We are currently in the classroom and we are just done watching the commercials for ER Collections prepared by all of the groups.
"Congratulations everyone! It will be hard for me and the ER Collections committee to choose the best commercial but I won't give scores lower than 95 because you all made an effort and I am moved by your advertisements. The chosen commercial will be uploaded three months from now and by that time you are in your second semester in Graduate School. I will just give a heads up to your leaders." Professor Eira is smiling at everyone inside this classroom because truly, all of the groups made exemplary advertisements for ER Collections. Walang basura sa mga videos, hindi puchu puchu para makapasa, talagang pinaghandaan.
Eversince what happened in Batangas, hindi na kami nakapag-usap ni Professor Rodriguez. Parang wala lang din naman sa kanya yung nangyari. Pumapasok ako sa classroom na hindi man lang kami nagpapansinan unless if there are graded recitations. Mabuti na rin yun para ma maintain ko ang paging estudyante ko sa subject niya. Mabuti na rin para maiwasan ang feelings ko na lumalim pa lalo.
"Also, I would like to request the President and Vice President of this class to go to my office at 5:30 pm. We will talk about the upcoming Engagement Activity in United Kingdom since I am the Student Council Adviser." She looked at me and Chinee.
"That's all for today and class dismissed." Professor Eira blurted out habang sinasarado niya ang Macbook niya.
Nakita ko naman si Marcus na palapit sa akin habang palabas ako ng classroom. Alam ko na ang gusto niyang mangyari.
"Athena, yung pinag-usapan natin for Stella to join the Engagement Activity. If you could help her at least. I am counting on you." Sinabayan ako ni Marcus palabas ng classroom.
"I will try to talk to Professor Rodriguez later, Marcus. I hope she listens to me." Iniisip ko pa lang na kakausapin ko siya mamaya, nahihiya na ako. Pero para kay Stella, I have to do this.
Naiwan kami ni Chinee sa Hallway habang pinapanood sila Marcus na pababa ng hagdanan.
"Anong gagawin mo, Athena? For President and Vice President lang ang Engagement Activity sa London. Budgeted iyon ng University. Paano mo gagawan ng paraan si Stella? Don't tell me ibibigay mo yung slot sa kanya?" Nakakunot na tanong ni Chinee.
"I really would like to help her, Chinee and besides I've been to London a couple of times already. She needs this more than me." Naaawang sagot ko kay Chinee.
"I don't know if the University will allow this but let's see." Chinee blurted out. She has not been to London and only me could help Stella on this. This will be a good opportunity for Chinee because she wants exposure.
Narinig naman namin ang takong na papalapit sa aming direksyon. It's Professor Rodriguez na kakalabas lang ng classroom namin. Ang hirap lang dahil hindi ko na siya mahahawakan dahil kahit gustuhin ko, hindi talaga kami pwede at hindi niya ako gusto kaya umiiwas ako sa kanya.
"I'll wait for you girls later in my office. The other student leaders will also be there from Block B." She told us ng makarating siya sa pwesto namin.
Tinitigan ko lang siya without saying anything. Kaya si Chinee na lang ang nagsalita.
"Yes, Professor Eira. We will meet you there later."
Tumingin naman ang Propesor sa akin nag-aantay ng kasagutan ko. I just nodded in response. Hindi ko siya kayang kausapin.
Naglakad naman siya palayo sa amin upang dumiretso sa susunod niyang klase.
"Bakit parang ang cold mo kay Professor Rodriguez? Pansin ko lang ha.. after the incident in Batangas dahil sa dare niya sa'yo. Ano ba sabi sa'yo nung taong gusto mo? Sabagay kahit ako, hindi ko kayang maglakas ng loob na magsabi sa taong gusto ko tapos may gusto na palang iba. It takes guts but you still managed to do it, Athena! Kakaiba ka!" Chinee told me at the same time she feels sorry for me because of what happened.
"Actually, wala siyang sinabi. Seen zoned nga ako, e. Pero mas mabuti na yun kesa sabihin niya talaga mismong harap harapan ko na hindi niya ako gusto." I gave her a reassuring smile.
"I'm just here if you're ready to share your story. Hindi kita pipilitin. Halika na nga! Pumunta na lang tayo ng Cafeteria. Inaantay na tayo nila Matthew" Sabay hila sa akin ni Chinee.
I am not yet ready to tell her about Professor Rodriguez lalo pa at mag classmates sila during their Under Graduate years. I will just tell her kapag wala na akong feelings kay Professor Rodriguez.
After all of our classes, sabay kami ni Chinee na dumiretso sa office ni Professor Eira sa De Luna Hall Building. Nakabukas naman ang pintuan at sabay na kaming pumasok.
Nakita ko agad sila Samantha, President ng Block B at si Gustav, Vice President ng Block B na prenteng nakaupo sa couch.
Nakita naman ako agad ni Samantha at bigla siyang tumayo at niyakap ako.
"I missed you, babe. Same Uni lang tayo but we don't bump on each other." Samantha pouted while touching my waist.
"Different Schedules, and you know busy tayo sa work. Hang out na lang tayo, soon." I smiled at her kasi ang bait ng aura niya. Mas lalo pa siyang gumanda ngayon especially she is wearing a floral dress.
"Done checking me out?" Nagulat naman ako sa tanong niya dahil hindi ko napansin na pinagmamasdan ko siya. Ano ba naman yan, Athena. Nakakahiya!
