What Comes After The Rain

WCATR 7: Against Him

CHAPTER 7 - AGAINST HIM

I was rushing through the hallway while imagining the fuming face of Mrs. Mababang-loob, my terror prof in Curriculum Development. Kagat-kagat ko ang tinapay na binili ko sa canteen dahil hindi na ako nakapagluto ng almusal dahil sa sobrang puyat. Sa bilis ng takbo ko ay hindi ko napansin ang mga estudyante sa paligid.

Damn! Kailangan kong umabot sa klase niya.

Kung normal lamang na araw ito ay wala sa aking problema ang ma-late ngunit hindi. Si Mrs. Mababang-loob ang isa sa pinaka mahigpit at striktang professor sa department namin. What made my situation worst is I also wrote an article about her in one of my column.

Well, not entirely about her but the controversial Socio-Cultural Department Video Presentation Contest, where they obviously favored the one who's promoting the school's vicinity and clearly ignored those groups that voice out the school's lack of giving attention to gender equality and racism.

Naaalala ko pa ang rant ni Ciqa noong time na iyon. Isa kasi siya sa videographers ng grupo na gumawa ng video tungkol sa racism. She ranted how unfair the judges are for picking the promotional video kahit pa sablay naman iyon sa criteria.

Marami ang galit na estudyante at nag-voice out ng opinyon dahil sa column na isinulat ko. They criticize all of the entries and asked the Socio-Cultural Department to disclose the score sheet. Sa huli, ang grupo na Ciqa ang nanalo ngunit hindi na nila binawi ang premyo.

They had to apologize for the inconvenience at dahil doon ay naging mainit ako sa paningin niya. Hindi ko alam na magiging professor ko si Mrs. Lany Mababang-loob na kasalukuyang direktor ng Socio-Cultural Department. And even if I know, I would still write that column. They deserved the hate though.

Hinihingal akong dumating sa classroom. She was already inside. Sobrang bilis na ng tambol ng dibdib ko dahil sa pinaghalong kaba at hingal sa pagtakbo. I knock on the door before opening it. Napatigil siya sa pagdi-discuss at lumingon sa akin na nakataas ang kilay.

I was biting my lips while receiving her intimidating stares. Swear! Hindi na ulit ako magpapa-late!

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, I was late." Even though my heart is galloping, I still have the guts to apologize.

Binuksan niya ang pamaypay niya saka nagsalita. "What did I say about being late, Ms. Carreon?"

"Uhm. . ."

I didn't say anything. Not because I couldn't but because Mrs. Mababangloob was difficult to comprehend. Minsan kapag sumagot ka sa tanong niya ay mas lalo niyang papalalain ang sitwasyon, vice-versa. When it comes to her, there is no right answer. Therefore I have to come up with a response that is less unpleasant for her.

"Ma'am, I am extremely sorry. There's a problem at home. My father's blood pressure has risen, and I need to get him some medication." I lied. Half of it.

Hindi tumaas ang presyon ni Itay ngunit totoong bumili ako ng gamot niya para hindi na mapunta sa pangsugal ang pera. I have to lie to Mrs. Mababang-loob so that I can protect myself from her possible outrage. I have to pass this subject. At hindi nakakatulong ang pagiging mainit ng dugo niya sa akin.

Ni-head to foot muna niya ako bago umirap. "Go to your seat. Hindi na mauulit ito."

Hindi ko na kinuwestyon ang pagpayag niya na pumasok ako sa klase at nagmadali nang naupo sa upuan ko. When I say Mrs. Mababang-loob was strick, she really is. Kahit pinalampas niya ang pagiging late ko ay hindi naman ako nakaiwas sa mainit niyang mata.

"Okay, Ms. Carreon, stand up."

Damn it. I'm doomed!

Tumayo ako saka hinarap siya. "How essential is it to you as a potential faculty member to prepare your students for occupations that need sustainability knowledge and skills?"