𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐌 [Slow Updates]

𝑿𝑰𝑿. 𝑲𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒂

TASTE OF HER VENOM
Chapter 20: Karma

"Where have you been for the past three days? Ang daming naghanap sa'yo" was the first thing that my cousin asked which is inaasahan ko naman na.

I can sense that she's already informed about what happened during the unsuccessful lunch meeting with my family. That fucking lunch was the root kung bakit hindi ako nagparamdam sa kanilang lahat sa loob ng mga araw na 'yon at ngayon lang din ako umuwi dahil may pasok na ulit.

"Somewhere in Batangas" I replied lazily before slumping down on my seat. I stayed with my friend's residence at sobrang thankful ko dahil naging kaclose ko rin family nila before kaya napagbigyan ako agad nung sinabi kong sa kanila muna ako titigil kahit ilang araw lang.

"Why did you do that? And do you even know na bagsak ka sa—"

"Laurent, just please.. Let's not talk about that right now. I wanna breathe kahit ngayon lang" alam kong hindi magandang bungaran ko siya nang ganto gayong ngayon lang ako bumalik but hey, I'm a human too at nadedrain din ako. Kulang na kulang yung tatlong araw na pahinga.

"Fine, I won't force you to tell me what happened but you know it's your responsibility to have at least one good reason kung bakit mo ginawa 'yon?"

I sweat cold. Bakit parang may alam siya sa ginawa ko kay ma'am o yung tungkol 'to sa paglayas ko nang walang pasabi? Fucc, Satanas, stay away from me!

Hindi na nadugtungan pa ang usapan namin nang mag-upuan at tumahimik ang lahat.

The silence is enough to make me anxious as we're all anticipating for Ms. Del Valle to enter. Hindi pa ako handang harapin siya pagkatapos nang nagawa ko.

"I hope you're prepare for the coming consequences, Vaughn" pasimpleng bulong ni Devin kaya napalingon ako rito.

"The fuck are you saying? Si Professor Zera lang naman 'yan, bakit ako maghahanda?" tanong ko at alam kong medyo napalakas ang pagkakasabi ko 'nun. It feels weird hearing her name now. Ano ba naman 'to?

"Pardon, Ms. Constello? I have heard my name came out from that rude mouth of yours. Mind sharing what were you saying?" isang boses ang nagsalita mula sa pinto.

Upon tilting my head, I clearly saw my professor standing in the door frame with her arms crossed. It might felt weird but something is new with her aura. The first thing I've noticed was her hair that's now chopped up until her shoulder and its color changed into black. She also put an eyeliner which emphasizes her eyes even more. She looks bolder today and she's definitely hooking everyone's attention right now.

"M-Ma'am" kung hindi ba naman ako kalahating tanga at bobo ay nagawa ko pang mautal sa pagsasalita.

Raising her brow, she catechized, "I asked you what you were saying about me, didn't I?"

Patago akong napalunok at pasimpleng nilingon ang mga kaklase kong nasa akin na ang mga mata. Goddamn it! Gandang bungad para ngayong buwan!

Para maibsan ang kahihiyan na nararamdaman ay pinilit kong ngumiti.

"Pardon, Ms. Del Valle. I was just asking Devin if you're gonna attend our class today. Believe me, I just miss your presence around"

Some of my blockmates gasped at kahit si Professor Del Valle ay nagulat sa sinabi ko. I was just trying to lighten up the current mood.

Mabilis na bumalik sa dating reaksyon ang propesora.

"To inform you, Ms. Constello, one thing I disgust about people are those who keep on talking behind my back" masungit nitong sabi bago naglakad papuntang table niya pero bigla itong huminto in a midway.