Margin of Error

Chapter Twenty-Three

I was halfway through my iced latte when the bell above the coffee shop door chimed.
I didn't need to look I knew that distinct click of heels anywhere.

"Deahyah."
Professor Castro's voice was calm, but her eyes they scanned the room until they landed on me, like she'd been looking for something or someone.

"Ma'am," I greeted, forcing a smile. "Small world."

She stepped closer, setting her leather tote on the chair opposite mine. "Mind if I join you?"

I shrugged. "Free country."

She sat, ordered a flat white from the passing barista, then fixed her gaze on me. "How are you? After the festival?"

"Okay lang. Medyo pagod, but that's normal." I stirred my drink, trying to act casual.

Her lips curved faintly. "And Mira?"

I froze for a split second before forcing a laugh. "Ang kulit niyo sa topic na 'yan, ma'am."

"I'm just curious." She leaned forward slightly. "The way you looked when she appeared it wasn't indifference."

"Syempre. People from the past have that effect," I said, my voice lighter than I felt. "Pero tapos na 'yun. Hindi na siya part ng buhay ko."

Her eyes softened, but her words were precise. "You say that, but your body language says otherwise."

I smirked, leaning back. "Body language expert pala kayo, ha."

"I observe," she replied simply, sipping her coffee as it arrived. "Especially when it comes to people I find intriguing."

My stomach did that stupid flip again, but I masked it by glancing out the window. "Baka ma-misinterpret ko na naman 'yan, ma'am."

She chuckled, low and almost private. "Then perhaps I should start being more intentional with my words."

The barista passed by with a tray, breaking the moment. I grabbed my drink, focusing on the condensation on the glass instead of her eyes.

"Anyway," I said, "some chapters in life are better left closed."

"Perhaps," she agreed, but there was something in her tone like she wasn't ready to let this particular chapter go just yet.

She stirred her coffee slowly, eyes fixed on me as if she was weighing each word.
"Do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"Deflect with humor when the topic gets uncomfortable."

I huffed a small laugh. "Hindi naman sa ganun. It's just that some things are easier to laugh about than to explain."

She tilted her head slightly. "That sounds lonely."

Her choice of word hit deeper than I expected. I shrugged, trying to play it off. "Ganun talaga minsan. You can't expect everyone to understand you."

"I'd like to try," she said softly.

That made me look at her. Her eyes were steady, not the sharp, evaluative look she had in class, but warmer. Curious. Almost vulnerable.

"You don't have to," I murmured.

"Maybe I want to." She leaned forward a little, resting her elbows on the table. "From the first time I heard you speak in class, I knew there was more to you than what you let people see."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "And I thought you just hated me for being too outspoken."

Her lips curved into a slow smile. "I don't hate you, Deahyah. Far from it."