Daisy Is Under Her Spell

Chapter Four

Cassandra

It's Wednesday now, which means that I have to attend the night class of the third year students na hina-handle ko sa law subject nila. Aside from being a part-time teacher, I am also working at a law firm and an owner of a restaurant, where I am currently eating right now. I have to go by five thirty if I don't want to be late, considering na baka traffic na ngayon.  Ayaw ko pa namang nala-late. After finishing my food, I went inside sa small office space ko and packed my things. Binilin ko na rin ang manager sa mga kailangan niyang gawin because I won't be around for the next days dahil magiging busy kami sa firm.

  After making sure that my things are packed inside my bag, I head out na. Thankfully, hindi matraffic ngayong araw na ito so I arrived by five forty. I immediately went sa assigned room, not wanting to see the face of one of the proof na ayaw tumigil sa kaka-message sa akin. It was really annoying at kahit na sinabi kong tigilan ako, ayaw pa rin talaga. Kung hindi lang talaga siya ang department head, baka matagal ko na 'yung binlock.

  When I got there, several students are already sitting in their respective seats. May ibang nabigla sa pag-pasok ko, but they all greet me and continued to read on their book. I'm guessing nag la-last minute study sila para sa short quiz and recitations for today. Inayos ko muna ang gamit ko at tsaka nag scroll saglit sa emails ko to check if there are important stuffs there. Ilang minuto pa ay mas dumami na rin ang tao sa loob so I decided to start.

  "It's already five-fifty eight so please settle down and get ready with our class for today. Binasa n'yo ba ang article na sinabi ko?"
 
  "Opo,"
  "Yes, miss,"
  "Medyo,"
  "Yes!"

  Samut-saring sagot ang natanggap ko mula sa mga ito kung kaya ay tumango nalang ako at binigyan sila ng tipid na ngiti. I've been there, done that. "Okay, great. So it's now six and let's start our quiz. Get a one-half crosswise and—" natigil ang pagsasalita ko nang biglang nagbukas ang pinto at tsaka pumasok ang dalawang istudyanteng hinihingal.

  Her again!

  "Both of you are," I stopped to check my wristwatch for the time, "Three minutes late in my class."

  "We're sorry, Miss. We went sa canteen po kasi to eat dinner," sagot ng kasama ni little miss trouble. I'm going to call her that kasi palagi naman itong pahamak.

  I raised my brow at them and motioned for them to take a seat. "I'm sorry class let me insert this lang. I understand na nakakagutom ang time ng class natin, and most of you prefer to eat before our class but please make sure not to get late sa klase ko. I don't like it kapag may late. This is going to be the last time na magpapapasok ako sa inyo ng late. Even if it's just a minute." Inilibot ko ang tingin ko sa kanilang lahat, at nagtama na ngayon ang paningin namin ni little miss trouble. "In instances where you'll be coming in late, it's better na huwag nalang kayong pumasok. Respect my time as I respect yours. Are we clear?"

  Everyone nodded their head and that girl also did, looking shy as ever habang sinisiko ang kasama niyang na-late din.

  Ang kulit talaga.
 
  Nagsimula na ako sa quiz and we ended after ten minutes. Then I started my lecture proper about the introduction. It took me almost an hour to finish explaining just three articles and the basic essentials and characteristics of the law itself, but I'm glad na naintindihan lang din nila.
After lecture, I gave them a five minute break bago ako nagsimula sa recitation.

  "Okay, I got your index cards with me. Those who can't answer, please remain standing until I tell you to sit. Don't get pressured, I'm only doing this as a practice and also as a way for you to learn. I won't stake you for giving me the wrong answer, so just answer what you've learned and always speak in English, " I explained, and then started shuffling the cards. Nararamdaman ko ang kaba sa mga mukha nila. I'm not actually enjoying their nervousness, pero kailangan ko rin itong gawin for them to be responsible in studying and answering recitations. "Okay, first up, Tania Vergara."