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

Kabanata 2: Ang Pagkahulog

“Sa iyo po itong pink,” he handed me a bunch of pink roses. Halos nasa sampung mahigit na tangkay ito na pinagtipon-tipon niya. May red na roses na natira sa kamay niya. Kanino niya kaya ibibigay iyon? “Did you know na pink roses typically symbolise admiration, happiness, and love?”

I shook my head at what he said since I’m not a fan of flowers. Many have tried to give me flowers in the past, but I never accepted them because I simply don’t like it. Yet, for some reason, I found myself wholeheartedly accepting this roses. It felt different, as if it carried a meaning beyond just being a flower.

"Pst, sakay ka, sexy?" A tricycle driver shouted at me, and his comment caught me off guard. In that moment, I felt Ethan’s hand tighten around my wrist as he pulled me away from the driver.

When I looked at Ethan, I noticed he seemed angry. I glanced back at the man for a moment, and as I stared at his tricycle, I suddenly realized it didn’t have a plate number. That detail made me feel uneasy, adding to the tension of the situation.

"Huwag kang sasakay sa mga gano'n, it's better to be called maarte as long as you can protect yourself," he whispered as we walked. I can feel his warm breath. Ang bango ng hininga niya kahit kakakain lang namin. P'wede na siyang maging model ng sikat ng brand ng toothpaste.

"Oh, Ethan, nandito ka pala," saad naman ng isang tricycle driver na mukhang may edad na. I smiled and examined him from head to toe. His figure is spherical, his complexion is brown, and his heightis average. Very Filipino.

"Hey, kuya Jay, ihatid mo nga po si Quezhia sa Camella," saad niya sabay tingin sa akin. Tumango si kuya Jay kuno sa akin. Nakita ko ang pag ngisi nito nang makita ang hawak kong kumpol-kumpol sa rosas.

Camella? Paano niya nalaman na taga Camella ako?

I was about to say a word but I stopped when he immediately spoke. “Take care of her, kuya. Sa ’yo lang  po ako nagtitiwala rito, remember that.” Ethan admonished the man while looking at him as if he would eat him alive if he disobey what this man ordered.

"Sige, ’nak. Bakit ikaw? Hindi mo sasamahan?”

"If I could po. Kaso lola chatted me na, she's hungry at hinahanap na po ako, just take care of her na lang po," Ethan reminded him. I was surprised when he touched my cheek. It seemed like electricity flowed through my whole body when he kissed my forehead. I quickly looked away and bowed because I felt ashamed.

"Hey, mahal, are you okay po?" he asked, when he noticed that I looked uncomfortable. Nakayuko akong tumango. Without hesitation I quickly went inside the tricycle to hide myself.

He. Is. Totally. Fucking. Insane. In short, napaka landi niya!

For the last time I looked up and caught a glimpse of Ethan as the tricycle began to move. I saw him looking at me so I smiled at him and waved. I smiled even more when he did the same.

I saw him speaking, and my eyes widened in surprise. Even from a distance, I could tell what he was saying; his body language and the intensity in his expression conveyed everything I needed to know.

I love you

"Oo, ate ko! That was my first ever kiss! Even sa forehead lang!" I shouted as I rolled over on my bed again. But at that time, April didn't speak so I called her name.

"Hoy, Adelaide Prillene!" I called her real name para pansinin ako, but she didn't pick up.

I was about to end the call kasi mukhang wala na siya or nakatulog na kaso napatigil ako noong sumigaw siya. Parang pati ang mga organs ko na nananahimik ay nagising sa pagsigaw niya.