"Have you seen the designs I gave you?" Cleo asked as we are currently in the office working on the preparations for the upcoming event.
"Yes, and binigay ko na kay ma'am Bueno to let her choose tapos pwede na natin i-print." She nodded and continued typing on her laptop. Hindi ko mapigilan tignan si Cleo dahil sa sinabi ng pinsan ko.
She's attractive with almost black, dark hair, almond-shaped eyes, a pointed nose, and lips that are not overly plump but have a pinkish color. She has a fair complexion and she's as tall as me.
Since Hailee assumed it was Cleo, I couldn't bring myself to correct her. Baka mas kulitin niya pa ako at hindi ko pa pwedeng sabihin na si Professor De Veres yon. Buti nalang alam ng pinsan ko na dapat confidential dahil nabasa niya sa contract kaya hindi niya rin ito pwede sabihin kahit kanino, lalo na kay Cleo.
Coincidentally, Cleo and I have been spending more time together dahil minamadali na namin ang preparations. The situation kind of helps me put Hailee off my back and not think about the professor. She's been gone for three days now, and I have no idea how she is, and she's also not messaging me anymore.
"Isla!" Sigaw ni Cleo habang kumakaway sa harap ko.
"Nakatulala ka jan." Napaayos naman ako ng upo at bumalik sa pagsulat ng program.
"Sorry. Pagod lang."
"Do you want to rest?" She asked, gently grabbing my hand. Napatingin naman ako sa kamay namin magkapatong. Why am I not feeling any spark?
"No, I'm fine. Anyway, do you think we have enough time for the talent contest?"
"We'll just have one per team, then an intermission number and some games. How's that?" I nodded in response and started writing down everything she said. We still have two weeks to prepare, and we're trying to finish planning early so we could focus on our exams that will happen right before the event.
"Hinahandle ba kayo ni Professor De Veres?" Tanong ni Cleo.
"Yeah, bakit?"
"I just heard she's gone for some time. Do you think nag-resign na siya?" Professor De Veres told me she'll be busy with her other work, but I don't think it's also my place to tell Cleo, it's suspicious kung bakit may alam ako.
"I doubt that. Kakasimula pa lang ng school year."
"Sabagay and her office is still there. Hindi ka ba nagtataka bakit siya may sariling office?" So, it's not just me who noticed that.
"It made me think too."
"Diba? I asked some teachers but they also don't know why. What if spy siya?" I laughed at her question. Seriously, a spy?
"First of all, why would our school need a spy?" I asked, and Cleo just shrugged at me. Bigla naman may kumatok sa pinto at bumukas ito.
"Sorry to interrupt your bebe time." Sabi ni Hailee na sinamaan ko agad ng tingin. I glanced at Cleo and noticed her cheeks turning a shade of pink.
"Sinusundo ko lang ang pinsan ko, Cleo. We're going to have dinner kasi gusto mo bang sumama?" This girl! Nakangisi siya ngayon sakin at halatang nang aasar.
"Thank you but I have plans with my friends." Nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag. Hindi naman sa ayaw kong kasama si Cleo pero alam kong mangaasar lang si Hailee the whole time at baka madulas pa siya kaya mas mabuting hindi ko sila pagsamahing dalawa.
"Una na kami, Cleo. Thank you." Sabi ko at hinila na ang pinsan ko palabas.
"Wala man lang goodbye kiss?" Hinampas ko sa braso si Hailee buti nalang nakalayo na kami sa office.
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...
