My Professor's Secret

Kabanata 26

He brought me inside his office after the incident. Si mommy ay umalis na samantalang sina Cole, Althea at Nikki naman naman ay bumalik ng classroom katulad ng iba naming mga kaklase.

Tulala akong naupo sa couch at hindi makatingin sa kanya. I still can't believe it. I'm... dating one of the owners of the school where I'm currently studying. He was respected and feared by all.

Napatingin ako sa kanya nang tinawag niya ako at tinabihan sa couch. Fear and worries are both written in his face.

"Pagkatapos ng nalaman mo, inaasahan kong sana walang magbago. I don't want you to look at me the way others do. I want the same jolly and sweet Becky around me." malumanay niyang pahayag habang hawak ang aking pisngi.

"I... I was surprised and... I still find it hard to believe." umiiling kong sabi

"I know baby, I'm sorry." he kissed my forehead.
"Hell, I'll do everything to protect you. Even if it means applying my authority and power just so that they'll stop bothering you." dagdag niya pa.

Pinaglaruan ko ang aking kamay. Hindi ako mapakali. May mga katanungan na gumugulo sa aking isipan. I need answers. And so, I asked him.

"If you are one of the owners of this school, then why are you working as a professor?"

His adams apple moved as he swallowed hard. Kunot ang noo ko habang inaabangan ang sagot niya.

"It's because of one specific person." he replied, not leaving my eye.

"What do you mean?"

Umayos siya ng upo at ngayon ay mas hinarap ako. "Baby, I'm actually a businessman. I can remember myself attending a particular social event where people with the same business interest flock together. You are there, with your father."

"I can't remember. Marami na akong napuntahang formal parties noon. Madalas kasi akong sinasama ni daddy."

Ngumiti lamang siya at nagpatuloy. "You caught my attention, even when I first saw you. You are... attractive."

Nakita ko ang pamumula ng kanyang tenga. Wait... nahihiya ba siya?

"So... I was you're crush, then?" I concluded, slightly teasing him.

"I guess so?" nag-iwas siya ng tingin. "I couldn't get over you after that. You always linger in my mind. You even interrupt my sleep. I think you charmed me."

Natawa ako. "How can I? Ni hindi nga kita nakita o naalala sa event na sinasabi mo. I've only known you as my professor."

"It was a long time ago and you are always oblivious of the world around you."

Napaisip ako ng malalim dahil sa sinabi niya. Nagpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita habang tahimik akong nakikinig sa kanya.

I'm thrilled that he's slowly telling me the things that makes me wonder. This man has never fail to give me enough surprises.

"I was determined to know something more about you so I sought for every details and informations I can get. Doon ko nalaman na nag-aaral ka sa isa sa mga institusyong pagmamay-ari ko. As expected, I took that as an opportunity to get to you. Hiniling ko sa head ng eskwelahan na ipasok ako bilang isang propesor. That way, I'll have the chance to see you everyday. I'll know you more and eventually, I'll make you fall for me. That's my plan."

Gosh, I can't believe this.
"Are you... obsessed with me?"

"I guess so? You are all I could think about. Feel this?"

Hawak niya ang aking kamay at iginiya ito sa kanyang dibdib. I can feel the fast beat of his heart. Goodness, it equaled mine! I must calm myself down!