Lost in thoughts, I stared at Davin’s brown and expressive eyes, those eyes that were so similar to my son. Ilang beses akong kumurap para tiyakin kung nananaginip ba ako at kinurot ko na nga rin ang sarili pero totoo talaga ang lahat ng ito.
Davin Hendrix Herrera was standing in front of the class!
In flesh!
Bakit ba ayaw niya akong tantanan? Hanggang dito ba naman? And why was he here and holding—a class record?!
Yumuko siya at may tiningnan sa kaniyang laptop na nakapatong sa desk. While I began panicking inside. Bakit siya may class record? Pang-teacher lang ‘yon! What was he really doing here in the university? What was going on? Where was the former professor?
Panaginip lang ‘to!
Nananaginip lang ako!
“I supposed you are Ninaandrea Montessa?” tanong niya, pormal at ni walang bakas na pagkakakilanlan sa akin.
Nanatili akong hindi kumukurap na nakatingin sa kaniya, waiting for someone to slap me hard in my cheeks and wake me up from this nightmare. Noong hiniling kong sana ay mapalitan ‘yong dating professor sa subject na ito ay hindi siya ang tinutukoy kong kapalit!
Tumikhim siya at saka humalukipkip sa harapan ko, taas ang isang kilay na tila ba hinuhusgahan ako.
“Excuse me, Ms. Montessa, but are you just going to stand there?” sabi pa niya na tila ba hindi niya talaga ako kilala.
Ginagago ba niya ako?
I still could not recuperate. When I finally got a hold of myself, I looked down at the schedule in my hands, double-checking and making sure I entered the right class. Pero tama naman ang silid na pinasukan ko. Malinaw naman na ito nga ang klase ko. But again, what the hell was he doing here? He could not be here!
“Ms. Montessa, are you with us? You can take your seat or do you want to spend the rest of my class standing beside the door? I don’t mind, though,” patuloy niya na nagpatawa naman sa buong klase.
Napakurap-kurap ako sa sinabi niya.
Did he just say his class?
This was his class?
Seryoso ba ito?
Seryoso ba siya?
“Take your seat. You are consuming my time, Ms. Montessa. Next time, I won’t entertain you being late,” aniya pa sabay tingin sa buong klase na tila ba natuklaw na ng ahas. “This is your first offense .”
Nasaan na ‘yong dating professor?
Bakit siya ang naririto?
Wala sa sariling naglakad ako at humagilap ng bakanteng upuan sa may likuran. The room was not crowded. Siguro’y nasa dalawampu lang kami at marami namang mga upuan sa likod pero nagsisiksikan silang lahat sa unahan.
At nasisiguro kong dahil ‘yon sa kaniya.
Ugh!
What was he really doing here?
I sat quietly on the armchair beside a guy who seemed to be the only one not interested with the new professor. Biglang gusto ko namang isubsob ang mukha sa mesa at iuntog ang ulo roon. Kailangan ko pa namang ipasa ang subject na ito nang hindi maiwanan ng graduating class ngayong taon!
“As I was saying before someone interrupted me,” parinig ni Davin sabay sulyap sa akin. “I will be your professor in Nursing Research. The supposed to be professor in this subject had already submitted his resignation just yesterday.”
“I’ve heard, he was a terror professor,” sabi ng isang babae sa unahan.
“At nangbabagsak! Sir, ganoon ka ba?”
Dumampot si Davin ng isang ballpen at saka nilaro-laro iyon. Then, he walked in front of his table and leaned his backside there.
“There must be a valid reason first why I will have to give you a failing grade. But as long as you will meet all my requirements, we will have no problem here,” sagot niya.
Napabaling ako ng tingin doon sa lalaki sa tabi ko nang bigla siyang bumulong.
“Hi! I am Levin Esguerra, you are?” pakilala niya.
Naglahad siya ng kamay sa akin na mabilis ko namang inabot.
“Ninaandrea Montessa,” pakilalala ko. “Nina na lang.”
“Nice to meet you, Nina—”
Natigil si Levin nang biglang may tumikhim sa unahan. Nagpasaring si Davin tungkol sa mga hindi nakikinig na estudyante na alam ko namang kaming dalawa nitong si Levin ang pinatatamaan.
