Whimps of Heart (VALENTINE SERIES #2)

Chapter 5

F I V E

Nandito ako sa opisina ni Miss Sanchez, discussing the upcoming university charity event na gaganapin sa Tuguegarao. Honestly, I can't tell if she loves her job or not. Mukhang tamad na tamad siya, her face void of any enthusiasm or effort, parang wala na siyang pakialam. I'm sitting across from her, and I can feel the tension slowly creeping up my spine.

"Miss Sanchez," I say, carefully choosing my words, trying not to sound too desperate, "is it really necessary for me to inform Miss Jimenez about the meeting personally? I mean, can't one of the other USC members do it instead?"

It's hard for me to even bring it up, but ever since the incident sa bar, nahihiya ako harapin si Miss Jimenez. I hate it when someone sees me at my weakest point. I'm scared that if I face her now, that vulnerability might come back, and I just can't let that happen. I have to protect myself. I can't let people get too close. I've been hurt before, deeply. Ayoko na bumalik doon sa ganoong sitwasyon. It almost killed me.

"Miss Valentine," she responds, her tone as flat as her expression, "yes, it's necessary. You're the President of the USC, and Miss Jimenez is not just a class adviser. She will be accompanying you and the other members to the Charity Foundation event." Parang walang gana siyang kausap, at sa totoo lang, it’s irritating. She doesn't seem to care about how difficult this is for me. Wala, wala talagang effort.

Here we go again, puro Miss Jimenez. Ano ba ang kinalaman niya sa lahat ng 'to? Adviser lang naman namin siya, why does it feel like she's suddenly so involved in USC matters? It's like Miss Sanchez is pushing this unnecessary connection between us. Every time I think about facing Miss Jimenez, I can still feel the embarrassment creeping in from that night.

Paglabas ko sa opisina ni Miss Sanchez, agad kong nakita ang pinsan ko, smiling like she's won the lottery. Alam ko na naman ang plano niya, she's probably here to flirt with Miss Sanchez again. Of course. Hindi siya napapagod sa mga ganyang kalokohan. What surprises me is how Miss Sanchez hasn't kicked her out yet. Sa ibang tao, ang off na ng ganitong behavior, parang disrespectful na. Pero somehow, she puts up with it, maybe because of her charm or sheer persistence. Wala din namang pangit sa Valentine clan.

Kahapon nga bago ako umuwi, narinig ko na may pina-detension daw siya sa klase ni Miss Sanchez. It was my cousin's section, but I didn't get the full story kasi sobrang busy ako that time. Up until now, I still don't know what happened. Typical of her hough, she always finds herself in some kind of trouble but fun.

"What are you doing here, Couz?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Although, to be honest, alam ko na kung ano ang pakay niya.

She just smiled wider, raising the paper bag she was holding. "Okay," I said, "Eatwell, Couz. Sige lang, itaas mo pa ang bandera ng kabaklaan." Pinailing-iling ko na lang siya habang umaalis.

I know my cousin well, she won't stop until she gets what she wants. Whether it's Miss Sanchez or anyone else, hindi siya titigil hangga't hindi niya nakukuha ang gusto niya. Even if it means getting more detentions, nothing fazes her.

Nandito na ako sa tapat ng opisina ni Miss Jimenez, huminga muna ako nang malalim bago kumatok. Pagpasok ko, nakita ko agad siya, wearing glasses. Wow, she looks good. She smiled at me, and it wasn't one of those fake, polite smiles. It was genuine, warm. For the first time, I realized na maganda pala siya.

"Yes, Iris?" she asked, closing her laptop and turning her full attention to me. Her voice was soft, but direct, and it caught me off guard for a moment.

"Uh, it's about the charity event po sa Tuguegarao," I said, trying to keep my composure. Tumango naman siya, seemingly interested.

"Can we talk about that later?" she responded, catching me off guard again. "Let's discuss it over dinner? How about that?"