I smiled as I waved at my little students. Nagpasalamat din ako sa mga magulang na sumundo sa kanilang mga anak. I also helped some students to put their bag bago ko sila hinatid palabas.
"Ingat kayo, ha!" Sabi ko at kinawayan ang mga estudyante ko. Bumalik ako sa loob at nilinis ang classroom. I also fixed my things and the chairs.
I'm happy teaching little kids. May pagkamakulit sila, oo pero nakakatuwa dahil nakiki-cooperate din naman sila. Their laughters and cuteness made me want to stick to my job forever.
I was sweeping the floor when a knock was heard. Umayos ako ng tayo at dumiretso sa pintuan. I saw two girls there, probably high school students. Lumapit sa akin ang isang babae at ngumiti.
"Hello po, nandito po ako for Cedrick." I nodded when I recognized the name. Cedrick is one of my student.
"Sister ka ba niya?" The girl nodded. Binitawan ko ang walis tambo at sinamahan sila sa playground kung saan naglalaro ang mga bata habang wala pang sundo. My eyes roamed around until I saw Cedrick playing with his classmates.
"Ayun si Cedrick," sabi ko sa babaeng katabi ko.
"Thank you po, Ma'am!" She said and walked towards her brother. Hinarap ko naman ang isang kasama niya at nakitang nakatingin ito sa akin. She smiled at me which I did reciprocate.
"Hello po," she greeted. Napangiti ako lalo at tumango sa kaniya. We both watched my student and his sister until I heard a familiar voice.
"Mama!" Nilingon ko 'yon at namataan ko ang anak kong tumatakbo papalapit sa akin. Sinalubong ko siya at niyakap.
"Baby, hello!" Bati ko at humalik sa pisngi niya. She giggled and held my hand. Tumayo naman ako at agad nabaling ang paningin sa taong nasa likod ng anak ko.
My eyes widened in shock when I saw a former schoolmate again... a former and unforgettable schoolmate.
Parker James is standing behind my daughter with his eyes staring straight to me. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba sa itsura niya o dahil isa siya sa matagal kong hindi nakita kaya mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko ngayon.
"Ma'am, salamat po. Una na po kami ng kapatid ko." Naputol ang pagtingin ko sa lalaki nang marinig ang boses ng babae. Lumingon ako at tumango.
"Kuya, tara na." The other girl said and I saw her eyes are directed to Parker and by that, I realized that they must be siblings.
"Sunod ako, Pia." His voice reached my ears. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito mag-react ang puso ko. Why am I like this?
Come on, Selene! Bakit ganiyan mag-react ang puso mo? It's not like you like him. Yes, I didn't even like or glance at him when we are still in college pero, bakit ganito?
"Oh, okay. I understand." The girl named Pia nodded and look at me with something in her eyes. Hindi na ako nakapag react nang umalis na siya kasama ang kaibigan at si Cedrick at naiwan kaming tatlo dito.
"Mama, do you have Stick-O in your bag?" Patrisha suddenly asked which made me turn my attention to her. Nilingon ko siya at binalewala ang lalaking nakatayo pa rin.
I smiled and caressed my daughter's hair. "Meron si Mama sa bag. Mama bought it for you!" Sabi ko. She jumped in happiness then, she kissed my cheeks then ran to my classroom, leaving me and Parker.
Umayos ako ng tayo at sinulyapan ang lalaki pero napaiwas din ako dahil nakatingin pa rin siya. Come on! Why are you staring like that?
After a moment of silence, I heard him clear his throat. Puwede akong umalis at talikuran siya pero hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ko magawa.
"Hi," he said. Nilingon ko siya at nakitang nakangiti siyang bahagya kaya napakagat labi ako. Kalma, Selene. What the fuck? Why are you nervous?
"Hello," sagot ko. His lips lifts up and a smile formed on his lips. Hinimas din niya ang batok niya at bahagyang tumawa.
"Ang awkward naman. Bakit ganito?" He asked and laugh. Gone the serious awra of him, ngayon ay nakangiti na siya.
Natawa ako nang bahagya at lumingon sa classroom kung nasaan si Patrisha. From where I'm standing, I can see my daughter sitting on my chair and eating her favorite Stick-O.
"Kumusta ka?"
Agad nabaling ang atensiyon ko kay Parker na nakataas ang kilay sa akin, waiting for my answer.
"Uh, I'm good. I'm teaching here..." sagot ko. He didn't speak and I guess, he's waiting for me to ask him. "Ikaw ba?" Tanong ko at nakita ko ang pag angat ng gilid ng labi niya.
"Well, I'm managing a car company. My own company," he said. Napatango naman ako at ngumiti sa kaniya. Now, we're silent again. Hindi ko alam kung anong topic ang pwede naming mapag usapan dahil hindi naman kami gaanong close noon!
"Is she your daughter?" He asked. I saw him looking at my daughter's direction.
"Yes. She's Patrisha, 5 years old," sabi ko. I watched as Parker nodded and a soft smile formed in his lips.
"Ang ganda nung relong suot niya. Cute," he said and smile at me. Tumingin ako sa anak ko at nakitang suot nga niya ang relong ibinigay sa kaniya ng hindi kilalang lalaki kahapon.
"Someone gave that to her yesterday," sabi ko. Parker nodded and whispered something. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nananatili pa rin ako dito kung pwede namang umalis na ako at magpaalam. It's already 4:30 in the afternoon and by this time, nasa bahay na kami pero heto ako, nakikipag usap sa dating kaeskwela.
"Selene..." he called. Napalingon ako sa kaniya at nakita siyang nakakagat ang labi. He sighed and look at me before speaking.
"Bakit?" Kunot noong tanong ko nang mapansin ang pag-aalangan niya. He bit his lips again and took a deep breath.
"Would you mind having dinner with me?"
My eyes widened. Nanatili akong nakatitig sa mata niya. I saw how his eyes hope for my answer and I don't know why but I found myself nodding.
"Sure."
BINABASA MO ANG
Where Universe Was Found (SOW #2)
RomanceSeries Of Wheres #2 - Since college, Parker James Tolentino has had his eyes on one certain girl named Selene Daphne Acosta. But his feelings for her are kept secret. Until graduation night came. Where the both of them are under the influence of alc...
