Before We Fell Apart [Before Trilogy #2]

13

Time flew by too quickly. 

We are numb to the tick of the hours in moments when we refuse to acknowledge its presence. It flows quickly; even the slightest delay could cost an opportunity for bliss. It seems like when we want it to matter less, it matters much more. Then, when we least expect it, we just surprise ourselves that—

"Time's up!" 

Nilapag ko ang aking ballpen at pinasa ang papel ko paharap. Para bang may bigat na natanggal sa mga balikat ko. Grabe...tapos na ang finals. Kaunti nalang, matatapos na rin kami sa buhay highschool namin. 

Ang bilis ng panahon. 

Huling exam na namin 'yun at malapit na ang graduation. Magiging mataas kaya ang mga grado ko? Hindi ko rin masiguro dahil mas matindi ako mag-aral dati kung ikukumpara sa ngayon. Ayoko na kasing umikot ang buhay ko ulit sa pag-aaral. Mas naglalaan na ako ng oras para sa sarili ko. Was it worth it, though? Putting the now first than thinking about the future?

Hay, ayoko nang problemahin. Ito na naman ako, e. Always thinking of the worst never helped me. It was torture. Ayoko nang bumalik sa ganung mindset. I've come so far from that place.  

Hindi naman maling piliin ko munang sumaya. 

I felt an arm encircle around me then suddenly, someone was ruffling my hair. "Marcus! Ano ba?!" 

Tumawa siya at binitawan ako. "Tinatanggal ko lang 'yung bad vibes sa ulo mo! Tignan mo oh, nakasimangot ka na naman." 

I frowned deeply. Ang kulit rin talaga ng lalaking 'to! Lalo siyang natawa sa reaksyon ko at lalo tuloy akong bumusangot. Ang good mood niya ngayon, ah. Akala mo hindi nag-exam ng higit tatlong oras. 

"Parang kasing ang lalim ng iniisip mo," he scrunched his nose, fixing my hair for me. "Is there anything bothering you, mahal?" 

I shrugged. I didn't want him to worry with my over-thinking. "Nothing, really." 

"Sure?" I nodded to give him assurance. "Whatever that is, we'll both solve it together if you want to. You can tell me anything, you know that right?" 

Tumango ako muli. Of course I knew that. This guy knew me like the back of his hand. It wasn't obvious, but he is one of the most observant people I know. There's nothing he doesn't notice, most especially when it came to me. 

"Ako na lang isipin mo, mahal. Baka sakaling 'di ka na sumimangot," he said to ease the mood. 

"Baka lalo lang akong mairita," sabi ko para mapikon siya. Minsan ang saya rin inisin nito, e. Para siyang baby kapag siya na ang inaasar. 

He pouted. "Bakit? Nakakairita ba mukha ko?" 

"Sa tingin mo?" pagtutuloy ko. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong tumawa ng nagmukha siyang malungot na tuta. "I'm just kidding, mahal." 

"Sige na nga. Kung ikasasaya mo ang 'pag asar sa'kin, titiisin ko," he sighed. Ang drama talaga nito. 

"You're just cute when you're annoyed," I giggled. 

"Hay, pasalamat ka talaga mahal kita." 

Namula ako dahil ang lakas ng pagkasabi niya nun. Nakakahiya! Pinagtitinginan na naman kami! Inunahan ko nalang siyang maglakad at agad naman siyang sumunod sa'kin. Tuwang-tuwa naman siya dahil napa-kilig niya ulit ako. Parang ewan. 

"Alam mo ba, mahal?" bigla namang nagsalita 'tong katabi ko. 

"Hindi pa," pilosopo kong sagot. 

"Corny," mahina siyang tumawa. "May napansin lang ako." 

I waited for him to continue. He just stared at me like he was waiting for me to speak. "Itanong mo naman kung ano."