Chapter 34

I stood on the side, holding the tickets habang si Austin Archangel iyong naglalaro. Nandito kami simula nang magbukas iyong mall. He was determined to finish it as soon as possible. I told him that I wasn't rushing and we could take time para makuha iyong stuffed toy, but he was determined. Every after two hours, I would leave him to buy food, pero bawal iyong pagkain sa arcade kaya naman habang kumakain siya ay ako iyong naglalaro. I thought I was getting the hang of it already—the margin of error was declining with every attempt.

"725," I said after the machine counted all the tickets we got for the day. May apat na iba-ibang babae ang nagpa-picture sa kanya habang nasa arcade kami—dalawa roon ay ako ang kumuha ng pictures nila. Mayroong isang beses na kinailangan ko talagang lumayo dahil gusto nung babae na full body shot at hindi sila kasyang dalawa sa screen dahil masyadong matangkad si Austin Archangel.

"I was right—this will take a week," sabi niya.

"Pupunta ka ulit dito bukas?" I asked.

He shrugged. "I'm basically done with school and the season's over," sabi niya.

"What's your plan after graduation?" I asked. Tinanong ko na siya dati kung bakit first semester siya natapos, and he mentioned that he would take summer classes. He said that he actually enjoys studying. He's a nerd. Bihira lang ako maka-kita ng mga tao na nag-e-enjoy mag-aral.

"Nothing certain yet," he said. "What's your plan now that season's over?"

I shrugged. "Nothing concrete yet gaya nung sa 'yo... pero makikipagmeet ako sa kaibigan ni Kaleigh para idiscuss iyong sa script," I replied. "If that works out, doon ako magiging busy."

Tumango siya. "Do you want to go home first?"

"Bakit? Hindi ba may dinner?"

"Yes... I just thought you might want to change?"

Napa-tingin ako sa suot ko. I was wearing a black leggings, loose white shirt, my favorite walking shoes, and my tote bag. I looked fine. Hindi naman din ako pinagpawisan buong araw dahil pinapa-nood ko lang si Austin Archangel.

"Is it a formal dinner?" I asked because if it was, then I really would need to change. Isa sa mga pangarap ni Mama sa akin ay ang sumunod sa dress code—it's more than dressing to the ocassion, but more on respecting those who invited you.

"No, not really."

"Okay," I said. "But do you want me to change?" I asked because if he wanted me to dress more formally, I would, no problem.

"If you're comfortable with that, you don't have to change," sabi niya.

I shrugged. "Okay."

Pagbalik namin sa sasakyan niya, inilagay namin doon sa box iyong mga tickets na nakuha namin ngayong araw. Tama nga iyong sinabi niya na aabutin ng isang linggo... But I did not think na araw-araw kaming nandito. I would tell him na hindi ako pwedeng nandito araw-araw dahil may iba akong kailangang gawin.

"Can we go back to the mall?"

"Okay," he said. "Did you forget something?"

"May naaalala ka bang nadaanan natin na flower shop? I will buy flowers for your mom," sabi ko sa kanya dahil ganoon din ang ginagawa niya sa bahay—he'd bring food or flower for both my mother and Ate Gina. I should return the favor.

"No, it's fine," sabi niya.

"But I want to," I replied.

Napa-ngiti siya. "Okay, then," sabi niya at saka naglakad kami pabalik sa mall. Nagtanong kami sa guard, pero wala raw flower shop doon. Tumingin ako kay Austin Archangel at tinanong siya kung ano pa ang pwedeng ibigay sa nanay niya. "I think... cake? Or anything for dessert?"

"Okay," I said. "Any preference?"

"Nothing too sweet," he replied.

Pagdating namin sa cake shop, I asked around kung ano ang best seller nila at kung ano roon ang hindi pinaka-matamis. After weighing the pros and cons, I settled with buying a strawberry shortcake. It actually looked cute.

Dala-dala ni Austin Archangel iyong box ng cake habang naglalakad kami pabalik sa sasakyan niya. I saw a text from my mother telling me to bring something sa pamilya ni Austin Archangel. I replied, telling her na bumili ako ng cake.

"So, this is where you live," I said when we stopped by a house that looked like it was built in the 90s with all the marbles na kita mo kahit nasa labas ka pa lang. I also saw a guest house sa gilid ng main house. The driveway leading to the main house was also around 300 meters, give or take. I also saw some cars parked on the side.

"Do you want to know anything before we go in?" he asked. Naka-hinto kami sa kalsada. The engine was still running. He was looking at me.

I shook my head. Tumango siya. Nakita ko na huminga siya nang malalim bago nagdrive papunta sa bahay niya. Paglabas namin sa sasakyan ay naglakad na kami. Dala-dala ko iyong box ng cake. Nang malapit na kami sa pintuan ay huminto siya. Huminto rin ako at napa-tingin sa kanya.

"Just a few... information," sabi niya.

"I have five siblings—Maggie, Psalm, Saint, Cohen, and Cindy. Maggie is not here, so we don't have to discuss about her. Psalm is also elsewhere. Saint will probably just eat and talk to you. Cohen will mind his own business."

