Pagkapasok sa classroom ay naupo si Zenith sa middle row, pero sa bandang bintana siya naupo. Masyadong maingay ang mga classmate niya for this class. They were chit chatting with each other while waiting for their professor, mga first year pa kasi sa graduate school which is understandable.
He was an irregular student kaya naiwan niya ang Legal Research I. He put out his smartphone and went to Instagram. Was it what? More than a month since he last saw Era. She never showed up again kahit na minsan ay si Steph ang nag-aaya.
Zenith continued to browse Era's social media account. All he could see was a happy couple and a successful woman in her chosen field. Mula college life nito ay naka-post. He found some of her super cute photos.
He counted the years since Era posted a photo of her and Vernon.
Ten years. Ano ang ilalaban niya roon? Mahirap makipagkompitensya sa lalaking kasama nito nang isang dekada.
Pero sabi nga, ang manok ay madaling hulihin kapag nakatali. Zenith smirked. He continued scrolling. Gustong-gusto niyang pindutin ang heart button, but Michelle was following him in Instagram. Ayaw niyang mag-isip ito ng kung anuman.
Napansin niya na biglang tumahimik ang klase. Pumasok ang professor nila for research, si Ms. Belinda Panelo at dumiretso sa table nito sa harap.
"Class, we will be merging your Legal Research I and the class of Business Research. Both of the subjects have the same topics and methods. So both classes won't be dissolved," ani Ms. Panelo.
May mga bagong mukha siyang nakita na pumasok sa pinto ng classroom niya. Some of them were familiar fellow graduate students who were taking up masters in Business Administration.
Zenith felt his world stop upon seeing a familiar frame entering the room. Their eyes met. Ang kanina lamang na ini-stalk niya sa Instagram ay nasa harapan na niya ngayon. Sinundan niya ito ng tingin nang maupo ito sa bandang likuran niya. He fought the urge to change seats, ayaw niyang mainis ito.
"Class, please come here in front and draw a number. You will be paired based on the number you'll pick." Inilabas nito ang dalawang fish bowl to choose from.
"Each JD, or LLM student will be paired with an MBA student to make your research diverse with a unique viewpoint and perspective between two fields."
Nang makabunot na sila, lahat ay tinawag ni Ms. Panelo ang mga number.
"Who picked number ten?"
Sinipat ni Zenith ang numero. Nang makita niya na siya ang number ten para sa LLM Program ay halos magkapanabay silang tumayo ng taga-MBA Program. Mula sa peripheral vision ay nakita niyang tumayo na ito. When he glanced at who would be his partner, he knew fate was working its way for them to be together.
"Era Anderson for MBA Program, ma'am," ani Era sa malamyos na tinig.
"Alistair Sujuico for LLM Program, Ms. Panelo," sagot naman niya.
Bumunot ito sa fishbowl. "Your topic is about sustainability. The industry is construction."
They both nodded at naupo.
"Okay, class, please go to your partners and discuss the topic and your strategies."
Being the gentleman that he was, tumayo siya, but he was seconds too late dahil si Era na mismo ang lumapit sa kaniya. Inilahad nito ang palad sa kaniya without breaking their stares.
"Hello! I am your research partner. I am Era."
Ginagap niya ang palad nito in a professional way. "Alistair."
BINABASA MO ANG
A Sinful Forbidden Affair
RomanceEra has been in a relationship with Vernon for more than a decade. They met each other when they were still young, both dreamt of a bright future together. They promised themselves to love each other despite whatever challenges life may brough them...
