Before We Fell Apart [Before Trilogy #2]

04

"You're so annoying, did you know that?"

Tumawa si Marcus at humabol sa'kin. "Ilang beses mo na ba sinabi 'yan sa'kin?"

"Ilang beses ko na rin ba sinabi na ayoko nang makipagbiruan sa'yo?" sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Stop joking about courting me. It's not funny." 

"Sino bang nagsabi na nagbibiro ako?" 

I scowled and he just gave me an amused smirk in return. I don't know how it was possible, but this guy just gets more irritating as each day passes. I rolled my eyes and quickened my steps. He easily caught up to me from behind.

Apparently the word 'rejection' did not exist in Marcus's dictionary. Ever since the day he confessed his feelings, he kept pestering me that he wanted to court me. I found it hard to believe that he was actually planning to do that. Palagi nalang kasi akong inaasar nito. Paano ko siya maseseryoso kung puro kalokohan lumalabas sa bunganga niya?

Patuloy siyang dumadaldal habang sinusundan ako palabas ng school. Tumigil ako ng makaabot kami sa gate at humarap ako sa kanya. 

Tinignan ko siya ulo mula paa. He was already in his training uniform. "Ba't nandito ka pa? Diba may training ka?"

"Oo, pero hintayin ko munang masundo ka," ngumiti siya. Does this guy ever stop smiling?

"Captain pero late? Tsk, bad example," I shook my head in disappointment.  

"Grabe! Ang bait ko kaya! Role model 'to uy!" pabiro siyang napahawak sa kanyang dibdib.  

I sighed deeply. "You can go now. I'll get home in one piece." 

"Hihintayin ko nang dumating sundo mo. 'Wag ka na tumanggi kasi 'di ako aalis sa tabi mo," he spoke even before I could cut him off. "Saglit nalang naman, mahal. Gusto pa kita kasama kaya dito muna ako." 

"We already spend so much time together inside school. What more could you possibly want?"

"I want your heart," he answered. "So let me court you." 

Before I could reply, our black car stopped in front of the entrance. Manong Bobby rolled down his windows and gave Marcus a wave. Yes, even him and my driver were now friends. I really didn't know if his friendly personality was good thing or bad. 

He opened the door to the passenger seat for me. "Text me when you get home." 

"Yeah, whatever," I took a step in and faced him. "Get home safely," I mumbled, my cheeks heating up in embarrassment. 

His lips quirked up when he heard me. "I will. Bye, mahal," he winked before closing the door. 

The next day was Saturday, which meant no classes. It was a good thing that I had no assignments in any of my subjects. I would literally break down if they did since we just finished a lot of tasks the week prior. I can finally rest and watch movies all day, or maybe read a book or two. 

Tahimik lang akong nanonood ng panibagong episode ng series na pinapanood ko ng may biglang kumatok sa pintuan ko. Pinapasok ko kung sino man 'yun at nakita kong pumasok si Kuya Jake. Ngayon lang siya nakauwi dahil term break na nila. 

"Bakit po, Kuya?" I shut off my tablet and sat up straight. 

He crossed his arms to his chest, flashing me a playful smirk. "'Di ka naman nagsabi na magdadala ka ng bisita." 

"Bisita? Sino?" my brows furrowed in confusion. 

"Manliligaw mo daw." 

Ha!? Manliligaw?!