Chapter 21

Two months have already passed since the accident happened. Since then, my mother doesn't let me swim again dahil nalaman niya ang nangyari. My friends told her because they were so worried that time! Halos hindi raw ako nagsasalita! Nakatulala lang daw ako at may hinahanap!

Of course, Rylan knew about it, too and he was worried. Sinabi rin sa kaniya ni Rachel bago sila lumipad papunta sa ibang bansa.

Honestly, I didn't know what exactly happened. I just knew that I swam that night with my friends at namalayan ko na lang na lumubog ako bigla at hindi makaahon.. saka may nakitang lalaki na hindi ko naman mamukhaan.

And then.. I felt that strange feeling again. Hindi ko na talaga alam ang nangyayari sa akin. I was thinking of seeing a psychologist or even a psychiatrist to at least help me but I know for myself that I'm perfectly fine!

May mali lang talaga!

I just sighed heavily and shoved those thoughts away from my mind. It doesn't help me.

It's a Monday of June and we're currently waiting for the professor to arrive. He's already 15 minutes late. I know him. Siya iyong naging professor namin last year ng first semester. Sir Jameson Lim used to be our favorite professor because of his cool personality. He's half Chinese and half Filipino. Sa sobrang bait niya, kahit may pasaway sa batch namin — hindi niya binagsak.

He just commanded my classmates to sing and dance while they're on the wide quadrangle. It was so tiring for them pero mas gugustuhin nila iyon kaysa bumagsak sila at hindi makapag-college!

I decided to go to the comfort room to reapply my makeup. Wala pa naman ang professor. He's almost half an hour late now.

While I'm applying my blush, I stopped when I suddenly heard a few noises and I think it's coming from the music room. That is when I knew that someone is playing a piano. Lumabas ako ng comfort room para pakinggan iyon nang mabuti.

“Esto es para ti..”

May narinig akong boses ng lalaki sa loob. He said something in a foreign language and I can't understand it. I think, he's the only one inside the room because of the echoes.

He started playing the instrument again. I can't really see who's inside because of the thick curtains and windows. Hindi naman ako pwedeng pumasok sa loob nang walang permission ng professor.

My heart beats differently when I realized that he's playing my favorite classical piece. And again, I have this freaking feeling.

Naiirita ako sa nararamdaman pero bakit.. may parte pa rin sa akin na gusto pa rin iyong maramdaman?

The hell with this!

Tuloy-tuloy lang siya sa pagtugtog sa piano. Hindi niya ako napapansin at hindi niya rin ako nakikita. Napahawak naman ako sa bibig ko nang muntikang mabasag ang vase sa tabi ko nang bigla kong masagi.

“Sinong nandiyan?” Pamilyar ang boses ng lalaki.

My eyes widened when the door opened. Kaagad naman akong nagtago sa gilid ng music room. Naiinis ako at mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko ngayon! Freak it!

Sumilip ako at nakita ko ang nakatalikod na lalaki. His physique is somewhat familiar to me. He's looking around at parang may hinahanap. Nakita ko pang inayos niya ang vase bago pumasok ulit sa music room. I sighed in relief when he's finally gone.

Holding my chest, I entered the comfort room again to collect myself. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nangyayari 'to sa akin at nararamdaman ko 'tong hindi ko maintindihan!

Hinugasan ko nang mabilis ang kamay ko bago lumabas at dumiretso sa room. The professor must be there already. When I'm finally in front of our room's door — I was shocked to see the stranger that I saw at the bar, at the convenience store and even at the condominium!

He's wearing a gray polo shirt that he pairs with black slacks. Don't tell me, he's one of my blockmates?!

Nakatayo pa siya sa table for professors. I shouldn't really be affected but I guess he's following me! Una sa convenience store! Sa condo! Ngayon naman, sa university?

“Hey, are you stalking me?” I immediately asked when I came closer to him. I don't care kung marinig man kami ng iba kong blockmates!

