Chapter 59

Both my parents were looking at me. I sent them a calendar invite for us to meet in a restaurant. It was not a formal restaurant because I did not have enough money for that. I was still trying to recover from the Christmas gift that I gave to Austin, and I did not want to touch the graduation money I was given.

"What is this about?" Mama asked. It was their lunch time. I drew a deep breath dahil alam ko na kailangan pa nilang bumalik sa trabaho nila.

"Did Ate Gina talk to you about them moving out?" I asked. I looked at them. There was no hint of surprise on their face. I was not the greatest at deciphering human emotions, but I deduced that they already knew. But when I first heard about it, I was so surprised that I unknowingly cried.

"Nabanggit lang nila dati," Papa said.

"When?"

"Nung nagsimula ka ng college."

"Ganoon na katagal?" I asked, and they nodded. "Oh."

I remained silent. It had been at least three years then. And they were only staying because of me. I looked back at my parents.

"Ate Gina said na aalis lang sila kapag wala na ako sa bahay," I said.

"Are you planning on moving out already?" Mama asked.

"If I want to move out, papayagan niyo ba ako?" I asked.

Mama looked at Papa, and then back at me. She reached for the glass of water and quietly sipped it. Tapos ay muli siyang tumingin sa akin. "You're not a child anymore," she said. "You can move out if you want, but we have to approve where you're moving in. It's for safety reasons and it's non-negotiable."

I nodded. "That's reasonable."

"Are you moving out?" Mama asked.

"May matitirhan na ba sila Ate Gina sa province?"

Nagtinginan ulit sila ni Papa. "About that..." Mama said.

"Kailan ka aalis?" tanong ni Papa. "Balak namin ng Mama mo na kami na magpapagawa ng bahay nila Gina sana. Para kapag sa province na sila ay may sarili na silang bahay. Pero hindi ka namin pinapaalis, ha!"

I nodded. "Gaano katagal magpagawa ng bahay?"

"Nabanggit nila na bungalow lang naman ang gusto nila saka maliit na bakuran. Siguro safe na ang dalawang buwan," Papa said. "Tama ba?" he asked Mama and she nodded in confirmation.

"Okay," I said. "My graduation ceremony's in June. Is that enough time?" They nodded. "Then it's settled—I'll move out in June."

Mama nodded. "If you need help sa paghahanap ng malilipatan, Jackie can provide you with contacts," Mama said.

I shook my head. "I'll move in with Austin since I practically live there, anyway," I replied. Papa was drinking water and he choked on it. Mama, without looking at him, just quietly tapped him on the back at saka inabutan siya ng table napkin.

"Ayaw niyo ba?" I asked because if they did not approve, I would not move in with Austin. I just figured it made more sense since I was practically living there anyway. Austin's grocery list even included my favorite milk and cereals.

I saw Papa drawing a deep breath. Tumingin siya kay Mama. Mama just shook her head as she rolled her eyes, tapos ay tumingin na siya sa akin.

"Do you want to move in with Austin?"

"Yes," I replied.

"How about his family?"

"He'll ask them, too."

"What if they say no?"

"Then, it's a no," I replied. "I'll find a condo where I'll live. I might have to use the money you gave me."

"We'll pay for your condo for a year," Mama said. "But you have to find a job to support yourself. We won't support you forever."

I nodded. "I understand."

"But that doesn't mean that you can't come to us when you need help."

I nodded again. "I know."

"Pwede ka pa ring manghingi ng allowance sa akin," Papa said, but Mama frowned at him. He laughed. "Joke lang, ito naman! Pero, oo, kung magcocondo ka, kami sa unang taon tapos ikaw na magbabayad pagkatapos."

"Thank you."

They both called the waiter para salinan iyong baso dahil naubos na nila iyong tubig nila. We, then, proceeded to having our lunch tapos ay bumalik na sila sa trabaho nila habang ako naman ay pumunta muna sa mall para maggrocery dahil naubos ko iyong pagkain ni Austin sa condo niya.

After the grocery ay nagtext ako kay Austin na papunta na ako sa condo niya. Hindi na ako nagpahatid kay Kuya Robert. I started last week trying to ride in Grab. Marunong akong magdrive, but I didn't like parking very much. It's just easier to just book a ride. I just needed to screenshot the information of the driver and send it to Austin.

Pagdating ko sa condo niya, I took a half-bath and changed into a more comfortable clothing. Inayos ko iyong mga pinamili ko. I used Austin's debit card because it's his grocery to begin with. But if I live here, I would start contributing.

A quarter to six, naka-uwi na si Austin.

"Hi," I said.

"Hi," he replied, smiling but looking tired. "Stay there—I'll just take a quick shower," sabi niya at tumango ako at pinagpatuloy ko iyong paghahanap ng inspiration para sa setting ng sinusulat kong script.

