Knock Again, Professor [GL• #1]

Chapter 3

It was another disaster morning because Ma'am Fernandez is our professor again. But this time is quite different because she seems not to pay much attention to me—not that I was really hoping for it.

“Today was your lucky day, class, because right now I'm here to announce the representative for the quiz history contest. Based on your last quiz, PUS already chose a student to compete for the other universities,” she happily said, and her eyes landed on me.

I don't like the way she looks at me.

“Congratulations, Miss Gomez. I've chosen you to be our school representative," she genuinely said.

My lips parted.

I heard my classmates congratulate me, ngunit iba ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Hindi ko gusto ang maging representative ng school lalo na at nagdesisyon siyang hindi manlang ako tinatanong muna.

Sabagay, ganyan naman na iyan simula pa man noon. Kahit minsan ay hindi niya manlang ako inalala.

“I refuse to accept that, ma'am Fernandez.” mariin wika ko. “And I don't want to compete, please, iba nalang po ang piliin niyo!”

I saw the sudden change in her emotions. “But I chose you, Miss Gomez–” cut her off.

“But I don't want it, someone must be more suitable to compete than me, at hindi po puwede na bigla lang kayo mag-decide without my knowing." I emphatically said.

“But I want you...” she said, which made me gasp.

"Sana lahat gusto ni ma'am."

Everyone in the room whispered something I could barely heard.

“Luh, ano raw ‘yun?" I heard Chan teasingly asked.

“Still no, maam,” I insisted.

Matapos ang usapang iyon ay hindi ko na halos maalala pa ang nangyari, sa mga sumunod na period ay wala na ako sa sarili dahil naiisip ko pa rin ang sinabi niya. I know what she really meant with those words.

Nasa cafeteria kami ni Chanty na kanina pa may sinasabi sa akin, pero wala pa rin ako sa katinuan. “Hoy, pinapatawag ka sa intercom...” halos pasigaw na sabi ni Chan sa akin.

“Huh?” dahil lutang ako ay hindi ko ‘yun napansin agad.

“Sorry for the interruption. May we have the attention of Miss Zsalm Jelani Gomez? Please proceed to the Dean's office now. Thank you!” muling pagsasalita ng tao sa intercom.

Hindi ko napansin na kanina pa pala ako tinatawag dahil malayo ang isip ko sa reyalidad. Parang naglalakbay sa kawalan ang diwa ko.

What is happening to me?

Agad naman akong tumayo. “Bakit daw kaya?” Tanong ni Chan as if may ideya rin ako.

“Malay ko, kaya nga pupuntahan ko palang 'di ba?” inis kong sabi sa kaniya.

“Sungit naman Sajipot!” pang-aasar niya pero hindi ko na lang siya pinansin.

Agad kong tinungo ang elevator ngunit under maintenance pala ito kaya no choice kung hindi ang maghagdan nalang. Sa pinaka top pa naman ang office ng Dean.

Habol-habol ko ang hininga nang marating ang floor. Sapo ko dibdib at pinapakalma ang puso dahil sa mabilis na pagtibok nito. Kung hindi lang naman importante ang tawag sa intercom, ay hindi ako pupunta.