Napatingin naman siya sa kamay kong hawak ang braso niya. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin. Ni hindi sumasagot!

“What?! Hindi na ako natutuwa sa ‘yo!” sabi ko nang hindi pa rin siya nagsasalita. “You keep on following me, huh? Last time you---”

“Good morning, students! Oh, wait — what's going on here?”

Natigilan ako nang pumasok si Sir Dela Vega — one of the senior professors here in our university.

“Nothing, Sir.” Nakatitig pa rin sa akin ang lalaki. “Maybe, my student is an actress at nag-p-practice lang siya ngayon sa klase ko kaya kung ano-ano ang sinasabi niya..”

I even saw him shaking his head while still looking at me. Narinig ko naman ang bulungan ng blockmates ko.

What? Student?!

“Please be seated, Miss Rivera..”

Bumuka nang kaunti ang bibig ko dahil sa gulat. I don't believe that this is actually happening right now! He is my professor! But no! He can't be!

Nakita ko namang napapatingin sa akin ang ilang blockmates dahil sa ginawa ko kanina. It was so embarrassing — knowing that I accused that guy who happened to be my professor — as my stalker!

Freaking freak!

I feel like my face is now like a tomato! Nakakahiya ang nangyari! I didn't know na professor pala namin siya! That explains his attire!

“Bakit mo ‘yon sinabi kay Sir Antonio?” natatawang sabi ng katabi kong lalaki.

I rolled my eyes at him. “Just shut the freak up, Josh!”

Umiling-iling siya sa akin habang natatawa pa rin. Goodness! Napahiya ako ro'n! But somehow, that professor reasoned out for me! For what I did! Pero nakakahiya pa rin!

I looked in front — only to see his freaking smirk at me. Sa akin talaga siya nakatingin kahit kausap niya pa rin ang matandang professor. Masaya ba siya na napahiya ako? The hell!

Gusto kong magdabog sa harap pero ayaw kong mapahiya pa lalo! Nakakairita! He's now getting into my nerves!

“Joshua,” I called my blockmate. “What's the name of our new professor again?”

“Sir Yves.. Yves Marcus Antonio..."

Napalingon ako kay Joshua nang marinig iyon. “Y-Yves? It's kinda familiar..”

Nilipat ko ang tingin sa sinasabi ni Joshua na Yves — Sir Yves. It's so obvious that he's a professor because of his look, the way he stands, the way he speaks.

I just didn't notice it!

At ang pangalan niya.. parang narinig ko na dati. Like someone that I used to know.

Hindi ko na ginustong pakinggan pa ang pagpapakilala niya. Ang alam ko lang ay Ethics ang subject niya sa amin. I secretly rolled my eyes as I sighed. As if I care about him. Hindi ko na alam kung paano ako papasok sa subject niya nang hindi ako naiirita o naiinis. And I don't think I could ever focus on listening to his lectures.

Napahiya na ako! I won't forget that!

“Rivera, Alindra?”

I came back to my senses when I heard that he mentioned my name. Tumaas ang kilay ko sa kaniya pero kaagad ko iyong binaba nang ma-realize na hindi ko dapat iyon ginawa. Well, he's now my professor whether I like it or not.

Napalunok ako. "Sir.."

“Go here in front,” sabi niya. I'm hesitant but I followed him. Naghintay ako sa kung ano ang sasabihin niya habang nakatayo ako. Pakiramdam ko, anytime ipapahiya niya ako. “Maupo ka sa tabi ni Miss Ortega.”

Napatingin ako sa sinasabi niyang upuan na tabi ni Rebecca Ortega. I have no choice but to sit down beside her dahil sa sinabi ng lalaking professor na 'to. I just realized that he's already arranging our seats. I want to roll my eyes in annoyance.

Mabuti na lang at wala rito sina Erica at Milan at magkaiba kami ng subjects. They're also taking up business. We just don't have the same schedule. If they're here, I'm sure they'll make fun of me because of what just happened.

“Do you agree?” I'm startled a bit when Rebecca suddenly asked out of the blue.

