TAMING THE LIONESS °[KathNiel] ✓COMPLETE

18. Smitten

Maddy

"Your parents seem okay."

Yeah. Seem? They're only acting to like him for a reason that I still have to find out yet.

"Maddy?"

"Ha?"

"Kanina pa ako nagsasalita, hindi ka naman sumasagot. Is anything wrong?"

"Wala. Wala." I quickly answered. He looked at me with questioning eyes. "I was just um...reviewing for the exam, checking if I still remember everything I read last night."

He didn't say anything after that. Sinalubong narin agad ako ni Gabbi pagdating namin ng campus kaya di na kami nagkausap. Muntik na akong nawala sa focus habang nagte-take ng exam. I kept checking my phone too during my vacant hours, waiting for mom's texts or calls na pinapagalitan ako.

"Madellaine." Flickr called out who just got out of his car. I was waiting for Tres. Nagtext kasi siyang ihahatid niya ako.

"Why are you here?"

"What's with the grouchy attitude?" He even asked which just made me more annoyed at him.

"What did you do? Flick, alam kong may kinalaman ka sa nangyari kanina." Walang paligoy-ligoy na sabi ko.

"Isn't it what you want? To just freely express how much you're into that guy?"

"Napakakupal mo. It was never a decision for you to make. Ano ba talaga ang kailangan mo?" Naiinis na singhal ko.

"I don't like you Maddy. I want you. Don't you see? Why would I waste my time in someone I'm not interested in?"

"Flick?"

"I followed you here Madellaine because I wanna pursue you. From the very start, gusto na kita."

Ugh. I'm speechless.

"That's nice dude." Tres said who just arrived. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder as if taking ownership of me. "But I don't think it's appropriate for you to talk to my girlfriend like that. That would be an insult, don't you think?" Pamimilosopo ni Tres. "Babe, let's go."

I was still in complete shock. I mean, I wasn't glad to hear what Flick just said but it just kind of... I don't know. Maybe because I didn't expect him to say it.

"Kung hindi pa yata ako dumating Madellaine, mukhang sasagutin mo na 'yong mokong na 'yon ah." Hirit ni Tres mayamaya pa. I don't know if he's serious.

"Ano?" Naaasar na asik ko.

"Kalma. Nagbibiro lang e." Bawi niya kaagad. "Maddy, I was really just joking. And I'm sorry if I had to interrupt. It's just insulting. That guy knew we're dating."

"I understand. It's just that... Tres, I don't know. You really shouldn't have done what you did this afternoon. I was uncomfortable having you talk to my parents." Sa wakas ay nasabi ko rin.

"Maddy, they're nice. Linawin mo nga, sila ba talaga ang ayaw sa'kin—"

"Tres?" Hindi ko na siya pinatapos sa sasabihin niya. "What are you trying say? Ikaw na nga 'tong iniisip ko e. Kilala ko ang mga magulang ko. I grew up being told not to be close to any Palmer. When mom saw my picture with you years ago, she went ballistic. She was so mad at me."

"I get where this  is coming from." Tres said after parking the car on the side of the road. He gently took my hand and lifted to kiss it. "Totoo man o hindi 'yong pakikitungo nila sa'kin kanina, I don't care. But I'm grateful Maddy that it happened. Ang mahalaga ngayon, alam nilang malinis ang intensiyon ko sa'yo. Mahal kita. Maddy, kahit buong mundo pa ang pipigil sa'kin, ipaglalaban kita. Mamahalin parin kita."