Gerald parked his car behind a blue Montero, which was already parked in front of the school. This is Carlie’s first day at her new job. He decided to show his support for her by bringing her to work.
“So are you ready, Sweety?” Gerald asked.
“Yup but very nervous.”
“Don’t be. I know you’ll do great. I’m sure your students will love you.”
“I sure hope so. Okay, I’m gonna go down na. ‘Wag ka na bumaba. I’ll walk up to the gate on my own, pampalakas ng loob. Ha… ha…ha!”
“Are you sure?”
“Very sure.”
“What time do you get off? Susunduin na lang kita?”
“I’m out by four.”
“Sige, hintayin mo lang ako. Susunduin kita.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later. Bye. Love you,” sabi ni Carlie sabay halik kay Gerald.
Sinundan ng tanaw ni Gerald ang kasintahan hanggang makita na n’yang nakapasok na ito sa loob ng school premises. Nang aandar na sana s’ya ay napansin naman n’ya na bumukas ang passenger door ng sasakyang nasa unahan n’ya. Nagulat s’ya nang mapansin n’yang mukhang pamilyar ang mukha ng babaeng bumaba mula rito. His gaze followed the person as she walked towards the gate but was suddenly blocked by 3 other people who walked behind her. “S’ya ba ‘yun? Bakit parang kamukha n’ya? Mas mahaba lang ang buhok pero parang s’ya talaga ‘yun eh,” sabi n’ya sa sarili. “You’re just imagining things. Let it go.” Nagkibit-balikat na lamang s’ya at nagsimula nang paandarin ang kanyang sasakyan.
Nakapagsimula na ang klase ni Sarah sa Kinder class nang may biglang kumatok sa pinto ng classroom n’ya. Pagbukas n’ya ay nakatayo sa labas si Mrs. Padilla, ang school principal, at sa likod n’ya ay isa pang babae.
“Good morning Mrs. Padilla,” ang bati ni Sarah.
“Hi Teacher Sarah. I’m here to introduce to you the new teacher who will be taking over your class. Sarah meet Carlie Mendoza. Carlie this is Sarah Geronimo.”
Nagkamay ang dalawa at makalipas ang ilang minuto ilan pang mga bilin ay umalis na si Mrs. Padilla at pumasok naman sa loob ng classroom si Carlie. Ipinakilala muna ni Sarah ang bagong guro sa mga bata bago nagpatuloy sa pagtuturo. Sa loob ng isa’t kalahating oras pa ay tinuruan ni Sarah si Carlie ng mga dapat gawin sa klase, kung saan makikita at nakatago ang mga bagay-bagay at kung anu-ano pa.
Sarah filed her resignation 3 weeks ago. She has planned to take Early Childhood Development for more than 2 years and just recently she was able to enroll for the post graduate course. But to be able to accommodate her school schedule, she had to give up her current job and find another job that’s close to the university and one that would allow her to be a part-time teacher only. And now that everything’s settled, she had one more week to turn over everything to the new teacher.