Napakagat ako sa aking pang-ibabang labi. Si Levin naman sa aking tabi ay biglang napaayos sa kaniyang pagkakaupo.
Muling umingay sa unahan, walang tigil ‘yong mga babae sa pagtatanong kay Davin ng personal na buhay niya lalo na iyong narinig kong Katelyn ang pangalan. I even heard her asking him if he already had a girlfriend or a wife but he did not answer that, saying it was too personal.
Totoo ba talaga ito?
Siya? Professor ko?
Muli akong napalingon kay Levin nang may ilagay siyang pinilas na papel mula sa notebook sa ibabaw ng desk ko. Sumulyap ako sa unahan at nakitang busy si Davin sa pagsagot ng mga tanong sa kaniya.
Levin: My classmates are so annoying.
Levin: Aren’t they?
Levin: Welcome to our class, by the way.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Levin nang mabasa iyon at pareho kaming tahimik na tumawa. Kumuha ako ng ballpen at saka nagsulat sa papel na inabot niya sa akin.
Ako: Pati ‘yong professor.
Ako: So annoying. ;)
Ako: Don’t tell anyone I said this.
Mabilis kong itinupi ang papel matapos ko iyong isulat at pasimpleng inabot kay Levin. Mula sa sulok ng aking mga mata ay pinanuod ko ang reaksyon niya mula sa isinulat ko.
Not long after, I received a reply from him.
Napangiti ako sa nabasa.
Levin: Mukhang magkakasundo tayo.
Levin: I quite do not like him, too.
Levin: I like you, Nina.
Levin: Friends?
I scribbled my reply and gave him back the piece of paper. I would love to be his friend. At hindi ko alam kung bakit ang gaan-gaan ng loob ko rito kay Levin.
Ako: Sure!
Itinupi ko muli ‘yong papel at iaabot na sana kay Levin nang bigla akong manginig kay Davin na biglang lumitaw sa harapan namin. My heart jumped to my throat when he grabbed the note Levin and I were sending back and forth.
Kabado kong tiningala si Davin habang binubuksan niya ‘yong kapirasong papel. And when I glanced around us, I saw pairs of eyes now looking at our direction.
Shit!
Tahimik lang si Davin habang muling itinitiklop ‘yong kapirasong papel, but the way his jaw was locking and his eyes darkening, I knew Levin and I were both dead meat to him.
I quickly looked down when I felt Davin about to look at my direction. My hand gripped the ballpen I was holding like it was my lifeline.
Without saying anything, Davin walked back in front, dala-dala ‘yong kapirasong papel na kinumpiska niya. I saw that he slipped it in between the pages of his record book and resumed what he was doing.
Pigil-hininga ako sa mga sandaling ‘yon. Ipinagpapasalamat ko na lang na pinalampas lang niya ‘yon. I couldn’t afford dragging Levin in our mess.
God, what was he really doing here? If this was a dream, could somebody please wake me up?
Davin cleared his throat and stood mightily and powerfully in front of the class again.
“Before we start this semester, I would like everybody to know my rules inside my class. Follow them accordingly and you will pass my subject withoit worries,” panimula niya.
I swallowed thickly. Napaayos sa pagkakaupo ang buong klase at natahimik nang biglang sumeryoso si Davin.
“First, I hate latecomers,” aniya sabay tingin sa akin. “Tardiness is something I could barely tolerate. There is a reason why schedules are existing. It has strictly to be followed. You all should learn to respect other people’s time. Hindi sa inyo umiikot ang mundo. At ang ayoko sa lahat ay ‘yong naiistorbo ako kapag nasa unahan na at kapag nagsasalita na ako. Am I clear, class?”
Napalunok ako ng laway. At kung bala lamang ‘yong mga pinagsasasabi niya ay tadtad na ako rito sa upuan ko, lupasay at duguan. Bakit hindi na lang niya diretsuhin at pangalanan ako?
“Sir, kung ikaw ang professor ay wala na sigurong male-late pa.”
