Academic Temptations

Chapter 3

I shut my eyes and inhale deeply, savoring all the aroma. This hits the spot. It feels like all the stress is leaving my body.

"Earth to Isla Margaux!" My eyes snapped open when Hailee flicked my forehead.

"Aray!" Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Inabot niya naman sakin ang dalawang iced coffee na inorder ko.

Naisipan namin dumaan muna sa paborito kong cafe bago ako pumunta sa office ni Professor De Veres. She told me to go there kapag vacant ko. I already informed Hailee about this nagtaka nga siya bakit daw ako pa na hindi naman naman teacher's assistant.

Coffee helps me relax, making my life a hundred times better. I wouldn't survive in a world without coffee. Every day, I pass by this cafe for my daily dose of caffeine. It's just a 10-minute drive from school

"Talagang binilhan mo pa siya ng kape. Sipsip ka talaga." Pang aasar niya. I noticed that she looks sleepy on our class kanina so I figured a coffee will helo. I hope umiinom siya though because if not edi major turn off. Just kidding.

"Hi, Cleo," I greeted her back. Cleo is the vice president of the Apothecary Society, of which I am also a member. We only interact during meetings kasi hindi rin naman kami close.

Whenever I see people I know but am not close with, I pretend not to see them to avoid awkward situations.

"I'll see you at the meeting later," she said, smiling at me. I just nodded in response and pulled Hailee toward the exit.

Nang makarating kami ng school ay humiwalay na ako kay Hailee at pumunta ng office. Pumasok na ako agad pero nagulat ako dahil bumunga sakin ang dalawang babaeng magkayakap. Agad ko naman sinarado ang pinto.

Sumandal muna ako sa pader habang naghihintay na lumabas ang kasamahan ni Professor De Veres. After a few minutes, she finally exited the office. It seems like she's also a professor here but from a different department.

She looks young and beautiful too pero mas mestiza siya. Bakit parang ang gaganda na ng mga professors dito? When I was in highschool puro matatanda. Mas mabuti na siguro 'yon para iwas kasalanan. 

"Sorry about that. It's an old friend." Professor De Veres said as I stepped into her office. She is now seated in her office chair.

I approached her desk and placed the cup of coffee.

"Oh my! Is this for me? Thank you, Ledezma."I could see her face light up as she took a sip of the coffee. Mahilig din naman pala siya sa kape.

"Napulot ko lang." Sabi ko at umupo na sa couch. I don't really know how I'm going to help her. I brought some reviewers with me just in case wala akong magawa.

"This is good. Where did you buy this?"

"It's from my favorite cafe 'The Coffee Corner'  just order their iced french vanilla latte." It's my usual order. Hindi ako mahilig mag order ng ibang drinks kasi baka hindi ko magustuhan edi sayang lang. She nodded and took a picture of the drink in her hand.

"So, tell me about the hierarchy in this department." Napaisip naman ako sa sinabi niya dahil wala rin ako masyadong alam tungkol sa mga ganong bagay.

"If I may ask, hindi po ba kayo naorient bago sumabak sa trabaho?"

"Oh, they did. But, I was too mad to listen." Too mad? Mad at what? I didn't ask more about it dahil baka  masyado ng personal.