Chapter 9

Is it the little things that Elijah does for me that make me like him more each day? I don't even think about the possibility that he might not feel the same way. What's important to me right now isn't what will happen in the future.

It's seeing him up close like this, treating me with care and just... being with him every day.

"Do you like more?"

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya nang pagkatapos niya tanungin 'yon sa akin ay hindi naman niya hinintay ang sagot ko. He put two spoonful of rice in my plate. Kumuha rin siya ng dalawang kutsara ng ulam. Ngayon ang paubos nang laman ng pinggan ko ay puno na naman.

"I don't like to gain weight, Eli."

I have a dietitian. I'm not obsessed with my weight, it's more that I don't like hearing negative comments from my grandfather. He may always say that I only care about my appearance, but he also told me that looking good and presentable is a must. Kailangan maging maganda ako, iyong hindi mapapahiya ang aming pamilya lalo na siya--it's always like that.

I