Chapter 24

It's dismissal and I decided to just ride on a bus instead of calling our driver to drop me on my condo. Ayaw kong mag-depend pa sa kanila. What's the point of living alone when I'm still depending on them, anyway?

It's really not that hard to commute. Mahirap lang kapag maulan at siksikan kaya ko naman kahit mag-isa lang.

Hindi rin naman ako mag-aalala kung sakaling magkakasabay kami ni Sir Yves. He's busy at marami pa siyang kailangang gawin sa university.

He's a professor, anyway.

Naalala kong nasa iisang condominium lang pala kami ni Sir Yves. Coincidence, right? I can't say that he followed me 'cause according to the girl that's residing beside my unit - Sir Yves is already there before I even came.

I'm about to enter my unit when I noticed that Sir Yves' unit is slightly opened. Nagtaka naman ako. I'm pretty sure that he's still at the university! I even saw him inside the office!

Sumilip ako pero wala akong nakitang tao. Could it be a thief? But the building is so secured!

Nagdalawang-isip ako kung papasok ba o hindi. Titingnan ko lang kung may tao o wala!

I'm just concerned! Kung may magnanakaw sa loob ng unit niya, baka nakawan din ako!

I decided to go inside even if I'm hesitant. A familiar masculine scent welcomed me when I finally got inside. The whole room is pure gray and white. Wala rin akong nakikitang kalat sa loob ng unit niya.

I wonder if he has a girlfriend.. or even wife. Pero kung makatingin siya sa akin - para namang wala.

Damn, Alindra! Does it really matter? Men are naturally flirt! Plus you're incredibly beautiful! Of course kahit sino, titingin sa 'yo!

Even your professor!

I stopped from roaming around when I heard splashes of water inside his room. At maya-maya, lumabas si Sir Yves mula ro'n. He's only wearing a towel and his body is dripping wet. I can even see here the water droplets on his chest, on his arms, on his tummy - all over his body.

Nagulat ako - parehas kaming nagulat nang makita ang isa't-isa pero kaagad siyang nakabawi.

"Anong ginagawa ng estudyante ko sa loob ng unit ko?" He's even smirking!

Hindi ako makasagot sa kaniya kaagad. His body is distracting me!

"I.. saw that the door is opened. I thought there's a thief inside pero ikaw lang pala---"

"I'm a thief? Then you're a trespasser.."

Nagulat ako nang mabilis niya akong kinulong sa pinto ng kaniyang unit. My heartbeat is racing right now because of him. He's so close to me to the point that I can now feel his breath on my cheeks and his cold body against me!

"Sir," I called him out.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit nandito siya kahit dapat nasa university pa siya ngayon.

"Alindra.. ang hirap." Hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi niya. "What happened? Bakit ganito? Ang gulo."

Malikot ang kamay niya pero pinipigilan ang sarili na hawakan ako. I don't get what he's saying to me. He's so messed up right now!

Mapupungay ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin saka pipikit nang mariin na parang nahihirapan. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyayari sa kaniya ngayon at naiinis na naman ako!

"Sir, aalis na ako.."

Bago pa ako mawalan ng respeto sa 'yo.

Nakaalis ako sa harapan niya pero hindi sa kamay niya. I don't understand him! I'm now getting pissed because of what he's doing to me!

Inis ko siyang hinarap. "What do you want? Hindi kita maintindihan, Sir!"

"Hindi ko rin maintindihan kung bakit nangyayari 'to," seryosong sabi niya sa akin.

When he got closer to me, I realized that he's drunk because of the way he moves and the way he looks at me. I tried my best to remain calm. Pinanatili ko sa isip na kung anong gawin niya ngayon, 'yon ay dahil lang sa nakainom siya.

But I don't really understand what he's trying to say!

"You're drunk, Sir Yves." Nakakunot ang noo ko.

"Bakit ganito, Alindra?"

