In The Professor's Shadow

Chapter 24

Jasmine

"Good morning to my best mom ever." I greeted and put the daisy flower beside her tomb. Umupo ako sa sementadong parte habang kaharap ang lapida niya. It breaks my heart because dad went to his office like he forgot the death anniversary of mama. I understand that he might be moving on but it's not fair.

"Ma, alam mo ba ang daming nangyayari ngayon sa buhay ko. I am already far from the person I was before. I am involve in an organization, where you were working back then. Sometimes I wonder, what if I knew how to fight back then? What if I am strong enough? Maybe, you are still with us." I started to talk with her as if she is just near me listening.

"Nangyari na ang nangyari, I lost you but your baby girl grew up into a woman.Well, do you know dad is getting married again. I honestly disagree with it but who am I to take his happiness away?" Kwento ko at mapait na tumawa. Naramdaman ko ang isang malamig na ihip ng hangin.

While having a conversation with mom, the rain starts pouring. That's when I let my tears flow rather than stopping it. Inilabas ko lahat ng nakakulong sa loob ko na hindi ko masabi. Noong buhay pa si mama, siya ang sandigan ko sa lahat pero ngayon na kahit wala siya ay sa kaniya pa rin ako tumatakbo.

"Ma, I miss you so much." Mahinang sabi ko. "I miss my sunshine." Dagdag ko at tumingala sa langit habang nakapikit ang mga mata.

Suddenly, I don't feel any drops of rain hitting me. I open my eyes and I saw a figure of a man wearing a mask holding an umbrella. He is staring at me with those unreadable pair of green eyes.

"What are you doing with yourself" He asked without breaking the eye contact.

"W-Who are y-you?" I asked while preparing myself. In case he do something,but I feel weak.

"I am someone left by Mrs. Verlice to watch over you. I won't harm you." Sagot niya sa akin. I feel like he is wearing a mask with a voice changer because of his robotic voice.

What does he mean that left by mom?

"I won't buy your answer. Just leave me alone." Malamig kong sabi sa kaniya. If he really is left by mom, bakit ngayon lang siya nagpaparamdam? Lulubog at lilitaw nalang siya bigla.

"If I just could." Sagot niya at pumantay sa akin. Hinawakan niya ako sa pisngi gamit ang kaliwa niyang kamay at pinunasan ang aking luha.

"I warned you already to stop what you are doing. It will only harm you if you continue." He said to me. I can now remember, he is the man who stopped me in the arena and the one whom I encounter at the back of our university.

Ibig sabihin ay iba rin ang grupo ng babaeng kulay asul ang mata. But they will not be the reason for me to stop.

"I won't." Sagot ko at naramdamang bumuntong hininga siya. Kumuha ako ng pagkakataon para matanggal ko ang suot niyang maskara.

"You're really a hard headed woman." Sabi niya sa akin.

"I will, If I need to." Sagot ko at unti-unting iginalaw ang aking kamay habang nakatingin siya sa akin. Tatanggalin ko na sana ang suot niyang maskara pero mabilis niyang nahawakan ang aking kamay.

"Hindi mo magugustuhan ang makikita mo kaya huwag mong subukan. It might betray you." Sabi niya sa akin at hindi binibitawan ang kamay ko.

"Better not get close to that teacher as well, your life will be endangered. He is more than whom you know.Protect yourself instead of them, because you need it more." Babala niya sa akin. I can't see any stain of lies in his eyes.

"I can't and I won't." Sagot ko at saka tumayo. "Sino ka ba at bakit ang dami mong alam tungkol sa akin, sa mga ginagawa ko?" Tanong ko. My undercover mission is uncovered by this man. The organization and my team are the only people who knew about it.