Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed AusKar's story. If you want to see more of them, you can read TAOFI (The Art of Faking It - Dom and Zondra's story). 

Epilogue

"We have to get up," I said as Austin was still pretending to be asleep. I had noticed the past three days that Austin had the tendency to pretend to be asleep. Alam ko na gising na siya dahil iba na iyong paraan ng paghinga niya. But even when he's already awake, he'd just pull me close to his chest and continue to just hug me until the alarm begins to ring. This had been our mornings the past few days.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"7AM."

"Okay," he said as his arms left my torso. I watched as he stretched his arms and yawned. His curly hair was messy. It looked cute, for some reason. Napa-tingin siya sa akin. "What?" he asked.

"I really like your hair," I said.

Napa-hawak siya sa buhok niya. "Thank you?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you look like a broccoli?"

His forehead creased. "Is that... a compliment?"

I shrugged. "Take that as you will," sabi ko tapos ay tumayo na rin ako mula sa kama namin. Dumiretso ako sa CR at naka-sunod sa akin si Austin. We both got our toothbrush and began brushing our teeth. Tapos ay lumabas na kami. I sat on the stool by the kitchen island while Austin prepared our morning coffee.

"I don't think they can all fit here," I said.

"We'll just ask them to leave after thirty minutes."

"That will not be rude?"

He laughed. "It will be—but what can we do? Hindi tayo kasya lahat dito," he said.

Austin has a big family and everyone insisted na pupunta sila rito. He has his siblings, his cousins, his uncles and aunties, and his grandparents. While I have my family and Dominic and Zondra. I also invited George, Serj, and Kaleigh but they said they couldn't come because of work. It was fine. I just wanted to invite them. And then we both invited the players from SCA.

"Hindi nga talaga tayo kasya," I said after imagining everyone invited. Austin's cousins were all tall kahit iyong mga babae. Pati iyong mga basketball players ay malalaki. Ano kaya ang mangyayari mamaya? I was curious already.

"I think they'll voluntarily leave once they notice that we're already at capacity."

"Okay," I said. I, too, would not stay in a place kapag masikip na. I would leave, too.

After our morning coffee, Austin and I cleaned the condo again. He taught me how to use the vacuum while he was changing the sheets of our bed. We did that the entire morning until we were sure na malinis na lahat. And then we had lunch. Tapos ay pumunta kami sa mall para bumili ng wine at alcohol para sa mga tao mamaya. Pagbalik namin sa condo ay naligo lang kami at hinintay iyong delivery ng pagkain.

"Everything's set," I said habang naka-ayos na sa may kitchen island iyong mga pagkain. We got disposable plates dahil lima lang iyong plato sa condo. It was illogical to buy more plates dahil dalawa lang naman kami.

"I think I'll order pizza in advance," sabi niya.

"Why?"

"Phil. Jed. Matt," he recited.

"Oh..." I said, remembering kung gaano kalakas kumain sila. "Yes. Do that."

Austin placed an advance order of pizza to be delivered later at 9PM. We scheduled the arrival of the guests with one hour intervals—pinauna namin iyong pamilya niya at pamilya ko para mauna na rin silang umalis.

"Ready?" Austin asked when there was a knock on the door. The receptionist on the lobby already called us in advance to notify us of their arrival.

"Not really," I replied tapos ay sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa pintuan.

"Happy—" Psalm said and then stopped. "I actually don't know what to say. Happy housewarming... I guess?" sabi niya tapos ay iniabot kay Austin iyong dala niyang halaman. Tumingin siya sa akin. "Hey, sis."

"Hi," I replied.

"Can I come in?"

"Yes, of course," I said, getting out of the way para maka-pasok siya.

"It's actually my first time here."

"Really? Austin's been here for a while."

"Yeah, but no one's allowed here," sabi niya tapos ay tumingin kay Austin. "Sneaky, sneaky."

Saint rolled his eyes. "Just say you're jealous and go," sabi ni Saint tapos ay tumingin sa akin at ngumiti at binati rin ako ng happy moving-in tapos ay pinagalitan siya ng lola niya.

Since this was the first time anyone's ever been in the unit, lahat ng sulok ay tinignan nila. Austin was right to decide na labhan lahat ng madumi naming damit dahil pati iyon ay pinakailamanan nila. They're a curious bunch. We really made the right decision na dalhin sa pet hotel sina Blue at BV dahil masstress sila sa dami ng tao ngayon. I bet they're having fun.

"Everything's okay?" Mama asked.

I nodded. "Yes. I know how to clean now."

"Talaga?" sabi ni Ate Gina.

I nodded. "Yes. Tinuruan ako ni Austin na maghugas ng plato at magvacuum. But I can say na hindi ko gustong maghugas ng plato. I would rather vacuum the entire unit."

