Back To The Night We Met

Chapter 2 : Campus Princess

Auria

I was about to leave for school, when I heard Yaya Tina chasing after me.

"Auri!! Halika muna dito!"

I turned back around. "Bakit po?"

"Nasa telepono ang Daddy mo, may sasabihin raw sa'yo," sabi niya.

Immediately, my first instinct was to look as rushed and busy as I could so I took a look at my bracelet watch to give her the impression that I have no time to talk to the phone.

"Ya, mal-late na po ako."

I felt like she was measuring me with that look on her face.

"Auria..."

Her tone was enough to make me go back inside. Hindi talaga ako pwedeng sumuway kay Yaya. Kilalang kilala niya ako eh.

Ayoko kasing makipag-usap kay Daddy dahil nakikipag-usap at tumatawag lang naman siya kapag kailangan niyang nandoon ako for his image as a perfect family man.

Pagpasok ko sa sala, dumiretso ako sa telepono at sinagot ang tawag na naghihintay sa'kin.

"Hello?" Wala sa mood kong bati.

["Auria, glad you answered."]

"Ano po 'yon? I have an early class, mahuhuli ako," I impatiently told him.

["Next week will be your sister's birthday. Sana makapunta ka."]

I sighed. Nadelay pa talaga ako para dito.

"I'll see po, a bit busy with acads."

["We'll be expecting your presence. Sige, baka mahuli ka pa. Take care--"]

I dropped the call and I hurried to get in the car waiting for me outside.

***

"May bago nga sa masterlist, bagong transfer daw."

"Babae, lalaki?"

"Ka-age natin??"

Those were the conversations I overheard as I walked inside the classroom. Mag-isa lang ako dahil nasa ibang class si Amelie, may backload siya from last year's list of subjects.

I took a seat on the 2nd row, middle aisle, so I can have a good view of the board. Mas madali ring makinig dito dahil nakakaiwas ako sa distractions from the outside noise.

A few seconds just after my arrival, our professor for this subject walked in. "Settle in," she commanded, her head held high, commanding such an authoritative presence.

I sat up straight, ready to face another day of academic hardship.

"We'll pick up where we left off last time--" she then paused when someone stood by the door, her head slowly turning to that person, then she stared him down like what she always does when a student comes in late.

Wait, he's familiar...

"Good morning, Ma'am." He bowed his head down.

Our professor just stared at him, looking like she's got no plans of letting him in. Ako ang nahihiya para sa kaklase namin.

Finally, our professor spoke. "Last name?"

"Alejano, Ma'am," he said, then his eyes roamed around the inside of the classroom until our eyes met.

There was a glint of shine in his eye, but I quickly averted my gaze to avoid staring. It's rude.

As if a light bulb turned on inside my head, I instantly recalled him! Siya 'yung tinakbuhan ko one time from the hallway! 'Yung transferee na hinahanap ang class ni Sir Santiago.