Eyes On Me, Baby (COMPLETED)

Chapter 59

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."