I Saw You

Chapter 35: Ocean Eyes

Tinulungan kong mag-hain si Mommy ng agahan. Dad closed his laptop when it's time to eat.

"I just don't think it is right to just let her wander off with a stranger," my Dad commented.

"Dad, England is not a stranger. He is a friend."

"At mukhang mabuting bata iyon. Talagang inuwi ka pa dito at hindi nalang sinamantala ang pagkakataon..." Si Mommy. "He's a new employee, Cash?"

Tumango ako. "He's very hard working, too. Hindi ako magugulat kung umangat siya sa napiling industriya, Mom."

Umiling-iling si Daddy. "Susubaybayan ko kung paano siya sa trabaho kung gano'n. Do you like him, Cash?"

Nag-taas sila ng kilay sa akin pareho. Suminghap ako. Why would they assume that?

"Is he your boyfriend?"

"Dad, sinabi ko namang kaibigan ko at katrabaho lamang." Tumikhim ako.

Humalukipkip ang aking ama. "Hindi ko gusto ang mga lalaking ipinangalan sa lugar. London...England...Tunog hindi maganda!"

"Loki!" My mom giggled at that.

Ngumuso ako. "Hindi ko siya nobyo, Dad. Isa pa, mabait si England."

"Kung ganoon bakit kayo nag-halikan?" Malamig na tanong ni Daddy. Napakurap ako doon.

"Loki! Tama na!" Humagalpak ng tawa si Mommy habang nag-iinit ang aking pisngi sa biglaang tanong ni Daddy. He scoffed and just continued eating his breakfast. Nilagok ko ang lahat ng tubig sa baso sa sobrang kahihiyan. Paano niyang nalaman iyon...

"You see, dear, your friend, England, told us last night that you two kissed. Humingi ito ng paumanhin dahil doon. Ayaw niya daw na maging mabilis ang progreso sa pagitan niyong dalawa. Progreso, Cash. Iyan talaga ang nabanggit niya!" Natatawang kwento ng Mommy. "You were extremely drunk and I know you kiss random people when you drink. Nabanggit na ito noon sa akin ni London." Bumagal ang kanyang pag-sasalita nang banggitin ang huli.

Gusto ko ng tumakbo. Nakakahiya! Bakit pa niya kailangan banggitin pa iyon?!

"I think he's a nice man, Cash. He drove all the way here to return you safely, and he confessed for his mistake. He was very sorry for the kiss. Kung makikita mo lang ang kanyang reaksyon kagabi. It was really funny!" My mom continued. "He's brutally honest about it. You kissed him first then he kissed you back. He was sorry because you were drunk but he told me honestly that he, himself, enjoyed the kiss! Nagkanda-utal-utal pa siya habang sinasabi iyon. Kailangan ko pang sabihin na ayos lang iyon dahil nasa tamang edad na kayo."

"Mommy!" Pigil ko sa kahihiyan. "I get it, okay? Let's just eat peacefully now."

"You know, I don't really care who you kiss or choose as a boyfriend, Cash. Matanda ka na at dapat nga'y may apo na kami ngayon sa'yo!"

Tumango-tango si Dad. Mukgang gusto ang ideya ng apo. "I agree on that. You're of age. We're not getting younger."

"See?" Tinuro ni Mom si Dad. "Even the monster approves!"

"What monster?" Baling ni Dad kay Mommy. She giggled and looked at me again.

"That man! He got my approval," nagkibit ito ng balikat at ngumisi. She playfully nudged my father. "Alam kong gusto mo din ang batang iyon, Loki. 'Wag ka nang magkaila pa diyan! He's a breath of fresh air. Something new!"

"I don't like his name..."

And the conversation went on and on. Halos sampung minuto lang daw ang itinigal ni England dito ngunit parang sa kwento ni Mommy ay sobrang tagal niyang nanatili!