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

60.

Kiel's POV

Living alone in England gave me plenty of time to ponder. Every time I would be alone in my apartment—doing nothing—my thoughts would drift to planning for my future... with Avien.

Pagkatapos ng lahat ng 'to, papakasalan ko siya.

That became my drive.

Sa kabila ng labis na pangungulila, nagsipag ako. 

"Table for 6?"

"Available, ma'am." I gestured my hand and led the customers to their table.

I decided to take a part-time job after a few months of living in England. I wanted to make and save my own money as I was planning to personalize a ring for Avien.

Binigyan naman ako ng allowance pero gaya ng nakagawian, galing sa sariling bulsa ang ibibigay ko kay Avien.

I also had my savings from before but it wasn't enough so I really needed to get a job. Ang mahal kasi nung gusto kong ipagawa. Tatlong gemstone ang gusto kong ipalagay. Doon palang, butas na ang bulsa ko.

"Alright, ma'am, let me repeat your order. 3 orders of aglio e oli—"

"Oh, make it 4."

The first weeks were the hardest. It was difficult to adjust to my new schedule and condition my body.

Pagkatapos kasi sa eskwela ay 30 minutes lang ang pahinga ko bago pumasok sa trabaho. After no'n, pagod na ako so I would have to sleep. Nawawalan ako ng oras gumawa ng schoolworks.

And so I took advantage of every vacant time I had in school. Doon ko gagawin ang mga school works ko para pag-uwi ay trabaho na lang ang iisipin.

Sobrang nakatulong na marunong na ako magmanage ng time ko through scheduling. Mahirap mag-adjust sa simula pero kinalaunan ay nasanay din.

Ganoon din naman ang katawan ko. Eventually, nasanay ako sa trabaho at pagod. Kaya kalaunan, nag-insert na rin ako ng school works agenda sa oras pagkatapos ng trabaho.

[Tired na? Sleep ka na.]

I rolled to the side and hugged Avien's pillow. "I miss you..."

She smiled. [I'll watch you sleep.]

Napangiti ako at pumikit.

[Good night, love.]

I didn't tell Avien that I was working in order not to spoil the surprise. Kapag kasi sinabi ko sa kaniya at nagtanong siya kung para saan, I wouldn't be able to lie to her. So, I'd watch my tongue every time I tell her about my day. Dapat hindi ko masama sa kwento ang tungkol sa trabaho at baka mahuli ako.

I never really considered not telling Avien about part-timing a big deal. I didn't consider it as something that would trigger a misunderstanding between us since wala naman akong ginagawang kababalaghan at ang intention lang naman no'n ay para makabili ng singsing.

So, when she got quiet after knowing about it, I felt uneasy. Akala ko nagalit siya.

"I'm not mad, Kiel. The reason why I was quiet kanina... it was because I was sorting things out. Nag-iisip ako. I got confused as to why you didn't tell me eh palagi ka namang nagsasabi... Then, naalala ko 'yung about sa scholarship mo rito dati. Hindi mo rin naman agad sinabi no'n. It took you time. So, narealize ko na baka gano'n din. Maybe you were planning on telling me naman... you were just waiting for the right time?"

Luckily, my girlfriend was understanding and mature. I couldn't ask for more.

"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you..."