The Professor's Obsession (PUBLISHED)

Chapter 2

“Love, wala ka na naman sa sarili mo, are you okay?” Joshua asked worriedly. Inipit niya sa tainga ang buhok na humaharang sa mukha ko.

These past few days, my mind was occupied with Pollux. His intimidating presence and cold voice are unforgettable. His pointed nose and rosy lips still clouded on my mind.

“I'm fine, love,”I answered and smiled fakely. I feel guilty.

Hindi ko alam if I should tell Joshua what's going on. About how Pollux embarrassed me in front of my classmates and how Pollux carried me like I'm his. I know I will sound immature if I tell him about that.

Nakaupo lang kami sa bench sa ilalim ng puno ng mangga. Fresh naman ang hangin, pero hindi pa rin ako maka-relax  dahil sa sobrang dami ng iniisip ko. Ngunit isa lang talaga ang puno’t dulo nito. Si Pollux. 

FLASHBACK

Nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya habang pinapaupo niya ako sa sofa. His perfume lingers in my nose. He has chocolate eyes that are paired with perfect eyelashes, thick brows, pointed nose and pinkish lips. Out of all the professors, siya lang ang naiiba.

“Miss, what are you doing outside in my office?” I was cut off from fantasizing because of his question.

I bit my lips and looked away.  I can't believe I’m shaking in fear. Hindi ako sanay sa ganito. I never felt like this before.

“Naligaw po ako,” I said softly, sparingly, and played with my finger.

He stared at me blankly kaya umiwas ako ng tingin.

“Why are you always like that?” he asked, sounding irritated.

“Like what?” I asked weakly.

I looked at him with a confused look plastered on my face.

“Playing your fingers every time you’re scared,” he answered softly.

PRESENT

Paano niya napansin ang mga bagay na iyon? Even Joshua doesn't notice my habit. He’s not just intimidating, but also an observant.

Hindi ko pa makalimutan kung paano niya ako kinarga at pinaupo sa kaniyang sofa habang ang malamig niyang boses at unti-unting lumambot. I just can't forget that easily!

My gaze shifted. Unintentionally, I saw him staring at me!

My heart beat fast. He’s leaning on the wall while drinking a glass of water. My heart beats even more when our eyes meet. He stares at me as if he’s examining me. I followed his gaze as it moved next to me. I was stuck on my seat when I noticed he was looking at Joshua. In shock, I quickly looked at Pollux’s side but he was gone.

You're very mysterious, Pollux. It makes me want to break the barrier that you build around yourself.

Few weeks after what happened, we didn't talk that much. Nag-uusap lang kapag magtatanong siya sa akin tungkol sa mga tinalakay niya. Pinaitim ko na rin ang buhok ko dahil ayoko na mapahiya pa sa klase niya.

“Ilang weeks pa lang nagsimula ang klase ngunit marami na agad tayong gagawin,” my classmate who's in the same group as mine blurted out in annoyance.

Tama naman siya. Ilang linggo pa lang, pero nape-pressure na kami sa sobrang dami ng activities, projects, and assignments. May outreach program pa!

“Anong akala nila sa atin, robot? Argh!” another member of my group commented.

I sighed and looked at the. “Wala na tayong magagawa riyan, guys. Mas mabuti pang pag-usapan muna natin kung saan i-shoot ang roleplay natin,” puna ko na ikinatahimik nilang lahat.

May role-play kasi kami and it will serve as our midterm project kaya dapat mag-effort talaga.

Hindi ako active sa academics at sports noon, pero ngayon kailangan na talagang magsipag dahil hindi na nadadaan sa floor wax kapag college na.

Tumango naman sila. Each group ay mayroong lima na members. Swerte na lang kami dahil tatlo ng lalaki sa grupo namin at tamang-tama sa role play na gagawin namin.

“Guys, saan niyo gustong i-shoot ang roleplay?” I asked.

Gusto ko na rin mapag-usapan kaagad para makahanda ako ng pera in-case sa malayo iso-shoot.

“Sa rancho na lang ng uncle ko.”

“In Baguio, it's beautiful there.”

“Pwede rin sa Palawan.”

I winced at their suggestion. Kailangan lang naman mag-shoot, pero ang suggestions nila ay sa Palawan and Baguio. How ironic. Inaasahan ko na rin naman iyon kasi mayaman sila. They can afford the fare wherever they go. Ang sa'kin lang ay, hindi naman kaming lahat mayaman. Kagaya ko, medyo hirap din sa paghahanap ng pamasahe at kailangan pang magtipid.

“Uh, guys… sa rancho na lang nila Melvin kasi hindi naman tayong makaka-afford sa fare,” Alvin suggested. Siguro dahil nakita niya ang reaction ko kanina.

I nodded at his suggestion. Our role play is somewhat traditional kaya mas magand kapag sa rancho. May mga scene kasi na kailangan maganda ang paligid at more on nature ang background dapat.

“Okay, I'm in,” sang-ayon ni Melvin.

“Me too,” I second the motion.

“Me three,” Jessica, the other girl in our group said, causing us to laugh.

Just like what we agreed, pumunta kami sa rancho. Nandito na kami ngayon ni Jessica sa labas ng rancho ni Melvin. Napag-usapan kasi namin na magsasama kami ni Jessica sa pagpunta rito at sina Leo at Alvin naman ang magsasama.

“Alliah, may mangga, o!” saad ni Jessica at tinuro ang mangga.

I immediately looked at where she pointed.  Nagutom tuloy ako nang makita ko ang mga mangga. It has always been my favorite. But we can only buy it once in a blue moon dahil wala kaming pera masyado para pambili ng mangga.

“Rancho ‘to nila Melvin, diba? Pwede na ba tayong pumasok at kumuha kahit isa lang?” I immediately asked, still looking at the fruits. Malulutong pa talaga ang ilan sa nga bunga.

“Maybe,” she shrugged, “Sabi niya ito raw ‘yong rancho nila, i,” Jessica said.

I quickly looked around. There are cows and goats inside the ranch. Hindi ang isa o dalawa kundi marami. A few fruits are still wrapped with paper. Ang linis pa ng paligid at halatang winawalisan araw-araw. Green na green pa ang mga damo na akala mo naman talaga binibihisan araw-araw.

“Papasok na ba tayo?” tanong ko.

I'm still having second thoughts whether we will come in or not. She was anxious but eventually agreed.

“Alright! Hihintayin na lang natin si Leo at Alvin sa loob para sabay na tayong pupunta sa bahay ni Melvin,” saad ni Jessica.

When we entered, nakatingin pa rin ako sa mangga. Si Jessica ay nakaupo na sa damuhan habang ako ay nakatayo pa rin, nakatingala sa mangga.

“Gusto mo?” Jessica asked at saka tinuro ang mangga gamit ang nguso.

“Halata ba masyado?” I laughed and scratched my back shyly.