“In what?”

She leaned closer while giggling. “That our new professor is hot and so gwapo! Ethics pa ang subject niya!”

Kumunot naman ang noo ko at tiningnan si Sir Yves na nag-a-arrange pa rin ng seats ng blockmates ko.

“I don't really agree,” I said while shaking my head as a sign of disagreement with her. “And what's with Ethics? So what kung Ethics ang subject ng professor na ‘yan?”

“Wala! It makes him hotter lang..”

Napairap ako sa mga sinasabi niya. She reminds me of Milan but she's way way way more maarte. At si Milan, nakakasundo ko pa. Itong isa, mukhang may gusto pa sa lalaking nasa harapan.

“I saw earlier that you two were talking. Close kayo? Can you tell him to date me?”

Namilog naman ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. “Freak it, Becca! He's our professor! Ano ka ba?”

I minimized my voice when Sir Yves gazed at our direction. Palihim ko siyang inirapan.

“Ouch. Kahit isang beses lang? You tell him, please.” She even pouted!

“Hindi kami close. Stop it,” I intently told her.

Napangiwi ako nang mas naging malungkot ang mukha niya dahil sa sinabi ko. I noticed that she's wearing an all pink outfit. Even the ribbon on her hair is also pink!

Umirap ako sa kawalan. I felt something again when I knew that professor's name pero mas lamang ang inis ko sa kaniya! Ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng ganito sa isang gaya niya!

The freak! Just freak! My first day is already ruined because of him!

. . .

“Oh, bakit nakasimangot ka?”

Tumaas ang kilay ko nang magtanong si Erica. Padabog kong nilapag ang bag sa table nila. I saw that they're already eating. Sandwich ang kay Erica while Milan is eating pasta.

I suddenly missed Rachel's presence.

“I'm in a bad mood.” My forehead is creased. “My day is ruined! Nakakainis ang professor namin!”

“Why? What happened ba? Is he like terror?” Milan is suddenly interested.

“No. I accused him that he's following me in front of my blockmates! Kasi nakita ko na siya sa bar at tinawag ang pangalan ko! I also saw him at the condominium!”

Tumawa naman si Erica at halos mailuwa ang kinakain niya. “Baka coincidence lang?”

“I don't really think so,” I told her as I shook my head. “The first time I saw him at the bar, he already knew me! He even followed me! Tapos ito naman ngayon! Kaya ako naiirita! Napahiya pa ako kanina!”

Mas lalo lang akong nairita nang maalala ang nangyari kanina!

“Eh baka nagkataon nga lang. Tapos malay mo.. kilala ka niya pero hindi mo lang siya matandaan. 'Di ba?” Umiling na lang ako sa sinabi ni Erica. After a few seconds, she gave me a ham sandwich that is wrapped on tissue. “Oh, ayan. Kumain ka na lang. Stressed na stressed ‘yang mukha mo eh..”

I rolled my eyes and took a bite on the sandwich. Napansin ko namang panay ang lingon ni Milan at hindi na nakikinig sa usapan namin.

“Hey, that professor ba beside Sir Psalm.. is he new here? In fairness, he looks handsome. Moreno pa,” Milan said and giggled.

“Oo. Bago raw ‘yan. Ang dami ngang tumitiling babae kanina no'ng dumaan! Sakit sa tainga!”

I looked at where they are looking right now. My brow furrowed when I saw that professor again. May kasama pa siyang tatlong lalaking professor. And I hate that I have to say this but.. they're all undeniably good looking and also hot.

No wonder, many girls are staring at them. They're even whispering. Titingin sa mga professors, bubulong sa katabi saka hahagikhik.

I rolled my eyes. ”He's the one that I'm saying kanina pa..”

“Huh? What?” Gulat na gulat si Milan.

“Yeah. The one with eyeglasses. Yves Marcus Antonio raw ang name niya according to Joshua.”

