Academic Temptations

Chapter 11

Nakahiga na naman ako sa sahig at nakatitig sa kisame ng gym habang naghihintay sa aming PE professor. Malawak at malamig dito, kaya ang sarap tumambay at matulog, kaso bleacher type ang upuan kaya sa sahig lang kumportable humiga.

It's been weeks since I met Professor De Veres, and a lot has happened already. I remember telling myself not to get involved with her again, but we've kissed like a lot of times already.

It's like whenever I'm with her, my mind isn't working, and I can't think straight. There's something about her that I can't resist. I think I am bewitched by her or something. It's driving me crazy how I act around her.

Her scent and taste still lingers in me. She's got this sweet, flowery scent, like roses, but I can't figure out if it's just her or if it's from her perfume or body wash. And she tastes like cherries, probably from her lipstick. Ugh, parang ang manyak ko.

Bumangon na ako at umupo sa sahig dahil ang daming iniisip, pero natulala ako nang makita ko si Professor De Veres na nakatayo sa entrance ng gym. Oh my gosh, I'm seeing her everywhere.

"Mr. Villanueva is not around so I will be your substitute." Oh, she's real. I thought I was seeing things.

"It's weird she's not even a GE teacher." Bulong sakin ni Hailee na nakaupo rin sa sahig sa tabi ko. PE is a general subject kaya GE teacher din ang naghahandle samin even the substitutes must be GE teachers.

"Sorry, Is. I think she looks better than you in the PE uniform." She's right. Professor De Veres is wearing our PE uniform, and who would've thought someone could look so hot in it? I think she could wear anything and still pull it off.

"Everyone, get up and start running 10 rounds." What? We're supposed to play table tennis. Wala naman nagreklamo at sumunod lahat sa kanya. Tumayo na rin ako pero hindi pa rin umaalis sa posisyon ko. Running is not for me; I'm asthmatic.

I was about to approach her when she began zipping off her pants into shorts. I could clearly see her perfectly toned legs. This is bad.

"Run, Ledezma. Stop checking me out." Napatakbo ako bigla sa hiya. She just caught me staring at her!

I was in the middle of jogging when she suddenly appeared jogging alongside me. Nagulat ako kaya mas binilisan ko pero nakahabol din siya agad. Ano bang trip niya?

"Why are you here?" I asked, almost out of breath.

"I can't leave my students to run alone," she said, wearing a teasing smile.

"Then go to your other students." I looked for Hailee pero malayo na siya sakin. Masyado niyang ginagalingan akala mo naman nasa olympics.

I stopped and leaned forward, resting my hands on my knees. Hindi ko na kaya hingal na hingal na ako para na akong aatakihin sa puso.

"Are you okay?" Tumingala ako at nakita kong nakatayo na siya sa harap ko. Her arms are crossed as she stares back at me. I just held my hand up with a thumbs up dahil wala akong lakas magsalita.

I noticed she was sweating just like me. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and wow, she looked even more attractive when she's all sweaty. It's giving me those weird feelings again. Her sweaty look now is bringing back memories of the night I'm trying really hard to forget.

Kahit hindi ko na kaya ay tumakbo pa rin ako palayo sakanya at dumeretso sa bleachers para kunin ang inhaler ko. After two puffs, sumandal muna ako sa upuan at pinikit ang mata habang pinapakalma ang sarili. I only have asthma attacks when I'm doing tiring activities or laughing too hard.