Tutoring Hearts

Chapter 1

First day, first encounter?

"Ansel Zyaire, bumangon ka na r’yan at bumaba! You don't want to be late today!" sigaw ng tita Ansel.

Ansel didn't respond, instead he put on his socks and shoes, then after finishing up, he put his bag on his shoulder. Yep, he's already 30 minutes ready before his tita even called him.

Well, if there is one thing you want to know about Ansel, it is that he hates being late. He readies everything in advance so that he won't stress about it.

Nagising na rin kasi siya nang alas kwatro at hindi na nakatulog ulit kaya naisipan niyang ihanda na lahat ng kailangan para sa 6:30 AM class niya.

Pagtapos niyang mag-ayos ay saka na siya bumaba ng kwarto niya at dumiretso sa kusina.

"Anse—Oh, bihis ka na pala. Umupo ka na r'yan at kumain," his tita motioned her hands pointing at the chair. Nagluluto ito ng fried rice. Lumapit naman si Ansel sa tiya para humalik sa pisngi nito bago umupo, "Morning, Tita."

"Hmm, Good morning. Siya nga pala, aalis kami ng Tita Wendy mo, kaya hindi kita maihahatid ngayon. Okay lang ba?"

Bago pa man maisubo ni Ansel ang pagkain ay tumango ito, "Opo, tita. I actually intend to ride the bus today. Tsaka huwag niyo na po akong alalahanin, kaya ko na po. Thank you," ani Ansel at naglagay ng matamis na ngiti sa labi.

"Nako, malaki na talaga ang alaga ko..." his tita walks towards him. She cupped Ansel’s face with both hands and warmly looked at him. She couldn't stop the emotions from welling up in her eyes as she realized how much Ansel had grown and how independent he had become.

Long story short, his tita was the one who raised him. Ansel didn't actually meet his parents, he only knows them by names. So, Dianne, who is his biological mother's sister, took on the role of both parent and guardian for him.

"No, tita, you can't cry. Papangit ang makeup mo. May date ka pa," Ansel jokingly said, reaching out to wipe away the tears that threatened to escape his tita's eyes. He looked at her with a reassuring smile.

Tumawa naman ito, "You always know how to make me smile," aniya. "I'm just so proud of the person you've become."

Ansel hummed and hugged her, "Thank you, Tita. And don't worry, I'll always be here for you, just like you've always been there for me."

"Dianne, where's the ke—Oh. What's with the atmosphere?" They broke the hug when they heard someone.

"Good morning, Tita Wendy," Ansel turned to greet her and smiled.

Wendy chuckled at the sight of the two "Well, aren't you two just the sweetest?" she said. "I'm guessing I walked in on a touching moment?”

Mahinhin namang tumawa si Dianne at binaling ang tingin sa kaniya, "Nasa sala ang susi ng kotse. Aalis na ba tayo?"

"Yup. Bye, Zy! Good luck on your first day of school!” hirit ng Tita Wendy niya at lumabas na.

"O siya, mauuna na kami. Tapusin mo muna na ang kinakain mo bago ka umalis. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"Yes, tita. Ingat po!"

As they nodded in agreement, they bid Ansel farewell and made their way out of the house, leaving him to finish his meal in peace. Ansel took his time, before excusing himself to brush his teeth.

Agad na tinapos ni Ansel ang kaniyang gawi at lumabas ng pintuan. Naglakad siya nang kaunti papunta sa bus stop. Nang makarating, nakita niya ang bus na papalapit na.

The bus thrummed with the eager anticipation of a new school year. Inside, the students clamored for seats, their voices mingling into a symphony of anticipation and excitement. As usual, maraming estudyante ang masayang nakikipagkwentuhan tungkol sa mga sari-sariling ganap nitong bakasyon.