Eyes On Me, Baby (COMPLETED)

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

I stood on the side, holding the tickets habang si Austin Archangel iyong naglalaro. Nandito kami simula nang magbukas iyong mall. He was determined to finish it as soon as possible. I told him that I wasn't rushing and we could take time para makuha iyong stuffed toy, but he was determined. Every after two hours, I would leave him to buy food, pero bawal iyong pagkain sa arcade kaya naman habang kumakain siya ay ako iyong naglalaro. I thought I was getting the hang of it already—the margin of error was declining with every attempt.

"725," I said after the machine counted all the tickets we got for the day. May apat na iba-ibang babae ang nagpa-picture sa kanya habang nasa arcade kami—dalawa roon ay ako ang kumuha ng pictures nila. Mayroong isang beses na kinailangan ko talagang lumayo dahil gusto nung babae na full body shot at hindi sila kasyang dalawa sa screen dahil masyadong matangkad si Austin Archangel.

"I was right—this will take a week," sabi niya.

"Pupunta ka ulit dito bukas?" I asked.

He shrugged. "I'm basically done with school and the season's over," sabi niya.

"What's your plan after graduation?" I asked. Tinanong ko na siya dati kung bakit first semester siya natapos, and he mentioned that he would take summer classes. He said that he actually enjoys studying. He's a nerd. Bihira lang ako maka-kita ng mga tao na nag-e-enjoy mag-aral.

"Nothing certain yet," he said. "What's your plan now that season's over?"

I shrugged. "Nothing concrete yet gaya nung sa 'yo... pero makikipagmeet ako sa kaibigan ni Kaleigh para idiscuss iyong sa script," I replied. "If that works out, doon ako magiging busy."

Tumango siya. "Do you want to go home first?"

"Bakit? Hindi ba may dinner?"

"Yes... I just thought you might want to change?"

Napa-tingin ako sa suot ko. I was wearing a black leggings, loose white shirt, my favorite walking shoes, and my tote bag. I looked fine. Hindi naman din ako pinagpawisan buong araw dahil pinapa-nood ko lang si Austin Archangel.

"Is it a formal dinner?" I asked because if it was, then I really would need to change. Isa sa mga pangarap ni Mama sa akin ay ang sumunod sa dress code—it's more than dressing to the ocassion, but more on respecting those who invited you.

"No, not really."

"Okay," I said. "But do you want me to change?" I asked because if he wanted me to dress more formally, I would, no problem.

"If you're comfortable with that, you don't have to change," sabi niya.

I shrugged. "Okay."

Pagbalik namin sa sasakyan niya, inilagay namin doon sa box iyong mga tickets na nakuha namin ngayong araw. Tama nga iyong sinabi niya na aabutin ng isang linggo... But I did not think na araw-araw kaming nandito. I would tell him na hindi ako pwedeng nandito araw-araw dahil may iba akong kailangang gawin.

"Can we go back to the mall?"

"Okay," he said. "Did you forget something?"

"May naaalala ka bang nadaanan natin na flower shop? I will buy flowers for your mom," sabi ko sa kanya dahil ganoon din ang ginagawa niya sa bahay—he'd bring food or flower for both my mother and Ate Gina. I should return the favor.

"No, it's fine," sabi niya.

"But I want to," I replied.

Napa-ngiti siya. "Okay, then," sabi niya at saka naglakad kami pabalik sa mall. Nagtanong kami sa guard, pero wala raw flower shop doon. Tumingin ako kay Austin Archangel at tinanong siya kung ano pa ang pwedeng ibigay sa nanay niya. "I think... cake? Or anything for dessert?"