Ludic Selcouth #3: Dancing Keys

Key #27

"Where are you two going? You and Ava will be gone for two nights?" dad asked on a serious voice. Alam kong kabado si Paesyn pero pilit niyang ginagawang diretso ang mukha at ngumingiti kina daddy.

"Opo sana, tito.. We will hike and camp on a mountain." I secretly grinned and continued eating. Paesyn is a hiker, he said it's their hobby together with Ate Zemi and Kuya Zath.

We are currently eating dinner while dad is interrogating Paesyn about our little trip. There's a 50/50 chance here, mom and dad might not agree. But if that's the case, I will just talk to them privately. I'm sure they'll understand me.

"Just you two?" mom was the one who asked this time. I saw Paesyn shifted from his seat and cleared his throat.

"Yes, tita.. But we will probably have a hiking guide with us. The mountain isn't that high since Ava is a beginner, I promise to take care of her." napanguso ako nang sakin naman tumingin sina daddy.

Hinahayaan ko lang kasi silang mag-usap muna at hindi ako sumasabat hangga't hindi ako tinatanong. "What if I don't allow you two?" it's dad, squinting his strict eyes at me.

Natahimik ang buong hapag, Abe suddenly coughed and looked at me with awkward face. The air around is starting to get heavy, we are all uncomfortable. Lalo na si Paesyn na kabado na ring nakatingin sakin.

I put down my utensils and wiped my mouth with the table napkin. "Mom, dad.. Paesyn's band will be leaving next week for their world tour. We want to spend his remaining free days together. They will be out of the country for more than a year.." I finally said.

Kinakabahan din naman ako kapag ganitong nagiging strikto bigla sila sakin. I understand where they're coming from, but I want them to trust me this time.

"Do you think that's enough for a reason, sweetheart?" I nodded at mommy. Napahinga sila nang malalim ni daddy at umiling-iling.

"I'll allow them, Toby. It's not that you weren't like this before." mom said. Dad looked at her disapprovingly but mom already dismissed him by waving her hand and by staring at him seriously. Lihim akong napangiti at sinipa ang paa ni Paesyn sa ilalim.

He looks constipated, I'll laugh at him later.

"Just know your limitations. Paesyn, you're the older one, I trust you. Please, no monkey business. You two weren't in a relationship yet. Ava is on a legal age but we're not tolerating any sudden pregnancy. Our family values marriage first." nasamid bigla si Paesyn sa pagkain na nginunguya niya.

Tutulungan ko sana siya at hahagurin ang likod pero takot niya akong inilingan. Kumunot tuloy ang noo ko sakaniya.

"I'm sorry.." he apologized and immediately wipe his mouth. My parents were just staring at him intensely the whole time.

"Ava is an innocent woman, Paesyn. We treat her like a princess of the family. Band men like you whose a consistent citizen of bars every night are most likely the experienced one on a lot of things. I don't allow those things for now, Ava is still young." it's dad's turn.

I can understand what they're talking about. Im not that innocent with that kind of thing but why would they mention that?! Paesyn and I don't even kiss on the lips! He won't also let me hug him for a very long time!

"I understand. I respect your daughter." matalim pa siyang tinitigan ni daddy bago tuluyang pumayag ang tatay ko.

The dinner was intensed but I'm happy that they allowed me to be with Paesyn for two nights. I just really want to be with him.

Bago tuluyang pinauwi si Paesyn ay nag-usap muna silang dalawa ni daddy, sila lang.

Nang ihatid ko na siya sa harapan ng kotse niya ay kinuha ko muna ang kamay niya at pinisil 'yon. He's just staring at me when I smiled at him happily. "Salamat kasi pinagpaalam mo ako kila daddy.. Siguro kung hindi pa rin maayos ang pamilya namin hanggang ngayon, kakailanganin ko pang tumakas para makasama sayo."