Tinawanan ako ni Ate Gina at Kuya Robert. Tapos ay nag-usap lang kami tungkol sa buhay nila sa probinsya. They adopted a cat and a dog and Kuya Robert already started planting his vegetables—nagtanim siya ng sitaw, talong, at okra. Sinabi niya na sa unang ani niya ay luluwas siya para ibigay sa amin ni Austin.

I stayed with my family while Austin was in charged with his family. They were a lot, but his cousins were mostly quiet and observant. He could handle them.

And true to what he said, an hour later, nagpaalam na sila na aalis na sila nang dumating na iyong mga players from SCA.

"Karms!" Jed said upon seeing me.

I did not want to answer, but I was trying to change, so I forced a smile as he greeted me. "Karma or Karaminah," I said.

He laughed. "Fine... Happy housewarming, Karma," he replied, giving me a bottle of wine. This was the one wine that I actually liked, so I thanked Jed for this.

Austin's family and my family didn't really eat a lot kaya halos hindi pa nagagalaw iyong mga pagkain. They began to eat while I wait for Dominic and Zondra to arrive. Naka-bukas na iyong TV at nanonood sila ng NBA game. Saint wanted to stay, but he needed to leave kaya naman si Psalm na lang ang naiwan at nanonood din siya ng game. They looked like they're having a lot of fun kahit nanonood lang naman sila ng laro. I guessed they'd never really get tired of basketball.

"We didn't know what to get you," Zondra said, frowning, pagdating nilang dalawa.

"I think we got into a fight," Dominic said, his forehead slightly creased like he was confused.

"I just wanted to get them something!" Zondra replied, looking like she was about to cry. "I didn't want to go here emptyhanded."

My forehead was creased.

"Are you two fighting?"

"No," sabay nilang sagot.

"See? There's a table full of gifts and wala tayong dala, Dominic Olivier Miller!" Zo said, and then she looked at me. "I'm really, really sorry, Karma. I'm so embarrassed."

"It's okay," I said. "Gifts aren't required."

"But—" Tumingin siya kay Dominic. "We'll get them a gift."

"Yes," sagot ni Dominic. "I just said that we better ask them first about what they want or need because Karma said that the unit's already complete. I just don't want our gift to be wasted. That's all I'm saying," Dominic calmly explained.

Zo sighed. "Okay... I'm sorry I didn't listen."

"It's okay," Dominic said, pinching her cheek. "We'll get you your gift next week," sabi niya sa akin tapos ay pumasok na kami sa loob ng unit.

Dominic wasn't from SCA, but he was friends with all of them, so he introduced Zondra to everyone. While they were all busy, I walked back to the room to breathe. Pagbukas ko ng pinto ay nakita ko si Austin na nandoon at naka-upo sa may couch.

"When will they leave?" I asked.

Austin shrugged. "I guess after the game."

Naupo ako sa tabi niya. Sinandal ko iyong ulo ko sa may balikat niya. I guess this would be the last party we'll throw because it's more tiring than expected. The next time, sa restaurant na lang para aalis na lang kami pagkatapos.

"Karaminah Viel," Austin said.

"Yes?" I replied.

"I was asked that if ever, would I want to be appointed in Madrid."

"For work?"

"Yes. The ambassador's retiring in a few years, so they're already looking to bring in someone to train for the position. I just want to ask."

"If it's for work, then you should say yes."

"Will you come with me?"

"Sa Madrid?"

"Yes," he replied. "Because if I go there, I need you to come with me. If you don't want to, I'll stay here."

"Do you want to go there?"

"I don't have strong feelings about it," he said. "I'll only start considering it if you're willing to live there with me. If not, I'm good with being here."

I nodded. "I'll think about it."

"Thank you," he replied, planting a kiss on the top of my head. "No pressure—I'm fine with whatever."

"I know," I said. "But I don't think I can decide if I want to live there when I've never been there."

"Hmm... you're right. I actually have to go there next month... do you want to go with me?"

"Pwede ba 'yon? It's for your work."

"I'm not working 24/7," he replied. "You can stay in the hotel while I go to work and then we'll go around Madrid at night. Or if you feel comfortable, you can tour around during day. It's relatively easy to navigate Madrid."

"Maganda ba 'don?"

"Very," he replied. "I seriously think you'll like it there."

"Better than how I'll like Paris?"

"We can go to Paris after," he said. "I'll just extend our stay there. Paris' just an hour away."

"Okay. But I don't have a visa."

"Your boyfriend works in the embassy."

