"Various classes of antihypertensive drugs, such as beta-blockers, alpha-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and diuretics, share the common goal of lowering blood pressure. However, their differences lie in their unique mechanisms of action ."
"Ang ganda talaga ni ma'am." I heard Hailee say, with her eyes fixated on Professor De Veres.
Everyone seemed to be paying attention to her. I don't know if it's because she's beautiful or because she's good at teaching, but for me, it's a bit of both.
The way she discusses things makes you think she really is a pharmacist and not from a business school. I admire how she can easily help us understand such a complicated subject. In class, she looks both professional and intelligent so I can't blame my classmates; it just adds to her attractiveness.
If I didn't know her personally, I might find myself, like Hailee, admiring her. But because Professor De Veres enjoys testing my patience, I don't really like or dislike her.
"I wonder if she's single." Parang hindi naman nakikinig 'tong katabi ko at nakatitig lang kay Professor pero napaisip naman ako sa sinabi niya.
I'm not interested in her relationship status, but I'm concerned that if she's already in a relationship or married, edi naging third party pa ako diba? But, the why would she flirt with me if she's taken?
"What do you think?" I asked Hailee. She squinted her eyes as if trying to analyze the professor in front of her.
"Hmm lagi siyang blooming at masaya so she's definitey taken." I don't know why, but the thought that she's already in a relationship gives me a pang in the chest.
Professor De Veres mentioned that she's into girls, and I remember when I entered her office, she was hugging the other beautiful professor. May something kaya sila?
"Ledezma." Napatingin ako sa harap nang marinig ko ang pangalan ko.
"Yes, Prof?" Tanong ko at tumayo. Hindi ko alam may pa recitation pala.
"Give an example of a beta-blocker." As far as I can remember beta-blockers have -lol at the end of their name.
"Carvedilol?" She nodded. I was about to sit when she asked another question.
"What's the brand name?" I knew she was doing this on purpose dahil hindi naman siya nag tanong ng brand name sa iba buti nalang talaga may stock knowledge ako.
"Coreg," I confidently answered at umupo na. She then asked Hailee next na kinakabahan na sa tabi ko.
"Sy, give an example of a CCB." Tinignan ako ni Hailee saglit parang humihingi ng saklolo.
Lumapit ako onti at pasimpleng bumulong pero nakatingin pa rin ako sa harap para hindi kami mahalata.
"Amlodipine." Bulong ko, narinig naman niya at sinagot ito. Professor De Veres looked at me as if she knew what I just did.
"Brand name?" She asked Hailee, but her eyes were on me as if giving me a warning.
"Norvasc," I whispered again and pretended to clear my throat. Pag dating talaga sa mga ganito ang lakas ng pandinig ni Hailee kaya nakasagot na agad siya.
Our class finally ended. Hailee and I got up from our seats and decided to head to the cafeteria.
"Ledezma, please stay in class." Professor De Veres said her eyes shifting to me at sa braso ni Hailee na nakapulupot sakin. Pinauna ko na ang pinsan ko at pumunta sa harapan.
"Is my class not interesting enough for you to not listen and engage in another discussion at the back? I saw what you did earlier." Sabi ko na nga ba eh.
"I'm sorry po. It won't happen again." I apologized dahil mali naman talaga ako. Hailee and I always help each other in class, so I couldn't resist giving her answers. After all, that's what friends are for.
"Magaling po kayong magturo, lahat ng atensyon ay nakatuon sa inyo kanina. It just shows that you're not boring, and you're doing a good job." Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko nasabi 'yon, siguro gusto ko lang bigyan siya ng assurance na she's doing well. Sipsip nga talaga ako.
"Not everyone. I didn't get the attention from someone I like." I heard her mumble something, but I didn't catch it.
"Ano po yun?"
"I said thank you. What you said means a lot. You may go now." I nodded and left the classroom. Dumeretso na rin ako sa cafeteria dahil alam kong andun na ang mga kaibigan ko.
I sat beside Hailee when I spotted them. Meron nang nakahanda na pagkain, kaya kumain na ako. Alam na nila ang laging ino-order ko, na Liempo Silog. Paborito ko talaga ang Liempo I could eat this forever.
"How's your night out?" I asked.
"It was fun, kaya sama ka na next time, Is. We maxed out your card." I knew Althea was just joking in her last statement. My parents told me that the card has no limit.
"I will. Basta hindi school days." My gaze went to the entrance of the cafeteria when I saw Professor De Veres walk in with another female professor. She was the girl from the office.
"It's like I'm looking at two runway models," I heard Althea say.
"Buti pa kayo ang gaganda ng prof niyo sa amin puro matanda or bakla pa." Ezekiel complained, making all of us laugh.
"I agree. Wala tuloy kaming inspiration mag aral." Why would they even need a beautiful professor?
"The other professor is not from our department," sabi ko sa kanila. The two professors sat near our table, and I could see them talking and laughing together. They look like a couple with how close they are.
"Isla and I were trying to guess if Professor De Veres is taken. What do you guys think?"
"Sa ganda ni ma'am syempre may jowa na yan." I hate that Althea is right. I'm sure she has a lot of admirers lined up.
"Diba! I told you, Is. She's taken. How about we make a bet?" I smacked Hailee's arm.
"Stop it. Walang magpupustahan." Pigil ko sakanila dahil mukhang interesado na rin si Althea at kukuha na sana ng pera.
"I thought you stalked her, Thea?"
"I couldn't find her account. She probably used another name."
"Yeah, to stay away from creeps like all of you," I told them because they wouldn't stop talking about her.
Tumingin si Professor De Veres sa direksiyon namin kaya agad akong umiwas ng tingin baka isipin niya pa tinititigan namin siya kahit oo naman talaga.
We still have 30 minutes left in our vacant, so I leaned my head on Hailee's shoulder to take a nap. Naramdaman ko ang pag-brush ni Hailee sa buhok ko, kaya mas lalo akong inantok. This girl knows me too well. I like it when someone plays with my hair; it makes me fall asleep immediately.
I opened my eyes because I could feel someone staring at us, and I saw Professor De Veres' piercing gaze directed at us. She's glaring at me for some reason. I frowned in confusion, but she just rolled her eyes at me and continued talking with her girl friend.
BINABASA MO ANG
Academic Temptations
Romance"I thought I had it all figured out-a perfect life with a planned future. Then you came along, adding colors to my black-and-white existence. Now, I'm ready to take chances, and embrace the unknown because being with you is a perfection I never knew...
