subjects in his masterpieces and also famous for depicting these subjects. He is known for being realistic and being an effective artist in communicating through his pieces. Stefan can`t believe that he is standing next to a Brandt, one of the painters he idolized. Stefan is just staring at Vincent as this is a granted wish for him. 

“Nice to meet you, Steffia” saad ni Vincent at akmang hahalik sana sa pisngi ng binibini ngunit inawat ni Travis. 

“You already know each other, shakes hands will do.” saad ni Travis. Halata sa pananalita nito na kan`yang pinagdadamot ang kabiyak, maging ang pisngi nito. Agad namang sumunod si Stefan sa sinaad ng kabiyak. 

“Nice to meet you too, Mr. Brandt, I`m a great fan of your maestras” nakangiti nitong bati habang kinakamayan ang lalaki. Bakas sa mukh ni Stefan ang kagalakan at hindi ito maitatanggi ng kan`yang mga matang nagniningning at labing halos mapunit na sa ngiti. 

“Steffia, you should thank Travis for having me here. He did everything just for me to say yes and be here in the Davao. What a nice friend to have, yeah?” saad ni Vincent. Nabaling naman ang tingin ni Stefan kay Travis nang ito`y magsalita. 

“He is the reason bakit hindi kita kinakausap these past days, I`m busy convincing him to meet us, especially you” saad ni Travis na ikinagulat ni Stefan.

“A-Ako?” takang tanong Stefan na agad namang tinugunan ni Vincent.

“Oh, he didn`t told you, guess this is a surprise, right Travis?” saad nito at ibinaling ang tingin kay Travis. 

“Ah, eh, Steffia, didn`t I told you na this isn`t a normal dinner?” paniniguradong tanong ni Travis na siya namang tinanguan ni Stefan. 

“I invited him to help you reaching your dream in painting” pagpapatuloy nito na lubhang ikinagulat, ikinagalak, ngunit ikinahiya ni Stefan. 

“What‽ Are you serious‽” sigaw na saad ni Stefan, agad naman nitong nilingon ang paligid. Namula ang pisngi nito dahil masyado atang napalakas ang kan'yang pananalita kaya sila pinagtitinginan ng mga tao na agad niyang ikinahiya, "Sorry." Nahihiyang tugon nito na siyang ikinatawa ng dalawa niyang kasama.

“You think I`ll spend my time convincing him if I am not?” pamimilosopong sagot ni Travis. 

Stefan can`t believe what`s happening. First, he met a great painter and now, he`ll be trained by this famous painter! 

Stefan is both confused and delighted that night, indeed, this isn`t a normal dinner. As the conversation between Stefan and Vincent goes, Travis is more convinced that he`ll help his wife to reach its dreams. Travis saw how happy Steffia is while talking to Vincent and sharing their knowledge about painting. After hours of endless conversation between the two, Travis and Vincent had their discussion. 

“Travis, I`m surprised that your friend has a deep knowledge about arts. I mean, she mentioned that she wasn`t able to enter Art school but she has the potential. Her passion, her drive, and her dedication, everything I was told, she has it! Please, do everything for her to say yes, let her be my first student” pagmamakaawang saad ni Vincent ngunit kakikitaan ng lubos na pagkamangha. 

“I told you, that`s my woman” pamamalaki ni Travis habang pinagmamasdan ang kan'yang kasintahan na papasok sa restroom, hindi niya namalayang naibulgar ang sikreto nilang dalawa na ikinagulat ni Vincent. 

“Wait, I thought you two are friends? You love her, don`t you?” pag-uusisa nitong si Vincent. 

“Yes, I do without her knowledge” pagrarason ni Travis. 

“You should tell her. I know she likes you too” pangungumbinsing saad ni Vincent, gumuhit naman ang ngiti sa labi ni Travis sa sinabi ng kan'yang kaibigan.

I hope too—sabi nito sa kan'yang isipan.

“I`ll try to convince her to be your student” saad ni Travis habang sinasamahan si Vincent palabas ng restaurant. 

“Travis, saan na si Vincent?” pag-uusisa ni Stefan sa papalapit na asawa. 

“He left early as he has to do some stuffs” tugon ni Travis na ikinalungkot naman ng kabiyak. 

“Sayang, hindi man lang ako nakapagpa-picture sa kan`ya” dismayadong pananalita ni Stefan. 

“Shh, picture lang `yan, I have an offer you can`t resist” nakangiting saad ni Travis. 

