My Professor is an Eyesore

Lesson 34

Lesson 34

Recap

Upon reading RR's text I immediately swatted Neil's hand away from mine. He was taken aback by what I just did but I cannot risk a misunderstanding with RR something if he sees this.

"I'm sorry, Cheska-"

"Pababa kasi si RR. Baka kung ano na namang maisip niya."

Napansin kong umurong siya papalayo sa akin. Nakatingin lang siya sa sapatos niya.

"Neil, I don't mean to offend you. Ayaw ko lang na mag-away kami ni RR dahil sa'yo. You two already had a terrible past."

"Hindi naman ako na-offend. It was rude touching your hand without your permission din. Especially you're married. Wala akong ibang intensyon, I promise. Gusto ko lang maging magkaibigan pa rin tayo."

Sasagot na rin ako sa kanya pero narinig ko ang boses ni RR.

"Cheska!"

"I'm here!" I shouted back as I waved my hand.

He casually jogged towards my direction with a jacket in his arms. Nang makita niyang nasa tabi ko si Neil, pansin ko agad ang pagkunot ng noo niya.

"Hey," bati niya kay Neil.

"Musta pinsan?" Tumayo si Neil para tapikin ang balikat ni RR.

"Okay as usual." His response was dry.

"Hmm good to know. Sige una na ako. Bye, Cheska. See you tomorrow." Lumingon siya sa akin at bahagyang ngumiti.

Nang tumalikod na siya at nagsimulang maglakad, tinawag siya ni RR.

"Hindi ka ba magpapaalam sa'kin?"

I heard Neil's chuckle and he continued to walk away from us.

"What's his problem?" he hissed. "Plus he's always around you." Iniladlad niya ang jacket at saka pinatong sa braso ko.

Lumuhod siya sa harapan ko at hinawakan ang mga kamay ko. "It's really cold here."

"But I like the serenity here. Tabihan mo na lang ako para di ako lamigin." I smiled teasingly at him.

His face lit up upon my reply and he quickly lay down on the deck chair and spread his right arm. He tapped it with his left hand and said, "Lie here."

I shook my head jokingly. "Dami mong alam, RR. Can you not?!" I said while I giggled.

Instead of replying, he pulled me beside him and snuggled me. "Hey..." ani ko habang tumitingin sa paligid. "Nasa labas tayo. Ang PDA naman nito."

His eyes are closed. "So what? I'm just hugging you." He embraced me tighter.

"Sa pool area pa talaga ha? RR, pa'no 'pag may nakakita sa'tin dito na taga-Fridgeson din."

"Wala 'yan," hinigpitan pa niya lalo ang yakap sa akin. "Ikaw kasi ayaw mo pang umakyat sa unit."

"Fine, let's go back to the unit na lang."

He loosened his hug and sat bolt upright. "Really? But how about your so-called serenity?"

I rolled my eyes. "I can't have my peace of mind if you're here."

He just grinned and pulled me back inside the building. Hinayaan ko lang siya na i-lead ako. Umuulit na naman sa isip ko ang conversation namin ni Neil kanina.

We stepped into the elevator. RR kept his arm draped over my shoulders.

Ang hindi ko maintindihan bakit ang bilis pa rin ng tibok ng puso ko ngayon. Is it because he just confessed to me? Or I panicked that RR might catch us? Catch? I mean, we're not doing anything wrong, right?

"Hey." RR nudged my waist. "Ang tahimik mo. Is there anything wrong?"

Anything wrong? I think everything is wrong.

I bit my lip and a tear fell from my eye.

"Cheska. Tumingin ka sa akin." He cupped my face and looked into my eyes intently as if he was looking for answers in my gaze. He must have sensed the confusion in my eyes when I saw his forehead creased.

The elevator beeped signalling that it reached our floor. We stepped outside and walked slowly towards the unit.

He did not speak anymore further but just held my hand.

"RR," I broke the silence between us. "I'm sorry if I am being weird. So much has happened today and yesterday. Hindi ko na talaga alam kung paano iha-handle 'to."

"I understand. I'm sorry if I'm being too clingy tulad kanina sa pool. I wanted to cheer you up but-"

"No, wala namang issue doon. I appreciate it and thank you so much." Nasa tapat na kami ng pinto ng unit namin. I tiptoed a bit and kissed him on the cheek.

His smile almost reached his ears. Binuksan niya ang pinto at hinatak ako sa loob. When he closed the door behind us, I was surprised when his arms wrapped around my waist.

"Andito lang ako lagi para sa'yo. I love you..." He declared as he kissed the top of my head.

* * *

Phil. Histo class was pretty normal except that Neil never looked at me. Not that I wanted him to but I just wonder why. Did his confession last night break our friendship?

"That's all for today, class, I'll send the next module to your emails. Don't forget to check them tonight."

Sinadya kong magpahuling lumabas sa classroom. Nang sigurado na akong wala nang iba nasa loob kundi ako at si Neil na lang lumapit ako sa kanya habang nag-aayos siya ng gamit.

"Neil..."

"Any concerns about the lesson kanina?" It is very obvious that his eyes are not meeting mine.

I crossed my arms. "I get it. You're trying to avoid me."

He opened his mouth as if he was about to say something but momentarily decided to keep it shut instead.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why? Dahil ba kagabi?"

"It was a dumb move, I'm sorry."

"You're sorry that you confessed to me?"

"Yes and because it's futile knowing you're already married!" His face spelled bitterness. "I should have kept it to myself," he mumbled.

"Kailangan bang iwasan ako - maski ng tingin?" I asked.

I think I hit a nerve. It's the first time he looked agitated. "Cheska, 'di mo kasi maintindihan? How can I resist falling for you if I always see you?"

Nagulat ako sa sagot niya. "Are you that serious?"

"Do you think this is easy for me? I'm falling for the wrong person twice!"

"I'm sorry..."

"You don't need to be. Ako dapat yung mag-sorry for adding you the troubles. Again, it was a dumb move."

When he finished packing his stuff, he started to walk. Lumingon siya sa akin at sinabing, "kung hindi lang sana kayo ang kinasal."

"What do you mean?" I walked after him until the doorway.

He stopped in his tracks. "It was actually I who had to marry you." His eyes radiated regrets and with that he left me.