“Oo nga, Sir. At kahit kunin mo pa nga po ‘yong time noong susunod na professor sa inyo ay ayos lang.”
“Sir, kahit mag-overtime ka ay okay na okay lang sa amin.”
Ngumisi si Davin, tila ba pumapalakpak ang mga tainga sa mga sinabi noong mga babae sa kaniya.
Flirt!
From them, his attention shifted to me again.
“Am I making myself clear, Ms. Montessa?” aniya.
Naikuyom ko ang aking mga kamao sa gilid ko, pigil-pigil lang ang sarili na huwag siyang lapitan sa unahan at suntukin.
Nina, may oras pa para mag-drop sa subject na ito!
But I had to graduate this year!
“Ms. Montessa, am I clear here?” Davin repeated asking like I was some kind of imbecile.
“Y-yes, Sir,” labag sa loob na sagot ko.
No, fuck you, Sir!
Tumikhim siya at muling ibinalik ang tingin sa buong klase na tila ba na-hipnotismo na niya.
“Second, no unnecessary talks when I am speaking here in front. Eyes only to me when I am talking,” aniya pa at muling tumingin sa puwesto naming dalawa ni Levin.
“Yes, Sir!”
“Sir naman! Sa guwapo mong ‘yan ay paniguradong hindi na kami lilingon pa sa iba! Sa ‘yo lang po ang mga mata namin!” sabi noong si Katelyn na naman. She stood out among the rest, dahil napaka-papansin niya.
And for your information, may asawa at anak na ‘yang lalaking nilalandi ninyo!
“At hindi na baleng magka-stiff neck basta kay Sir Davin ay check na check!” sabi naman ng isa pa na dahilan nang muling tawanan ng buong klase.
Ngumiwi ako sa mga narinig.
Seryoso ba sila?
“And third, obey. You won’t like the punishments,” huling sabi niya.
Muntik na akong mahulog sa aking kinauupuan sa paraan ng pagtitig niya sa akin. Naalis lang ang tingin ko sa kaniya nang marinig na nagbulungan ‘yong dalawang babae sa unahan ko.
“Shit! Bakit imbes na matakot ay bigla akong na-excite sa punishment ni Sir?”
“Same, girl. Parang ang sarap lumabag sa mga rules ni Sir matikman lang ‘yong parusa niya.”
“Ugh! I hate my mind! Pero bakit ang naiisip ko ay si Christian Grey at ‘yong mga punishments niya? You know, all those whips and handcuffs!”
“Gaga ka, girl!”
Hindi makapaniwalang napailing-iling ako sa mga narinig.
After telling everyone about his rules in his class, Davin proceeded to his task at hand.
“Let’s start with the syllabus, shall we?” he said and elaborated the subject, then after that, he proceeded with the class proper. It was just an intoduction of the subject, anyway. “Nursing Research is done for nurses to develop knowledge about health and the promotion of health over the full lifespan, care of persons with health problems and disabilities, and nursing actions to enhance the ability of individuals to respond effectively to actual or potential health problems.”
Dahil dalawang oras ang klase namin sa kaniya at sobrang aga pa, nangulit iyong mga babae na magkuwento siya ng tungkol sa personal niyang buhay.
“Sir, why did you choose Reseach as your subject mastery?” tanong sa kaniya.
I looked back at Davin, equally curious about that. Since that prom night, I never saw him again. At dahil galit na galit ako sa kaniya, hindi ko minsan naisip na alamin ang tungkol sa kaniya, kung nasaan na ba siya, o anong ginagawa niya.
Biglang gusto kong mapasabunot sa inis. He told me that he loved me, that he never stopped loving me. Kung ganoon, bakit hindi siya bumalik sa akin? Nagpumilit na bumalik sa buhay ko? Bakit inabot ng halos sampung taon bago siya nagpakita ulit? At bakit sila pa rin ng pinsan ko? Bakit may anak sila? Talaga bang ginagago niya ako? Vini didn’t deserve a father like him! At mabuti na lang talaga na pinatay ko na siya sa buhay ng anak namin!
Pero bakit nga naririto siya sa university na ito?
Did he really take Education? Wanted to be a professor?
