THE UNTAMED LUNA

HIS ADDICTIVE SCENT

I want to enjoy this Sunday. So in the evening, I prepared something special for my parents. I decided to go to the kitchen and cook a carabao steak, get the wine, and take it to the living room, where my dad is currently watching an action movie.

"Dad...?"

I prepared the table in front of him. He was surprised to see that there was a carabao steak in front of him. This is one of our favorites.

"Oh, it looks tasty. Can I have a bite?"

"No, let's wait, mom," I told him, but he insisted. He gets the pork and takes his first bite already, sometimes dad has a childish nature huh.

"Mom! Come here..." I called Mom, and she immediately came. She is already wearing a nightgown. I laughed a little at seeing her that way.

"Your daughter has become weird tonight." Dad's joking. He just doesn't want to disturb the action movies he's watching. I know that.

For three hours, Mom and Dad were my leaders. We are now facing the TV screen, which shows the lyrics of the song. My mom has no passion for singing, but she just accompanies my dad; even her voice is not good at singing. We sang, danced, and laughed. Mom and Dad held the microphone and sang the lyrics.

That song's title is "I love you like a love song", which was popularized by Selena Gomez.

"Ah, I love you like a love song, baby. 3X” I saw Dad kiss my mom. It is so nice to see how they love each other. Laughing before bedtime is really great, until we both said, "Good night."

My mother takes me to school at the crack of dawn. I sat silently in the car as she drove, my mind preoccupied with the thought of seeing Marvin during the second period. Perhaps I could nonchalantly walk past his classroom on my route to math class. Unbeknownst to me, the car pulled up, and my mother was bidding me farewell.

"Oh, sorry, Mom, I just think a lot. Maybe I'm just stressed about some of my subjects."

"Alright. Just make sure you can make up with your class." She leans in and kisses my cheek. I wish it were that easy. Jade and Joel are at the side of the car, waiting for me to get out.

"Your bodyguards are waiting. I don't want to keep them waiting for you" Mom said that. Huh! nevermind! I chose to head off. And the two join me in the locker.

"Are you okay, Jezz?" Joel asked.

"Yeah, I'm just.. I had a weird dream last night."

"Oh. maybe you are a night dreamer huh" Jade said.

"That's funny." I told him.

"I have to go to the English room to get something from teacher Marvin. Let's head that way before our first class." Jade said.

What a relief! My heart felt like it was trembling with happiness. It's like an explosion of excitement.

"Shall we go...?"

"Yeah...!" he said.

Do they know that I feel like my heart is breaking until I see him? Do they sense that I can hardly breathe without him?

The hallway was quiet except for the distant noises from from other classrooms. As we neared his room, I caught a faint of familiar scent, it is warm, and oddly comforting.

Before I even had the chance to raise my hand to knock, he turned to face me. The sunlight streaming in through the open window illuminated his features, highlighting the weary lines etched beneath his eyes. He ran a hand through his already messy hair, let out a slow breath, and then offered a gentle smile.

“Jezz,” he said, his tone gentle. “Are you okay? Did someone hurt you?”

The worry in his voice made something inside me unclench. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until that moment.

“I’m fine,” I said with a small smile. “Really.”

The tension in my chest loosened. For the first time that morning, I could breathe normally again.

Maybe this is what falling in love feels like, this strange calm that settles in the middle of chaos. The others chatted briefly, their voices blurring into background noise. I just stood there, caught in the quiet peace that surrounded him.

When the first bell rang, the sound snapped me back. I turned to look at Mr. Albanzo, but he was already watching me. He gave a small nod, as if saying, You’ll be okay. I nodded back before heading to class.

Joel caught my arm as I passed. “It’ll get easier,” he murmured.

I blinked at him. “What?”

He only smiled, that same knowing look in his eyes. I didn’t understand, but somehow, I believed him.

In math class, the “wink guy” was there, sitting in his usual seat. Our eyes met briefly. He grinned, but I looked away and focused on the teacher. The seconds crawled by like wet paint drying on a wall.

By the time I reached English, the weight in my chest had lightened. Mr. Albanzo stood at the front, looking far better than he had that morning, no dark circles, no fatigue, just that easy smile that always made the room feel brighter.

“Good morning, Jezz. How are you today?” he asked, as if we hadn’t seen each other barely an hour ago.

“Good morning, Sir. I’m good,” I said, surprised at how true it sounded.