Someone coughed behind us. Pagtingin ko, it was Professor Eira. Hindi ko siya napansin, kanina pa pala siya nakatingin sa amin.. ng masama.
"Can we start now?" She said in monotone.
I just nodded and sit beside Samantha. She's so clingy to me na parang wala nang bukas. Nakatitig naman si Professor Eira sa amin thought she didn't say anything at all.
"So, as I've said earlier, this is about the Engagement Activity in London. These opportunity is given to each and every President and Vice President of the classes from College until Graduate School every two years. So in your case, it is a once in a life time experience because you are only here for two years." Umayos ng upo si Professor Rodriguez at inilapag ang kamay sa lamesa.
"This is not new to Samantha since she studied here during her Undergraduate years but to the three of you, this is your chance to go to United Kingdom and experience this life changing opportunity." She continued.
Well, I've been to UK before due to my modeling and acting careers. I am thinking of talking to her after this with regards to giving the slot to Stella.
"Hindi basta basta ang Engagement Activity because you are going to learn British Culture and Traditions at the same time, applying all the lessons that you have learned here in our University. The Nottinghale University in United Kingdom offers different courses all through out the week. Be it for community service, experiential education, and experience the out of class environment. And this will be scheduled during your Summer Break so that it won't interfere your schoolings during the second semester this year."
Sounds interesting. As much as I wanted to join them, I am thinking of Stella's welfare for her to see his Father.
"I'll be giving you an acceptance letter with your names on it for you to sign and submit it back to me after a week once you have read all of the guidelines." Professor Eira handed out to us a three pages document pertaining to the Engagement Activity in London.
"What if I decline to join, can I give the slot to somebody else?" I asked because I cannot wait any longer.
"Why don't you want to join, Ms. De Vera? Maraming students ang nag-aagawan for this and yet you will just take it for granted." Professor Rodriguez seemed pissed off at me.
"I need to have a valid reason why you can't join and you have to submit a written document stating the same because the University will have to approve it first. I have to talk to you, De Vera. One on one." She is now seriously looking at me.
After she has explained everything, pinalabas niya na sila Samantha, Chinee, and Gustav. Ako na lang ang naiwan sa loob para kausapin niya ako.
I am sitting on the couch and watched her putting nuts sa isang bowl. Inilapag niya iyon sa table sa harap ko. Umupo naman siya sa kabilang couch at hindi sa tabi ko. Right.
"Get some" she offered the nuts to me. But I am not in the mood because I don't feel like it. I still have feelings for her and I need to stop it.
I just looked at her instead.
"Why do you want to withdraw the given opportunity? All expenses will be paid by the University- from hotels to round trip plane tickets. Ang daming may gusto, tapos ikaw itatapon mo lang? Is it because I'm gonna be there and you want to avoid me. Is that it, De Vera?" Galit na tanong niya sa akin.
I shook my head because this is not because of her.
"No.." I just blurted out.
"Then tell me why the fuck you want to withdraw!" She then shouted at me.
Yes, I want to avoid her. But this is not the way because I myself would like to join.
"You want me to tell you the truth?" I am now intently looking at her in the eyes.
She is just waiting for my answer.
"It's because of Stella."
Nakakunot ang noo niya sa akin ngayon.
"Why would you like to give it to Stella?" Inis na tanong niya sa akin.
I crossed my legs before explaining.
"I've been to London a couple of times because of my acting and modeling career. I know that this opportunity will help me a lot as an Individual but Stella needs this more than me. She didn't ask for my help. I've learned that she badly wanted my position as President because she wants to go to United Kingdom to meet his Father whom she hasn't seen for so many years. And this is mainly the reason why she entered this University on scholarship basis because this University offers this kind of a once in a life time opportunity for free."
I explained to her because I want to be truthful and honest with her.
"But this is Engagement Activity and hindi ang paghahanap ng mahal sa buhay, De Vera." She crossed her arms.
"I know that. But I would like to give it a shot for her. She could find her Father during her free time. I don't want to regret something I didn't do for her. I want to help her before it's too late. I hope you understand me, Ma'am."
My eyes are pleading now so she can say yes to my offer. I don't know her position in the University but I hope she can be able to help Stella by giving my slot to her.
"From whom did you learn about Stella's story?" She curiously asked me.
"I learned it from Marcus. He's a really great friend of hers and I badly wanted to give my slot to her."
She nodded after listening to my explanation.
"I'll see what I can do but I cannot promise anything." She stood up and went towards her table.
"Hmm. Thank you and that means a lot." I also stood up and gathered my things so I can go home.
"Thanks for the care that you're giving to your classmate. I don't know if the University would allow this but you are really something, De Vera... You have a heart." I heard her speak behind my back.
"I am already privileged enough. I can go back and forth to London whenever I want, Professor Rodriguez. I just want to give it someone who badly needs it."
I slowly faced her while I was about to open the door of her office.
"And please, eat your dinner, okay? So nanay won't get mad at you again." I smiled at her. Before I was about to open the door, she speaks to me.
"Uhm.. Do you still like me, De Vera?" She asked me without second thoughts.
"Unfortunately, yes. But as I've said last time in Batangas, I am trying to get rid of my feelings before it deepens. It will be dangerous for me. You are very dangerous for me, Ma'am." I said before going out and walking away from her office.