Ikaw at Ako (Re-edited)

CHAPTER 4

Thursday. For the past semesters taking minors related to science is but a boring day. This is not from me ha? Maam Abaquita also highlighted this issue at the very first day of our Class. But sa sobrang galing niya, it feels like she is taking us from another dimension. Our three- hour class together was never boring. This is in contrast to Mr. Celeste's class. I could not count the number of times I yawned in his class. I checked the time and f*ck, meron pa kaming two hours with him.

But as I observed, enjoy na enjoy ata ang mga bruhang ito sa discussion ni Sir. I also asked Aimee and she said binabawi na niya ang negative comments niya about Sir because humahanga daw siya of how well he is sa topic. And here is me who is trying to seek that term because I am not enjoying his class. Wala nga akong maisulat sa notes ko because lumilipad pa rin ang isipan ko because of Stephen.

Nauwi na lang ako sa bahay and still Stephen pa rin ang nasa isip ko. Gosh! What is happening to me? I usually like guys pero in a split of a second kung makakakita ako ng another gwapo hindi ko na pinapansin yung una. But he is different. Gosh! Is this how I define Ultimate Crush? But my other side always reminds me that it is too early to define him like that.

Bumalik na lang ako sa sarili kong sentido when Mr. Celeste asked us to write down the requirements for our first laboratory session next week. Ang dami naman nito. Kahit yung ibang classmates ko were actually complaining. Hello? This is not a school from where he finished his Master's degree.

"If you are complaining, then what's with the expectation you set the last time we met?" Mr. Celeste said to the whole class. He has a point actually but hello? He could still find ways to have an engaging and high quality class even without those materials. It was way too expensive. Basag piggy bank na naman ito. The fact that we are all English Majors, why would he let us bring these sh*t? This is no use to Shakespeare's which we always tackle during lit. At least we know that Shakespeare is part of our major so no matter how expensive the materials to prepare for our play about his great masterpieces, we do not care because it is in line with our major.

"Tama nga naman si Sir. So bakit kase ang isa dyan nag set ng expectation?" Pinaparinggan ata ako ng mga girls. Tinitigan ko sila like it is their last day on Earth.

"Thank you, Sir. I salute you for bringing up this kind of education to our class." I said that to the whole class. Huwag mo akong chinachallenge Sir.

"Well, that is good kung ganyan ang nasa isip mo. Your reaction a while ago is parang gusto mo na akong patayin." Tumawa ng malakas ang buong class. Nalunod na ako sa sobrang inis sa mga requirements kaya hindi ko na nacontrol pati facial reaction ko. Pahiya dot come dot ph.

"I apologized but I hope you are emphatic enough to think that not all of us can afford this or shall we say we can afford these, how and where we will be able to purchase these?"

"Uhgm," Napakamot na lang si Sir Celeste sa kanyang ulo. Pwede naman kami magbayad ng additional fees sa school noh? We did that during Maam Abaquita's lab class. From lab gowns to the least essential materials, the school purchased it for us. We just have to pay additional fees for it. Though it was expensive at least it was less hassle for our part as we only have very limited time to look for it due to some deadlines sa mga major subjects namin.

"Before you submitted your course syllabus, at least you have tried to review it and to think of a way that we could meet those things easily."

"Oh, Mr. Marasigan, thank you for your concern and suggestion. But, I have to stick with this. You still have Saturday and Sunday to comply it. You need to build independence." He emphasized the word independence as he said that. Independence mo mukha mo. I saw a lot of negative reactions from my classmates.

After ng pakikipagbakbakan ko ay nagpatuloy na si Sir sa discussion. Marami akong nadiscover sa lessons niya. Akala ko it was just a repeat lesson lang talaga every single time we will have Lab Class on the very first day. But marami pa talaga kaming dapat pang malaman around the four corners of this room. Oo na, he is really knowledgeable talaga and he really is discussing the lessons well. pero inaantok talaga ako. Napatingin ako sa may bintana and nakita ko si Stephen. Wait si Stephen talaga? Yes, siya nga. When he noticed na narecognized ko na siya, he waved. My heart beats again. Charot. Our school uniform really suits to him talaga. Bakit sa akin hindi? Sana all! Nag- aabang siguro to matapos ang class namin with Sir Celeste. I cannot imagine how he emphasized the word independence sa amin when he cannot teach that to his own brother. Practice what you preach, yow! Tapos, without noticing I gave a weird facial reaction na naman.

"Marasigan, saan- saang lugar na ba napapadpad utak mo? Kanina pa kita tinatawag." Nagtawanan lahat ng mga classmates ko. Did I just enroll to this subject to get humiliated by my instructor? No way! Huhu.

"Sorry po, Sir." Nakayuko lang ako kase I cannot stare him straight to his eyes sa sobrang hiya.

"I think Stephen has to say something important to you. You may go out para kausapin siya."

"Me? Are you kidding me?'

"I am not kidding you, Marasigan. Ayun siya oh." And lumingon lahat ng classmates ko. OMG! Ako pala ang ipinunta niya dito. Kilig naman po ako. Lumabas muna ako ng room para malaman yung purpose niya sa akin. Do I have to say I do? Charot.
" May ipapatulong ka na essay?? Ibigay mo na lang sa kin yan tapos pagtapos ko na ibigay ko na lang sa iyo"

"No, I would like to invite you for a coffee after class."

"Huh? So doon tayo sa coffeeshop mag- uusap about sa ipapatulong mo?"

"Nope. I want to join the School Publication kase. I heard ikaw yung Editor-in- chief. I would like to show you my photos. I would like to apply for the position of Photojournalist. " OMG! Lord, ang bait mo talaga sobra.

"Oh, sure. But i-koconfirm ko pa sa notes ko baka may mga prior commitments na ako after class."

"Don't worry, it's okay. Can I have your phone? Please text mo ako ha?" He grabbed my phone and he dialed his number. Okay di ba? OMG! In my years of dreaming of having a date, ngayon ko lang mararanasan ito sa tao pang napakapapables.

I am with all smiles nang pumasok ako sa room. Pwede 4 PM na so I could prepare na sa date namin ni Stephen?

"Oh no! I am so excited!" Napatayo ako sa class nang isigaw ko ito.

Ilang beses pa ba ako mapapahiya sa class na ito. Nagtawanan silang lahat pati si Sir ay tawang- tawa na rin sa akin.

"Gurl? nagyaya ba sa iyo ng date si Stephen?" Aimee asked me.

"Hindi no? bakit mo naman naitanong?"

"Hello? Hindi ka na normal girl. Palagi ka kayang focus sa class but ilang beses kang parang paranoid sa class na ito tapos ngayon binibigyan mo kami ng ganyang reaction. What is happening to you, gurl? Naku! Nakakabaliw pa naman ang sobrang talino."

"Wala ka na doon. Ichichika ko na lang sa iyo mamaya pag uwi. Ibinigay sa akin ni Stephen ang number niya." Sabay tuloy kaming tumili ng malakas.

Okay, so nadamay pa ata si Aimee sa kalandian ko.

The whole class laughed so hard and pareho kami ni Aimee na napayuko.