Academic Temptations

Chapter 2

"Isla, wanted ka sa office ni Professor De Veres." I sighed and got up from my seat. Nagpaalam na muna ako sa mga kaibigan ko dahil nakatambay kami ngayon sa library.

I've been avoiding her for the past three days. She asked me to stay in class or follow her to her office, pero lahat yun hindi ko sinunod. I know it's not typically me because I'm a teacher's pet, but I can't be in the same room with only just the two of us.

I already told my friends about what Xavier did. Sobra nga silang nagalit, kulang nalang sugurin na nila siya, buti nalang at malayo siya sa amin. Xavier and I have been together since senior high school, but he moved out in college so we've been in a long-distance relationship. It was a good setup for me since mas nakafocus ako sa studies, but for him, it wasn't kaya siguro siya naghanap ng mas malapit.

My friends have been trying to make me feel better these days, pero hindi nila alam na iba ang problemang pinagdadaanan ko. I've been so caught up with my issue with Professor De Veres that I didn't even have much time to cry about my failed relationship. Okay na rin siguro yun dahil hindi naman deserve ng gagong yun ang mga luha ko.

"The door won't open for itself, you know." Nagulat naman ako nang biglang may nagsalita sa gilid ko. I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I didn't realize I was already standing in front of her office.

"Good afternoon, Professor De Veres." I greeted at sabay na rin kaming pumasok ng office niya. Galing siguro siya sa sa isa pa niyang klase.

The interior of her office mirrors the design of her condo room – neutral walls, ivory curtains, and minimalistic decor. Furnished with a TV, couch, coffee table, mini fridge, and her office desk and chair. Oo, alam ko ang itsura ng condo niya. I woke up there the next day in the same bed with her, naked. It's strange though that she has her own office when she's just a professor. Shouldn't she be in a faculty room with the others? Parang mas maganda pa nga ang office niya kesa sa dean.

"You're avoiding me," she said, leaning her back against the chair with her arms crossed. I didn't reply because I really didn't know what to say.

"Ledezma, I just want us to talk about what happened that night." I guess it's better to talk it out than to run away from it para mapanatag na rin ang loob ko.

"I apologize for what happened that night, Professor. I was wasted, and we made a mistake. I hope we can move past it and continue our professional relationship as a professor and student. I also request that we keep this matter confidential. The details of that night will remain between us and I assure you that it won't ever happen again." Sunod-sunod kong sabi.

"I agree with you that it should really be confidential. But, I can't assure you that I will forget about it and that it won't happen again." She replied, smirking at me. Ano raw?

"What do you mean?" I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. She leaned forward, placing her chin on her hands for support.

"I like you, Ledezma." Bumilis nanaman ang tibok ng puso ko at naramdaman ko ang kakaibang damdamin sa aking tiyan. LBM ba 'to? Bigla naman siyang tumawa dahil sa reaksyon ko pinagtritripan niya ata ako.

"Not in a romantic sense, of course. I genuinely had a great time that night, and I'm aware you did too. And I don't see any problem with us engaging again in that kind of activity." I looked at her in disbelief. Seryoso ba siya?

"Bulag ka ba?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko. Anong walang problema? Nakalimutan niya na ba na estudyante niya ako.

"I'm sorry. Professor De Veres, that was just a one-time thing. It was a mistake. I am your student, who happens to be very busy studying, so please just forget about what happened and act like a professor. I can't be involved with you anymore. This is wrong, and I'm straight." I was expecting her to be mad at me since I was close to disrespecting her, but she was just smiling at me.

"You're full of surprises, Ledezma. I didn't know you were a nerd and straight."

"Did you just call me a nerd?" I've been called that a few times, especially by my friends, but I don't know why I was offended when she called me this. Is it because of my glasses?

"A hot one though," she winked at me. I feel like my heart's going to jump out of my chest. Ano bang meron sa puso ko lately? Nasosobrahan na ata ako sa kape.

"How about we make a deal? I'll try not to bring up what happened that night. We'll move forward just how you want it, but you'll help me. I need assistance in adjusting to this university and your department. I know nothing about pharmacy and drugs."

"Really? You know nothing about drugs? Bakit parang nasobrahan ka na nga?" I know she's my professor, but she's getting on my nerves. Why should I have a deal with her?

"Wait, aren't you supposed to be a registered pharmacist?" As far as I know, you have to be a registered pharmacist and have a teaching license to be a professor in this department.

"I went to business school and I just recently earned an MBA degree." Nalilito na ako masyado sa mga ganap. If she went to business school then why is she in our department?

"This department is the biggest asset of the university, and due to the loss of several professors, they requested me to temporarily fill in." I have heard that there were a lot of professors who resigned to go out of the country. So, she's just here temporarily. I couldn't help but sigh in relief.

"Don't make it too obvious that you don't want me here. You're hurting my feelings, Ledezma." She said, in a joking manner. She's still giving me a teasing smile, so I know she's not offended.

"Meron naman mga working students dito, professor. Mas kailangan nila yung trabaho at tsaka busy po akong tao." If I spend more time with her, she's just going to tease me more because that's how she is. In the little time that I have known her, I already know how teasing and persuasive she is. I'm scared of what might happen if I agree to her deal.

"I feel more comfortable around you, so I want you to help me. Don't worry because I don't bite. Unless you tell me to." I told you, she's nothing but a tease.

"I can't do it. In fact, I don't want to do it."

"I'll go tell the dean that you are already in your third year but still not wearing the uniform, and your hair is even dyed. As much as I find you hot with that hair of yours, I'm going to do it. It's going to affect your record because you're not following the rules." Did she just threaten me?

"Go on," I said, matching her smirk. Akala niya matatakot ako.

This is my natural hair color I got it from my dad. He has ginger hair too but darker so it looks like brown sometimes. As for the uniform, I'll wear it, but only if I feel like it. It's a white uniform for medical students, and it's a bit uncomfortable because it's a pencil skirt. I have already talked to the dean about this, and she approved.

"That's natural?" I nodded, at dahil mukhang hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala.

"Hot," She whispered pero narinig ko pa rin. This girl is crazy.

There are a lot of papers scattered on her desk. Some things are still on the floor; clearly, she has not organized all her things yet. I've noticed how stressed she looks in class as well. She needs help. I told myself to always mind my own business and stay out of trouble, yet I found myself doing another stupid thing for her.

"I'll do it, Professor. I'll help you."