The Professor's Obsession (PUBLISHED)

Chapter 5

They are all busy making the script. Ako lang ang hindi mentally present. I was dumbfounded because of what they said. My mind was clouded by different thoughts about Professor Dela Fuente.

The day ended, lahat ng sinabi nila ay nasa isip ko pa rin. Nasa bahay na ako, pero ang utak ko nasa rancho pa. I don't understand why they said those things. I'm totally confused because I have no idea. After all, I’m new to this place. I just moved here a few weeks ago at wala pa akong masyadong kilala.

Mabilis akong tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo nang makaramdam ako ng gutom. Only the youngest sibling, Ashley, was the only one I saw when I reached our kitchen. My sister smiled when she saw me.

“Ate, kumain na tayo,” aya pa niya.

Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at saka umupo sa stool. Napakunot naman ang noo ko nang makitang wala si Mama.

“Nasaan si Mama at Papa?” I asked with a confused look plastered on my face.

“Si Mama? Nasa kapitbahay natin. Si papa naman ay nasa duty,” she answered while chewing.

My brows raised because of her answer. Hindi ko mapigilang mapaisip kung anong ginagawa ni Mama sa kapitbahay. Gabi na at medyo tahimik pa sa labas.

“Bakit nasa kabilang bahay pa si Mama? Gabi na masyado, ah,” I wondered.

Naglagay ako ng kanin at saka ginisang kangkonh sa plato. Ginisang kangkong is my favorite. Kahit pa ito anb ulamin ko sa loob ng dalawang linggo ay hindi pa rin ako magsasawa.

“Nakikipag-tsismisan sa kapitbahay natin,” saad pa nito at humagikhik.

Sa ganitong oras ay gana pa talagang mag-tsismis?

Napailing na lamang ako. Buti na lang at hindi naipasa sa akin ang pagiging tsismosa ni Mama.

Nagkukuwentuhan lang kami ng kapatid ko habang kumakain. Sinabi niya pa sa'kin na marami niya siyang naging kaibiban at kung gaano ka-ganda ang skwelahan niya. May isa pa raw siyang kaklase na gustong maging kaibigan dahil wala raw itong kaibigan ni isa dahil kumakalat sa paaralan nila na nakakatakot daw iyong pamilya nila.

“Kawawa nga siya, Ate, i. He looks so harmless. Next time, I will be friends with him,” she said happily.

I patted her head and nodded. I am truly happy because my sisters have grown into good ones.

“Good girl,” I commented, “You should always be kind at school, okay?”

“Yes, Ate,” she answered politely.

“Good,” I removed my hand from her head, “What is the name of your classmate?” I asked and took another bite.

“It's Phoenix. Phoenix Dela Fuente.”

I almost fell because of what my sister said. Good thing I was able to hold the table.

“W-what?” I stuttered.

No. Maybe I just heard it wrong.

“Phoenix Dela Fuente, Ate,” she said clearly and audibly right into my face.

I ended up coughing because of what my sister said. Is Phoenix Dela Fuente, Pollux Dela Fuente's brother?

Dela Fuente…

Sino ba talaga kayo?

I was dumb while eating. If my cellphone hadn’t rang, I might have gone completely crazy thinking about the Dela Fuentes. My smile quickly appeared when I saw the caller. My plate was just empty so I quickly put it on the faucet.

“Hi, love,” I greeted. Uminom ako ng tubig at saka sumenyas kay Ashley na pupunta ako sa sala. She smiled teasingly and nodded in response.

“I miss you.” That's what greeted me on the other line.

I sat on the sofa and leaned my head on the back. The pillow on the couch was placed on my lap. I can’t help but smile because of what he said.

“I miss you too,” I honestly answered and looked at the ceiling. “Sabay na ba ulit tayong papasok bukas?” I asked.

Ilang linggo na rin kaming hindi sabay na pumapasok sa paaralan. Minsan nga ay mag-isa lang akong kakain sa cafeteria dahil wala siya at busy sa mga activities nila. Kung hindi ko lang talaga siya kilala bilang consistent honor student ay baka matagal ko na siyang pinagdududahan ng masama.

“Hindi muna siguro. Mas hectic pa ang schedule ko ngayon dahil parami ng parami ang activities namin.” Nalukot ang mukha ko. As expected from him.

Noon paman ay focus na talaga ito sa mga academics. Hindi naman puwedeng ako muna ang unahin niya dahil para rin naman sa’min ang ginagawa niya.

I let out a huge sigh and asked, “Kailan ba tayo magsasama uli, love?”

I heard him sigh on the other line. “I also don't know, love,” he answered.

“It’s okay. Makapaghintay naman ako. Mas mahalaga naman ang future natin. Dahil after this, magsasama na tayo habang buhay,” saad ko, trying to be an understanding girlfriend kahit ang totoo ay nasasaktan na rin.

“By the way, kamusta ka na?” he asked, changing the topic and the ambiance.

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling sadly.

“Good,” I answered briefly but contrary to what I felt.

Ang dami na rin naming na-missed na kwentuhan.

We talked for a few hours before I said goodbye para matulog. When I hung up the phone, sakto namang pumasok si papa.

“Bakit gising ka pa, Anak?” tanong ni papa habang bitbit ang basket na hindi ko alam kung ano ang laman dahil may nakatakip na dahon ng saging.

“May ginawa lang ako, Papa,” sagot ko at humalik sa pisngi niya.

Tumango lamang si papa bilang sagot. Sinundan ko naman siya sa kusina dahil na-curios ako sa dala niya. Pagkarating namin sa kusina ay wala na si Ashley. Siguro ay natulog na.

“Ano ‘yan, Pa?” tanong ko nang ilapag ni papa ang basket sa mesa.

Papa removed his jacket and put it on the chair.

“Mangga,” he answered me sparingly.

Napakunot ang noo ko. Kailan man ay hindi bumibili ng isang basket na mangga si papa. Kung bibili rin ay 4 na piraso at sakto lang samin.

“Wow! May sahod ka na agad, Papa? Ang galing naman,” I complimented him with a smile and took off the cover.

“Hindi, Anak. Binigay lang ‘yan ng amo ko,” sagot ni papa at nagsalin ng tubig.

He quickly drinks the water and sits on the chair, so I stay next to him.

“Ang bait pala ng bago mong amo, Papa. Swerte talaga tayo kasi nakahanap ka po agad ng bagong trabaho,” I said happily.

I quickly took the knife and sliced the mango.

Nasesante kasi si papa sa una niyang trabaho dahil ang bagal daw ni papa kumilos kahit hindi naman talaga. By the grace of God, he immediately found a new job.

“Oo naman, Anak.  The Dela Fuentes are really kind,” sang-ayon ni papa.

I almost got hit when the knife slipped.

“W-what? Dela Fuente?”