Chapter 28

I don't know what to feel when one of the senior professors announced that we will go back to Manila now. According to them, may bagyo raw kinabukasan kaya ngayon pa lang, dapat nakaalis na kami sa Sanctuary.

“So bitin naman!” one of my batchmates complained. It's obvious that she's still sleepy since it's just almost 6 in the morning. Halos lahat ay inaantok pa.

Nauna naman ang second year students na umalis dahil marami ang kanilang bus. Erica stopped from bothering about what happened last night because of that. I suddenly thought of Sir Yves while hurriedly packing my stuffs. I don't know where he is right now. Kung nauna na ang bus nila, hindi ko alam.

When I went up to the bus, I got my answer 'cause I saw him greeting the bus driver as if they're close. Nagkatinginan naman kami nang dumaan ako sa harapan niya. I'm a bit shocked when he smiled widely at me like he had a good sleep.

“Good morning, Miss Rivera.” He even greeted me!

I just nodded and didn't greet him back. I suddenly felt awkwardness especially, Sir Jameson and the bus driver is just beside us! They're both looking!

Nagmadali na akong umupo sa assigned seat ko. Naabutan ko namang hindi na si Jeremy ang katabi ko dahil nasa harapan na siya. I even saw the professors in front of us laughing together when the engine finally started.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit nandito si Sir Yves at kung bakit ganoon siya kanina.

Was it because of what happened yesterday night?

Hindi ko na pinagtuonan pa 'yon ng pansin lalo na nang nasa entrance na ako ng building at nakita ko si Rylan. He came from the parking lot and he's holding a bouquet of flowers. I don't know why I subconsciously looked around me to check if Sir Yves is just behind me and seeing us together.

“Rylan,” I called him out when I noticed that he's just smiling at me.

“Pasok muna tayo sa unit mo..”

Hindi na ako nagtanong pa nang hilahin niya ako papasok sa elevator. He isn't talking but he's smiling widely similar to Erica's smile when she's teasing me. Weird.

Nang nasa tapat naman kami ng unit — nagulat ako nang bigla siyang lumuhod bigla nang nakangiti pa rin.

“Ry, what's this? What are you doing?” Lumingon naman kaagad ako sa paligid. I'm being paranoid!

Tumayo siya matapos niyang isuot sa akin ang singsing. It's incredibly beautiful and well made but I don't want to appreciate it now especially that I'm still confused!

“Answer me! What is this all about?”

Ngumiti naman siya. “I don't need your answer yet. Just wear this ring. It symbolizes my love for you, Alindra..”

Hinawak-hawakan niya ang daliri ko na may singsing at hinalikan 'yon. I want to cry for some unknown reasons not because I'm happy.. but because I don't want this to happen.

“But I said I'm not yet---”

“Sabi ko, hindi ko kailangan ng sagot mo ngayon.” He looked at me with sincerity. “Please.. just let me do this for you. I love you...”

I hardly closed my eyes when he hugged me tight. At nang bumukas ang pinto ng unit — I was shocked to see a lot of balloons inside. Flowers and stuffed toys are also scattered around. Nakakalat pero hindi masakit sa mata.

I entered inside to see it all. Naramdaman ko namang sumunod sa likuran ko si Rylan.

“You like it? Happy monthsary.”

Lumingon ako sa kaniya dahil sa sinabi niya. “Monthsary?”

“Yes. It's already 23rd of August. We're already 4 months in a relationship.” He's still smiling.

“4 months but you already gave me a ring..”

I sighed and grabbed the wine and opened it. I don't know what's running on his mind while he's doing all of this.

“Alindra, 'wag mong isipin na nag-propose ako sa 'yo ngayon dahil lang binigyan kita ng singsing.” I felt his warmth when he hugged me from the back. “Hindi kita minamadali. Alright? I just really want to give you a ring and please make sure to wear it everyday.

“Too early for wine..”

Hinarap ko naman siya at binitiwan ang wine glass. I forced to smile. “It's our monthsary. We should celebrate, right? You should drink also.”

Ngumiti naman siya at hinila ako palapit sa kaniya. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang mabilis niya akong hinalikan!

“Natikman ko na ang wine. I think it's enough.” He smiled mischievously at me. “No. I think I can't get enough of it.”

I offered him my wine glass but he didn't accept it. He grabbed my waist instead and pulled me closer to him as he kissed me passionately. Mainit ang mga halik niya. Mariin. The kind of kisses that will make any girl feel butterflies in their stomach but I'm not one of them 'cause I suddenly thought of Sir Yves when I moved my lips a bit to respond on Rylan's kisses.

I tried to push Rylan but his grip is tight at ayaw niya akong pakawalan. Pasimple kong kinuha ang wine glass at kunwaring aksidenteng natapon 'yon sa kaniya.

“Oh, shit!”

It was effective because his coat is now wet because of the wine. I smiled inside me.

“Do you have extra shirt?” kunwaring nag-aalala kong tanong habang hinuhubad niya ang kaniyang coat at longsleeves.