“Ano `yon?” agad na tanong ni Stefan. 

“Ah, eh, Vincent wants you to be his student” mabilisang saad ni Travis na ikinagulat naman ni Stefan. 

“Please say yes, my dear” pagpapatuloy na saad ni Travis ngunit nakatulala pa rin itong si Stefan. 

“Travis, hindi naman sa inaayawan ko ang offer mo pero pwede bang pag-isipan ko muna? I mean, maraming naganap sa araw na ito at ayaw ko munang magbigay ng pasya, can we just spend this night together?” saad ni Stefan na siya namang ikinangiti ni Travis. 

Travis and Stefan didn`t talk about the offer and they just spent the night together. They are laughing, exchanging dialogues, and simply enjoying the night with each other. 

The next morning, Stefan visited his sister Eya. He knew that she`s still mad at him but a nice present might bring their closeness again. He bought Eya a sweet perfume that she loves, a dress, and a pair of footwear. 

As Stefan handed these presents to Eya, a sweet curve on her lips plastered yet she managed not to show her appreciation to her brother`s gift. Eya is still obsessed to this man named Travis and pushing his brother to tell his husband the truth which Stefan wanted to do but he somehow don`t. 

Eya got pissed as his brother tell her about the dinner. 

“Maniniwala ka ba kung sino ang nakaharap ko kagabi? Kilala mo naman siguro ang nag-iisang Vincent Brandt, tama? Kinumbinsi siya ni Travis para harapin kagabi and guess what? Travis wanted me to help me to reach my dream of being a painter! Hindi ako makapaniwala kagabi na nahawakan, nakausap, at nakaharap ko si Mr. Brandt” tuwang pagsasalaysay nito sa kapatid habang ito`y nakangisi lamang at halatang hindi natutuwa. 

“Tsk! Pumunta ka ba rito para ipamukha na nag-date kayo kagabi ni Travis, ha‽ Gosh, kuya! Can`t you see what are you doing‽ Halatang ginagamit mo lang siya and sinasamantala mo naman na hindi niya alam ang tunay mong pagkatao! Kapag talaga ako nakalabas dito sa lintik na ospital na `to, I swear, malalaman niya kung sino ka!” galit na saad nitong si Eya sa kuya na siyang dahilan upang ito`y mapahinto sa pagkukwento.

“Eya, hindi ba napag-usapan na natin `to?” malumanay na saad ni Stefan na agad namang tinugunan ng kapatid. 

“Oh yeah! Napag-usapan na natin `to kuya, nth times actually. Anyway, baka sabihin mong wala akong utang na loob `no! Let me offer you a deal” saad ni Eya at nakangising tumitig sa kan`yang kuya. 

After Stefan heard about the deal, he left the hospital with a heavy heart. Not only because of the deal but because he new that his siter is not supporting him anymore. Those words of Eya were stuck on his head and kept on playing over and over. He got confused if he`ll say yes or no to become Vincent`s student. 

As he reached the condo, he saw his husband waiting on a bench. Stefan went to Travis and sat beside him. Travis is trying his best for Stefan to say yes. 

“Why don`t you just take the opportunity, this is it, dear!” Travis said. 

“I-I just c-can`t” tipid na sagot ni Stefan na siyang ikinataka ng asawa. 

“But why? Give me a valid reason!” saad ni Travis na siyang dahilan upang mapatahimik si Stefan. 

“Because I lost my supporter, hindi siya masaya nang marinig ang offer… kaya… pinanghihinaan ako ng loob” sagot ni Stefan at napayuko na lamang na siyang ikinangisi ng asawa. 

“Just because of that‽ Your reason is too shallow, it`s not even valid! Kaya whether you like it or not, you`ll be his student!” sigaw ni Travis. 

“T-Travis…” maluha-luhang saad ni Stefan. 

“That`s final! You`ll be his student, okay?” saad ni Travis at inilapit ang sarili sa kabiyak. Travis caressed Stefan's cheeks while staring into his eyes.

“If your sister can no longer support you, then I`m willing to take her place. I will make sure that you will have the happiness to deserve to have because you're my Alegria.“pagpapakalma nito sa asawa na walang ibang nagawa kundi ikulong si Travis sa kan`yang mga bisig sabay masuyong hinalikan ang kan'yang noo.

Stefan wanted to refuse the offer but Travis gave him ton of reasons just for him to say yes. He`s really pushing his wife to reach his dreams and promised to support him at all cost.