Quality Time (Love Language Series #2)

Prologue

“Congratulations again for being the most outstanding professor last school year, Professor Marquez!”

I just nodded at the dean of University of Mordovelt where I am currently working. I’ve been here for about four years now. I didn’t apply to other universities here in the Philippines or even outside the country where I am dreaming of teaching students.

Tangina, sa rito ko gustong maghintay, eh.

“I’m hoping that it will be you again this year!” Hindi nawala ang kasiglahan niya.

Ganito naman siya palagi sa akin. Paboritong-paborito ako. Parang hindi galit na galit sa akin dati, ah?

“Do you have anything to tell me?” I asked straightly because I don’t want to prolong my plasticity to him. “I’m getting late for my class.” I glanced at my wrist watch. “It’s the first day of the school year.”

First day of school. The day I hate the most. Tangina.

Totoo namang mala-late na ako sa klase ko. Just five minutes and it’s already seventy-thirty which is the start of the classes.

“Oh, sorry!” natataranta niyang turan. “Go on!”

Gago naman nito. Mukhang pinatawag lang ako para paalalahan na mas pagbutihin ko pa ang pagtuturo.

Time really flew fast. Parang kailan lang na sa pag-aaral ko ako pinagsasabihang magbuti. Ngayon ay ako naman ang nagsasabi noon sa mga estudyante ko. How cute.

“Mabuti na lang talaga at sa amin ka bumagsak. I don’t know what to do if you’re not here. I guess, I should thank her.”

I was about to open the door and leave when I immediately turned my head to him as he said the last sentence. My lips formed a fake smirk to him before going out.

He really must.

I just went to my office for a while to get the list of the students I will be holding this school year. They are in the fourth year in college kaya sana ay hindi sila pasaway. At subukan lang nila.

“Bango mo, Professor!”

“Mabuti pala at na-late ako!”

“Good moaning, Prof. Marquez!”

Sari-saring komento ang narinig ko sa mga babaeng estudyanteng nakakasalubong ko. And me with my usual self, sinungitan ko lang sila ng tingin at hindi pinansin.

Ayoko sa maharot na estudyante.

“Oh, my God! Professor Marquez? You’re late in your class too?”

At sa mga mahaharot sa propesor.

“Is this a destiny?” maharot na humagikhik ang nakasabay kong propesor na si Prof. Degamo.

“It’s not.” matigas kong sagot at sadyang binilisan ang lakad para hindi na siya makasunod pa.

“Why are you so mean?!” sigaw niya mula sa likod ko na mukhang hindi na kinaya ang pagtakbo para habulin ako. “Nakaka-haggard kang maging crush, professor!”

I proceeded walking until I reached the door of my class. ‘BSBA-4A’ was written on it.

Mula rito sa labas ay rinig na rinig ko na ang ingay nila. Mukhang kuhang-kuha na nila ang isa’t isa dahil na rin siguro ito na ang pang-apat na taon nilang magkakasama.

I decided to open the door and walked on my desk, not giving attention to them. Nagsitahimik naman sila agad at nagsiayos ng upo. Saka ko lang inilipat sa kanila ang paningin.

“Good morning, class.” I started.

Halos mag-unahan sila sa pagtayo. “Good morning, Prof. Marquez!”

“Sit down.” I announced as I adjusted my neck tie and rolled up my sleeves until it reached my arms. “I’m Professor Rizaki Argel Marquez, 31.” I started to introduce myself to them with some basic information as I rested my hands on the table. “I guess all of you have known me since I’ve been a professor here for years. I will be your adviser for the school year. I hope w-we will get along.”

I fucking don’t know what the fuck happened and I became stuttered. Sanay naman akong humarap at magpakilala sa mga estudyante ko tuwing first day.

I just shove it away and shifted my eyes to the list of their names to start their attendance. I called the boys first and everything went well until the list shifted to the girls.

Puta.

I bit my lips because of the first name in the list.

Tangina.

I read it again in my mind and it’s still the same.

Putangina.

I did it a lot of times but the name isn’t changing.

1. Aguilar, Sophia Kueen

Fuck it! Why didn’t I check this list in my free time?

“Aguilar.” I sternly called the girl.

“Hala, sino ‘yon?”

“Baka ‘yong mahiyain sa likod,”

“Transferee yata?”

Narinig ko ang mga bulungan ng mga estudyante ko habang ako ay nakatitig pa rin sa papel na animo’y mortal ko itong kaaway.

“P-Present... Po...”

I lifted up my head and it immediately flew to a royal purple eyed girl in the back. Nakaka-isang segundo pa lang yata akong nakatingin doon ay agad na niya itong binawi. She bowed her head a little and faced her playing fingers in her lap.

Nothing changed, huh? Still a shy girl? Bakit kaya? Nahihiya ba siya sa akin dahil iniwan niya ako noon? O dahil nag-aaral pa rin siya hanggang ngayon? Bumagsak ba siya? Hindi nakapag-OJT? Hindi nakatapos ng thesis? At bakit nag-iba siya ng course? I fucking want answers of this goddamn questions running in my mind!

“Seems you’re a transferee.” I commented as I walked in front of my desk and rested there, almost sitting while my arms crossed above my broad chest. “I guess, it’s best to introduce yourself to us.”

Sinabi ko sa kaniya noon na pag-aaralin ko siya. Pero hindi sa ganitong paraan. Not with the ‘teacher-and-student’ relationship because I won’t settle for that.

She hesitantly stood up, still bowing her head. “Good morning, c-class... mates.” She then stated with a low tone voice. “I’m Sophia A-Aguilar... But y-you can call me Sofie... It’s nice meeting you a-all...”

Seems I’m gonna have fun this school year and be the most outstanding professor again.