Mr. Wrong (Mr. Series #1)

Chapter 4

"Why would I?"

Nagtama ang mga mata namin. I was drowning in his intense and penetrating stare, which I didn't expect to witness. Even the sudden changes in it in just a blink.

"Carpio! Velasco!"

Kung hindi ko pa siguro narinig ang pangalan ko, ay hindi ko maiaalis ang mga mata ko kay Jhon Rey. Pareho naming ipinunta ang mga mata namin kay Professor Pasion, who was glaring at us. "Both of you! To the Dean's office!"

Napakagat ako sa labi ko. Ito ang unang beses na pupunta ako sa Dean's office sa ganitong dahilan. I couldn't stop biting my nails habang naglalakad papunta sa opisina. Nakakahiya para sa akin. Paano kung malaman ito ni dad?

The intensity of embarrassment filled my system as I held the cold doorknob of the office. Nag-aalangan pa akong buksan iyon. Hindi naman siguro malala ang parusang ipapataw sa akin, hindi ba? Umawat lang naman ako.

I get a sudden mental breakdown when Jhon Rey immediately opens the door. The heavy atmosphere greeted us and made my knees shake.

"Mr. Jhon Rey Carpio." Dean Rivera called him with authority. I was intimidated by it. I saw her looking at the folder that seems to be the record file of this transferee I am with now.

"Are you aware of what you've done? You got transferred today to South Middleton University, and now you're showing your true colors this early. What seems to be the problem?"

I bite my lip as I listen to their conversation. Dapat hindi na lang ako pumasok kaagad kung si Jhon Rey naman pala ang unang kakausapin.

"You shouldn't have accepted me in the first place. You have all the reasons to do so. It was all written on my records, all of what I did at my past universities."

Nagulat ako kung paano niya sagutin nang pabalang ang dean namin. Napakawalang galang kung paano niya kausapin ang isa sa mga taong dapat nirerespeto sa university na ito. Ako ang nahihiya sa ginagawa niya. Nnangliliit ako. I mean, tama naman ang sinabi niya, pero kung paano niya iyon sabihin, iyon ang mali.He could've kept quiet, especially now that I can see the reaction on our dean's face. Hindi ako makatingin kay Dean nang matagal.

Dean just shook her head out of disgrace. I adore how she handled her patience with this guy. I mean, if I were in her situation, I would be annoyed and angry. No doubt, her position fits her. She is our dean.

Her eyes landed on me, and tremors flashed in my chest.

"You can leave now, Jhon Rey," she commanded.

I was left with no idea what to do. Hindi ko alam kung tama bang huminga ako lalo ngayong nakakaramdam ako ng nerbyos. Hindi ko rin alam kung dapat bang tingnan ko si Dean. Ayokong salubungin ang mga mata niya.

"Your professor reported that you went out in the middle of his class. You should have known that Professor Magalona is one of our strict but reliable professors. He doesn't see you as an honor student because he treats everyone fairly. You should know that he considers but never tolerates."

I nodded to show my respect. I admitted my mistakes.

"Why did you ditch his class, Sheen May? And you were together with Mr. Mercado?" she added.

"Y-yes Dean, he told me that our baby died."

Nahulog ang hawak na ballpen ni Dean. "B-baby?"

"I mean our dog, Dean." Napayuko ako nang muling maalala ang nangyari sa aso naming inalagaan ko nang matagal. Sana hindi ko na lang iyon isinauli sa kaniya noong nagkahiwalay kami. Kung alam ko lang.

"What do you mean 'our dog'? Are you in a relationship with that transferee?" tanong niya. Hindi ko na ito gusto pang pag-usapan pero mukhang kailangan niyang malaman.

"N-no, Dean, hindi ko na po siya boyfriend. Naghiwalay na po kami noong nakaraang taon," paliwanag ko.

She stares at me with all the sympathy she can muster. "I'm telling you, Sheen, I'm not pressuring you. If you still dream about graduating with flying colors, watch your actions. Remember your priorities. I am just here to remind you why you started all of these. We are waiting for a time to make your parents proud, Sheen May, so don't get distracted by some other guys who'll ruin you. You should keep on track." She smiled, sending me all her trust. She believes in me.

"I promised that I would make you proud, Dean. Thank you for all of your support." She nodded and let me leave the office.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Tama siya. I should stay focused.

"Is that your dream?"

Nagulat ako nang may magsalita sa likod ko. Hindi ko inaasahang narito pa siya. Akala ko ay umalis na siya at iniwan ako, pero heto si Jhon Rey, standing well-built in front of me, wearing that attractive smile that makes my heart melt.

"To graduate with flying colors?" dagdag pa niya.

"Yup." I simply answered and led the way. I saw him smile in my peripheral vision.

"I envy you having a dream," he whispered, only for me to hear. I stopped and looked back.

I grimaced. "Bakit? Wala ka bang pangarap?" Hindi ko inaasahang maririnig iyon sa kaniya. Sa hulma ng kaniyang mukha at sa paraan niya ng pagsasalita, parang isa siyang lalaking goal-oriented. Nagkamali ba ako ng paghusga sa kaniya?

"Hindi ba halata?" he replied, making me confused. I shook my head and sucked my teeth. "Hindi naman ako judgmental."

Natawa siya bago nagsalita, "I will not judge you for being judgmental." Natawa naman din ako sa hirit niya.

"Can I tell you something?" I asked out of the blue. "Sure."

"It'll offend, but I just want to say that you were being rude and disrespectful towards our Dean earlier. I think you shouldn't have said that, but that's just what I think." I tried to not be an awkwardly toxic human being in front of him.

He smirked. "It's your opinion. I respect that," sagot niya. Tumango lang ako sa pag-aakalang tapos na siyang magsalita. "I think you were right at some point, but I won't suppress myself from saying what needs to be said. I really don't care what people think about me, so I say what I want. I think we all have the right to speak for ourselves and be ourselves no matter what the weight of judgments is waiting for us."

Napanganga ako sa mahabang litanya niya. Nakita ko na lang ang sarili kong pinagmamasdan siya, maging ang pagbuka ng kaniyang bibig at marahan niyang pagsasalita, kung paano gumalaw ang kaniyang mga kilay kapag may punto siyang sinusubukang patunayan.

"But then, I am not denying that I am not disrespectful because I know that I was, and I think our Dean was aware of that, and she doesn't hate me." He walked ahead of me. "I think that's what love is."

Napakunot ang noo ko. Ano naman ang kinalaman ng love dito? "What do you mean?"

"Aren't we supposed to show our bad sides so we can know who will love us despite our worst sides?"

Napangiti ang gilid ng labi ko. I couldn't agree more. I can't stop smiling while watching his back. "Jhon Rey!" I shouted with a full smile on my lips.

He turned around and looked at me. It is breathtaking how he looks like a fashion model when he slowly turns around and tucks his hands in his pockets, looking so cool.

"Thank you," I mouthed. Naalala ko ang ginawa niyang pag-entrada noong binabato ako ng mga panghuhusga ng mga kaklase ko. Iyong pagsigaw niya dahil ayaw niyang maabala ang pagtulog niya tila ba isa lamang iyong dahilan para tulungana ko.

"I told you! Hindi ako tumatanggap ng thank you lang!" He winks at me.

Even though I knew he was kidding. There is something inside me that wants to show my gratitude toward him. Gratitude dahil nakikita ko ang side niyang ganito ngayong unang araw palang naming magkakilala. I guess I'm lucky.