"Nothing can compare to your first true love. So I hope this will remind you when it's real, it's forever. So don't forget about us." - Mariah Carey
Habang nagkikipag meeting ako sa President, iniwan ko muna si Nuelle sa secretary sa Reception area ng President's room. Pinakiusapan ko na pakitignan muna. "Please watch over her. Behaved naman yan. If she can sit on that corner so she can draw and write." Since cute and smart si Nuelle, hindi nakatanggi si Bianca.
Sa meeting inexplain sa akin ang scope ng job ko as Dean for Academic Affairs, ang remuneration package (inclusive of free tuition ni Nuelle). Binigyan ako ng Student Handbook and College Handbook for Professors and SOPs ng university. "These will be your guide but through the course of time, you can make recommendations on how to improve the rules and guidelines. I know you are good at this because you had been an Assistant HR Manager," sabi ni President Leona Carbonell.
Napangiti lang ako. She continued, "By the way, we will have an acquaintance party to welcome you. Are you free today at lunch time?"
"Yes, very much so," ang matipid kong sagot. "Thank you."
Lingid sa aking kaalaman may ganap na palang nangyayari sa Reception.
Narinig kong boses ni Nuelle pero hindi ko maintindihan dahil naka-focus ako kay Leona.
"Daddy, why are you here?" Tanong niya Kay Wilber na kapapasok lang sa Office of the President. Sabay tayo niya at tumungo kay Wilber at yumakap ito.
"Little girl, I don't know you're here. What are you doing here? Where's your mommy?" Tugon niya.
"Answer me first. I asked you why you are here?" Pilyang sagot ng anak ko with a wide smille and eyes twinkling.
Napangiti na lang si Wilber at pinaunlakan ang tanong ng bata. "I have a meeting with the President."
Nuelle giggled. "So is my mom. She's inside that room."
"Is that so?" Kinarga niya si Nuelle papunta sa table kung saan ito nanggaling. Umupo sila ng pangko pa niya ang anak namin. "What are you busy doing here?"
"Oh, I drew a picture of our family. There you are and mommy. I'm the one in the middle. We are a happy family. See, the smile on our faces because we love each other."
Na-amuse si Wilber sa inaakala niyang innocent fantasy ng bata. Mula sa kinaroroonan ni Bianca naririnig niyang usapan ng dalawa. "Hindi ko alam married ka na pala, Dean?"
"Very much a bachelor pa ako. But, Nuelle thinks I am her father," explained ni Wilber. "Nasa loob pala ang mommy niya?"
"Oo, siya kasi ang papalit kay Ms. Rosales."
Parang cue namin, niyaya na akong lumabas ng kwarto ni Leona for the University tour. Parang kinurot ang puso ko sa eksenang tumambad sa akin. Kampanteng nakaupo sa lap ni Wilber si Nuelle.
Naunahan ako ni Leona. "Wilber, you're early for our meeting. Let me introduce Arya to you, she will be Letlet's replacement starting Monday. Wilber is the Dean of the College of Law."
With a curt smile, sumagot si Wilber. "We already met at the airport. Apparently, she was a former student. But, I did not know that we will be co-workers. Nice to see you again, Ms. Labrador and welcome to the fold." Really Wilber, Ms. Labrador? Sa isip ko lang.
Ngumiti ako. "Iniistorbo ka na naman ba ni Nuelle?"
"Not really, parang nasasanay na ako sa kanya," ang simpleng sagot niya.
Para hindi na humaba ang usapan, nagpaalam na ako, "I'll go ahead. Ieenroll ko pa si Nuelle. I hope hindi maraming tao."
Si Wilber ang sumagot. "There's not much of a long line."
"Thank you for the info. We'll go now. See you around."
Nagsalita si Leona, "Arya, don't forget our lunch party for you. You can bring along Nuelle. And, Atty. Laureno, I expect you to be there."
"And the queen bee commanded," Pabirong sagot ni Wilber. At sabay silang tumawa. That laugh, how could I forget. I missed it so much and so is the man.
Mabilis lang kami nakapag-enroll. Sa Faculty Hall ang lunch pero sumilip muna kami sa office ko. May reception area din siya tulad ng Office of the President pero mas malaki ang aking space. Siguro dahil sa outpour ng students once nag start na ako. Malakas maka-vibe ang atmosphere ng office ko. I felt I already belong.
Pag labas namin ng kwarto, nakasabay namin si Wilber. What a big coincidence, magkatabi pala ang aming office. "Are you ready? Para lang may masabi ang lolo niyo.
"On yes! Going there?" Counter question ko. At himala ng himala, tahimik si Nuelle at nakikinig lang.
"How are you little girl?" Pagbati niya sa aming anak.
Ngumiti lang siya at humawak na sa akin. Tahimik kaming tatlo na pumunta sa hall.
Sumusulyap-sulyap si Nuelle sa ama. Pag nahuhuli siya ni Wilber, nagngingitian lang sila sabay ang batang iiwas at titingin sa iba. Nagkakaasiwaan kaming tatlo.
Ilang minuto pa, nakarating na kami sa hall sa wakas. That was the most tedious walk na naranasan ko. Hope hindi na maulit.
Chikahan. Introduction. Kainan. That is the luncheon all about. Nilingon ko so Wilber, bored na siya. I know for a fact na ayaw niya sa mga ganitong functions unless gatherings with family and friends. Tumayo na siya. Akala ko mag wowalk out na instead nilapitan niya si Nuelle.
"You want company, little girl?" Lambing niya dito pero tinignan lang siya ng anak ko.
"Are we good? Is there something wrong?"
ESTÁS LEYENDO
I Love You, My Handsome Prof!
Romance"I Love You, My Handsome Prof" is the second series in My "I Love You Series" collections. And it will be my first time to write in the first person and in Taglish. It is a simple story of love that started in the campus and off. Boy meets girl. Boy...
