Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

14

"Do you hear yourself, Marquenzo?"

The first thing that happened after his words rang in my ear was the pounding in my chest. It's so fast it hurts. Why did my heart need to beat this fast for him?

"Yes, and I meant the words I said," Marco said, taking a step forward.

I blocked the distance between us using my right hand. Dinungaw niya ako. Sa paningin ko, hindi ko kakayanin malapit sa kaniya. Takot akong dumoble ang tibok ng puso ko kapag magdikit kami.

"I like you," he repeated his words, very serious.

Lips parted, I stared at him for a moment. Hindi nga kami napalapit sa isa't isa, hindi nga nagdikit ang mga dibdib namin, nagawa pa rin niyang palakasin ang tibok ng puso ko sa paraan ng salita.

"Can we go to a coffee shop?" I suddenly requested, which made him chuckle.

"Sure, love." He took my hand and intertwined our fingers as we find his car in the parking lot.

The only sound inside his Jeep was the soft music played on his speakers. Nakatingin lang ako sa labas ng bintana at pinapanuod ang mga ilaw, pati na rin ang kotseng nakakasabay namin.

When we arrived, I just ordered a strawberry tea instead of coffee because I can feel my heart palpitating. I wasn't sure if it was because of the alcohol or because the words Marco said was really wrapped around my head.

"Binilhan na rin kita ng brownie." Nilapag ni Maki ang tray sa lamesa.

"Thanks," I replied and got my cup.

Naupo siya sa tabi ko imbis na sa harapan. Umusog ako palapit sa bintana. I heard him chuckle for a second before he started mixing his coffee with the straw, watching me avoid him.

Looking down on my tea, I squinted my eyes to search for some substances floating around, if there were any. Dini-distract ko lang ang sarili ko dahil iniisip ko pa kung paano ko ipagpapatuloy iyong usapan kanina. All the words not only left my mouth but also my mind. It felt blank.

He... likes me? He said that twice. Totoo kaya iyon o nadala lang siya?

"Gusto mo ako? So tayo na?" Iyon ang natanong ko pero hindi ko naman pinagsisihan. Hindi rin ako nahiya. He already knew my feelings for him.

Marco sipped on his straw for a moment before letting out a short laugh, leaning his hand on the table. "Agad, Ica?"

I shrugged, acting as if my heart wasn't having a party inside for acting so damn brave in front of him. Pinanuod ko ang paglaro ng usok galing sa cup na hawak ko pakalat sa ere.

"I like you, not that you didn't know that yet. But I like you, you like me. Is it just going to stop there?" tanong ko sa kaniya. Because I don't want it to stop there.

"Of course it's not going to stop just there. I want more. I want a relationship with you." Ngumiti siya.

Tumawa ako nang mahina. "So... tayo na nga?" tanong ko ulit at nilapag ang tasa sa lamesa dahil naiinitan na ang mga palad ko.

"Pwede bang manligaw?" He tucked some strands of my hair behind my ear.

My brows furrowed. "Bakit pa? Doon din naman punta natin. Sasagutin din naman kita sa huli."

"Hindi ako nagmamadali," sabi niya sa akin.

"I'm not traditional naman. I really don't mind not being courted." I bit my lower lip, getting a little embarrassed because I think I sound like I was in a rush to be in a relationship with him!

He nodded. "Kung ano ang gusto mo, iyon ang susundan natin. Kahit ano naman iyan, araw-araw pa rin naman kita liligawan," he told me, making me feel happier.