MY HEART BEATS FOR YOU

Chapter 7

Natapos ko na lahat—even if I didn’t understand a single thing I just read. Zeke still wasn’t back, and not gonna lie, I was starting to lose it.

It wasn’t even that long, but damn, it felt like forever. Ang bagal ng oras. Para akong na-trap sa isang time loop ng boredom, paranoia, at galit.

Nag-antay pa ako ng ilang minuto. Still no sign of him.

I decided to go look for him. Wala rin naman akong maintindihan dito kahit maghapon pa akong nakaupo. My mind? Wala na sa libro—lumilipad na kung saan-saan.

Paglabas ko pa lang, ayun na sila. I saw them immediately. That girl, all smiles habang kinakausap si Zeke, and him? Nakikinig like he had all the time in the world.

This flirt is seriously messing with me. Gusto niya yatang sa impyerno na siya manirahan—and I’ll be her welcoming committee.

Napanganga pa ako nang makitang kumapit siya sa braso ni Zeke. I saw how he gently removed her hand and stepped back a bit. Pero sa totoo lang? Mukhang nag-eenjoy pa siya habang nilalandi siya.

As soon as I saw them heading toward me, I rushed back to my seat. My whole body was trembling with irritation. I didn’t even know how I’d face them if that girl dared to follow him inside.

I opened the book again, pretending to read, kahit obvious namang wala akong naiintindihan.

I could feel Zeke’s stare on me.

Napasilip pa ako, curious if he was coming in. Nagulat ako nang magtagpo ang mga mata namin. He was looking at me seriously.

I saw the girl trying to talk to him again, but he turned his back on her and walked away.

I even caught her smirking at me—like she won. Like she was proud she stole my prince away even for just a few minutes.

“Tomorrow again, Zeke!” the girl chirped, waving goodbye like she owned the moment.

Napairap ako agad. Naiirita ako at parang sasabog na ako.

Tang-ina mo talaga, girl. Kapag nakatyempo ako sayo, lalagas lahat ng buhok mo. Promise ko yan.

“You’re done?” Zeke asked as soon as he entered.

I didn’t answer. I frowned and ignored him. Hindi ko siya kakausapin hangga’t hindi niya nare-realize kung gaano siya ka-wrong for talking to that flirt.

He sat across from me and stared.

I stayed cold, kunwaring seryoso sa pagbabasa—even though I was just glaring at random words.

“Academic writing conventions,” he said.

I frowned. “Ha?”

“That’s the page you’re reading right now,” he added, sighing.

I looked down at the book. Oo nga. Tama siya. Pero wala akong na-absorb kahit konti.

“Bakit ka pa bumalik? Mas gusto mo naman yatang kasama ‘yung babae kaysa samahan ako rito.” I said that while glaring at him.

It’s not like I’m insecure or anything. Hindi lang talaga ako makatiis kapag may mga babaeng umaaligid sa kanya. He’s not meant for flirts—he’s meant for me. Period.

He chuckled and grabbed the book from my hands.

“I went there for a meeting with your dad. He was asking about you. Sakto lang na andun si Celine, she’s helping with the conference,” he said as he highlighted the important points on the page.

“Anong sinabi mo kay Daddy?” I asked, raising my eyebrow. I need to ace this—because I need to be with Zeke always.

He smirked as he handed the book back to me.

“I told him you haven’t improved. Panay tulog ka lang at nagbabasa nang walang naiintindihan. Nawala lang ako saglit, hindi mo na gets ang binabasa mo,” he teased.

Napaatras ako sabay turo sa kanya. “Nag-aaral ako ng mabuti, okay?! Ikaw nga ‘tong panay landi! Kung nakafocus ka sakin, baka nakita mo ‘yung effort ko! I’m learning! I swear!”

He laughed—God, that laugh is deadly. Paano siya naging ganito ka-gwapo habang tumatawa?

Then suddenly, he leaned in close—too close. His face was right in front of mine, and I lost all posture. How is a girl supposed to focus like this?

“Kanino ako lumalandi, ha?” he whispered. “As far as I know, may bakod na ang prinsesa ko. Wala akong mapormahan sa iba.”

Did I hear that right? His princess?

Kalma lang, Zarniah Ferrero. Matatamis na salita ‘yan—baka may kasalanan. ‘Wag ka maging marupok!

“Ewan ko sa’yo kung paano ka pa nakakalusot,” I muttered with a pout. He chuckled again, now just inches from my face.

Is he going to kiss me?

Focus, Zarniah. Kiss lang naman ‘yan. You deserve it. You're working hard!

His breath smelled so good. His lips—so soft-looking.

“Tell me, Zarniah. Lumalandi ba talaga ako?” he asked in that deep, tempting voice.

Tang-ina mo Ezekiel...

I quickly leaned back and glared. “Ang tagal niyong mag-usap nung babae! Mas maganda naman ako sa kanya, so paano mo kinaya ‘yung titigan siya? Yung boses pa niya—ugh! That girl is a witch. You should only talk to me. Listen to me. No one else.”

“Hindi nga ako umabot ng dalawang minuto. I went back right away. Paano naging matagal ‘yun? And Zey—don’t be too possessive. Baka ako pa ang magsawang mag-effort sayo,” he warned.

Wait what?! “You can’t do that to me!” I protested immediately.

“You’re overthinking again. That’s why you’re not focusing. Stop it, Zey.”

I could still hear him talking but all I could think about was that line—baka kakalimutan niya ako.

“Nakita ko kayo sa hallway. Ang bagal ng lakad niyo, okay? Normal ba ‘yon, Ezekiel, ha?” I said, furious.

He sighed deeply, like he was done with my drama. “You’re patience sucks, Zey. I rushed back ‘cause I knew you’d be waiting. Anong mabagal doon?”

He smirked, looking at me with that damn teasing expression.

“You’re just jealous. Possessive. Selosa.”

My jaw dropped. “Me? Jealous?! I’ll accept being possessive—I want what’s mine to be mine alone. But jealous? Of her? She can’t even compete with my pinky toe! Don’t exaggerate, Ezekiel De Vera.”

He laughed again. Oh, he’s going to get it.

“Then stop getting mad over nothing. Focus on your studies. Remember your goal—to be with me in the student council. Stay with me forever. So stop thinking weird stuff. Just focus. On. Me.”

My heart pounded

.

I raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer. “So that’s why you’re helping me pass? Because you want me beside you? Why don’t you just admit it, Ezekiel De Vera? Give my heart a reason to jump!”

He blushed. He blushed!

And turned away, smiling.

The anger that once filled my heart? Gone. Replaced by the butterflies fluttering like crazy.

“Damn,” he muttered under his breath, clearly affected.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Ang cute niya sobra.

TO BE CONTINUED…..........................................................