Knock Again, Professor [GL• #1]

Chapter 40

"Saji,"

Binalingan ko ng tingin si Chanty nung marinig ko ang mahina niyang pagtawag sa akin, mula sa pinto ng aking kuwarto. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin habang nakasandal sa haligi.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay at muling itinuon ang atensyon sa mga inaayos na damit.

"Nalulungkot ako." muli niyang pagsasalita kaya nilingon ko siya ulit at marahan na lumakad papalapit sa kaniya at niyakap siya. "Akala ko sabay tayo ga-graduate sa Pendleton, daya mo naman aalis ka, iiwan mo ako." pabiro niyang sabi sa akin pero halata sa boses niya ang lungkot.

"Kung puwede lang kita isama, hindi kita iiwan dito." nahinto ako sandali at hinarap siya. "You are my friend and been like a real sibling to me for those years na akala ko wala na akong pag-asa, I'm so thankful for the opportunity that have given to me, maraming salamat Chan." sabi ko at muli siyang niyakap. "We have been in a long journey together, but this time we have to go in different ways, ayaw ko man pero mas malaking opportunity iyon sa akin, Chan." I added.

"Hoy, ano ka ba, hindi naman kita pinipigilan, nalulungkot lang ako kasi siyempre ibang bansa iyon, baka ipagpalit mo ako." pabiro muli niyang sabi kaya mariin naman ako na umiling.

"I will never replace you, Chan." sabi ko kaniya at muling bumalik sa pag-aayos ng gamit ko.

"Wala nang tutulong sa akin sumagot sa assignments, gumawa ng plates at magpakopya tuwing may quiz." malumanay na sabi niya habang kinukuha ang damit ko at inilagay sa maleta. "Wala nang sasaway sa akin." she added.

"We can call each other naman."

"You're acting as if you ever call me," she rolled her eyes at me, her tone tinged with playful annoyance as she continued to help me pack my things, folding my clothes with care.

"Don't be dramatic," I said with a grin, trying to lighten the mood. "We'll see each other after three years, or during vacations. I'll ask Kuya Hilantho to bring you to the mansion. We’ll have a grand time, just like the old days."

She paused for a moment, folding a shirt in her hands, her expression softening as she spoke, "I don't want to, I'll be busy," she said calmly, almost as if she was convincing herself more than me.

"Busy with whom? With Ma'am Lopez?" I teased, raising an eyebrow, trying to catch her off guard. My words made her look at me in surprise, her eyes widening just a bit.

"Hey, Saji!" She threw my shirt at me, her cheeks flushing slightly. "There's nothing going on, okay? And even if there was, we can’t be together."

I caught the shirt she threw, a small smile tugging at my lips. "I never said you could be together," I replied, my tone is softer now. "But whatever happens, tell me, okay? I’ll make time for you, Chan. You’re important to me. You always have been."

She looked at me, her eyes searching for mine, as if trying to gauge the sincerity in my words. "Tapos mamaya, out of reach number mo," she said, shaking her head in exasperation. "You always say that, but you’re the one who disappears, Saji."

"I mean it this time," I insisted, taking a step closer, my voice low and earnest. "You’re my best friend. No matter where life takes us, I’ll always be just a call away. Even if it means sneaking out during some boring meeting, I’ll do it for you."

She chuckled softly, her expression softening as she met my gaze. "You better keep your promise. I’m holding you to it, okay?"

"Deal," I said, extending my hand towards her, palm open. "Shake on it?"

She stared at my hand for a moment before laughing, the sound light and genuine. "You’re such a dork," she said, but took my hand anyway, squeezing it lightly.