Him?
Seriously?
“I am actually currently a resident doctor taking Orthopedic Surgery as my specialization,” he answered.
A series of wow echoed around the room. At hindi ko itatanggi na namangha rin ako.
“E, papaano po kayo naging professor dito kung doktor pala kayo?” muling kuryosong tanong sa kaniya.
“Well, not to brag but I had been a research excellence awardee while I was in medical school. On the day of my graduation, I met your college dean, the wonderful Dean Esperanza, and she offered me a job here in the university since the former professor of this subject is not available anymore. I had been wanting to stay for good here in the country and do my residency here, so I accepted the offer. Besides, teaching won’t interfere with my residency, anyway,” paliwanag niya.
Another series of amaze gasps filled the room. Bigla naman akong muling nakuryoso. Because why Orthopedics? The last time I checked, his parents were forcing him to take course that had something to do with business.
On the other hand, if I would be asked why I took Nursing, I would say it was because of Papa. Kapag naka-graduate na ako, ang plano ko talaga ay mag-focus sa pagiging orthopedic nurse. I believed that way, I could help him to walk again. I owed it to him. I wanted to bring back his trust and make him proud of me again.
“That’s only for today. Class dismissed,” sa wakas ay paalam na ni Davin matapos noong sandamakmak na tanong sa kaniya.
I was gathering up my things and was very ready to leave, when he suddenly called me.
My heart skipped its beat.
“Sir?” I responded nervously.
Pasimple akong tumingin sa paligid namin at natagpuan na lahat sila ay nakatingin sa akin.
“I heard you are retaking this class,” aniya.
“Yes, Sir,” sagot ko.
“I would like to speak to you regarding that matter. If you please, see me in my office after this,” he said, and then exited the room.
I was left dumbfounded. Had not Levin snapping his fingers in front of me, siguro ay maiiwanan na lang akong tulala sa kawalan.
“Nina, are you okay?” he worriedly asked.
Wala sa sariling napalingon ako sa kaniya.
“Huh?”
“You look pale.”
I immediately licked my lips hoping it would return the color, then, followed by a swallow and told him I was okay. Kahit pa ang totoo niyan ay hindi naman.
“Does it have something to do with our exchange notes he confiscated? What do you think?” aniya.
“Huh?”
“Ipinapatawag ka niya sa opisina niya, ‘di ba? Baka dahil doon sa notes kanina,” aniya.
“I don’t know,” sagot ko, habang wala pa rin sa sarili.
“Gusto mo bang samahan kita?” Levin offered. “So we can both explain about what happened?”
I sighed and shook my head, didn’t want to involve him.
“Okay lang. He said he wanted to talk to me about me retaking this class. And besides, we are not some sort of highschoolers to be scolded, right?”
“You sure?” he insisted.
“Oo. Okay lang talaga ako. At may susunod na klase ka pa for sure,” pagtataboy ko na sa kaniya.
Levin nodded his head and walked his way. I followed next and held tightly on the strap of my bag as I wandered my eyes in the hallway. And how I hated how professors in this university had their own offices. Kung sana ay nasa iisang faculty room lang sila ay hindi ako maduduwag ngayon na puntahan siya. Because the last thing I should be in was to be alone with him!
I stopped midway when I finally saw his office. Davin’s name was engraved bold and gold on the door. Kapit pa rin nang mahigpit ang strap ng bag ko ay bumuga ako ng malalim na hininga.
Should I go inside or run?
Davin Hendrix Hererra, Faculty, College of Research Studies
Matagal akong tumitig sa pangalan niya roon sa pintuan hanggang sa umatras ako.
I couldn’t do this!
Tumalikod ako at maglalakad na sana paalis nang biglang umalingawngaw sa isipan ko ‘yong sinabi niya sa klase kanina.
Third rule. Obey.
I swallowed my fear inside. Maybe, we really needed to talk and once and for all, clear everything between us. I only wanted a peaceful life here in the university. Kung siya nga talaga ang professor ko sa partikular na subject na ‘yon, then be it. Basta ba ay huwag lang niyang panghihimasukan ang buhay ko. Huwag na huwag niya akong guguluhin dito!
