Classroom Chronicles: Taming the Tiger, Wooing the Wildcard

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

CLASSROOM CHRONICLES #1: TAMING THE TIGER, WOOING THE WILDCARD

Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. All names, places, businesses, and plot elements mentioned within are the product of the writer's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The author has taken creative liberties in the development of the narrative and its characters. The story should be enjoyed and interpreted as a fictional creation and not as an accurate reflection of real-life individuals or events.

"I don't know, Ava. I don't know what to believe in." Mariin akong napapikit dahil sa sinabi nya. Anong hindi nya alam? Hindi ba pwedeng ako nalang yung paniwalaan nya?

"Jason, makinig ka naman. I am telling you the truth. Hindi ba pwedeng kahit ngayon lang, ako yung paniwalaan mo?"

Napayuko nalang ako. Unti unti kong narerealize na kahit anong sabihin ko, hindi nya pipiliing paniwalaan. Pero umaasa pa din ako na kahit papaano ay pipiliin nyang magtiwala saken.

"Hindi madali, Ava. Hindi lang tayo at kung anong mayroon tayo ang apektado. Hindi mo ba alam kung gaano kalaking damage to?"

Alam kong nagpipigil sya ng galit at sinusubukang kausapin ako ng mahinahon. Pero bakit ba hindi muna nya ako hayaang magpaliwanag?

"I did not do anything! Bakit ba ayaw mong maniwala? Kanina ko pa sinusubukang magpaliwanag pero hindi mo ako binibigyan ng pagkakataon!" Hindi ko na napigilang mapalakas ang boses ko out of frustration.

"Are you shouting at me?" He looked at me in disbelief.

"So what if I am? Baka this way, marinig mo yung sinasabi ko."

"Naririnig kita. You don't have to shout. The teachers may hear you."

"that's bullshit! So what kung marinig ako? Ano pa bang iisipin nila? Mas mahalaga pa ba yon kesa malaman mo yung side ko? Oo naririnig mo ako, pero hindi mo ko pinapakinggan."

Sinamaan nya ako ng tingin at kinuyom ang mga kamay. Nagpakawala siya ng buntong hininga at napahilot sa sintido.

"The damage has been done. Whether you're the girl in that video or not, parents are starting to pull out their children. The board has made their decision. It's not like I can do anything about it. At least for now."

"I am not asking you to do anything about the board's decision. I am just asking you to believe me."

Alam kong hindi na mababago ang decision ng board. Suspended until further notice. Pinaganda lang pero alam ko namang terminated na ako. Sobrang unfair. Hindi manlang nila ako hinayaang ipaliwanag yung side ko. Pakiramdam ko, lahat ng pinaghirapan ko, Nawala ng parang bula.

"It wouldn't make any difference."

Hearing him say that shattered my heart into million pieces. Wala akong pakialam kung hindi ako paniwalaan ng lahat, wag lang sya. Hindi ko na napigilan ang mga luha kong kanina pa nagbabadya. Tumayo sya at lumapit sa kinatatayuan ko.

"I am sorry, Ava. My hands are tied. What I believe in doesn't matter. Wala din akong magagawa."

"Mahirap bang paniwalaan ako? Naniniwala ka ba na ako yon? Matalino ka di ba? Bakit di mo i-analyze?"

Hindi ko na napigilang maging sarcastic. All I need is for him to believe me. Yun lang. Sya lang.

"I am sorry."

Bakit sya nagso-sorry? Naniniwala din ba syang ako yun? Akala ko kilala namin ang isa't isa pero bakit? Bakit parang naniniwala din sya na ako yon?

"You don't have to say sorry. You don't need to feel sorry for me."

Ayoko nang pag mukaing kawawa ang sarili ko. Hindi naman ako ganito. Hindi ako mahina. Kaya ko. Kaya kong mag isa.

"I should be the one apologizing, Mr. Reyes. Sorry for bringing shame to your esteemed institution. Rest assured that I will no longer do anything that will further hurt your reputation. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work here – "

Shock was written all over his face. What does he expect me to do? Go home and wait for their decision to terminate me? Hell no. I'd rather leave and let them think what they want than stay and wait for the chance to be able to redeem myself - which I don't think will be happening any time soon.

"What are you saying?"

"I am saying that I am resigning. Effective immediately. I wouldn't wait for the board to terminate my contract. That could be burdensome for everyone."

"Ava..." he seemed lost for words. But the heck I care. Kung di nya ko kayang paniwalaan, there's no point na mag stay pa ako dito.

"Thank you, Mr. Reyes."

I wiped my tears and fixed myself before leaving his office. I am glad that students aren't around anymore. I don't want them to see me like this.