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Chapter 01: First & Last Class

CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY

A private catholic international university that costs big time here. Magiging sulit naman ang babayaran kasi malaki ang school na 'to. But I was offered to study here for free. How lucky of me.

Tumakbo na ako paderetso sa loob at hinanap ang Physics Classroom, my first subject. Kanina pa ako naliligaw but then naalala ko may mapa palang binigay saakin si tito. Hinabol ko muna ang hininga ko at nagpahinga sa gilid. Turns out, nasa kabilang building pala. Sooooo lucky!

After ilang minutes ng pagtatakbo at pag-iingay ng sneakers sa hallway, nakarating din sa wakas.

Huminga muna ako nang malalim nang ilang beses bago dahan-dahang buksan ang pinto. Ang lamig ng salubong saakin ng aircon dito kaya mas lalong nagtindig ang mga balahibo ko, dagdag mo pa ang tingin ng mga estudyante rito... not to mention the professor.

Sinara ko na rin agad ang pinto pagkapasok dahil mukhang inaantay nila akong maghanap ng upuan. Mukhang wala namang pake ang mga estudyante rito dahil binalik din nila ang mga tingin nila sa linelecture ng prof. Mukhang wala ring pake 'yung prof na late ako. Phew. Pumunta ako sa pinakataas na bahagi ng mga upuan at doon sa pinakadulo. Gusto ko kasi 'yung nakikita ko lahat ng mga estudyante.

Pagkaupo ko'y natapos na rin ang professor sa sinusulat niya sa whiteboard. He then looked at me.

"New student? I see. Please give a round of applause for..." His eyes scan his notebook. "Ms. Atwood."

I've never been so confused. Hindi ko alam kung masaya sila o napipilitan lang dahil bigla silang nagpalakpakan no'ng na-mention 'yung pangalan ko. O pinagttripan lang nila ako.

"I'm Professor Bob, but you can call me Professor B. Yes! I'm that B." He even winked at me.

Napansin kong inililigpit na ng mga estudyante ang kanilang notebooks at inilabas ang kanilang mga gadgets. Why? What's happening? Then I realized nung lahat sila nagsibukasan ng Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat at kung anu-ano pa sa kanilang gadgets.

Yep. I know where this is going.

"I've been a Physics professor for 20 years in Creighton, can you guess my age? No? Pfft. Don't be shy, I know I look at least 25." He laughed on his own. I faked a laugh.

Kalbo siya, he has a visible burn on his neck. He's wearing a blue polo shirt at slacks na brown. May salamin din siya na mukhang makapal ang grado. He uses a lapel so that everyone hears him in this large classroom.

"Your name's Courage, right?" I nod, confused with his odd demeanor. Telling my name in the whole class, I feel like I'm being embarrassed for some reason. "Ah, what a nice name. You're lucky since you'll be the last student written here in my records; I'll be resigning this month to rest. Of course, the principal doesn't know it yet. Mas nauna pa kayo! Surprise!"

In contrast of my negative judgment towards him—students were in awe. Nakikinig pala sila kahit busy sila kakadutdot sa kanilang gadgets. They must be close with the professor; it explains why Professor B did not get angry when they used their gadgets in the middle of class. Kunwari pang kinilig si Professor B na tinawa ng mga estudyante. I did not try to join their fun. Baka matawag nanaman akong saling pusa.

"Don't worry you guys, I've been a teacher for 20 years and I've never missed out any names nor students. I know everyone here in Creighton. Unlike that 60-year-old professor from Boyne that forgot his favorite student's name."

"Talk about being humble," tawa ulit niya. This time, mas onti na ang nakitawa.

Marami pa siyang nakuwento pero hindi na kaya ng utak ko ang masyadong maraming impormasyon. Pumipikit-pikit na rin ako.