Professor Vaughn

Chapter 19

Wrenley’s POV

“I’ll dismiss you early today. Hindi ako okay” I told my calculus class. Total lie. My mind was fine, my body was fine everything was fine. Except for the fact that I’d been restless for three days. And I knew exactly why.

“Ma’am, gusto niyo po ba ng gamot or something?” one of my students asked, worry clear in her eyes.

I shook my head.

“No, thank you. I’ll be okay,” I replied, forcing a tight smile. Sino niloloko ko? Kahit ako di naniniwala sa sinasabi ko.

She nodded, giving me a hopeful smile, while some of her classmates glared at her like she’d crossed a line. I sighed and brushed it off, my mind racing. Hindi na ‘ko mapakali. Kailangan ko talagang malaman kung nasaan siya ngayon.

“Ms. Margaux Iverson, may gusto akong itanong sayo,” I called out when I caught her sneaking out of the room. Of course, she stiffened as soon as she heard my voice, her steps slower and more cautious as she made her way over to me.

“W-why, Prof?” she stammered, clearly uneasy.

I waited until the other students had left, and then I finally asked her what’s been bothering me.

“Why is she absent for three days now?” I said as calmly as I could, masking the urgency I felt.

Margaux’s brows furrowed, playing innocent.

“Who? Sino pong ‘she’ ang tinutukoy niyo, prof?” Ayos. Pakipot pa. Alam ko naman na she knows exactly who I’m talking about.

“You know who I’m talking about, Ms. Iverson,” I said, giving her a firm look. I needed answers, dammit. Bakit siya absent ng tatlong araw? May nangyari ba sa kanya? Is she okay?

She smirked, as if enjoying my frustration.

“Be specific, Prof. Vaughn,” she said, her tone teasing. God, she was milking this.

I sighed, defeated.

“Fine. Why is Miss Yates absent? Finals are coming, and I’m worried about her grades. Alam mo naman, she’s always absent during prelim.”

“Is it really just because of that, Prof?” she interrupted, her smirk widening.

I stared at her, trying to keep my composure.

“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

“You know what I mean, Professor Vaughn,” she replied, that infuriating ghost of a smile still on her lips. Parang alam niya talaga, and it was driving me insane.

“Margaux, just answer my question. Gusto ko nang magpahinga kasi nga hindi ako feeling well—”

“Hindi ka okay kasi tatlong araw mo na siyang hindi nakikita, am I right?” she shot back confidently, practically calling me out.

I clenched my jaw, looking away.

“Margaux, stop it. She is my student.”

She stared at me, as if seeing right through me. Na para bang alam niya ang nararamdaman ko. Damn it. Ano ba kasi talaga itong nararamdaman ko?

All I know is this feeling is clawing at me. Parang gusto ko nang isigaw para lang mawala ito. I don’t want it. I can’t want it. But it’s suffocating me.

“May sakit siya,” Margaux said in a low voice, her smirk finally disappearing.

My head snapped toward her.

“W-what? Since when?” My heart pounded. Why didn’t I know? Why didn’t anyone tell me?

“Three days ago. I think it’s because of the rain. Pero don’t worry, someone’s taking care of her.” She smiled at me, but her words hit me like a punch.