Intersected Lines

Chapter Twenty-Eight

"Goodbye class." I said and I stormed out of the door. This is nothing new to them. Ever since I started my job here in Daanbantayan National High School as a secondary teacher, I always make them feel that I am unapproachable, in this way I can protect myself. People leave when they come. So I rather be alone than to be left hanging like what she did. 

I was a fool. I was ready to let go of everything that I have just to save our relationship, but she left me hanging. I have thousands of questions in my mind, but I moved forward with it unanswered. Kinalimutan ko na ang parte ng buhay ko na kasama siya. She told me she'll be back teaching in the University next week that time, but she didn't. Kahit anino niya ay hindi ko nakita. Hindi ko narin kinausap si Miss Marie tungkol doon dahil labas naman na siya sa aming relasyon kahit gustong-gusto ko nang magtanong. I endured almost four years in that University being haunted by our past, our memories that I once cherished. Para akong pinapatay sa tuwing naalala ang lahat. It was a sweet memory before but now it is more bitter than bitter gourd to remember her. 

When she left me, I focused on myself. I graduated cum laude in our class. After that I took DPE units so that I can teach her in province. I got the job that I didn't know that I would love. I hate being a teacher, but I have come to love it. The hacienda was given to my aunts fairly and I was the one who is running it. Wala akong share dito pero may sahod naman akong natatangggap dahil ako ang namamahala. I don't care about the money. 

I shook my head when I remembered my last encounter with her. She dumped me real hard that even after almost eight years I cannot still get any partner. She's a curse. But even so after leaving me I still can't hate her. I only wished for her happiness. I know she's happy now with her lover. 

"Saan na naman lumilipad yang utak mo?" Rach asked that's when I came back to reality. Nakarating na pala ako sa office ko. Even if I am still a teacher III I got an office already since I donated this building na kinatatayuan ko. I don't want to be with a lot of people. I want to excluded. Kaya si Rach lang ang kasama ko palagi. She was my high school classmate but we got close when I started working here. Siya lang din naman ang kilala ko rito dahil yung mga teachers ko noon dito ay retired na at ang iba ay patay na. 

"Just there." Walang ganang sagot ko. She looked at me suspiciously while shaking her head. 

"Siya na naman ba?" She asked about her. She knows about her. Siya lang ang nakwentuhan ko sa lahat ng pangyayari. Ana and Jini doesn't even know what really happened. Kinalimutan namin iyon na parang isang masamang panaginip lamang ang mga pangyayari. 

"Nope." She noticed that I don't want to converse about it so she nods her head. 

"I have a news. The Abo Corporation would donate a building here for laboratories and computer labs to help the improvement of our science and math sectors. DNHS have been competitive in those subjects so it's a good thing to have chemistry and physics laboratory. Then the computer labs for math and TLE." Napatango naman ako sa sinabi niya. Ito kasing building na naeonate ko ay may anim na palapag at ginawang classrooms ang ikatatlong palapag hanggang sa pinakataas at ang ground floor at sumunod na palapag ay ginawang mga offices at faculty room. 

"Mabuti." Tipid ko itong nginitian at binuksan na ang laptop ko para gumawa ng lesson plan. 

Natapos ang araw ko na wala namang kakaiba. Kahit nasa Daanbantayan ako ay hindi parin naman ako nawawalan ng koneksyon sa mga kaklase ko noon. Maingay parin ang mga gc namin. Ang iba sa kanila ay may mga asawa't anak na. Si Jini nga ay naging ninang pa kami sa anak niya habang si Ana naman ay ikakasal sa susunod na taon. Maraming nangyari pero sama-sama namin itong hinarap.