"The Montrésor family's motto, Nemo me impune lacessit, means?" I asked my students.
Our topic is about the story, The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about revenge, deceit, and murder.
A lot of them raises their hands, "Ma'am!"
"Yes, Lacia?" pagtukoy ko sa isang student ko.
Tumayo siya at nag-recite, "No one offended me unpunished, Ma'am."
I smiled at them. Gets nila ang discussion kaya masaya ako. I love it when my students are actively participating. I want them to recite and recite. Mali man or tama, wala namang masama mag-try.
"Okay, take note sa assignment niyo. Write your reaction about Montrésor family's motto, Nemo me impune lacessit, in essay form."
"Ma'am, saan po isusulat?" they asked.
"Sa one whole pad paper lang." I unplugged the tv and removed my usb that contains my powerpoint and fixed my things.
The class ended, "Goodbye, Ma'am Erica. Peace and all good." Saad nila bago ako lumabas ng room. May piled notebooks sa table ko at nagpatulong ako sa isa sa mga estudyante na buhatin ito papuntang faculty room.
I went to my next class. The discussion went well. 'Di nga lang maiwasan na mag-ingay ng mga bata. Sa morning class ay dalawang sections ng grade nine ang tinuturuan ko at sa afternoon class naman ay dalawa rin.
Lunch time at inaya ako nila Ma'am Ailene at Ma'am Meliza. Sila ay ka-close kong teacher na nagtuturo rin dito.
"Hay, exam na ulit ng mga bata next week." Ailene said. "Tapos card day na naman," she scratched her nape. "Pasahan na naman ng cards."
Tapos na kaming kumain dito sa D'Mother Eatery. Magkatabi silang dalawa at ako ang nasa harapan nila.
"True, ang bilis nga, eh." Sabi naman ni Meliza at napailing. "Hindi ko na naaasikaso ang lovelife ko," she said in disappointment and sipped on her drink.
"Meliza," I called her. "You have a boyfriend?" gulat na tanong ko. Hindi siya nagsasabi sa 'kin, ha!
"Busy ka kasi sa lovelife mo, Erica," my lips parted with what Ailene said. She laughed when she saw my reaction. "Uy, nakita ko lang kasi nung nakaraan sa City Park na may kasama kang tall and, hot, and handsome. Inaasar ka pa ng mga estudyante."
I chuckled. "I don't have a lovelife. I'm busy with my work," palusot ko. Gosh, nakita pala niya 'yon. Napalingon ako sa paligid, buti na lang ay malayo ang pwesto namin mula sa ibang mga tao.
"Itong si Ailene naman, palibhasa kasi single pa rin until now," tinawanan siya ni Meliza. Natawa na rin ako sa kanila.
"Mahirap kaya mag-Math teacher tapos poproblemahin ko pa 'yung lovelife?" Ailene scoffed and shook her head.
"So, sino 'yung nakita ni Ailene na kasama mo, Erica?" usisa ni Meliza.
My lips formed a small pout. "He's Jagger. Uh, my suitor?" patanong na sagot ko.
Pareho silang humagikhik na parang mga teenagers na kinikilig. "Uy, ano ba." My face heated.
"Ikaw, Meliza, magkwento ka naman," I uttered.
Her mouth twitched, "Hmm... Basta ang alam ko mahal ko siya."
"Mahal ka ba?" singit ni Ailene. Meliza glared at her. Natawa na lang ako sa kanila.
We went back to the faculty room. I still have things to do. I'll check my students' notebooks for grading them if they're jotting down the important topics for their exam. Dagdag puntos din 'yun.
After ng class ay may short meeting pa regarding sa date ng card day and teacher's evaluation.
"Hello, Ma'am Erica!" Bati ng mga estudyante sa 'kin na kakapasa lang ng notebooks nila. "Nakalimutan po namin, hehe."
After the meeting, me, Meliza, and Ailene went out together. Kita ko ang isang pamilyar na lalaki sa may labasan. Nagpaalam na silang dalawa sa 'kin na mauna na raw sila.
I walked towards Kalvhin. He's in front of the school's main gate. He looks like he's waiting for someone. "Hey," bati ko sa kanya. His hands are on his pocket.
His eyes gazed me. Sumaya ang mukha niya, "Uy, Erica. Ano..." He scratched his head, "Kain tayo sa labas."
"Uh, I-I'm busy, Kalvhin." Palusot ko. Saang lupalop ba 'to napadpad at bigla-bigla akong aayain kumain?
I continued, "Sorry, I don't have time."
He comes closer so I step back, "Sige na, oh--"
I felt Jagger's hands on my waist. "She's gonna come with me." He said to Kalvhin coldly.
His eyes met mine, "Shall we?" I nodded. He turned his head to Kalvhin that is currently shocked. Jagger gave him a fake smile then he pulled me out of Kalvhin's sight.
"Lagi ka bang kinukulit no'n?" he's quite annoyed.
"Kanina lang. Hindi ko rin alam na pupunta siya roon," I explained.
He opened the shotgun seat for me, "Thank you." I said before going in.
He's just quiet while driving. "Where are we going?" mahinang tanong ko. Galit ba siya?
He let out a heavy sigh, "Let's have an early dinner on By The Sea Restaurant." He said without gazing me.
I pouted, "Okay."
We went into a small restaurant. "What do you want?" he asked me while choosing on the menu.
"Kung ano sa 'yo, ganun na rin sa akin," I said and smiled at him.
Nang makapili na ng order ay tahimik lang si Jagger habang nag-aantay ang pagkain.
He cleared his throat, "I'm sorry for being a jealous suitor, Erica." He smiled apologetically.
Hinawakan ng kanang kamay ko ang kamay niyang nakapatong sa mesa, naka-intertwined ito. "I like you, Jagger." Pag-amin ko sa kanya. "You don't have to be jealous." I gave him a genuine smile... just like what I've said.
His face flushed, "Really?" he asked happily. I smiled and nodded at him. "Say it again, Erica."
My face heated, "Kakasabi k-ko lang." I chuckled nervously. Ang tapang ko kanina tapos ngayon duwag na agad!
Nililingon ko ang paligid at mabuti ay walang tao masyado. I can't stare him in his eyes!
"Please..." Malambing na pakiusap niya. He put my hand on his face
I covered my face, "I like you, Jagger." Then, I heard him muttered a curse.
<3
06/19/21
YOU ARE READING
He Got Deja Vu
Romance"We did that too..." -She, the bitter one. Billions of people, but I chose him. But seems the world is too unfair and against me. Because I gave him too much of myself, but he just betrayed me. It took one text message to destroy my sanity. See...
