Captures of Perfect Timing (The Art of Life #1: Life Version)

06.07.31 - Onto the Next Chapter

The confusion was only short-felt. Napangiti ako agad nang magtama ang tingin namin.

"Love!" His eyes widened. He immediately put down the tray on our table and wrapped his arms around my shoulders as he sat beside me.

"Yuan, andito ka lang pala! Galing kami sa unit mo, nakalock."

Bumaling si Kiel kay Tita. "I didn't know you were coming! Bakit hindi niyo sinabing ngayon kayo pupunta?"

"You know your mom," ani Tito at pinasadahan ng tingin ang ayos ni Kiel. "You're working here?"

"Why are you working, babe! Hindi ka ba nag-aaral?" pang-uusisa ni Tita.

"Nag-aaral ako, mi! Part-time lang."

"Ubos na ba ang allowance mo?" tanong ni Tito.

"Ang laki ng pinatransfer ko sa daddy mo ah. Inubos mo na?"

Umiling siya. "Gusto ko lang ng trabaho..."

Tita Kylie squinted her eyes at him. "Yuan, you're here to study."

"Alam ko, mi. Hindi ko naman pinapabayaan."

"Ano pang point nito? You have your allowance."

"Gusto ko lang ng sariling pera... Nag-iipon ako."

"For what?"

"Hayaan mo na ang anak mo." Inilabas na ni Tito sa tray ang orders namin. Hinainan niya si Tita.

"Gaano ka na katagal nagwowork here, Yuan?"

"1 year na, mi."

Napatingin ako kay Kiel. He also looked back at me while his arm was still draped around my shoulders.

"1 year!" singhal ni Tita. "Nandito ka para mag-aral! You can work after you graduate!"

Ibinalik ni Kiel ang tingin sa ina. "Hindi naman po ako nagpabaya sa pag-aaral ko, mi. Pinagsabay ko lang..."

"Yeah, at para saan?"

"Gusto ko ng sarili kong pera..."

Tinitigan ni Tita si Kiel.

"That's nice. Ngayon pa lang mag-ipon ka na," ani Tito.

"Kaya nga, di." Nilabas ni Kiel ang mga pagkain sa tray. "Balik po muna 'ko... A-out ako maaga... Sabay ako sainyo mamaya."

Kinuha niya ang tray. He pulled me closer and swiftly kissed my temple and cheek before standing up.

"Avien, alam mo ba na nagwowork siya?" tanong ni Tita pagka-alis ni Kiel.

Umiling ako. "Hindi rin po..."

Habang kumakain kami ay iyon ang tumatakbo sa isip ko.

He had been part-timing here for a year... Bakit wala akong alam? Bakit hindi ko alam? Why didn't he tell me?

Pagkatapos namin kumain ay out na ni Kiel. We just ordered a take-out for our dinner later before going back to his apartment.

As soon as we entered the apartment, my eyes scanned the place to check whether he was living fine here. Maayos naman. It wasn't as big as his condo but the space was more than enough for one person to live in.

Sa dinner ay inusisa pa siya ng mga magulang niya. I was listening to their conversation but eventually got lost in thoughts again.

"Baby..." Kiel stood at the doorway while I was brushing my teeth in the bathroom. I glanced at him before washing my mouth.

I reached for the small towel and dried myself up before returning my eyes to Kiel.

"Are you mad..."

"Why?"