THE UNTAMED

LOVE YOU LIKE A LOVE SONG

I wanted to enjoy this Sunday, so in the evening I prepared something special for my parents. I went to the kitchen and cooked carabao steak, brought out a bottle of wine, and carried everything to the living room where my dad was watching an action movie.

I set the table in front of him. He looked surprised when he saw the carabao steak. It’s one of our favorites.

“Oh, this looks delicious. Can I have a bite?” he asked.

“No, let’s wait for Mom,” I said, but he didn’t listen. He picked up a piece and took a bite anyway. Sometimes my dad can be so childish.

“Mom! Come here!” I called.

She came right away, already wearing her nightgown. I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw her.

“Your daughter is acting strange tonight,” Dad joked, still trying not to miss his movie.

Later, for three hours, we spent time together in front of the TV. The screen showed song lyrics. My mom isn’t really into singing, and her voice isn’t very good, but she sang anyway just to be with Dad. We sang, danced, and laughed. Mom and Dad held the microphone and followed the lyrics.

The song was “I Love You Like a Love Song” by Selena Gomez.

“Ah, I love you like a love song, baby,” Dad sang, then kissed Mom. It made me smile to see how much they love each other. Laughing together before bedtime felt really nice. Soon after, we all said, “Good night."

My mom takes me to school early monday morning. I sit quietly in the car while she drives, my thoughts fixed on Marvin. I keep thinking about the second period and wondering if I can casually pass by his classroom on the way to math.

I don’t even notice when the car stops.

“We’re here,” Mom says gently.

“Oh. sorry, Mom. I was just thinking,” I replied. “Maybe I’m stressed about my subjects.”

She smiles. “Alright. Just make sure you keep up with your classes.” She leans in and kisses my cheek.

I wish it were that simple.

When I step out of the car, I see Jade and Joel waiting on the distance for me.

“Your bodyguards are ready,” Mom jokes. “I don’t want to keep them waiting.”

I roll my eyes and head toward the lockers with them.

“Are you okay, Jezz?” Joel asks.

“Yeah. I just had a weird dream last night.”

“Maybe you’re a night dreamer,” Jade teases.

“That’s funny,” I say flatly.

“I need to go to the English room to get something from Sir Marvin,” Jade says. “Let’s pass by before our first class.”

My heart jumps! What a relief. It feels like happiness explodes inside my chest.

“Shall we go?” Jade asks.

“Yeah,” Joel answers.

Do they know how much I need to see him? How does my heart feel tight until I do?

The hallway is quiet, filled only with distant classroom noise. As we get closer, I catch a familiar scent.... warm and comforting.

Before we can knock, the door opens.

Marvin turns toward us. Sunlight spills through the window behind him, highlighting the tired lines under his eyes. He runs a hand through his messy hair and smiles softly.

“Jezz,” he says gently. “Are you okay? Did someone hurt you?”

Something inside me loosens.

“I’m fine,” I say. “Really.”

For the first time that morning, I breathe normally.

Maybe this is what falling in love feels like... calm in the middle of somewhere. Perhaps I really like him to be one of my closest friends of mine.

The others talk for a bit, but their voices fade into the background. I’m focused only on him.

When the bell rings, I turn to leave. He gives me a small nod, as if to say, "You’ll be okay" I nod back.

Joel grabs my arm. “It’ll get easier,” he whispers.

“What?” I ask.

He just smiles. Somehow, I believe him.

In math class, the “wink guy” is there again. He grins at me, but I look away and focus on the lesson. Time moves painfully slowly.

By the time I reach English class, the heaviness in my heart is gone now..

Teacher Marvin stands at the front of the room, looking better now... no dark circles, just that easy smile.

“Good morning, Jezz. How are you today?” he asks.

“Good morning, Sir. I’m good,” I reply, and I mean it.

As I sit down, I realize there is something strange. He’s not the only one who looks better, I do too.

The room fills with quiet chatter and moving notebooks. After I finish answering a question, I hear a whisper from the back.

“Suck up.”

It stings.

Marvin’s eyes shift to the back. “Do you have anything productive to add, Miss Guada?” he asks calmly.

The girl freezes. “No, Sir.”

Jade nudges me, trying not to laugh. The tension fades.

Lunch Time;

Joel and Jade lead me back to Teacher's Marvin’s room.

“Thanks, guys,” I say.

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

Inside, the air feels lighter. Marvin gestures to the seat beside him. I sit without thinking.

They talk about childhood memories... stealing mangoes, building slingshots, running from their mom’s scolding. Laughter fills the room. I watch my teacher Marvin as he talks. It’s more than admiration now. When his eyes meet mine, everything slows.

My heart raced, even this morning until I saw him. How could I ever run from this?

When they ask about my childhood, I talk about Surigao. They share stories about their father. Marvin speaks warmly, but there’s distance in his voice. The twins never met him.

I stay quiet, understanding their pain.

Afternoon Class;

A girl openly flirts with Marvin, giggling nonstop.

“Miss Danny,” he says firmly, “if you continue, I’ll move you to another elective. There’s a waiting list for this class.”

Her face turns red. “Sorry, Sir.”

I hide my smile behind my papers.

School Parking Lot;

After class, we meet again. Joel jokes about a girl who won’t stop flirting with him.

“Why don’t you like her?” I ask.

“We don’t date for fun,” he says seriously. “When you meet the right person, you’ll know.”

I glance at Marvin. He nods slightly, eyes lingering on me.

“Wow,” I whisper. “You’ve all grown serious.”

He smiles... quiet and unreadable.

When it’s time to leave, our eyes meet one last time.

“Tomorrow,” he says.

I nod, forcing a smile.

That night, I tried to study, but my thoughts drift back to him. My head aches. I take Tylenol, knowing it’s not just tiredness.

Mom knocks. “Are you okay? Should I call a doctor?”

“No, Mom. I just need sleep.”

I can’t tell her the truth.. Maybe it's a lovesick over my teacher. I close my eyes and hope to dream of him... without guilt.

"Tomorrow is the next day that feels heavy until I see him again". One look at his social media account, imagining his face and I can normally breathe now.

Before I fell asleep, a message pops up from Tagi:

"River picnic tomorrow! Come with us!" the tone of the message is, like they all invited me.

I smile and reply. "I look in the mirror. There’s color in my face again.

When I enter the English room, the air feels warm. The twins are there. And him.

We turn at the same time and laugh quietly.

“You okay?” he asks.

“I am now,” I answer.

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

I don’t ask what he means.

Maybe they already know.