Love Persist

Kabanata 20 - Home is comfortable but still so cold.

Now, picture this: one minute you were covered in fake spider webs and pumpkin guts, and the next minute, you were trapped in a merry storm of tinsel and Christmas lights like a festive tornado just hit your house. Parang kahapon lang abala ako sa paghahanap ng costume para gayahin si Marceline for the Halloween party, tapos ngayon abala naman ako para gumawa ng mga Chirstmas decorations since we were required, each major ng program, na sumali for the Belen-making contest na pinangunahan ng collegiate.

As one of the coordinators of the project, I had to pass the proposal over to the Dean because he needed to sign the paper to finalize all the signatures we needed for this activity. Pagdating ko sa faculty office, I greeted the staff na nasa front desk, and then I asked for her assistance. She motioned me to follow her, leading us to another door. Sandali kinausap ng staff 'yong Dean sa loob, pagkatapos ay pinapasok niya na ako.

"Good morning, Sir Amores," bati ko.

Sir Amores smiled. "Please have a seat," he coaxed and gestured to me to the chair in front of his desk.

Sinunod ko ang sinabi niya. "Thank you po."

"So, what brings you here today?"

Carefully, I extracted the papers I held and placed them on the desk's surface. "I'm a 3rd-year social studies student and a member of The Societas Polycromus Experientia or SPLEX organization, and our organization is part of the upcoming event for the Belen-making contest. I'm here today to request your signature on this form, Sir Amores."

In silence, he perused its contents and then he started writing using a fountain pen.

"If my memory serves me correctly, I believe we have already met before this today, haven't we?" He glanced at me before getting back to signing.

"I cannot ascertain with absolute certainty, Sir. But it is quite probable that you have already interacted with all members of the campus community due to your respected position."

He smiled and tilted his head as if my response had taken him in glee. "My friend, Syclla, mentioned that you carry yourself in a certain way as a student, and I believe she is being honest about it."

I was completely taken aback by what I heard.

"Pardon me, Sir?"

"Is it correct to assume that you are enrolled as a student in Professor Gil's class?"

Even though I was still trying to figure out where the conversation was heading, I still mustered a "Yes, Sir" in response to his question. Nakakagulat lang, biglang pumasok si Professor Gil sa conversation.

"What do you think of her, as your professor?"

I thanked God in heaven for blessing me with some seriously tight jaw muscles, saving me from a comical faceplant on the floor. Umupo ako ng maayos at saka kinalma ang sarili. He was simply asking, hindi dapat ako kabahan at mabahala, like be normal for once.

"I think Professor Gil is a good teacher who consistently challenges us to do our best."

He nodded thoughtfully. "How about your experiences in her class? Doesn't she give a hard time to her students?"

"No, not at all, Sir." If only you know, I thought to myself. "Professor Gil pushes us to work hard and holds us accountable for our learning, but I wouldn't necessarily say that she gives her students a hard time."

He handed me back the paper and gave a nod of acknowledgment. "I am pleased to hear that she is performing well in her role, especially considering the extensive effort it took me to convince her to accept the position due to her initial lack of interest in returning to teaching."