Heartful Whisper

Kabanata 36

"Woah! Ang tataas ah," puri ni Ma'am Damil sa scores ng mga estudyante ko.

"As they should, section one, e." Ms. Santos commented.

Napangiti ako. I am recording the result of the science periodical test. Only two of the class got a perfect score, but the rest of them scored above thirty over forty.

They are indeed the creme section, but I have always reminded them that it's okay not to have the highest scores always. Bearing the title of being the section one is already pressuring enough.

Alam kong bata pa lang sila at marahil ay hindi pa nila lubusang naiintindihan pero alam kong sa loob loob nila, they are aiming to get the highest result among the rest. I don't want them to focus on the competition, but on their own growth and improvement.

"Ms. Coli! Si Sir Valencio nasa tapat ng faculty, hinihintay ka yata," balita ni Ms. Perez.

"Sinabi niya?" I asked, still typing.

"Hindi, pero tinanong siya ni Sir. Madrigal e, narinig ko ang sagot niya ikaw daw."

The teachers in the faculty started teasing me.

"Baka may kailangan lang," sabi ko.

"Ikaw nga raw ang kailangan niya!"

Humiyaw ulit sila.

Umiling lamang ako sa kanila at saka lumabas ng faculty.

Sir Valencio is indeed standing in front of our faculty. He looked a bit nervous, but he smiled when he saw me.

"Magandang hapon, Sir." Bati ko.

Natawa siya. "Just call me Benj. Naglunch ka na Ms. Coli?"

Most of the teachers now call me by my nickname. I don't mind, though.

"Hindi pa.. may hinihintay ka raw?"

He nodded. "Yes, I was waiting for you."

"May maitutulong ba ako, Sir? Tinawag niyo na sana ako."

Ngumiti siya. "It's alright. Gusto sana kitang yayain maglunch."

I always ignore the teachers' hints about Sir. Valencio taking interest in me. I had a bad experience from the very first school I worked at. A male teacher was also giving motives and taking actions to be with me alone. I took it professionally because he was just asking about work and sometimes giving advices. I respected him as he was older and more experienced in teaching.

It turned out, he was already married and there were gossips that we were having an affair.

I sighed. I tried to smile at Sir Valencio waiting for my answer.

"Tayong dalawa lang?"

"Yes. Bakit?"

"Baka kasi kung ano ang isipin ng mga makakakita sa atin." Maingat kong sagot.

Tumaas ang kilay niya at kalmadong pinasadahan ng tingin ang buong hallway. Wala ngang gaanong tao sa oras na ito.

"Ano bang naiisip mong iisipin nila?"

He pursed his lips, fighting an escaping smile.

"Na may namamagitan sa atin," mahina kong tugon.

"I'm single, you're single. Tama ako 'di ba?"

I don't want to misword. I can't respond immediately because I want to think every thing I'd say carefully. Sir. Valencio is a good and well respected co-teacher. If I'm going to reject his intentions, I should do it as politely as possible.