"Oh... That's right," I said, looking at him. "You're willing to use your connection for me?" I asked because he said that growing up in a political family, he was never really into using his name to get things that he wanted. He mentioned before that he was supposed to be the valedictorian, but rumors started that his family bought the award for him. But I knew Austin—he's really smart. I was sure he deserved every inch of that award.

"Or..." sabi niya. "I'll just help you collate your files, and then I'll submit it for normal processing."

I nodded. "Okay. What do I need?" I asked and then we discussed kung anong mga documents ang kailangan kong ipasa hanggang sa katukin na kami para lumabas at ientertain ang mga kaibigan namin.

* * *

The day after the housewarming ay nag-ayos na ako ng documents para sa visa ko. I asked my parents about my birth certificate. I told them when they asked kung bakit ko kailangan.

"Madrid?" Mama asked.

I nodded. "It's not yet decided."

"I know but... wow."

Napa-kunot ang noo ko. Ito ang unang beses na narinig ko iyong mga salita na iyon sa kanya.

"How about the cats?" Mama asked.

"I'll ask Ate Gina," I replied. "Pero kapag doon na kami, of course we'll bring them with us."

Mama said that I should see Madrid first and then decide for myself because ultimately, ako naman ang titira doon. And then Papa told me that he's very proud of how far I've come—he also said that they didn't think I'd ever move out of the house and that they were actually prepared to support me forever, but that now, I was already considering living abroad.

I really have come so far.

"Dumating na 'yung passport," sabi ko pagdating ni Austin galing sa trabaho.

"Approved?"

I nodded. "Yes."

He grinned. "I'll just take a quick shower and then let's book your flight," sabi niya tapos ay pumunta siya sa CR para magpalit. I just continued polishing my script dahil ipapasa ko na iyon. I had been working as a freelancer in a TV station. George recommended me, but said that if I do good, magiging permanent din naman ako. I just needed to continue working harder.

Pagbalik ni Austin ay naka-suot na siya ng black board shorts, white shirt, tapos ay may maliit na towel at tinu-tuyo niya iyong buhok niya. He smelled like fresh soap. I really liked how he smells after he showers.

"I managed to get another week," sabi niya. "So, we'll be there for two weeks," he continued. "Madrid for the first week and Paris on the second?"

I nodded. "Can't we go to Switzerland?"

"We can... but I don't think you'll enjoy if we'll just stay for two days. We can just do a separate trip for that."

"Okay," I replied.

Austin's ticket was first class because it's a work trip. I told him I didn't mind na sa economy ako because I would just sleep through the flight. But Austin said that it's a long flight and he wanted me to be comfortable, so he booked a first class ticket for me, too.

"Do you really earn that much?" I asked because he gives me expensive gifts and he wears expensive watches. Even his condo was a luxury condo.

"From work? Not really," sagot niya.

"Trust fund?"

"Haven't touched that yet," he replied. "Most of what I spend is from dividends," he continued and then explained to me kung saan nanggagaling iyong pera niya. Most of what he saved from when he was still studying and what he earned from basketball ay ininvest niya. He's good with money, too.

"Can you teach me kung paano 'yan?"

"You want to invest, too?"

I nodded. "I want my own money," I replied.

Austin basically pays for everything, and he says he's good with that, but I still want my own money. I didn't like asking him to get me things. And I want to get him things, too. The last gift I gave him was the book set that he displayed in our room.

"Okay," he said. "I'll teach you this weekend."

"Thank you," I replied. He smiled at me tapos ay nanood na kami ng Netflix.

* * *

The day of our flight ay dumaan kami kina Mama dahil sila ang magdadala kina Blue at BV sa probinsya. They told us to take care. Papa pulled me to the side and gave me his debit account and told me to enjoy.

"I have my own card," sabi ko sa kanya. My parents stopped giving me allowance already.

"Mas maraming laman 'to."

"Oh. Thank you," I replied. "Kahit ilan pwede kong kunin?"

"Wag mo namang ubusin."

"Okay."

"Lagi mong dalhin cellphone mo tapos may emergency money ka. Saka kabisaduhin mo 'yung address ng hotel," Papa reminded me.

I nodded and listened to all his reminders. Tapos ay bumalik na kami ni Austin sa condo para kunin iyong mga gamit namin. We just booked a ride to the airport. We didn't want to inconvenience anybody to give us a ride. And we also did not want to leave the car there.

"Passport, tickets, ID?" Austin asked.

"In my bag."

"Everything's unplugged?"

I nodded. "Yes."

He looked at me. "Ready for Madrid and Paris?" he asked.

I nodded at him and smiled. "Ready," I replied, ready for anything as long as I was doing it with him. 

***This book is available at Eydee Aldea Sandoval / Eydee GDL on facebook. Hardbound with 10 special chapter and Austin's POV.