You Again, Professor [GL• #2]

CHAPTER 38.2

Isabelle Lavina Valencia Lopez POV
[Her back story]

I never thought that every little thing that Khaiy was doing would have a big impact on me. Kahit sobrang sungit ko sa kaniya, she always finds a way to talk to me, although nung una I really find it annoying but later on, tinanggap ko na rin na ganon talaga siya sa akin.

She always shows me her care.

Out of all my students. Siya talaga ang palagi nakakakuha ng atensyon ko. I never really thought that I would appreciate her that much even though I hated her father the most. Nasa punto na ako ng buhay na hindi naman ibig sabihin na anak siya ni attorney Ignacio ay maging sa kaniya ay magagalit ako.

I was at a Mercury Drug, picking up some necessities, but sadly, I didn’t have any coins on me. Humihingi kasi ang cashier. Just as I was about to figure out how to pay, Khaiy appeared out of nowhere. 

"Ito na po bayad niya, Miss." she politely said to the cashier. I awkwardly look at her.

The moment she got close, I felt this strange, almost unsettling sensation. It was like an invisible tension in the air, something I couldn’t quite explain, but it was there, making me feel uneasy and, oddly enough, a little intrigued. Palagi ganito ang nararamdaman ko, whenever she's close to me. But I don't dare to question things I let it happen.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked, pretending to be mad at her. Ayaw ko rin na ginawa niya 'yon, pakiramdam ko may utang na loob ako sa kaniya.

"Helping you? And just being nice to my beloved professor? What else do you think I am doing, Ma'am Lopez?" pabalik niya ring tanong sa akin.

Umiling nalang ako at iniwas ang tingin sa akin. Hindi maawat ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ko. Whenever I'm looking into her green eyes. It's the same old feeling when I was with North before—but this time it was more intense with Khaiy.

Kumuha ako ng cash. "Take it!" sabi ko at ipinasok sa bulsa niya ang blue bill. But she's too annoying para tanggapin 'yon.

"Hindi naman po ako naniningil, Ma'am Lopez. 'Tsaka maliit na halaga lang po 'yon." pagdadahilan niya rin sa akin.

But it really feels like I have something to return, kaya gusto kong tanggapin niya 'yon.  "I don't want to owe you anything!" I said with too much pride and authority.

"You don't owe me anything, ma'am Lopez." malumanay na sabi niya. I could sense that she's genuinely helping me, but I have too much pride. "I'm helping you po." She added.

I looked directly into her eyes, my gazes are sharp and unyielding. "I don't want your help, do you understand?" I said coldly, each word laced with an edge. I don't mean to be like this towards her, but I need to protect my guard.

Ayaw kong maulit muli ang nangyari noon. Besides, I am not yet ready for anything. Hindi maganda ang palaging pag-iisip ko tungkol sa kaniya. She's still my student. Wala na bukod pa doon.

Khaiy bit my lower lip. I don't know why, but I find it attractive. This shouldn't be happening, hindi puwede ang mga ganitong bagay!

"Whether you want my help or not, that's up to me, right, Ma'am?" she replied calmly.

I pretended I was really irritated by her, the corners of my mouth tightening.

Nagulat ako nung kinuha niya ang inaabot ko.

"Don't you dare twist my words," I  snapped, my voice growing colder. "You think you're clever, don't you? But I'm not someone you can manipulate with your fake concern." malamig kong saad sa kaniya.