“Yeah..”

Parehas naman kaming napatingin ni Rylan sa pinto nang tumunog ang door bell.

“Ako na. It must be the foods that I ordered..”

Sinundan ko ng tingin si Rylan na topless habang binubuksan ang pinto. I quickly wiped the wine on the table while he's talking to the delivery man.

“How did you even do this pala? You also have keys?” I asked him out of curiosity.

Lumingon naman siya sa akin. “Tita Minerva and your cousin helped me..”

Napatango na lang ako. Kaya pala. I'm not really  a fan of surprises but somehow, I like these stuffs around me.

“Love, can you help me with these?” nahihirapang sabi ni Rylan habang buhat ang maraming box.

I immediately took the boxes to help him but I stopped when I saw Sir Yves at the hallway. Hindi ko alam kung paalis siya o papasok na sa unit niya. He's just standing there but not enough to see us inside.

Kaagad ko namang sinara ang pinto nang makuha ni Rylan ang ibang boxes ng food. I don't know why but I suddenly felt that my heart is about to break apart anytime.

Bakit ako nasasaktan? Bakit ako nagkakaganito?

I pulled my hair in frustration. Tumigil lang ako nang lumabas si Rylan galing sa kitchen. Hindi na ako makapag-focus dahil sa pag-iisip ko sa professor na 'yon. I'm asking myself why he's here but then I remembered that he's also staying here in this building.

I'm waiting for his action para lang hindi matuloy ang nasa isip niyang gagawin namin ni Rylan. I remembered what he did last time just to stop us from doing something. He intentionally pushed the fire alarm button! Ano namang gagawin niya ngayon? He'll prank us again? He'll knock on our door? What?

Or better yet, he'll literally go here inside and punch Rylan on his face! Ano? Anong gagawin niya? Baka wala?

Nasa gym na kami ni Lexy at natapos na ang celebration namin ni Rylan nang wala akong natatanggap na salita galing kay Sir Yves. At bakit ko ba kasi in-e-expect na may gagawin siya? Or may sasabihin siya about it?

I'm just assuming things!

“Your boyfriend asked for some help last time ah. Monthsary niyo raw eh. He bought a lot of balloons and stuffed toys and also flowers din yata. Pero hindi mo raw nagustuhan?” Lexy said while pouting. She's already done using the treadmill while I'm still doing the seated leg curls.

“2 sets pa, Alindra!” Yael, the gym instructor said when I'm about to stand up.

Umikot naman ang mata ko.  “Water break!”

Nakita ko namang ngumisi lang siya saka umiling. I quickly stood up and grabbed my towel to wipe the sweat on my chest and forehead. Saka ako bumaling kay Lexy na hinihintay ang sagot ko.

“Who told you that? Of course, I liked it!" Kunwari akong ngumiti. “I'm just not really a fan of things like that.. alam mo naman ‘yan.”

“What do you like, then?” Lexy looks so curious while she's just sitting on the mat.

“I don't really like surprises. I appreciate those little things more than luxurious gifts, date on a fancy restaurant, on a yacht. I prefer---”

I stopped talking when I noticed Sir Yves that is walking on his way to Yael. Tinitigan ko siya. He's only wearing white sleeveless top and jogger pants. He also has a gym bag on his hands.

“Alindra? Why?”

Natauhan naman ako nang harangan ni Lexy ang tinitingnan ko. Umiling lang ako saka tiningnan ulit. I immediately fixed my bun when I saw that he'll go here.

“Sir Yves!” tawag ko sa kaniya nang dumaan siya sa harapan ko. Parang nagulat pa siya nang makita ako.

“Oh Miss Rivera, nandito ka rin..”

I want to frown on his reaction. He didn't even smile! Or even smirk! Tamad na tamad?

“Yeah, obviously. Kayo? Dito rin pala ang gym niyo?” I said while smiling. Nakikita ko namang nagtataka si Lexy sa tabi ko. “I just go here every Friday and Saturday..”

Tumango naman ang professor. “Bago lang ako..”

Ang tipid.

He didn't say anything and he just started to carry some dumbbells as the girl instructor guided him. My forehead creased while looking at them. Nilingon ko naman si Lexy na nag-ca-cardio na.

“I'll just talk to Yael...”

Naabutan ko namang may kausap sa phone si Yael kaya naghintay pa ako ng ilang minuto bago siya lapitan.

“Oh you're done?” bungad na tanong niya nang makita ako.

I just shook my head. “Si Yves.. 'yong Antonio. What's his schedule here? 'Yong bago?”

Nakita ko naman ang ngisi niya habang nakatingin sa akin. “Bakit? Type mo?”

“Oh come on, Yael! Just say it!”

Napakamot naman siya sa ulo at may kinuhang notebook sa table. I looked at Sir Yves and at the instructor again. Nairita ako bigla.

“And please 'yong instructor niya! 'Wag babae!”

