How To Have You (Professors Series #1.)

Chapter 17

"Hello?" I mumbled, still sleepy.

I was awaken by the rings of my phone, tinignan ko ang caller Id bago ko ito sagutin, it was an unknown number. It was only seven am, it should be my rest day today!

[Is Miss Ferrer, there?] A woman asked.

Nagmulat ako ng mata habang naka-kunot ang noo ko, I once again checked the caller's Id but I was not mistaken, it really was an unknown number.

"Speaking. Who's this?" I asked authoritatively.

[Mrs. Devon Cortez, speaking.]

At that instant ay napabalikwas ako ng upo sa kama ko nang marinig ko kung sino ang kausap ko, nalaglag pa ang phone ko dahil sa pagkagulat ko.

"Mrs. Cortez! I'm so sorry about that." I apologized quickly ng maitapat ko uli sa tenga ko ang phone.

[It's alright, Miss Ferrer. I hope I didn't interrupt your rest, I'm sorry to call you this early.]

"No, not at all ma'am. May I help you with anything?" I asked politely.

[Right, well. Today's my wife's birthday...] Panimula niya, nakikinig lamang ako. [I asked Sefanie and the others to join us already, but I'm asking you personally because I know you're a busy woman.]

"Thank you for asking me personally, ma'am." Sagot ko nang makatayo ako. "Please tell Mrs. Richie that I wish her a happy birthday."

[Ah, dear. That's not what I meant. What I mean is that I'm inviting you to join us celebrate later, if you're not busy.] Maingat na tugon niya sa'kin. [My daughter mentioned that you are a fan of my wife, this is an opportunity for you to see her personally.]

"Can I call you back ma'am? I'll just... check my schedules." I crossed my fingers, praying that she would agree.

[Sure, dear. Call me whenever you're free.]

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng mamatay ang tawag, I lay back in my bed at nagtaklob ako ng unan, I suddenly remembered Cortez, matagal kaming hindi nagusap and if I go, I'm gonna see her.

I rarely see her at school at kung magkikita 'man kami ay sa klase ko lang, naguusap lang din kami kapag siya ang tatawagin 'kong estudyante para mag-solve sa board or para sumagot sa tanong ko and I must admit, I miss her stubbornness and even her clingy attitude but I can't complain dahil ako ang pumili para maging ganito kami and it's like we were back from the beginning. A complete stranger.

I dialed Sefanie's number, after three rings ay sumagot siya sa tawag ko. [Morgan, what's up?]

"Ikaw ba nagbigay ng number ko sa tita mo?" I took a sip on my coffee after asking.

[Ako... yata,] Alanganin niyang sagot. [Am I in trouble, Morgan?]

"Yes! You are in big trouble! Why did you gave my number?" I yelled at her over the phone.

[I'm sorry! Hindi ko kasi alam kung sasama ka ba o hindi. I know you and Amara aren't in good terms so I asked Tita Von to call you personally.]

Anak ng tokwa, kung minamalas ka nga naman!

"I don't wanna go there," I sighed deeply.

[It's not that bad, Loriel and the others would go... sumama ka na rin. It's not like you and Amara are gonna see each other often there, marami namang tao doon.] I heard her laugh a little.