Mystified Heartstrings (A Collaborative Novel)

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Day 71: Sevelanio High (Present)

“It’s not about how you feel towards a particular subject. Either we find it concealed in positivity or the opposite; that’s not the real deal. Because feelings change—do you all agree with me?”

All eyes are on him while he slowly walks around the platform, facing his students. Ngayon ko lang ata siya nakitang magturo ng maayos. And I admit that he has some skill for it. He aced it all.

“When the emotional state fluctuates, it affects the absolute disposition of an individual. Complications intervene in the intellectual stability of existences, specifically humans.”

Every word he said was like calming music to my ears. It has a nice rhythm, but the lyrics are unclear.

“So what is your point, sir?”

Nabaling ang atensyon namin sa katabi ko nang magsalita ito sa gitna ng pagdidiskusyon ng propesor. Napatango sa kanya si sir Lexus saka marahang ngumiti.

“To go straight to the real concept of today’s topic, I am teaching you guys to understand the essence of the situations in life that you are or might encounter.” He trailed off and walked towards the front. He stopped beside the professor’s table and returned his gaze to us. “The inner consciousness is more important than the sudden and ad hoc reaction of oneself. We function through what we see but forget to dig deeper into the way we perceive it.”

“We still don’t get the point, sir.” Jaimee raised her hand to get the professor’s attention. I do agree with her. Masyadong malalim ang mga salitang ibinabato niya sa amin. Psychology graduate nga naman. Wala akong maintindihan.

“Then study,” mabilis na tugon ni sir Lexus. “This will be your homework. Decipher the real meaning behind my discourse.” He closed all of his books and carried them with him. “Whoever gives me the correct answer doesn’t have to take the midterm’s exam.”

The room was filled with loud gasps and grunts. Hindi na sila pinansin ng propesor at tuluyan na nitong nilisan ang silid. Napailing na lang ako. Mukhang napapadalas na ang pagbibigay niya ng homework at activities. Hindi niya naman iyon parating ginagawa noon. I wonder why...

“Hindi ka kumain ng breakfast kanina, sabi ni mom.”

Napalingon ako kay Marwin nang magsalita ito. Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata sa takot na may makarinig sa kanya.

“Wala akong gana.” I honestly answered before flashing a faint smile on my lips. Napatango lang siya bago iniabot sa akin ang isang piraso ng tuna sandwich. I knew it in an instant, dahil sa tatak nito. I frequently buy it in the cafeteria during recess.

“If you’re on a diet, stop it already.” Matutuwa na sana ako dahil sa pagbibigay niya sa akin ng pagkain, pero ngayon na nahihimigan ko na naman ang gagawin niyang pang-aasar, I just want to slap him with this sandwich. “Mukha ka na ngang malnourish, gusto mo pang mag-improve?”

Inis akong napairap sa kanya. Tumawa lang ito bago naglakad patungo sa unahang bahagi ng silid. He clapped his hand to gather the student’s attention. “All right! Listen up!” he spoke out. “The faculty members will be having an important meeting this afternoon, which only means that we students will have our vacant time for the rest of the day.” He cleared his throat to make his voice clearer.

“And since wala namang kwenta ang pananatili niyo rito sa school kapag nag-umpisa na ang meeting nila, they decided to suspend the afternoon schedule.”