Before We Fell Apart [Before Trilogy #2]

05

When Marcus said that he wanted my heart, he truly did everything to show me that he meant it.

He would still walk with me before and after classes, buy me food, everything he could do just do show his efforts. The only difference was that I wasn't annoyed by it anymore. I actually... appreciated it. It felt nice that someone was looking out for me. I grew more comfortable to him as well. 

Siguro nagagawa ko na ang mga bagay na 'yun dahil natanggap ko nang hindi talagang nagbibiro si Marcus na gusto niya ako. I began to notice the small things he would do for me. It made my heart warm. Ito siguro 'yung ibig sabihin nila kapag kinikilig ka? I wasn't sure what I felt yet. This was the first time a guy has ever looked my way! I don't know how to react nor what to do. 

I was waiting for Marcus by the benches since I went to school before him. For once, I came earlier than him. Hindi na rin ako sanay na hindi siya nakakasabay sa umaga. He was part of my routine and I hate going out of agenda. 

Abala akong nagbabasa sa cellphone ko ng biglang may lumitaw na paper bag sa harapan ko. May isang pink na sticky note na nakadikit sa harapan nito. 

'Breakfast for my beautiful girl. Good morning, mahal :) -M'

 Napangiti ako sa sulat at tumingin ako sa nagbigay nito. Kinuha ko ito mula sa kamay ni Marcus at tumayo. "You just love giving me food, don't you?" 

"Baka kasi 'di ka nanaman kumain ng almusal. Alam mo namang masama 'yun at bawal na bawal magutom ang mahal ko." He just knew me so well. I wasn't the type to eat breakfast and he really made sure that I ate. Minsan nga tinatanong niya pa sa'kin kung ano 'yung kinain ko para lang makasiguro. 

I pouted slightly, looking at the cookie he gave me. "Palagi mo naman akong pinapakain. Tumataba na ako dahil sa'yo." 

"Aba dapat lang na tumaba ka! Dapat healthy ka. Alagaan mo sarili mo para maalagaan din kita," bumanat siya at tumawa. "Paborito mo naman 'yan kaya kainin mo na. Alam ko namang 'di mo rin matitiis 'pag cookies na ang binigay ko sa'yo." 

I playfully rolled my eyes and took a bite of my cookie. He's been spoiling me with food lately! Sure, I was really thin but that was because of my metabolism! Hindi rin ako malakas kumain at mabilis akong mabusog. Pero dahil makulit si Marcus at 'di ko naman matanggihan ang binibigay niya, I've been eating more than usual. My cheeks were now chubbier because of him! Tuwang-tuwa naman siya dahil mas naging cute daw ako. Ewan ko ba dun. 

"Why did you arrive late?" It was unusual because he was the one who waited for me most of the time. 

He rubbed his eyes slightly before answering. "Tinanghali ako ng gising. Napagod kasi ako sa training kahapon." 

I nodded in reply. He's been busy with soccer lately since their trainings were more intense than usual. It's that time of the year that the athletes are all busy since division games were coming soon. 

"Nakakahabol ka naman sa lessons?" I asked out of concern. "Alam kong busy ka kaya 'wag ka mahiyang humingi sa'kin ng reviewers. I can send them to you." 

Umiling siya at ngumiti. "May oras pa naman ako para mag-aral. 'Wag mo 'ko isipin! Ako pa ba? Kayang-kaya ko 'to!" 

"I know. But do ask when you need it, okay? I don't want you getting more tired than you already are. Hindi ka rin makaka-focus kung pagod ka." 

"Ang sweet mo naman, mahal. Hay, kinikilig nanaman puso ko," he held his chest and laughed. "Pero seryoso, thank you mahal. Hihingi ako ng tulong 'pag kailanangan ko." 

"Of course." I knew he was a hardworking person, but I didn't want him overworking himself. It would just drain him if he had to review from scratch. I was concerned for him as well. I still wanted him to know that I was willing to help even if he could balance things out well.