Breaking Ice

Breaking Part: Twelve

The kids formed two straight lines, magkahiwalay ang boys and girls, at nag hihintay nalang lumabas. Kailangan ni Ice ihatid ang mga ito sa waiting area ng parents.

Bago pa makapag salita si Ice, may batang nag taas ng kamay sa dulo ng linya ng boys.

Nakilala niya agad ito dahil sa chubby nitong pisngi. "Yes, Four?"

"Teacher Ice sasama pa po ba ako pag labas? My Kuya Uno is here na po."

Ice slowly turns her head to Uno's direction. He's already staring at her, looking amused.

"He's my little brother if it wasn't obvious enough." Uno said.

Dang it. Bakit hindi ko napansin agad?

They call the students by their first names or nicknames. Malay ba niyang may Romero siyang student ngayon!

"You can go with your brother, Four." Ngiti ni Ice sa bata.

Uno and Four were the only ones left in the room nang hinatid ni Ice ang mga bata sa waiting area ng parents. She did her best to get away from Uno's stares because for some reason, it makes her uncomfortable. It's like he invaded this part of her life na hindi naman dapat. Two parts of her world collided.

Inexpect niyang wala na ang dalawa pag balik niya they're still there. She saw Uno leaning down while talking to Four. Tumayo agad si Uno nang makita si Ice.

"Pinapasabi pala ni Dos na hindi siya pwede ngayon kasi may training kami mamaya."

Inexpected na niya iyon kahit na wala pang text si Dos sa kanya kaya tinanguan nalang niya ito. Syempre ibubuhos nila ang lahat ng oras nila sa finals. Ni anino ni Dos ay wala siyang nakita ngayong linggo.

"Teacher Ice! Teacher Ice!" Patalon talon na tawag ni Four sa kanya. Ang mga gamit nito ay si Uno ang may dala kaya maligalig pa din ito kahit uwian na.

She leans down to Four's level and smiled. "Hindi pa kayo uuwi?"

"Hindi pa po. Kakain pa po kami ni Kuya ng mini donuts!"

Ice chuckled. Gusto niyang kurutin ang chubby nitong pisngi! Nakakagigil!

Biglang kinuha ni Four ang braso ni Ice at kumapit dito like a cute little koala. "Sama ka Teacher Ice!"

"But Four -"

"Kuya won't mind," nguso nito bago bumaling sa kapatid. "Diba Kuya?"

"I won't mind." Ngiti pabalik ni Uno sa kapatid.

"Teacher Ice sama ka na!" Ngumuso muli si Four.

She remembers him as the clingy kid during their first week, halos naka dikit na ito sa tagiliran niya noon during their story time. He's really cute so Ice doesn't mind. Even at the age of 6, Four knew how to use his Romero charm well.

"Oo nga, Teacher Ice."

Ice wanted to give Uno a side eye because subtle teases are starting again.

"Fine, I'll go. But I have to clean up first before I leave."

"We'll help you!" Excited na saad ni Four.

"Anong kailangan gawin?" Uno asked.

Inutos nalang ni Ice ang mga kailangan gawin, the room is already clean kasi ang bata mismo ang nag ligpit ng mga kalat nila kanina. Kailangan nalang niya tanggalin iyong mga play mat at mag walis.

Nang matapos sila, kay Ice na kumapit si Four palabas. Ayaw nitong tumigil sa pag tawag ng pangalan niya.

She bet he got it from his other brother.