Beneath Those Glasses

Chapter 14

Khiane Courtney's POV

I knew what I was saying that night. I remembered what Miss Lia said. She said that drunk thoughts are sober thoughts... and I knew what I was doing.

I remembered how Miss Aly took care of me and my drunk ass. I remembered how she assisted me in cleaning myself. I remembered how she asked for my permission to change my top because it was wet from crying.

I was thankful and all but after that night, I avoided her with all my might.

I have never ranted to anyone like that. I have never ranted about my family because my problem stays with me.

But Miss Aly... She listened. She never judged. Instead, she made me feel understood and heard. She knew what are the right words to say.

I already appreciated it the moment I knew she was listening, but I appreciated her more when she said those comforting words to me.

I was scared to admit to myself that I was starting to feel this unknown feeling I couldn't understand and describe.

It was foreign to me.

Ayoko man ay kahit anong pag-iwas ko, ay maliit ang mundo para sa amin. We go to the same University, she is my adviser, and she's my... instructor.

Ayaw man ay araw-araw ko siyang makikita dahil siya ang nagrereview sa akin para sa quiz bee.

I knew it was unreasonable, but I was scared. I didn't know where this unknown feeling would lead me to.

Did I just ghost her?

I don't know. I just felt the need to do so.

Papasok na kami ng University kasama ang dalawang kaibigan ko. Sinundo nga nila ako ngayon dahil wala ang driver ko.

Pinaayos daw ang kotse at mukhang bukas pa maibabalik. Mabuti na lang at may kotse si Rae, sa kaniya ako sumabay.

Maaga nga akong gumising dahil ayaw niyang nalelate. Pagod man dahil nag-overtime ako kahapon sa trabaho, pumasok pa rin ako.

Ayokong magkaroon ng absents. Hindi ko rin naman gawain ang mag-cut ng classes. Hindi kasi ako mapakali kapag may nakakaligtaan akong lesson.

"Bumili ako ng bagong iPad, so baka i-benta ko 'yong luma tutal dalawang taon na sa akin 'yon," pagkekwento nga ni Ash habang naglalakad kami.

"Sa katapusan ng school year pa ako makakabili ng bagong laptop, okay pa naman ang akin," si Rae iyon. "Sayang din iyon."

"'Kaw ba, KC, may plano ka bang bumili ng bagong gamit mo aside sa salamin mo?' tanong naman sa akin ni Ash nang makapasok kami sa elevator.

Kami lang ang tao sa loob.

"I have no plans," I answered. "I'm saving up."

"Naks," she playfully smirked at me. "Grabe ka na, KC, 'di na kita ma-reach,"

"Baliw," I chuckled. "Wala naman akong kailangan bilhin kaya hindi muna ako bibili ng bago."

"Independent woman 'yan, 'wag ka," ani Rae kay Ash kaya nagtawanan kami.

Hindi ko alam kung alam nilang iniiwasan ko si Miss Aly dahil dumaan lang naman ang weekends. Hindi ko rin naman sinasabi sa kanila.

Nang makarating nga kami sa floor namin ay binigay ko sa kanila ang gamit ko para isabay na ipasok sa classroom.

I excused myself and went to the restroom. Gara lang e, pati restroom may aircon.

Ginawa ko na ang kailangan kong gawin bago napagpasyahan na lumabas. Natigilan pa ako nang makita kung sino ang nagsasalamin.