Miss me, Ms. Vargaz

Chapter 6

" 'Nay, pasok na po ako." paalam ko kay 'nay Sonia. Pagkatapos ko mag breakfast. Tatlong araw na akong hindi pinapansin ni mommy simula ng malaman niyang buntis ako.

"Ingat ka anak." 

Nakadating ako sa School namin ng hindi ko namamalayan. Sinabi lang sakin ni kuya Ronnie na nandito na kami.

Bumaba ako ng kotse at naglakad papunta sa unang klase ko. I'm first year student, architecture kinuha kong course. Iba-iba course kinuha naming apat nila Audrey.

"Hi Shaniah!"

"Good morning Shaniah."

Mga ilang bati naririnig ko habang dumadaan sa hallway. Marami rami pa ang student sa labas. Hindi pa nagriring yung bell kaya maraming nagkakalat dito sa hallway. 

Hinayaan ko lang ito hanggang makapasok ako sa room namin. umupo ako sa likod katabi ng bintana. Tinanaw ko ang naglalakihang building nasaharapan ko.

"Class dismissed. Miss Savedra, i want to talk to you in a minute." Hindi ko alam tapos na pala ang klase ko art and design. 

I just nodded.

"Follow me."

Nangmakarating kami sa kanyang Opisina ibinaba naman ang mga gamit nito sa kanyang lamesa. At humarap sakin. Nakatayo lang ako sa may pintuan. Hinihintay kong anong sasabihin sakin.

"Miss Savedra?"  Professor Tan said, her expression serious."I've noticed that you've been zoning out a lot lately, and I've even seen you crying at times. I've been giving you space because I thought you might need to be alone, but it seems like I'm not the only one who's noticed. All of your other teachers have told me the same thing. And I don't want this behavior to continue,"

Professor takes a deep breath before continuing, her eyes never leaving Shaniah's face.

"I know that there must be something going on in your life that's causing this, but it's affecting your academics and your overall well-being. You used to be such a bright and engaged student, but now I can hardly get you to participate in class,"

Walang imik nakatingin lang si Shaniah.

"I don't want to jump to any conclusions," Miss Tan continued, her tone gentle but firm. "But I'm worried about you, Savedra. Can you tell me what's been going on? Why have you been struggling so much lately?"

Shaniah looks down at her hands, her fingers fidgeting nervously in her lap. She takes a deep breath before speaking.

"I... I don't know if I can talk about it," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's personal."

Miss nods at her with understandingly, her expression still serious but compassionate.

"I understand that it's a sensitive topic and you may not feel comfortable talking about it," she says. "Dismissed."

Dali dali naman agad akong umalis sa opisina nito at pumasok sa susunod kong klase. Nakinig na ako sa discussion ng prof ko nasa harapan kahit walang topic na pumapasok sa utak ko. 

From: Audrey.
Babe wer ar u? Ikaw nalang kulang dito sa cafeteria. Kanina pa nagrereklamo si Princess kanina pa daw siya gutom.

Basa ko sa text nito sakin. Katatapos lang ng klase namin.

To: Audrey.
Katatapos lang ng klase ko. Otw.

Sinilid ko lang ito sa bag ko at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad papuntang cafeteria.