I just shrugged my shoulders off and continued to eat the sandwich that Erica gave me. They're still looking at the professors that are eating almost beside the counter. Nakaupo sila paharap sa table namin. Good thing that they don't notice my friends' and other girls' stares at them. Or maybe they know but they're just ignoring it.

Do they enjoy the stares and attention? Lalo na ang Sir Yves na iyon?

“Eh pogi naman daw pala 'yong professor mo sabi nito eh,” Erica said while pointing at Milan who already stopped from eating just to look at the professors.

“So what if he is?” I scoffed. “I don't care. Their job is to teach us.. anong magagawa ng kagwapuhan niya kung hindi naman siya magaling magturo, right?”

“Ano ka ba? You're so mean! Hindi naman siguro siya i-a-accept ng university if he didn't pass the board exam or hindi siya magaling!”

Hindi na ako umimik. Nakikita ko naman sa gilid ng mata ko ang Sir Yves na iyon. He gazed at me for a moment but then he looked away when I caught him. He's now laughing with his co-professors. Or he's just pretending.. para hindi halatang tumingin siya sa akin.

“So annoying,” I muttered and rolled my eyes heavenward.

. . .

Our first day of being a college student is finally done but my misfortune isn't over yet. I'm freaking stuck here at the waiting shed. The rain is pouring and the wind is continuously murmuring. Ewan ko kung bakit bigla akong kinabahan nang biglang umulan.

I want to take a rest now and do my tasks but I just can't call anyone to pick me up here. Especially my parents. Pinilit ko silang mamuhay muna ako mag-isa. Hindi pwedeng bigla akong tatawag para lang magpasundo. If I'll do that, I'll just depend on them again.

Same goes with Rylan.

“Una na ako, Alindra. I'm sorry. Nandito na kasi ang sundo ko,” sabi ni Calla, one of my blockmates.

I just nodded and smiled a little. Pumasok na kaagad siya sa kanilang car nang makita iyon. Hindi na ako sumabay kina Erica at Milan dahil mamaya pa ang dismissal nila. I really want to go home now.

Umuulan pa rin at maraming naghihintay sa waiting shed near the university. I should have just brought my umbrella!

I heard that my phone is ringing inside my bag so I immediately searched for it. I panicked when my stuffs dropped and now scattered on the floor after I ransacked my bag. Kaagad ko iyong pinulot dahil baka mabasa pa ng ulan. Hindi ko na sinagot ang tawag. I just stopped when someone took my pen when I'm about to grab it.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang makita si Sir Yves sa harapan ko. Seryoso siyang nakatingin sa akin. Nasa bulsa ang parehong kamay.

“Hindi ka pa umuuwi..”

“I don't want to. Umuulan pa,” I casually answered — not even looking at him.

“Pwede kitang isabay. We're staying on the same building, anyway.”

Hindi ako sumagot. I just stared at the leaves that falling because of the wind. May nakita akong bus na tumigil malapit sa gate ng university. I don't usually ride on a public vehicle but I guess, I really have no choice now. Especially that he's here with me.

“Hindi pwede, Sir. You're my professor. I'm your student and they can't see us together.” I told him, intently. “Mauuna na ho ako. I'll just ride on a bus..”

I tightly held my handbag while walking away from him. Hindi ko na hinintay pa ang sasabihin niya at pumasok na ako sa loob ng bus. Puno ang loob ng bus kaya wala akong nagawa, tumayo na lang ako.

I'm not really used to this. Muntik pa akong matumba!

Bago pa tuluyang umalis ang bus na sinasakyan ko, nakita ko sa salamin ng bintana si Sir Yves. He's a bit far away but I can still see him. He's directly looking at me. Nagkatinginan kami. May naramdaman na naman akong kakaiba.

Again.. nostalgia.

I looked away when I'm in the verge of shedding tears again. The heck! I'm not even like this before!

Lumingon ulit ako kung nasaan si Sir Yves pero wala na siya. Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako nang umandar na ang bus.

Yves Marcus Antonio.. why am I even affected on you?

... ... ...