Naiinis na ako at paulit-ulit na lang ang sinasabi niya. Nagulat naman ako nang bigla niya akong yakapin nang mahigpit. My body shivered because of what he did. I stiffened. I don't know what to react! His grip is just too tight that I can't even breathe properly!

"Sir, professor kita at estudyante mo ako!" I reminded him. "May boyfriend ako so please let go of me!"

My words are somehow effective because he finally loosened his grip on me. He's more shocked when I told him that I'm his student more than he's shocked to know that I already have a boyfriend. He probably knows about it but he's just ignoring that fact.

"Please," I told him intently.

Nakawala na ako sa paghawak niya. Napansin ko namang nanghihina siya at parang hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. He came back to his senses, I think.

"I don't want this to happen again, Sir." Nakatingin lang ako nang diretso sa kaniya. "I'm sorry kung bigla akong pumasok sa unit mo but what you did is also wrong. This is so inappropriate.."

I left him there without saying any other word. He's dumbfounded and can't seem to accept what I told him. Napasandal ako sa pinto ng unit ko nang tuluyang makapasok. I'm still catching my breath as I closed my eyes tightly.

"I don't know what's happening to you!" sabi ko sa sarili pati kay Sir Yves.

Sa lahat ng sinabi niya, isa lang ang naintindihan ko. He said that it's hard. I just don't what it is but I agree with him. It's getting hard for me. Para akong nalalasing kahit siya naman 'tong nakainom. Para akong nababaliw kahit siya naman ang parang nasisiraan na ang ulo!

I think he's just doing all of these crazy things just to test me out! Pero wala naman siyang mapapala kung gagawin niya 'yon sa akin!

If he's just using me just like what I think, he's just doing no good for himself! He knows that I'm his student! Kung gagawa siya ng kalokohan, he'll surely be reported and he'll lose his job! So no! Mali ang iniisip ko!

Yes. I'm hoping dahil hindi ko alam kung bakit katulad niya.. nahihirapan din ako.

"I think I should call Rylan," nababaliw kong sabi sa sarili.

I decided to invite him here even though he's busy. But I know that he'll find ways just to see me. I just want to divert my attention to someone else other than my crazy professor. Pakiramdam ko, mababaliw ako anytime dahil sa mga pinaggagawa niya.

I'm overreacting but it's true! Nakakabaliw!

I just sent Rylan a message. He told me that he'll just wait for the meeting to end and he'll visit his Dad first before he goes here. Maybe we'll just have some coffee or watch a movie. I'm also thinking of inviting Erica and Milan but I remembered that they're busy. Hinintay ko na lang si Rylan na dumating.

Dinadalaw pa rin ako ng nangyari kanina so I just entertained myself by watching some videos. I also brushed my hair countless times already after I took a quick shower just to divert my attention to something else. Inayos ko rin ang mga gamit sa walk-in closet ko. Halos lahat na yata nagawa ko pero hindi pa dumadating si Rylan.

At.. hindi ko pa rin nakakalimutan ang nangyari kanina.

I sighed. Maybe I'll just force myself not to make it a really big deal. 'Yon lang 'yon. He's not flirting with me. He's just drunk. It's nothing!

When I took a glance at the wall clock, it's already 8 PM. Bibili na sana ako ng wine sa convenience store para may mainom kami ni Rylan nang bigla ko siyang makita sa pintuan ko. I chuckled when he's about to press the door bell but then I suddenly opened the door before he could do it.

"I'm sorry, natagalan." He looks tired but he's still handsome.

Napangiti ako nang kaunti. "It's alright. Should I buy wine for us?"

"It's still---"

I didn't let him finish his sentence and I kissed him right on his lips when I saw Sir Yves. Nakabihis na rin siya at halatang may pupuntahan.

I moved my lips to kiss Rylan more in front of Sir Yves. I made sure that he can see us clearly while we're kissing. I smirked when I felt that Rylan responded my kisses. Ako na ang nagbukas ng pinto para makapasok kami. At alam kong nakita rin iyon ni Sir Yves.

