I'm Getting Older While He's Not (Unconditional Love Trilogy #1)

Kabanata 1: Ang Paglalapit

He nodded and smiled like a good boy, and I couldn’t help but admire his features even more as the sunlight hit his face. The way the light accentuated his jawline and the warmth of his smile made him look almost irresistible. I found myself momentarily lost in thought, forgetting about the debate na nangyari kanina.

"Okay, then, let's go po," he said this as he stood up and grabbed my arm. I was about to react to his sudden behavior, but I had no choice but to go along with him since I didn’t really want to go home just yet. The last thing I wanted was to face the awkwardness para lang hindi ko makita ang mga tao sa bahay since I have a family issue.

Mabilis kaming nakalabas sa gate and he's still holding my arm. Para akong batang nakakabasag ng pinggan tapos dadaan sa mall na may mga babasagin na gamit.

"Where do you like to eat?" he broke the silence because we had been walking and no one had spoken.

We stopped walking when we reached the tricycle lane to look for a tricycle.

"Miss Carter, where are we going to eat?" he repeated while simultaneously grabbing my chin using his left hand, forcing me to look at him.

Naptigil ako. Ano ito?

"Uhm... ikaw bahala, sabi mo treat mo. So, it's your choice kung saan tayo kakain," I replied and smiled at him. Kitang-kita ko ang mukha niya ngayon, hindi kami gaano naglalapit since he's an introvert person, pero nag president ang gaga.

Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hinawakan pisngi ko.

"Ang cute mo!" he squeezed it with his right hand and his left hand stayed at where it belong.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong namula. I didn't expect that! Malandi pala itong si Ethan?

"Gaga, saan tayo kakain?" pag-iiba ko sa usapan. And also para matauhan siya.

"Mag da-date," he corrected me. I turned to face the ground because for no apparent reason, my heart was currently thumping quickly.

Shit, ano itong nararamdaman ko? Dapat galit ako sa kaniya! Quezhia, itulak mo! Bakit nagpapaloko ka sa mga lalaking tulad niya?

"I'm craving sa pizza, do you want to eat po in Greenwich, though?" he asked. Bakas sa mukha niya na nahirapan siya sa pag-iisip kung saan kami kakain.

I nodded.

"Uh, sige... sure, sa Greenwich," I replied then I looked at him like an innocent child. I saw him smiled and at the same time he hold my waist and he pull it closer to him.

Mas lalo tuloy bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko sa ginawa niya.

Isang mapusok na gawain ito para sa kababaihan na tulad ko, hindi ba niya alam 'to?! Kung nabubuhay lang kami sa nakaraan baka pagkamalan na kaming malanding mag asawa sa kalye.

I cleared my throat and smiled as I looked at him. He bit his lower lip and released his grip on my waist, then scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish. "I'm sorry. I thought it was okay," he said, his tone apologetic. It was a little endearing to see him like this, and it made me soften my stance just a bit.

"Oh, sakay-sakay, kaya pa tatlo," saad ng tricycle driver dahilan para napatingin ako sa tricycle niya, pero napalaki ang mata ko nang makita kong apat na 'yong laman!