𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞 [𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐱𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟]

13

Reign

***

"Good morning, our topic for today is aging and death. As we all know, aging is an inevitable process that encompasses various physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes. How do you think society's perception of aging has evolved over time? Anyone?" Bungad kong bati ng sandaling makapasok ako sa room.

Kita ko kung paanong nagsiayos ang mga estudyante mula sa kanya kanya nitong pinagkakaabalahan kanina bago ako dumating.

Ang iba'y halos madapa na marating lang ang mga upuan nito habang ang ilan naman ay tarantang inilibas ang notes.

Ganoon kasi ako pag nag d-discuss, I always tell them to take note all the important things I've discussed dahil malimit akong mag bigay ng surprised quiz.

I roam my eyes at the four sided room and scan the whole class hanggang sa may nakita akong estudyanteng nag taas ng kamay.

Si Buenaflor.

Hindi ko ito pinansin dahil kada may oral recitation ay ito palagi ang sumasagot at sinasalo ang mga kaklase nya. Pabor naman iyon sa iba dahil hindi sila nakakaramdam ng kaba at pressure tuwing sasagot pero hindi ko na hahayaan na ganon parin ang mangyayari ngayon.

"Aside from Buenaflor, how about the others?" I ask again ngunit agad na nag siiwas ang mga ito ng tingin takot na matawag.

"Gutierrez. . . what do you think about society's perception of aging has evolved over time?" I ask the guy at the back na tila walang pakialam kahit sumigaw pa ako sa unahan.

His eyed gaze at me at nanlalaki iyon halatang hindi inaasahan ang pagtawag ko sakanya.

Tanga, tsismis pa.

Yan kasi e, hindi nakikinig.

Good luck sayo pare.

I heard his squad murmured na halatang mas lalong nakapagbigay ng kaba rito.

Tinaasan ko ito ng kilay and signaled him to stand up bagay na ginawa naman nito ngunit ang mga tuhod nito ay nanginginig.

"What's your perception about my question, Gutierrez hmm?" I ask at lumapit kung saan ito naroon, nakayuko na ito at nilalaro ang kamay.

"I-I'm sorry miss—"

"Alright, I'll mark you zero in today's recitation. . . stand still and wait 'til my class ends." I said not giving him the chance to finish his statement.

"How about the others?"

"Ma'am, piliin niyo po kasi ako. . . palagi niyo nalang po akong nilalampasan e." Came from the girl who have all the guts to answer me as if I am not her professor.

I heaved a sighed and turned to her so I can see her freely, she was looking at me wearing her cheeky smile that made me mentally rolled my eyes.

"Okay, Buenaflor stand up and let me hear your answer." Sa sinabi kong iyon ay mas lumawak ang ngiti nito at buong kompiyansang tumayo.