I just don't know his reaction after that.

I stopped from kissing Rylan when we're finally inside. Pero siya, hinahalikan pa rin ako dahil gulat sa biglang paghalik ko sa kaniya.

I just want to prove to Sir Yves that I have a boyfriend so he'll finally stop flirting with me. I'm confident na talagang titigil na siya nang makita niya kami sa ginagawa kanina.

"M-Maybe, I should buy wine sa baba," I said to make Rylan stop. I think he's now drowned in the kisses that I gave him a moment ago dahil halos hindi na siya matigil sa paghalik sa akin pabalik.

Hindi ko na siya hinintay magsalita. Nagmamadali akong lumabas para pumunta sa convenience store.

That's actually the first time that we shared kisses like that. Madalas, sandali lang at lagi akong umiiwas dahil alam ko na ang pwedeng puntahan no'n.

Nadaanan ko ang unit ni Sir Yves. Hindi ko alam kung umalis siya o pumasok ulit nang makita kami sa ganoong sitwasyon ni Rylan.

Bumili na lang ako ng red wine and some cake wedges for us and also popcorn. I'm not expecting that I'll see someone here inside the convenience store. No. Not my professor.

Hanggang ngayon iniisip mo pa rin, Alindra!

I just shook my head and went inside my unit after I bought some goods. Naabutan ko namang nagtatanggal ng coat si Rylan habang nakaupo sa couch. He immediately hugged when he saw me. I know that he's looking forward for another kiss again.. or more than that.

"Bumili ako ng cake. Do you want?" tanong ko para makaiwas. "I'm sure you haven't eaten your dinner yet.."

He chuckled. "You're my dinner."

Natawa na lang ako sa kaniya at umiwas. I just set up the television to play the movie.

"Alindra, love.. you were so aggressive a while ago." Hindi ko namalayan na nasa tabi ko na pala siya.

I sighed and faced him. "No! I just wanted to kiss you. Ayon lang. Don't ask for more than that, please," mariing sabi ko sa kaniya.

Tumango lang siya sa akin saka umupo ulit sa couch. I prepared for his foods while searching for a movie to watch.

"So How's Tito? Is he okay?"

"Yes. Mabuti nga at ma-di-discharge na siya bukas. Okay naman ang result ng tests," he answered and smiled.

Napangiti rin ako. "Oh, really? It's a good thing. At least ngayon, mababawasan ang stress mo."

I saw that he already opened the wine and handed me a glass.

"Let's cheers!"

Hindi ko pa naiinom ang wine nang biglang tumunog ang fire alarm. Nagkatinginan kami ni Rylan. Nag-panic naman ako nang hilahin niya ako palabas. Nagmamadali ring lumabas ang iba. I also saw Sir Yves that's heading to the fire exit but he's just walking coolly. He looks so calm even if there's a fire already in this building?

Oh, come on!

Naramdaman ko namang humigpit ang hawak sa akin ni Rylan. "'Wag kang hihiwalay sa akin.."

"Wait, I think there's something wrong.."

Napansin kong bumabalik na paunti-unti ang ibang mga tao sa kanilang unit. I also heard commotions coming from the hallway.

"Someone just pranked us," pikon na sabi ng isang babae. I think she's on her late 30s.

"They better check the CCTV to check who it was! Nag-c-cause lang siya ng panic dito!"

Ang daming nagrereklamo sa isang lalaking staff sa hallway. Kami ni Rylan, naguguluhan.

"Unfortunately, sira po ang CCTV sa hallway na ito. We're sorry for the inconvenience. Hindi na po ito mauulit.."

Hinanap ng mata ko si Sir Yves. I saw that he's just leaning on the wall and directly looking at me. My forehead creased when our eyes met.

Was he the one who did that? He purposely pressed the fire alarm button! Ano? Iniisip niya ba na baka may mangyari sa amin ni Rylan  kaya niya 'yon nagawa? Para mapigilan kami? Or I'm just assuming things?