"What about Cindy?" I asked. It was the first time I heard that name. Kapag practice ay madalas kong marinig ang pangalan ni Psalm. Even Maggie's name ay naririnig ko minsan na pinag-uusapan nilang magkakapatid. I also heard that ¾ of the members of the team ay may crush kay Maggie.

"Half-sibling," he said. "It's a whole story. I'll tell you next time if you're interested."

"Okay," I replied.

"My mom likes to talk about social gatherings, but you don't have to talk about that if that doesn't interest you. You can just compliment Cohen, if you want."

"Why would I do that?"

He shrugged. "Just a suggestion... if you find yourself with nothing to say."

"Okay..." I said. "I will throw Cohen a random compliment."

"With my father, just try not to talk about politics."

"That doesn't even interest me."

"Great," sabi niya. "But if you can, don't tell him you don't care about politics."

"Okay. What if he asks about my opinion?"

"Just... nod along," he said. Tumango ako. Austin Archangel drew a deep breath. "I'm sorry if I have too many requests," he continued.

"It's okay," I replied. I was never good at interacting with other people. I was actually thankful for the guidelines he was giving me. I never wanted to come off as rude, if I could help it.

"My family is important to me," he said. "And you're important to me. I just want this dinner to go without a hitch."

I nodded. "I understand. Talk to Saint, compliment Cohen, and stay away from politics."

Natawa siyang bigla. "Just don't go overboard with complimenting Cohen, I guess?"

Tumango ako sa kanya. Ipinikit niya ang mga mata niya at huminga nang malalim. Tapos ay tumingin sa akin bago pindutin iyong door bell.

Pagpasok namin sa loob ay agad kaming pinapunta sa dining room dahil naka-handa na iyong pagkain. Naka-sabay namin si Cohen na naghi lang sa akin.

"You look good in your shirt," I complimented Cohen.

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Thanks..."

Napa-tingin ako kay Austin Archangel kung tama ba ang ginagawa ko. He pursed his lips. There was a small smile on his face, but he nodded at me and gave me two thumbs up.

Pagdating namin sa mismong dining room ay nandoon na si Saint at iyong tatay nila.

"Good evening po," I said. Sabi ni Ate Gina ay gumamit ako ng po buong gabi.

"Good evening," he replied. Sinabi niya sa kasambahay nila na tawagin na si Mrs. Gomez de Liaño. Pagdating niya ay ibinigay ko sa kanya iyong strawberry shortcake and she thanked me.

They made me sit beside Austin Archangel habang katapat ko naman si Saint at katapat ni Austin Archangel si Cohen. Nasa magkabilang dulo ng lamesa si Mr. and Mrs. Gomez de Liaño.

"I hope you'll like the food," sabi ni Tita Anna, she insisted I call her that and her husband, Tito Bert. It sounded wrong, but I needed to get used to it. "I asked Austin and he said you don't have any dietary restriction."

I nodded. "As long as the food is clean," I replied.

"Oh..." she said. And then smiled. "The food is clean."

I nodded. "Thank you," I said. Napa-tingin ako kay Austin Archangel. He was looking at me. Medyo naka-kunot ang noo niya. I looked at Cohen. "Your haircut is perfect," I continued.

Nahulog iyong meatball sa tinidor ni Saint at kumunot ang noo ni Cohen. I looked at Austin Archangel and he quickly asked his mom about the food that was being served.

The whole dinner, Saint took over the conversation—they talked about some international news. Tito Bert asked about my opinion on the oil crisis on the Middle East and I told him that I think Cohen performed very well during the championship. Hindi niya na ako tinanong pagkatapos noon. If Austin Archangel did not tell me to compliment Cohen, I would explain some of the concepts about International Law that my mom discussed with me extensively. But I just quietly finished everything that was put on my plate.

"Austin tells me you're into writing," sabi ni Tita Anna.

"Yes," I simply replied.

"So... anything you're writing now?"

"I just finished a script."

I quietly ate my cake.

"She's actually really good," sabi bigla ni Saint. "I heard Serj and he said there's a talk about your script being adapted into a short movie?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"How about you, Austin?" sabi ni Tita Anna. "Have you replied to the email?"

The expression on Austin Archangel's face changed. "Ma," he said. Tumingin sa akin si Austin Archangel. He drew a deep breath. "I received an offer to play for a basketball team in Japan."

"That's great," I said. He loves playing basketball. I wanted him to do what he loves doing and that's playing basketball.

"If I accept, I'll have to go to Japan in two weeks."

"That's a great opportunity," I replied.

"Yeah... I know," Austin Archangel said.

"Okay... I'm full," sabi ni Saint at saka tumayo. "Ma, Pa, tea? Anyone?"

Tumayo na silang lahat. I waited for them to leave bago ako tumayo. I was full. I ate from every food that was served. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi ako matutunawan.

Nang maka-alis sila ay naiwan kaming dalawa ni Austin Archangel. He was looking at me.

"What?" I asked.

"If I accept, I'll be leaving in two weeks."

"I heard."

He smiled. "Okay," he said. Tumayo siya. "You wanna go home?" he asked and I nodded. It's been a very long day. 

**

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