I was scrolling through the photos of a resthouse when Austin sat right beside me. He smelled like soap, but there was still a faint smell of his Tom Ford cologne. Sinandal niya iyong ulo niya sa balikat ko habang tahimik akong nagsscroll sa mga litrato. And then he began to tell me about this function at work and how he would have to go to Madrid next month for work.

"Gaano katagal?" I asked.

"A week," he replied.

"Okay," I said.

"You can stay here to write, if you want."

"Can I eat your food?"

He nodded. "Sure. What's mine is yours," he replied.

"I talked to my parents kanina," sabi ko sa kanya. Napa-tingin siya sa akin mula sa pagkaka-sandal niya sa balikat ko. "I told them about me moving in here."

Nang sabihin ko iyon ay napa-ayos siya ng upo. He adjusted his position habang naka-harap na siya sa akin. He was wearing his favorite maroon boxers and his white shirt.

"What did they say?"

"They said that it's okay if I want to, but they also asked me kung ano ang sinabi ng pamilya mo. Kung hindi daw sila payag, they'll help me find a condo for myself."

I also needed to talk to Ate Gina. I needed to gather myself. I did not want to cry in front of her again because I knew that she loves me, and if she sees me crying again, she'd reconsider moving. But this was for the best. And she would just be in Bulacan. Austin's right—we could always visit them.

"I have talked to my parents," he said.

"What did they say?"

"They asked if I was sure. And I said I'm very sure."

"So, I'm moving in?"

Tumingin siya sa akin. His brows were slightly furrowed. "They also had some reservations," sabi niya. "They said that they're not very fond of the idea of us 'living in sin.'"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Living in sin?"

He nodded. "Since we're not married, but we're planning to live together. It's against their belief."

"But your Dad has a daughter outside of the marriage," I said. "That's against the Catholic faith, too," I added, because I could not understand the logic. Was the belief firm or subject to some limitations? Some sins are acceptable, others are not? Where is the line?

Austin nodded. "I know."

"Then why is living together before marriage worse than breaking your marriage vows and having a child with someone other than your wife?"

Austin shrugged. "I honestly don't understand," he said, at saka siya sumandal sa couch. He was staring at the ceiling. Napa-sandal din ako sa couch, at napa-tingin sa itaas. He has a very good taste. Even the light fixtures in his condo were very aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.

"So, I'm not moving in?" I asked because if that's the case, I needed to contact Jackie. I really liked Austin's condo. I needed to find a condo that's just as good as this, but must be within budget. And safe—that's my parents' first priority.

"You're moving in," Austin said.

"Your parents do not approve of this."

"Too bad," he said. "But I can make my own decisions."

"Okay."

And then he reached for my hand and held it.

"Karaminah Viel," he said.

"Yes, Austin Archangel?" I replied. Napa-ayos siya ng upo at napa-tingin sa akin. Napa-ayos din ako ng upo. His eyes were wide open. Napa-kunot ang noo ko. "Why?" I asked.

He just smiled and shook his head. "Do you know that I love you?" My lips parted. I blinked. He smiled and then shrugged. "I just want to tell you," sabi niya tapos ay tumayo na tapos ay pumunta sa kusina at saka binuksan iyong ref.

He loves me.

He just told me he loves me.

Oh.

"Austin," I said while his back was on me. "Baby," I called again, this time louder. Lumingon siya sa akin habang naka-hawak pa rin iyong kanang kamay niya sa may itaas na bahagi ng pinto ng ref.

"Yeah?" he replied, his forehead slightly creased.

"I love you," I said. Naka-hinga ako nang maluwag. There. I finally said it.

His lips parted. "...really?"

I nodded. "Yes. Of course."

"Oh. Wow."

"Did you not think that I love you?" I asked because he looked so surprised.

"I just thought you really, really like me," he said, his forehead slightly creased.

"Well, you thought wrong because I love you," I replied.

A smile appeared on his face. "You love me."

I nodded. "Very much so."

Isinara niya iyong pinto ng ref at saka naglakad papunta sa akin. I was still on the couch at naka-tayo siya sa likuran nito. I was looking up at him because he's still so very tall. I would never get used to how tall he was.

And then he crouched down so we're face to face.

"I love you," he said, staring directly into my eyes.

"I love you," I replied, staring back.

He smiled. "We love each other."

"Yes," I said. "But will you cook now? I'm actually very hungry," I continued. Natawa siya at saka hinalikan ako sa labi bago tumayo at naglakad pabalik sa kusina at tinanong ako kung ano ang gusto kong kainin.