Breathing in all the air and courage I needed, kumatok ako sa pinto, naghintay na pagbuksan niya ngunit dumaan na lang ang maraming mga minuto ay hindi pa rin niya ako pinagbubuksan.
Pinaglalaruan ba niya talaga ako? He just told me to see him in his office and now what?!
Annoyed, I turned my heels to leave, when suddenly, the door creaked open. Sa sobrang gulat ay napatakbo na lang ako sa papalikong pader para magtago. Naghahabol ako ng matinding hininga habang sumasandal nang mariin doon. I was about to leave but stopped when I heard his voice talking to someone.
“Thank you for your time, Professor,” the woman’s voice carried out, that saccharin voice so familiar to me.
“Just call me Davin, Samantha,” I heard him replied. “And I was the one to thank you. I owe you this one.”
I was right about who was the woman he was talking to. Professor Samantha de Asis, the most beautiful professor in this university. But what was she doing inside his office? Ano ‘yong pinag-usapan nila? Ano ang ginawa nila roon na sila lang dalawa—
The hell you care, Ninaandrea!
“Okay, Davin. See you around!” malambing na sagot ni Miss Samantha na sinundan naman ng tunog ng kaniyang heels na papalayo na.
I leaned on the wall, suddenly feeling down, lost, beaten. I knew I shouldn’t be feeling this way but he affect me in every way. And him talking to someone right now, especially to a woman, was making my heart ache.
Umalis ako sa pagkakasandal sa pader at saka sumilip para tingnan kung wala na ba sila nang bigla akong maumpog sa isang matigas na bagay. Casting my head up to see who I bumped into, my mouth parted recognizing who.
“Why are you hiding here?” Davin asked.
I blinked my eyes repeatedly at him, already panicking. Holding my nose that was still hurting, I quickly turned my heels to leave but he was so quick to stop me by holding my hand.
“Where are you going? Hindi ba ang sabi ko ay gusto kitang makausap sa opisina ko?” aniya sabay hila sa akin papasok sa loob.
Binitiwan niya ang kamay ko nang nasa loob na kaming dalawa. I watched as he occupied his swivel chair, at napalunok na lang ako nang malalim nang luwagan niya ‘yong suot na neck tie, looking so mad like he was going to rip anything his hand would reach.
“So, you are really not going to meet me here even if I told you to, huh?” aniya.
I swallowed hard and tipped my chin up, showing him that I was not scared at him even when inside, every fiber of me was already squirming. Davin in eyeglasses was so damn mighty, powerful, and sexy—Ugh!
“I saw you talking to Miss Samantha so I assumed you are busy,” pagtataray ko.
“You assumed to much,” he murmured.
“What?!”
“Nothing.”
“I knocked on your doors. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang ginagawa ninyo rito sa loob para hindi mo ‘yon marinig. You seemed so fond of Miss Samantha,” I snarled.
Unti-unti, ‘yong inis sa mukha niya ay napalitan ng isang pagngisi.
“What?” I angrily snapped.
“Careful. You sound jealous,” aniya.
Napangiwi ako sa paratang niya.
Nagseselos?
Ako?
Ang kapal naman ng mukha niya!
“Fuck you! I am not jealous!” gigil na gigil na sabi ko, not caring anymore that I just cursed my professor.
“That’s your second offense. What now? You are cursing me. Are you aware that I can drop you in my class?” he said in a tone like he was my lifeline.
“Then, do it! Alam mo ba na ayaw na kitang makita pa? Pabor nga sa akin ‘yon, e. So, drop me now, Sir. I will be very glad for you to do that,” naghahamong sabi ko.
“Really? You would like me to drop you in this subject? Hindi ba ay kailangan mo itong ipasa para maka-graduate ka?” he said, making his point across.
Biglang umurong ang dila ko sa mga sinabi niya. I hated that he was right. I could not afford not to take and pass this subject. Masasayang ang taon ko at ang sabi ko nga ay gusto ko nang maka-graduate!
Breathing in, I calmed myself down.
“What do you really need from me? Kung pagagalitan mo ako dahil doon sa nangyari kanina, then, gawin mo na,” sabi ko.
