The Rain in España (University Series #1)

18

Mom urged us to eat kaya naman naglagay ako ng pagkain sa plato ni Kalix at sa akin para maka-kain kami. Nakikinig lang ako sa usapan ni Daddy at ni Kalix habang kumakain. May pinag-uusapan silang tungkol sa corporate law. Wala akong masyadong maintindihan pero masaya akong nagkasundo sila. 

"Does your future plan include my daughter?" Doon ulit ako napatingin sa kanilang dalawa.

"Of course, Sir." Mabilis na tumango si Kalix. "I plan to marry your daughter, Sir, if that's okay with her, of course." 

Napaawang ang labi ko at muntik nang mabulunan sa pinagsasasabi ni Kalix. Hindi ko alam kung totoo 'yung sinasabi niya o sinasabi niya lang 'yun para kay Daddy. Hindi naman kami nag-uusap masyado tungkol sa kasal-kasal dahil alam kong bata pa kami. 

"Are you sure you won't depend on her?" Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Daddy. "Because Luna is set to work in our company as the head of the Architecture department. She will earn a lot." 

"I also plan to work in a law firm, Sir, resign after gaining knowledge, and build my own firm after gaining the trust of my clients and other friends in the same field. I assure you, Luna and I won't need to depend on each other financially. I have plans for us." 

Hindi ako makapagsalita sa mga sinasabi niya. Matagal na ba niyang pinag-iisipan 'yun o ngayon lang? Impromptu lang sa tapat ni Daddy?

"My Luna is too young, Dad." Hinawakan ni Mommy ang braso ni Daddy. "Don't ask for future plans yet." 

"It's good to feel secured," sagot ni Daddy sa kanya. 

I agreed with my mother. Bata pa kami pareho! Hindi namin alam ang mangyayari sa susunod pero I felt so assured that I was included in Kalix's future plans. Wala siyang balak iwan ako sa ere. Parang pinaplano niya na talaga lahat kahit matagal pa bago siya maka-graduate ng law school. 

Pagkatapos ng dinner, umalis na rin siya kaagad at umuwi na rin kami nila Mommy sa New Jersey. My dad did not say anything about it, as well as my mom so I took that as an approval. Kahit naman ayaw nila, I can't let go of Kalix. Not that way. Not because of that. 

We stayed there until January. My parents had to go to other states for business kaya kapag naiiwan ako ay umaalis ako dahil sinusundo ako ni Kalix. Ang dami na naming nagagawa. We watched Broadway shows, shopped, took pictures like tourists, ice skating, at kung ano-ano pa. Noong New Year, we joined the people at the Times Square for the countdown. 

"Talon ka, ha," he reminded me. 

Masama ko siyang tinignan. "You know I'm tall. You're just taller," pakikipagtalo ko. 

Nagpaalam siya kila Mommy na magcocountdown kami sa Times Square. To my surprise, pinayagan nga nila 'ko. Nakakatuwang isipin na tanggap ng pamilya ko si Kalix dahil kung hindi, parang masyadong maraming hadlang sa aming dalawa. Alam ko naman na hindi ako gusto ng Mommy niya. Mas gusto no'n si Amethyst. 

"10... 9..." I heard the people yelling and cheering.