“Every weekends ang schedule niya,” sabi niya habang nakatingin sa notebook. “Wait. Kanina you asked for his schedule at ngayon naman, pinapapalitan mo ng instructor. Boyfriend mo? Fling or something?”

I rolled my eyes at him. “Don't ask too much and just change my schedule! Make it every Saturday and Sunday!”

Hindi ko na pinansin pa ang mga tanong ni Yael nang makita kong pumasok si Sir Yves sa locker room kasama ang gym instructor. What the hell? Anong gagawin nila ro'n?

I opened the door in an instant and I saw that the slut is wiping Sir Yves' arms. Hindi pa niya ako napapansin.

“Ako na, Miss. I can handle. Salamat sa tulong.”

“Yael is looking for you,” sabi ko sa babae nang sabay silang mapatingin sa akin. Nagtataka naman ang itsura ni Sir Yves.

Napairap naman ako nang magpaalam pa siya kay Sir Yves. I suddenly want to pull her hair right now and choke her!

Kaagad ko namang sinara ang pinto nang umalis na ang babae.

“What are you doing here?” tanong niya habang pinupunasan ang braso. Hindi makatingin sa akin.

My forehead creased. “What was that? Ano? Mag-se-sex ba kayo kung hindi ako dumating? Dito pa sa locker room? How cheap!”

“Alindra, your mouth!” Finally, he looked at me. “Tinulungan lang niya ako dahil natapunan ng oil ang---”

“Kailangang pumunta pa kayo sa locker room? Kayong dalawa pa talaga?”

I even walked closer to him. Nakatayo ako habang nakaupo siya.

“Hindi kita tinanong nang ganiyan no'ng nakita ko kayo ng boyfriend mo sa loob ng unit mo..”

“You didn't ask 'cause you're not interested!”

“Exactly.” Kumunot naman ang noo ko sa sagot niya.

“What did you say? Hindi ka talaga interesado?” I smirked and shook my head. “You're not interested yet you even pushed the fire alarm button when you saw us inside my room! You're not interested but you keep on staring at me while you're lecturing us! Yeah! Hindi ka interesado!”

“Stop it, Alindra. Are you hearing yourself? You're my student.. hindi ako interesado sa ‘yo.”

I became more frustrated when he's not even looking at me.

“How about me huh? Paano akong alam na estudyante mo ako at professor kita pero gusto pa rin kita?!” There! I finally said it! Gulat naman siyang humarap sa akin. “Yes! Gusto kita, Sir! I fucking like you!”

“You're just confused. Listen, kung ano man ang nagawa ko noon kaya iniisip mong interesado ako sa 'yo o gusto kita.. it's not true.”

Umiling-iling ako. “Whether it's true or not, too late. I've already fallen for you.”

“Alindra, may boyfriend ka!” he intently told me. I don't know what is running inside his mind at this moment.

“Yes, I do have but I don't love him!” I raised my voice and faced him even more. “Ikaw! Ikaw ang gusto ko!”

“No. It's just a phase..”

Hindi ko maintindihan kung anong reaksyon niya. I'm just seeing sadness in his eyes. Also worries. About what?

“I hope so 'cause I know very well that this will be too dangerous for me and also for you,” diretso kong sabi habang nakatitig lang sa kaniya.

That is when I realized that I finally admitted my feelings towards him. Inamin ko sa kaniya.. sa sarili ko. I don't know why I fell for him too early even if I only know him for months. Si Rylan — I know him for years already but I didn't even catch any romantic feelings for him.

Si Yves.. siya lang ang nagpabaliw sa akin nang ganito!

Saka tumulo ang mga luha ko nang umalis siya sa harapan ko. I didn't understand what he said a while ago because of what I feel. I don't know why I'm being emotional just because I finally told him my feelings! This is the first time that I confessed to someone and I got rejected immediately! I thought he was really interested but turns out, he wasn't! Naniwala ako sa mga sinasabi ni Erica! But I shouldn't blame her! I had high hopes even if I'm not really sure that he likes me!

How stupid of you, Alindra!

Padabog akong umupo at inalala ang nangyari kanina lang. That professor is so rude! Umalis na lang siya bigla! That made me cry more! Thinking that he doesn't like me and he rejected me like I'm just a nobody — it hurts me! Damn it!

Napatayo naman ako nang biglang may kumatok. I forcefully wiped my tears as I opened the door. Bumungad naman sa akin si Lexy.

“Hey, what happened? Kanina pa kita hinihintay.” She looks a bit worried.

I'm just hoping that my eyes aren't puffy right now because of the tears.

“Uh, may hinanap lang ako sa locker..”

Nilagpasan ko na siya at dumiretso sa car para iwasan ang mga tanong niya. Hindi ko naman na nakita si Sir Yves at baka umalis na talaga siya. I also don't want to see him again yet.

When Lexy finally got inside the car — the rain suddenly poured because of the typhoon. I hope it will last for at least three good days so that I won't see that professor yet. But then I realized na kahit wala pa ring classes sa university, makikita ko pa rin pala siya sa building.

Fuck the connections!

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