“Scolding is for kids. I am going to give you a punishment instead. Una, dahil late ka sa klase kanina, then you cursing me just a while ago,” aniya.
Sumandal siyang muli sa swivel chair at itinukod ang magkabilang siko sa hawakan nito.
Punishment?
Nagtatakang napalingon muli ako sa kaniya. Magsasalita sana ako ngunit hindi ko na naituloy pa nang matagpuan siyang hawak na ang telepono at may kausap na roon.
“What punishment are you talking about?” tanong ko nang maibaba na niya ‘yong tawag.
“I am your professor, remember that. Tone down your voice and address me properly,” he scolded me.
My jaw tightened.
Professor his ass!
“Tell me my punishment so I can leave already, Sir,” iritang sabi ko.
Nagtitigan kaming dalawa, matalim at tila ba wala ni isa ang gustong magpatalo. Naputol lang iyon nang biglang may kumatok sa pintuan.
“Come in,” Davin said and the door opened next.
Iniluwa noon ang dalawang babae mula sa school cafeteria na may tig-isang hawak na tray.
“Pakilagay na lang doon,” utos ni Davin sa kanila habang itinuturo ‘yong isang maliit na mesang bilog na pandalawahan sa gilid. “Thank you.”
“Davin—I mean Sir, tell me my punishment so I can leave now and so you can have your lunch peacefully,” sabi ko, unti-unting nawawalan na talaga ng pasensya sa kaniya.
God, Vini, what did I really like about your daddy?
“Eat lunch with me. That’s your punishment,” aniya na tila ba nagpabingi naman sa akin.
“What?” kunot-noong tanong ko.
Anong klaseng parusa ‘yon? Bubusugin niya ako hanggang sa mamatay?
“You heard me. I hate repeating myself,” he said as he rose from his swivel chair.
I watched him in disbelief as he took the chair under the circular table on the side.
“Come here,” utos niya habang itinutupi ‘yong dulo ng suot na button-up.
When I didn’t move, he tilted his head to me again and shot me an eyebrow.
“This is inappropriate.” protesta ko.
“I don’t see anything wrong with eating lunch with my student. Now, if you don’t want us to fight over this, you will drag your stubborn self here and eat with me,” he replied.
Imbes na sundin siya ay tumalikod ako at naglakad paalis, patungo sa pinto.
He did not have the upper hand here regardless if he was my professor!
Hawak ko na ang door handle at isang hakbang na lang ay makakaalis na ako nang muli siyang magsalita.
“You must be forgetting the third on my rules, Ms. Montessa. Obey,” he said emphasizing the last word.
Hindi ako nagpakita ng takot at binalewala siya. Pinihit kong muli ang door handle para buksan nang may idugtong siya.
“I am serious in dropping you in my subject,” he warned me.
Gusto kong sabunutan ang sarili sa sobrang inis.
He was so impossible!
My footsteps were heavy while marching towards him. I hastily dragged the chair astride him, tapos ay padabog na umupo at nagpigil lang ng sarili na huwag itusok sa mga mata niya ‘yong tinidor sa mesa.
Stubborn tears warned to spill out looking at the meal he ordered—breaded porkchop with my favorite ketchup dip.
I bit back my tears and swallowed the memories down my throat. Tahimik ko na lang na sinimulan ‘yong pagkain.
“Do you remember those times in the school cafeteria?” biglang sabi niya tapos ay natawa. “We both love breaded porkchop for lunch, though, I hate ketchup.”
Hindi ko siya sinagot ni nilingon.
I hated him!
I fucking hated him!
“Nina—”
“Shut up, Sir. I am eating here. Baka ma-empatso pa ako,” muling pagtataray ko.
Mabilis kong nginuya at inubos ang kinakain ko. When I was finished, I quickly stood on my feet to leave.
“Nina,” muling tawag niya pero hindi ko na siya hinayaan pang mapigilan ako at halos takbuhin ko na ang pintuan. “Ninaandrea!”
