Knock Again, Professor [GL• #1]

Chapter 5

We're heading through the familiar highway that I rarely go to. Tanaw ang malawak na rice field at sa hindi kalayuan ay tanaw ang bundok Halcon. Pangatlo sa pinakamataas na bundok.

“Doon ka na mag-lunch sa bahay,” she politely said.

“Not sure, paalam ko kasi ay uuwi ako.” umiling ako at malamig na nagsalita.

“Kanino?” I instantly looked at her dahil sa sinabi niya.

“Is it even necessary for you to know, kung kanino ako nagpaalam?” I asked with bitterness in my tone

“I was just asking...” she nervously asked.

“Then, do I have to answer that? Does it even matter to you?” I irritatedly asked her.

I saw how she was trying to calm herself when I was talking to her. Napakagat nalang ako sa labi nang makita ang malungkot niyang mga mata na dapat ay hindi ako maapektuhan.

It was a trap, Saji.

“I'm sorry,” she apologized. "I didn't mean to upset you...” malungkot niyang saad.

“Okay, whatever!” I abruptly said. Hindi na rin siya nagsalita pa.

Ilang sandali pa ay pumasok kami sa isang lupain, marahil ito na ang papasok sa bahay niya, pero bakit walang tao? Lihim kong iginala ang tingin sa paligid at mukhang rancho ito. Bahagya naman akong nakaramdam ng kagalakan dahil sa ideya na maaring may kabayo rito.

“My grandpa gave this hacienda to me. I haven't actually liked it since sa province, but I remember you, and that's why I accepted this land. Ang katabing hacienda ay pagmamay-ari ng mga Martini, kaya maliit lang ang part ko,” she softly explained, as if I cared about it.

“You like horses, right?” she added, but again, I didn't bother to answer her.

Ang ipinunta ko rito ay review at hindi pagrereminisce sa nakaraan na pinilit kong kinalimutan na. Kung hindi dahil sa magandang offer ng school, ay hindi naman ako sasama sa kaniya ngayon at magtitiis na kausapin siya.

But wait? Nagtitiis lang nga ba akong kausapin siya? O baka naman mas ako pa iyong nagtitiis dahil hindi ko siya kinakausap. I know there's still a part of me longing for that same feeling, but I'm really scared and hurt.

She broke my heart a long time ago, tapos isang araw babalik siya like it's all nothing?

Maya maya ay narating namin ang isang malaking bahay, it was a ranch style house, may fountain sa harap ng bahay. Matte black and gold ang pintura ng bahay, I was astonished seeing her house.

Nung huminto ang mustang niya ay agad din naman akong bumaba at hindi pa rin naaalis ang tingin sa bahay niya. “It's all yours?” Tanong ko kahit na obvious naman iyon.

“Kay Grandpa, binigay lang sa akin.” she walks near me. “I am not actually planning to permanently stay here, dahil kapag nag-asawa na ako ay sa bahay na ipapatayo natin ako titira, kaya rest house lang ito." pagkukwento niya ulit, kahit alam niyang hindi naman ako interesado.

Parang I misheard something?

“So you're planning to get married? Well, it's good to hear that, hindi mo na ako guguluhin!” malamig kong saad.

“Uhm, no I was actually pertaining–” I cut her off.

“You're living here alone?” kahit na naiinis ako ay curious pa rin ako kung may kasama ba siya rito.