If my speculation is true then he must be definitely crazy!

"This is getting nonsense," I murmured to myself.

Hinila ko na si Rylan palayo na nalilito pa rin. He's just also a victim of Sir Yves' prank.

Nakakainis!

. . .

"Miss Rivera.."

Nagulat ako nang may biglang tumawag sa akin sa hallway ng university habang lunch. I was shocked a bit to see Sir Yves behind me. I shouldn't be surprised anymore.

"What?" I cleared my throat when I realized that I still should show respect to him. "I-I mean.. ano 'yon, Sir?"

"Come to my office now." His voice was full of authority.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang kaagad siyang umalis sa harapan ko at dumiretso sa kaniyang office. I looked around, I sighed when I saw nothing on the hallway except from the janitor.

I rolled my eyes as I slowly opened his office. I believe he's sharing this office with Sir Jameson but now that the latter is still sick, he's just the only one here. I became nervous with that thought. Naalala ko bigla ang nangyari noong nakaraang araw. I don't really want to follow him here but I have no choice.

He has the authority to make me follow him.. whether I like it or not.

Naabutan ko namang may inaayos siyang papers sa desk niya. Hindi ko na nilibot pa ang tingin sa loob dahil aalis din naman ako kaagad.

"Ibigay mo sa blockmates mo ang handouts na 'to. Tell them that I need it on Monday," sabi niya saka iniabot sa akin ang iilang papers.

Tumango ako. "Okay, Sir.."

Aalis na sana ako nang bigla siyang magsalita. I rolled my eyes secretly.

"About what happened last night.. I'm sorry, nakainom lang ako." Napapaos niyang sabi sa akin.

He stopped from speaking when we suddenly heard few knocks on the door. We both looked at each other. I didn't hesitate to hide behind the shelves. Ayaw kong may ibang taong makakita sa akin dito at baka iba ang isipin. Especially we're only two here inside.

Naririnig kong tinatawag niya pa ako at nagtataka kung bakit ako nagtaka. Nakita ko na lang na may pumasok na babae. She's carrying a little boy. I think I already saw him before. Hindi ko lang maalala kung saan.

"Yves," nakangiting bati niya sa professor ko. "Ikaw lang mag-isa rito?"

I saw that Sir Yves is a bit tensed at parang hinahanap ako ng mga mata niya. Binuhat naman niya ang batang lalaki.

"Yes.. nasorpresa ako. Hindi ko alam na pupunta kayo rito.."

"Na-miss ka ni Xian eh." The woman even chuckled. I rolled my eyes because of annoyance.

Nakita kong nilalaro ni Sir Yves ang bata na parang nakalimutan niyang nandito pa rin ako at nagtatago. I want to get rid of them so I slightly kicked one of the shelves to make a noise.

Napansin naman kaagad iyon ni Sir Yves.

"Let's eat at the cafeteria. Mauna na muna kayo, i-l-lock ko muna 'tong office.."

Siniksik ko ang sarili sa shelf nang mapatingin sa gawi ko ang asawa ni Sir Yves. When they're finally gone, I also went outside the shelf.

I faced my professor and smirked. "I didn't know that you already have a wife and a child.. and yet you're still flirting with me."

"Regina is not my wife at wala akong anak," mariing sagot niya sa akin. "At ang tungkol sa nagawa ko no'ng---"

"I'm sorry, Sir. I have no time for all of these nonsense things. May klase pa ako. Excuse me.."

Lumabas ako hawak ang handouts na binigay niya sa akin. I immediately gave it to my blockmates when I saw them.

I don't know why I became irritated again.. even upset and disappointed when I figured out that he already has a family kahit tinanggi niya iyon. Of course, he would deny it 'cause he's trying to flirt with me! As if I'll let him!

Hindi ko lang alam kung bakit ako nagkakaganito dahil lang sa professor na 'yon..

... ... ...