I heard his footsteps followed behind me but stopped when his phone rang. I heard him cursed under his breath before answering the call, while my hand that was cupping the door handle tightened around it. Before I left his office, I heard him muttered someone’s name.
“Masie,” he said.
I smiled bitterly.
It would always be Masie. Si Masie parati. Si Masie naman talaga para sa kaniya.
“Nina?”
Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa tinig na tumawag sa akin at nagulat na lamang nang makita si Levin.
“Umiiyak ka ba? Pinagalitan ka ba? Gusto mo bang samahan kitang kausapin ulit siya?” nag-uunahang sabi niya.
“Wala lang ‘to. Iyakin lang talaga ako. I always cry over small things, you know,” I said and fake a laugh.
“Sigurado ka ba? Pupuwede natin siyang isumbong kay Dean Esperanza,” he suggested.
Natawa ako sa sinabi niya.
Ano kami, teenagers?
“Sandali! Hindi ba ay may klase ka pa? Anong ginagawa mo rito?” pag-aalala ko.
“Hindi ako mapalagay kaya pinuntahan kita,” he said that I found very nice and sweet of him.
“Thank you, Levin. Pero ayos lang talaga ko,” sabi ko.
Nakumbinsi ko si Levin at nagpaalam na rin agad siya sa akin dahil may klase pa nga raw siya. Samantalang, may part-time job naman ako sa library kaya roon ang diretso ko.
Napaliko ako sa banyo nang biglang maihi. I was inside a cubicle when I heard two familiar female voices chattering.
“Professor Herrera seemed to be interested in you, Professor Samantha.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“Come on! Do not act like you have no idea what I am saying. What is with you and Professor Herrera, huh? Spill the beans!”
“Ah, well, we kind of having a mutual understanding,” Miss Samantha replied.
They both giggled and then, seconds later, they were gone.
I felt lightheaded the next hours. Ilang beses pa nga akong napagalitan noong librarian dahil mali-mali ang lagay ko ng libro sa shelves. My mind was all about what I had heard in the comfort room.
Mutual inderstanding?
But how about Masie?
I was walking my way to the school gate, my mind floating at the surface, when a large hand suddenly grabbed mine.
“What now? This is harrassment, Sir!” inis na inis kong sabi kay Davin.
He released my arm and looked at me with heavy-lidded stares.
“I am also done here. Let me send you home,” he offered.
Inirapan ko siya at saka tinalikuran.
“Ninaandrea,” he called out.
Mabilis akong naglakad. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagpupuyos sa galit ang dibdib ko sa tuwing naaalala iyong mga narinig ko sa comfort room kanina.
Bumilis ang lakad ko nang marinig ko ang yabag ng mga paa niya na sumusunod sa akin. Agad akong humalo sa mga estudyanteng lumampas sa harapan ko at para hindi na rin siya magtangka pa na habulin ako. He should keep in mind that he was a professor here and getting unneccessary close to his student was not right!
Pasimple akong tumingin sa aking likuran at natanaw pa rin siyang sumusunod sa akin, medyo nahihirapan nga lang dahil hinaharangan siya ng mga estudyanteng babae. Ginamit ko ‘yong pagkakataong pinagkakaguluhan siya. I walked faster. Dumahan lang ang lakad ko nang biglang matanaw si Jax na nakatayo roon sa may gate habang nakangiting kumakaway sa akin.
“Ninaandrea!” Davin called.
Hindi ako lumingon dahil ayoko ng eskandalo. Halos patakbo ko namang nilapitan si Jax. Gulat na gulat pa nga siya nang halos sumubsob ako sa dibdib niya.
“Okay ka lang? Bakit parang hinahabol ka ng multo?” natatawang tanong niya tapos ay hinawakan ang magkabilang braso ko, inaalalayan akong tumayo nang tuwid.
Oo, Jax. A ghost.
An ugly ghost from the past!
I heard Davin called my name again and I panicked. Nang lumingon muli ako sa kaniya ay nakita kong malapit na siya.
Couldn’t he just leave me alone?!
“Nina, okay ka lang ba talaga? Anong nangyayari—”
Hindi na natapos pa ni Jax ang kaniyang sinasabi nang biglang halikan ko siya sa labi.