Once we arrived home, I headed straight to my dad's office, where he keeps the alcohol to make sure it's not accessible to us, his children. Miss Harriet and I are planning to continue our drinks by the pool area. I was surprised that she agreed, probably out of pity.
I took a bottle of tequila, red wine, and whiskey and went to the pool area where Miss Harriet was already waiting.
"Hey," Tawag ko sakanya. Nakaupo siya sa tabi ng pool habang nakalublob ang kanyang paa. Umupo ako sa tabi niya at ginaya ang kanyang posisyon.
I shivered as my skin came into contact with the cold water. Buti na lang nakakuha ako ng kumot kaya binalot ko ito samin.
"What do you want? Tequila? Whiskey? or just Wine?" I asked her.
"Tequila," sagot niya, kaya't naglagay na ako sa shot glass at inabot sa kanya.
"We should play a drinking game."
"Like what?"
"Truth or dare?" Umiling naman ako sa sinabi niya.
"Wala akong energy to do dares," sabi ko, dahil kumportable na ako sa posisyon ko at tinatamad na akong gumalaw galaw pa.
"Then just truth no dare. If you don't want to answer the question, you take a shot." Nag-agree na lang ako para na rin mawala ang antok ko.
"I'll go first," she said and gave me back the shot glass.
"When we slept together, were you really a virgin at that time?" Nanlaki ang mata ko sa tanong niya. Tanginang tanong 'yan walang preno preno.
"What happened to 'what's your favorite color'?" I scoffed and took a shot. Alam kong alam niya ang sagot, she just wants me to say it again, but I won't.
"What's your hobby?" I asked. I know it's lame, but I still can't think of anything else to ask her.
"Ledezma, you have the opportunity to ask anything of your professor, and you chose that as your question?" she said while shaking her head.
"Okay, what's your body count?" I blurted out. 'Yan kasi ang unang pumasok sa isip ko ngayon. Instead of answering me, she just laughed.
"Don't you know that it's inappropriate to ask someone that?" Ang gulo ng tao na 'to. Sabi niya kanina ask anything.
"Bakit ba hindi mo nalang sagutin mga tanong ko? Stop questioning my question." Inabot ko sa kanya ang shot glass pero hindi niya 'to tinanggap.
"I honestly don't know. Too many to count." Hindi ko alam pero may parte sakin na hindi natuwa sa sagot niya kaya ininom ko ang hawak kong alak. Too many to count? I hate that I let myself be part of the many.
"Woah, it's not yet your turn," she said, but I ignored her and just waited for her next question.
"If I wasn't your professor and I called you after we slept together, would you give me a chance by then?" Kinabahan naman ako at biglang ang seryoso ng tanong niya. I never thought of it before, but I think professor or not, my answer is still the same.
"No, I just got out of a relationship at baka nakakalimutan mo na straight nga ako. You may not be my professor, but you're still a woman." Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang tinawanan niya lang ang sagot ko. Ayokong lang maging awkward kaming dalawa.
"Ikaw ba? I mean if we didn't meet sa bar like sa classroom lang ganon, do you think you'd still be interested in me?" Nahiya ako ng slight sa tanong ko dahil parang ang self-proclaimed ko naman.
"I guess I'll still find you attractive, but interested? No, I hate students. I know I shouldn't be saying this as your professor. I feel like I'm raising tons of kids that I never wanted to have. Students can really be annoying, and given that you're like a teacher's pet, you might also be annoying." I smacked her arm playfully and glared at her. Hindi dahil sa sagot niya kundi sa sinabi niya na nakakainis daw ako.
"I'm a bad professor, right?" Umiling ako bilang sagot. I understand her dahil sinabi niya sa akin dati na hindi naman niya ginusto itong pagtuturo.
"Has it always been what you wanted? Taking over your family's company?" Noong una, gusto ko rin maging doktor katulad ng mga kapatid ko, pero napagtanto ko na kung sundan ko sila, walang matitirang tagapagmana. My parents have always reminded us to follow our dreams even if it's not the company, but I know deep down they wished that one of us will. So, I made it my dream.
"Yes, it's what I planned for myself. How about you? Kung wala ka ngayon sa university what do you think you're doing right now?" Tumingin siya sa kawalan at ngumiti na parang may naalalang masayang memorya.
"Baking." Nagulat ako sa sagot niya. It's not what I expected.
"I can't cook, but I excel at baking. My dad and I used to run a restaurant in the States. When I was there, we managed it together, but now he handles it on his own. He takes care of the meals, and I handle the desserts." Her smile is really genuine. I guess I'm starting to get to know her.
"When I'm stressed with school, I head straight to that restaurant to bake or sometimes just sit there and enjoy my own company. It's my place of peace. I wish I could bring you there. I apologize for sharing so much already."
"It's okay. I'd love to visit there next time." She turned her head to face me and offered a smile, which I returned. We gazed at each other for a few seconds before she cleared her throat and shifted her gaze.
"I-I can't come up with a question, so feel free to ask again while I think." Tumango na lang ako dahil marami na rin akong naiisip na tanong sakanya.
"Have you ever been with a guy?" Yes, it's one thing I'm curious about.
"I tried flirting with some guys but it never lasted because they kinda ick me. I can't even let them touch me without feeling grossed out." She said, her face contorted in disgust. Diring diri yarn?
"Have you ever been in a serious relationship?" She slowly shook her head.
"I haven't experienced love in my 24 years of existence. But, who knows? Perhaps you could be the first." Inirapan ko siya sa huli niyang sinabi. Hindi talaga mawawala ang kalandian sa kanya.
"I can't think of any more question." Medyo lasing na rin kasi ako dahil kahit sinasagot namin ang mga tanong ay umiinom pa rin kaming dalawa.
"I have one," she said, handing me the shot glass.
"Have you ever kissed another woman that's not me?" Fuck. Agad ko tinungga ang alak na inabot niya.
"Taking a shot just means yes, Ledezma. So, who's your other woman?" she asked with one eyebrow raised. She looks displeased. I don't know what's stopping me from telling her who it is. II am feeling guilty for whatever reason it is.
I rose to my feet, but sudden dizziness overwhelmed me, causing me to lose balance and nearly fall into the pool. Luckily, Miss Harriet's quick reflexes kicked in, and she swiftly wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me away from the pool's edge. In the process, we lost our balance, and we tumbled to the ground together, with me ending up on top of her.
"Shit," I heard her curse under her breath. Quickly, I rolled to the side, now lying on my back like her, and gazing at the dark sky. We remained in that position for a while, and my eyelids started feeling heavy. I glanced at Miss Harriet to check if she was sleeping, but I was surprised when our eyes met. She was staring at me too. Just as I was about to suggest going upstairs to sleep, she spoke first.
"The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?"
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...