* * *

The next day, I went downstairs with my iPad in my arms. Ate Gina was cooking. I must've been very quiet kaya hindi niya napansin na nandoon ako kaya naman halos mapa-talon siya nang makita niya ako.

"Itong batang ito! Kanina ka pa ba d'yan?" she asked, her right hand on her chest.

I nodded. "Matatapos ka na bang magluto? I have something to tell you," I said.

"Patapos naman na 'to. Ano sasabihin mo?"

"I'll just wait until you're done," sabi ko tapos ay naupo ako. I saved different style for bungalow house. I would tell Ate Gina about the plan to move out after my graduation ceremony. Then we'd have to start planning for their house, but of course, the final say would still be with them dahil bahay nila iyon.

"Tapos na akong magluto. Sabihin mo kapag kakain ka na," she said.

I nodded. "Ate Gina," I said, drawing a deep breath. "I talked to my parents and I talked to Austin—I would move in with Austin pagkatapos ng graduation ceremony ko sa June."

"Dahil ba 'to sa sinabi ko? 'Di naman kita pinapaalis sa bahay na 'to. Grabe naman 'to, Karaminah Viel! Grabe ka naman magtampo!" sabi niya tapos ay biglang namumula na ang mga mata niya at umiiyak na siya at nagsasalita na ng Ilocano kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang sinasabi niya. My forehead was just creased while she was saying her litany.

"I did not understand a word you said," sabi ko nang tumigil na siya.

Nagpahid siya ng luha. "Ang sabi ko lang naman e bakit naman ganyan! Sabi ko naman kahit magtrenta ka rito! 'Di ko naman sinabi na umalis ka agad! Napaka-grabe naman nito. Nakaka-sama ka ng loob, ha."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Ate Gina—"

"Alam mo namang parang anak na kita kahit hindi ako ang nag-ire sa 'yo sa mundo na 'to. Dapat pala 'di ko na binanggit 'yang pag-alis. Aba't talagang 'di mo ko kinibo ng ilang araw. Nakaka-tampo ka talaga."

I drew a deep breath.

"I admit na nagulat ako sa sinabi mo na aalis ka, but I realized that it's time," I said before the misunderstanding gets bigger. I also did not want to cry again. Talking about them moving out was making me uncontrollably cry. "I would love to move in with Austin, Ate Gina. Hindi mo ako pinaalis sa bahay," I said, clarifying.

"Talaga?" she asked, wiping her tears.

"Talaga," I said. "I would move on in June. It's just February."

"Okay... Medyo matagal pa pala. Doon ba kayo sa condo ni Austin?"

I nodded. "Yes. It's really nice there. Austin said na doon kayo magdinner minsan. He's a really good cook."

Ngumiti si Ate Gina. "Gustung-gusto ko talaga 'yung batang 'yon para sa 'yo."

"I like him for me, too," I said. "But before I forget, since I'm here until June, Mama gave me the permission to tell you that if you want... they'll finance the building of your bungalow." Her eyes widened tapos ay malakas niyang isinigaw iyong pangalan ni Kuya Robert hanggang nasa harapan ko na silang dalawa at ipinaliwanag ko kung ano ang mangyayari. Suffice to say, I had two grown adults crying before me.

* * *

"So, we're officially moving in?" Austin asked.

The whole day was spent looking at different designs for the house. Ate Gina and Kuya Robert were so excited. Ate Gina was more excited about the furniture and the appliances while Kuya Robert was firm on the small backyard dahil gusto niya raw magtanim ng gulay. We planned the whole day. It was fun.

"Yes," I replied. "They told me they'll have a room for me in their house. I cried again."

Austin hugged me tighter and kissed the side of my head. "I promise we'll always visit them," sabi niya.

"Also... how about BV and Blue? Wala ng mag-aalaga sa kanila doon kapag umalis sila Ate Gina."

"They'll move in here, too. I thought that was already understood?"

Tumingin ako sa kanya. We were already in bed. I sometimes sleep here. My family didn't ask. When I tell them I'll see them tomorrow, it's already understood.

"Oh," I said. "That's good to hear."

"Do you want to stay here or do you want us to find a different place?" he asked.

"No, I really like this place. But how much is the rent? I'm not earning regularly. I think kapag mas established na ako sa industry."

Austin laughed. I felt his body vibrating because of his laughter kaya naman napa-tingin ako sa kanya. "I won't ask you to pay rent," he said.

"Isn't that unfair?"

"Is it?" he asked. "I think it's more unfair if I'll ask you to pay when you're not earning much yet? Just pay when you're able," he said. "Does that sound fair?"

"Hmm... maybe. But I'll pay for grocery. I think I can afford that."

"Okay," I replied. He yawned. "Inaantok ka na?"

"A little."

"Let's sleep," I said as he held me inside his arms and we both fell asleep. 

**
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