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

Kabanata 2: Ang Pagkahulog

“By the way, let’s eat,” he said with a warm smile. We sat down together, enjoying our meal and sharing a few casual conversations. After about ten minutes, we were done eating. I noticed him smiling softly as he began to clean up, carefully gathering everything we’d used.

"Dapat every fastfood na pupuntahan mo po, ililigpit natin mga pinagkainan, okay? Small thing na ito to make them smile," saad niya, pertaining to workers here. After he finished tidying everything up, he suddenly rose from his seat. I felt a bit nervous, thinking about the guys who might approach me again, so I immediately got up and followed Ethan, not wanting to be left alone.

"May gusto ka pong bilhin? I'm gonna buy it for you," he inquired while properly putting on his backpack. I shrank all of a sudden because of his height. "Ano? Ano'ng gusto mo po?"

"Do you want something?" ulit niya nang napansin niyang hindi ako nakasagot. Ngayon ko lang napansin na iba ang tangkad niya compare sa ibang mga nalalaki na kakilala ko. “May gusto ka pa po ba?”

Napapikit na lang ako sa inis. Paulit-ulit na lang. Hindi niya ba gets ang silent means no?

"Ethan, relax, I don't ask too much, loyalty is enough," I unconsciously uttered.

Napatigil ako nang na-realize ko ang sinabi ko. What the fuck? What did said? I asked for loyalty? I think better na lang i-close ang mouth ko.

"Wow," I saw him smile. Ngiting aso, then after that he held my hand. Damang-dama ko ang lambot ng kamay niya. Tamad siguro 'to sa bahay nila. Ang kinis ang lambot ng palad, eh?

“Let’s go home; they’re probably looking for you by now,” he said, giving me a gentle smile. I wanted to stay a little longer, hoping to avoid running into anyone at home just yet, but I felt too shy to tell him that. So, with a quiet nod, I decided to follow him without saying anything more.

As we were walking, I suddenly bumped my forehead against his back. I hadn’t noticed that he’d stopped. Standing behind him, I watched as he turned to face me, a look of concern in his eyes. Gently, he touched my forehead and softly rubbed the spot where I’d hit it, trying to ease my discomfort. “Sorry, mahal. Are you okay? Sorry, hindi ko napansin nabitiwan mo pala ako,” he asked, his voice filled with care.

“No worries. Ayos lang ako.” Mabilis kong sabi para alisin na niya sa kamay niya sa noo ko. Out of curiosity, sinilip ko iyong reason kung bakit siya napahinto. May isang matandang babae na nagtitinda ng mga bulaklak sa gitna ng gabi. Mukhang marami pa ang tinda niya kaya siguro hindi pa siya umuuwi.

“Favorite mo ang pink, ’di ba?” biglang tanong niya dahilan para magulat ako. How did he know?

I noticed him biting his lower lip, and he looked away, as if he found the moment a bit awkward. His sudden shyness caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking.

“Lola, magkano po ang pink roses?” Narinig kong tanong ni Ethan sa matanda. Masyadong mahina na ang boses ng kausap niya kaya hindi ko narinig. Kaso biglang napalaki ang mata ko nang kinuha lahat ni Ethan ang rosas na tinda nito.