Shin's Beautiful Addiction : Lyle Hope Bautista

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3 : SNACKS

"Miss Vance?" Gulat kong sambit ng makita ito kausap si Miss Shin sa sala, naroon din ang dalawang anak nito. Magkakasabay silang lumingon sakin.

"Come, dear." Paanyaya ni Miss Shin, mabilis akong sumunod at naupo sa tabi niya.

"Looking beautiful as usual, Hope." Ngiting saad ni Miss Vance, sinalubong ko ang mata nito at bahagyang tumango.

"Salamat po pero mas maganda po kayo." Umiling ito't natatawang tinakpan ang bibig, lumiit ang mata nito habang diretso ang namamanghang tingin.

"Ikaw talaga ang paborito kong student sa lahat." Napa labi naman ako at maliit na ngumiti.

"Ako lang naman po ang nag-iisa n'yong estudyante, Miss Vance."

Natawa ulit ito. "Exactly."

Miss Madison Idris Vance has been my homeschool teacher since I was in grade 7. We've lived in New York together for 13 years, although she resides separately.

I quickly grew comfortable around her since she's a close friend of Miss Shin. Pero hindi naging madali sa una as my trauma was so active and always acting up pero dahil sa tulong ni Miss Shin ay nagawa kong maging panatag sa presensya niya.

"Maddie will be your homeschooled teacher again, Hope. Is that okay with you?" Miss Shin softly inquired. Without hesitation, I eagerly nodded in agreement.

Mas magandang ganun nalang dahil kung magiiba ang guro ko baka hindi ako ganung maka pagpokus.

Having Miss Vance as my teacher before was such a wonderful experience. She's truly a great teacher, and I felt so comfortable learning with her. So, when Miss Shin mentioned that Miss Vance would be my homeschool teacher again, I couldn't help but feel relief and excitement at the thought of being guided by someone I already know and trust.

"I asked her for this, and she traveled immediately because I know it would be a hassle for you to face another person to be your teacher. And I won't take a risk considering your condition," Miss Shin explained.

I smiled at her. "I appreciated that, thank you po, Miss Shin."

She caress my cheek. "I told you to just call me Mom." Ito na naman, hindi nawala ang lintanya n'yang 'yan.

"I agreed." Sinabi ni Ate Leona, napa lingon ako. "You can now stop calling her like that, Hope. You're not aware pero pati kami napapalingon. We're Miss Shin too, you know."

I bit the side of my lip when I heard Miss Shin and Miss Vance chuckling, naka ngiting nagtataas baba naman ang dalawang kilay ni Ate Leona tila inuudyok ako. On the other hand, Ate Lindsey maintained her usual blank expression.

It was only then that it dawned on me that we were with Miss Shin's two daughters, who are also carrying the surname of their mother. I sighed, I realize that if I called Miss Shin 'Miss Shin,' they might think I was referring to them as well.

"Go on, Hope." Bahagya akong nailang sa pang-uudyok ni Miss Shin. It's not that it's big deal, but her daughters are here. Hindi ba't parang ang awkward naman?

"Oh, come on, dear," I swallowed nervously as I looked at Miss Shin's hopeful expression. Naghihintay din ang iba pa kaya wala akong nagawa kundi ang lunukin ang hiya at kaba.

"M.. mom." Mahina akong napa singhap ng iba ang tunog 'non, tila tawag ng pangungulila.

"Oh god, finally, dear." siguro dahil sa tuwa kaya nagawa niya akong higitin upang yakapin o baka naman, napansin niya ang pangungulila't lungkot sa boses ko.

Hindi malabo, sa taon nang pagsasama namin ni Miss Shin alam kong kabisado na niya ang nararamdam at iniisip ko. Isang siyang psychiatrist at talento ng mga gaya niya ang basahin ang emotion at nararamdaman ng isang tao.