Whimps of Heart (VALENTINE SERIES #2)

Chapter 3

T H R E E

Kakatapos lang ng klase namin kay Miss Pascual, at masasabi ko lang, kung anong kasungit ng dalawa niyang kaibigan ay kabaliktaran naman niya. Mas malakas pa ata ang amats niya kaysa sa isa niyang kaibigan, pero kahit ganon pa man, magaling naman talaga siya magturo.

Ngayon, nasa cafeteria kami ni Jude. Nag-message kasi si Jade na pumunta kami. Si Juliana naman ay wala dahil nagkaroon ng emergency sa kompanya nila.

As Jude and I sat down, the atmosphere felt lighter, especially after the intense class with Miss Jimenez earlier. The cafeteria buzzed with students, and it was a relief to just relax for a bit. Jade waved at us from across the room, and we headed over to join her.

"I hate that professor with Miss Sanchez and Miss Jimenez," saad ng pinsan ko, umirap pa siya. "I hate the way she smiles at me, it's creepy," dagdag niya pa, sabay yakap sa sarili na parang natatakot talaga.

"What's the problem with her smile? It's not creepy at all," depensa ko agad kay Miss Pascual. Napaka-good vibes nga ng aura niya. "Miss Pascual is a cheerful person and easily jokes around, unlike the other professors with her." Dagdag ko pa, isama mo na yung malakas ang tama ng isa sa utak.

"Woy! Miss Sanchez is also a cheerful person, no? Ang judger mo, insan," sabat naman ni Mira, na ikinagulat ko. Tiningnan ko siya nang naguguluhan, seriously? Isa rin atang may tama sa utak 'to.

Cheerful person? Asan banda? Parang dala na nga ni Miss Sanchez lahat ng problema ng Pilipinas, tapos sasabihin niyang cheerful?

Iiling-iling na lang ako nang malaman kong trip pala ng pinsan kong si Mira si Miss Sanchez. Sa aming magpipinsan, siya lang talaga ang vocal sa nararamdaman niya. She easily gets close to people and opens up about her feelings. Maybe it's because she grew up in a good and happy environment sa bahay nila—walang masyadong stress o away, unlike sa akin.

I couldn't help but admire her for it, kahit minsan hindi ko maintindihan ang taste niya ngayon kay Miss Sanchez. It was nice, though, seeing someone who wasn't as guarded as I was.

"Don't say bad words labidabs. Masyado pang maaga para sa ganyan" naka ngisi niyang saad kay Miss Sanchez.

Mahina akong tumawa sa mga banatan ni Mira. How can she be so bold like that? Ni hindi siya natitinag sa mga sinasabi ni Miss Sanchez sa kanya, kahit na namumula na ito sa inis sa pinsan ko. Yung loko, natutuwa pa at kinikilig sa sarili niyang kalandian. Para bang siya pa ang nag-eenjoy sa tension.

Habang pinapanood ko siyang nagkukuwento, hindi ko maiwasang mapaisip kung saan siya humuhugot ng confidence. Ako, tahimik na nga lang at nagmamasid, pero si Mira, baliwala lang kahit obvious nang naiirita si Miss Sanchez sa kanya.

Nasa café kami ni Kuya Pat, my manager, and the energy between us was tense. He always had this confident and flamboyant vibe, pero ngayon, I could see the worry in his eyes.

"Girl, you have a shoot tonight for that international brand," sabi niya, raising an eyebrow as if to emphasize just how big this was. "Everything's set, and we cannot afford to mess this up."

"I know, Kuya Pat, pero… paano ako makakalusot? Alam mo naman na hindi papayag si Dad sa ganito," I sighed, stirring my coffee absentmindedly. "If he finds out na may shoot ako, tapos na 'to. He's going to flip."

Kuya Nita leaned back, tapping his perfectly manicured nails on the table. "We've kept this secret for so long, and we've been fabulous at it. But Iris, darling, this is your moment. International brand, sis! This could launch you! You can’t let it slip away." He leaned forward, eyes wide with urgency. "Can't you pull a student council card again?"