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

Kabanata 1: Ang Paglalapit

Gagawin niya bang sardinas ang pasahero niya?

Samantala, nakita kong dumeretso si Ethan sa kabilang tricycle at hindi pinansin 'yong isang nanghahakot ng pasahero.

So, no choice ulit ako at sumunod nalang sa kaniya. Nag mumukhang aso na 'ko dito!

"Kuya, Greenwich po dalawa. One hundred na, tara agad," saad niya sa tricycle driver na naka upo sa tricycle nito at mukhang nagbibilang pa ito ng mga pinagpasadahan niya. Nakita ko namang tumango 'yong tricycle driver kaya dali-daling kaming sumakay.

"What do you want to eat?" tanong niya sabay abot sa 'kin ng menu. Kauupo lang namin. Good thing we were lucky to have a few people today, because if marami tao we might be waiting for a table today.

"Hmm, ito lasagna chicken combo.” Itinuro ko ang napili. I saw him nod in agreement. He took the menu from me, likely planning to choose what he wanted to eat. I watched him as he scanned the options, curious about what he’d pick.

"What if someone is planning to court you, Miss Carter?" he asked, but his gaze stayed at the menu.

I looked at him in surprise, completely caught off guard. I never expected him to ask me that. I was shocked. Like, girl, hindi ako sanay sa topic na ganiyan!

Since I wasn't into the topic, I quickly brainstormed something to change the subject. The whole idea of love felt so cringe worthy at the moment. It seemed like he only brought me here because he wasn’t satisfied with our debate earlier and wanted to dig deeper into my thoughts.

I cleared my throat. "Just call me Quezhia na lang, Ethan. It sounds corny kasi to stick to last names," I said, hoping to shift the focus away from the previous topic. I noticed him shaking his head, but he kept his gaze on the menu, seemingly contemplating what to order.

"Sure, I’ll stop calling you by your last name, but I’ll just call you ‘mahal’ instead," he said, looking seriously into my eyes. I felt my cheeks flush at his words, taken aback by the unexpected  nickname na ginawa niya. It felt surprisingly intimate, and I wasn’t sure how to respond. Part of me wanted to laugh it off, but another part of me was intrigued by the way he said it.

"I was planning to court you, mahal? Payag ka ba?" he added but he remained staring at me as if he had found the courage to express what he had been thinking for a very long time. My heart suddenly beats abnormally. So, bunuksan ko ang cellphone para pakalmahin ang sarili.

"It's okay kung ayaw mo," saad niya sabay tawag ng waiter para ma-serve na 'yong order namin.

"Since the aim of courtship is to make you fall in love, if you decide not to accept me, I won't give up. I’m willing to take the risk," he said, looking at me earnestly. "To show you that I’m sincere about my feelings, I won’t stop pursuing you, even if there's no assurance. Because that’s what you truly deserve."

My cheeks turned red after hearing that. hindi ko alam ang sasabihin, leaving me confused. I was speechless. I had never encountered a guy like him before. Usually, when you tell a guy you're not interested, they just stop and start criticizing your appearance. But he was different. It’s true that if someone says no, you should respect that, but I was genuinely amazed by what he said. It was refreshing to see someone so sincere and willing to take a chance, and it made me question my own feelings.

Because he was still staring at me, my hand was shaking. However, the silence was shattered when a basketball player entered who appeared to have just finished practice.

"Uyy pre, swanty, oh... parang mama mary 'yong ganda," narinig saad ng isang lalaki dahilan para mapakunot noo ni Ethan, mukhang narinig niya rin.

"Tanungin niyo pangalan I-treat ko kayo," dagdag pa niya na mas lalong nagpakunot sa noo ni Ethan. Kahit ako ay napakunot ang noo ko sa narinig ko.

I feel so uncomfortable kapag may mga grupo ng lalaki na lalapit sa 'kin. Tapos asking for my name! Para tuloy akong pusang pinaliguan ngayon sa takot.

My pulse raced as I watched one of their companions approach me. Saka ko lang din napagtanto na kasama rin nila 'yong varity sa school namin, na si Zadoor. Crush ng buong campus dahil chinito kuno.

"Hey chix, what's your name?" saad ng lalaking lumapit sa akin, amoy na amoy ko siya, amoy araw ampota.

"You sound disrespectful, man. Stay away from her," Ethan chastised the guy, and he quickly backed off. I crinkled my nose at the lingering odor he left behind, feeling grateful for Ethan stepping in. It was a relief to have someone stand up for me like that.

"Gago pre, may jowa," I overheard the man who smelled like the sun. I saw everyone laughed, but Zadoor didn't. He just gazed at me like an idiot.

Nagru-rugby siguro 'to.

I sighed. Thank goodness Ethan was here. Without him, I didn't know what I would have done. I jumped slightly when he suddenly grabbed my hand, caught off guard by the gesture. It was unexpected, and I felt a rush of warmth spread through me at his touch.

"From now on, I’m always going to be by your side. There are still plenty of sleazy guys around," he said, his jaw clenching as he emphasized the words "sleazy guys." Was he jealous? The thought made me feel a mix of amusement and warmth, and I couldn’t help but smile at his protective tone.

"I wont let anyone na bastusin ka ng ganiyan," he added causing me to shiver unexpectedly.

Just like what Ethan said earlier, you never know when it’s time to love; your heart will tell you. And when it happens, you’ll end up eating your own words...

God, he seems to be right, and it looks like it’s happening to me now. I felt a sinking sensation in my stomach. You are doomed, Quezhia.

*****
I'm Getting Older While He's Not
#UnconditionalLoveSeries
-Kyahhhgorgeous