He Who Never Liked A Girl Before

CHAPTER 38

"I'm fine here, Ma."

Napapikit ako nang sa wakas ay nakalabas na ako at nasagot na ang tawag. She's been calling me at the middle of my class and because I already knew what our conversation will be like, I didn't bother to answer her call yet. Nagbibigay ako sa mga estudyante ng quiz at ayaw kong maabala iyon para lamang sagutin ang tawag na pare-pareho din lamang naman ang ipinupunto.

"Oh, you're being a big fish in a small pond again!" She groaned on the other line. Natawa ako nang marinig na naman ang pagrereklamo niya sa pang-isang libo na yatang beses.

Noong una, she's stressed when she learned that I went back here. Aniya, dito na nga ako nag-aral ng halos labingtatlong taon, dito pa ako magtuturo. But I dug in my heels that will teach here.

"I want here," sambit ko sa pang-isang libong beses na rin. Although she's pretty persistent on telling me to quit, I'm also persevere that this is what I want to do. This is what I am aiming since when I was just studying. This is what I want to end up to in the future. And now that I have already accomplished it, no one could ever stop me from doing this.

"Maraming opportunities sa Manila, Cania! Susmeyo! Bakit mo naman ni-reject agad? You should have consulted me first!"

Gusto kong takpan ang mga tenga ko para hindi na marinig ang mga sinasabi niya pero wala ring bisa ang mga iyon. I have already memorized her litany. Paulit-ulit ba namang sinasabi.

I glanced at the students standing beside the pathway. Agaran ang magalang nilang pagngiti na sinundan agad ng pagbati.

"Good morning, Ma'am!" bati ng mga nakakasalubong kong estudyante. Tumango ako at ibinalik iyon.

"Goodmorning." Lumiko ako sa tahimik na daan sa tabi lamang ng mga klasrum ng mga grade seven. I grazed the corridor silently, aware that they are in the middle of the class now.

"Thank you for being concerned, Ma. But like I told you, I am fine here. This is where I want to teach. This is what I want," I said the last words with emphasis. "And besides, pumayag naman si Papa." Pinakiramdaman ko ang sasabihin niya pero hindi dumating. "You're just the only one who's not cool about it."

She cleared her throat. Nagsalita siya pagkalipas pa ng ilang sandali.

"Sus! Ewan ko ba naman diyan sa Papa mo at pinayagan kang diyan na magturo. E, diyan ka na nga nag-aral noong estudyante ka pa lang!"

"Because Papa is considering what I want?" patanong kong saad, ang layunin ay asarin siya.

"At ako hindi? Of course, I am also considering what you...want." Rinig ko ang medyo pag-aalangan niyang sabihin iyon. Napangisi na naman ako. I guess, it will be just a piece of cake for me this time to convince her. "Well, uh..."

"If that's the case, you must not be a hindrance on doing what I want to do, Ma. Okay lang ako dito. I am not even experiencing difficulty because I am doing my passion." Nagkibit-balikat ako, malakas na ang hinala na makukumbinsi ko na siya sa mga oras na ito. I've been looking forward for peace of mind and maybe, I am going to acquire it now. This time. After all those cruel years for me.

"I am not being a hindrance, 'no?" I heard her heaved a sigh on the other line. "Okay! Just tell me in case you changed your mind!" tawad pa niya. "Big opportunities are going on your way but you're just rejecting them? You must avoid shooing those away, anak! Because you...deserve all of them!"

Natigilan ako sa huling sinabi niya. But I opted answering her casually. "I guess you're finally cool with what I want?"

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "Ano pa nga ba? And besides, you're of age. You already knew what is good for you, Cania. And now I'm afraid that I can't do my role as a mother anymore. Hindi mo na tinatanggap ang mga suhestiyon ko!"