As I took my seat, I realized something strange, he wasn’t the only one looking better. Maybe I was, too.

The classroom hums softly with whispers and the shuffle of notebooks. I finish answering Mr. Albanzo’s question when I hear it, a girl in the back, barely audible, “Suck up.”

It hits like a quiet slap. I don’t know how I even caught it through the noise, but I did. And it hurts.

Marvin’s eyes flick to the back of the room. Did he hear it too?

“Do you have any productive ideas to add to her answer, Miss Guada?” His tone is calm but edged with authority.

The girl freezes. “No, Sir.”

I bite back a smile. Jade nudges me, trying not to laugh. The tension breaks, just a little.

DURING OUR LUNCH TIME;

We’re carrying our trays when Joel and Jade lead me back toward Marvin’s room.

“Thanks, guys,” I tell them as we stop at the door.

Joel shrugs. “No problem. We eat here all the time.”

Inside, the air feels different, lighter. Marvin gestures toward the seat beside him, the same one from Creative Writing. I sit without hesitation.

The conversation flows easily. They talk about childhood memories, sneaking mangoes from their neighbor’s tree, building wooden slingshots, running from their mother’s scolding. Laughter fills the room.

I watch Marvin as he talks. The way he gestures, the way he smiles, it’s not just admiration anymore. It’s something deeper. When his eyes finally meet mine, the world narrows to that single moment.

Everything slows. My heart pounds. His gaze feels endless, like standing under a night sky too vast to comprehend.

How could I ever run from this?

The mood shifts when he asks about my childhood. I tell them about Surigao, and they share stories about their father. Marvin mentions him several times, his tone warm but distant. The twins never met him. I realize how lucky I was to have someone, even if not by blood.

I want to say that my biological father died, but it feels unnecessary. Their pain runs deeper. I just nod, understanding in silence.

DURING THE AFTERNOON CLASS;

Another class, another test of composure. One of the girls flirts openly with Mr. Albanzo, giggling at every word he says. It’s embarrassing to watch. His voice cuts through the room, it is clear and sharp.

“Miss Danny, if you continue making inappropriate comments, I’ll have to transfer you to another elective. There’s a waiting list for this class.”

Her cheeks burn pink. “No, Sir. I’ll stop.”

He nods and moves on. I hide a small smile behind my papers. A waiting list. Maybe that was just a bluff, but it worked.

AT SCHOOL PARKING LOT – LATE AFTERNOON

Jade and Joel meet me after class. They talk casually with Marvin before we all head out. Joel laughs about a girl who won’t stop flirting with him.

“Why don’t you like her?” I ask, half-teasing.

Joel’s tone turns serious. “We don’t date for fun, Jezz. Mom taught us that when you find the right person, you’ll just know. Until then, you wait.”

I glance at Marvin. He’s silent but gives a small nod, eyes lingering on me a moment longer than necessary.

“Wow,” I whisper. “You’ve gotten more serious lately.”

He just smiles. That quiet, unreadable smile.

When it’s time to leave, I catch his eyes one last time. His expression mirrors mine.. reluctant, sad.

“Tomorrow,” he says simply.

I nod, forcing a smile before walking away.

---- ---- ---- -------

The house is quiet except for the faint hum of the fan. I’m trying to study, but my mind keeps drifting. His face. His voice. That look.

A headache creeps in. I take a Tylenol, hoping it’s just exhaustion, but I know it’s not. It’s him.

Mom knocks softly. “Sweetie? You okay? Should I call a doctor?”

I shake my head. “No, Mom. Just tired. I’ll be fine after some sleep.”

I can’t tell her the truth, that I got this "Lovesick"over my teacher. It sounds insane, even to me.

I close my eyes and hope to dream of him, without the guilt, without the kiss.

The next day feels heavier until I see him again. One glance and it’s like my lungs remember how to work.

A text buzzes from Tagi:

“Hey besh! Tomorrow’s our river picnic. You should come!”

I smile.

“That sounds fun. I miss the river. Have a great time!”

I set my phone down, take a deep breath, and look in the mirror. There’s color in my face again.

When I walk into the English room, the air changes into warm, then I found the twins are there. And him.

He turns at the same time. Then we both laugh quietly.

“You okay?” he asks.

“I am now,” I say truthfully.

He looks at the twins. “It’s stronger than I thought.”

I don’t ask what he means. Maybe they already know.