Hearts in Rivalry

Prologue

"Teacher El!" 

 
I stopped in my tracks and shifted my gaze towards the person who called me. It was my co-teacher, Mr. Arellano. He was new here, like me, and if I remember correctly, he's my old professor's nephew.
 
 
"Congratulations on passing your master's," nakangiti kung tinangap ang nakalahad niyang kamay. We're not entirely close, but since he's teaching the same grade as mine, we sometimes cross paths. 
 

"Thank you, sir," sagot ko bago naglakad muli. He matched my pace since isa lang naman ang pupuntahan namin. This was my last subject for today, so I'm about to head back to my classroom. 

 
"Was it hard?" Mr. Arellano asked, glancing at me. Was it hard? I don’t know. Ever since high school, I’ve always strived for the best. Maybe it is for others. But for me, not really. Pressure is kind of engraved in my body. Sanayan lang ata 'yun.

 
"Kinda," I replied, trying not to be rude, but honestly, I kind of like the pressure. It gives me the motivation to do more. 
 
Tumigil kami ng makarating na ako sa room, hindi naman kasi kalayuan 'yun. I teach subjects in the same building where my classroom is located. So, it’s not too much of a hassle; nakakapagod lang talaga minsang umakyat ng hagdan. I bid my goodbyes to Mr. Arelliano even though it is not necessary, because literally, na ang lapit lang naman niya. He is the adviser for Section C, two blocks from where my section is.

 
Pagpasok ko, I was greeted with a mischievous grin from my students. Pinagtaasan ko sila ng kilay, silently asking why they were looking at me like that.

 
Ang paraan ng pagkakatingin saakin ng mga batang, 'to ay parang tingin na palaging nasa mukha ng mga kaibigan ko kapag gusto nilang makasagap ng chismis. When I noticed that no one planned to explain it to me, nagsalita na ako.

 
"What?" I asked while making my way towards my desk. Their eyes followed me as I put down my things and turned back to face them, raising an eyebrow again. I'm close with my students, and we know our boundaries, pero minsan talaga nagiging OA sila. Mashadong mga chismoso at chismosa. 
 
 
"May something po ba kayo ni Sir Jade, ma'am?" Tanong saakin ni Cyril na akala mo tinatanong ako tungkol sa issue ng bansa. Paano, yung mukha ba naman, parang tutol talaga siya pag sinabi kung meron. Napailing naman ako, hanep na mga batang 'to. Issue maker din e'. These kids and their imaginations.

 
"Magsi-upo na nga kayo, may klase pa kayo di'ba?" Nakasimangot naman silang bumalik sa kanilang upuan. 

 
"Anong subject niyo ngayon?" Tanong ko na siyang sinagot naman ni Shena. Ang classroom president, "Araling Panlipunan po, pero 10 minutes late na po si ma'am Janet." 
 

"Ah, chat ko kaya ma'am Janet niyo baka nakalimtan niyang may sched siya sa inyo," sabay naman silang napalingon saakin. I grin when they all mumble their disagreement. Mga batang 'to mahiling sa chismis, pero hindi naman gusto ang history. Chismis 'din kaya yun. 
 
I sat down on my swevil chair and scrolled through my feed. I'm trying to find anything interesting. I rarely check my feed, kaya minsan talaga napagiiwanan ako. Speaking of which, I haven't met my friends yet. It's been four months since I came back here to PH, and here I am teaching those nosy kids. 

 
I was about to get my laptop to do my lesson plan when I noticed my students gathered by the window, whispering and giggling. Because curiosity won over me, I walked over.
 

"What's going on here?" Tanong ko sa kanina while also peering out the window.
 
"Ma'am, ang gwapo ni Sir Engineer!" one of the students gushed. Napakunot naman ang noo ko. I know that there will be a new building built beside ours. Pero akala ko ba mag meeting pa kami mamaya tungkol don. No one informs me na i-inspect na pala yung site.

 
"Sir Engineer?" I repeated, confused. My confusion faded away, and it quickly changed to nervousness when I saw him. He was there, standing under the shade of the tree, discussing plans with the principal and some other staff. My heart skipped a beat. Para akong mawawalan ng hininga.

 
I never thought I could see him here. Here, in the place where it all stated but also ended. I can't believe I'm seeing him again—the guy who once rivalled me in everything and eventually captured my heart. The guy who made me fall crazy in love with him—with his touch, with his words. But also the guy who is capable of breaking me into pieces. The guy I could never get over with. 

 
My students screamed with excitement when Enzo brushed his hair up. He didn't change; he is now an accomplished engineer, and he looked even more handsome and confident than I remembered.

 
"Ma'am, kilala niyo po ba siya?" Cyril asked, snapping me out of my reverie.

 
"I—uh—" I stammered, trying to find the right words. I don't have the guts to tell them that the guy they are hovering over right now is my ex. Shit! Help me,god.

 
"Let's just say we went to senior high school together." Their eyes sparkled when they heard my response. I chuckled. If only they knew how much this teacher of theirs is head over heels with that guy. 

 
I took a glance again, and I was shocked to find that Enzo was also looking at me. Our eyes met, and I was momentarily stunned. The sound fades away as I get lost in his gaze.

 
Everything was silenced; I could barely hear the noise my students made. My heart pounded loudly, as if they were horses racing inside.

 
I clearly remember those eyes looking at me with adornment, but now it was blank; I couldn't read it. It was as if he knew that I could read his emotions through his eyes and that he had hidden them from me beforehand. I don't know what emotions my eyes contain right now, but I know one thing: I am still drowning. I am completely buried in my love for him. 

 
But then, reality hit me like a cold shower. I remembered how I hurt him, the harsh words I said, and the way I pushed him away. He probably hates me now. Right, he hates me now. I should not give hope to myself; I was the one who hurt him. It was my fault.

 
I quickly turned away, my heart still pounding. "Okay, back to your seats, everyone," I said, trying to go back to my composure. "Ma'am Janet is already here."
 

As I walked back to my desk, I could still feel the weight of his gaze on me. Seeing Enzo again was like opening an old wound. I thought I had moved on, but now I wasn’t so sure.
 

How could I face him after everything? How could I possibly make things right? Do I even have the chance to make everything right?