You Again, Professor [GL• #2]

PART 2: CHAPTER 2 [Khaiy Chanty's POV]

Khaiy's POV

"Ayos ka lang ba?" tanong ni Vel sa akin. Kanina pa kasi akong nakatanaw sa laptop, walang sariling nagtatype.

Tumingin ako sa kaniya. "Yes, sorry. Ano nga ulit ang sinasabi mo?"

She looked away and shook her head. "Kanina pa ako nagkukuwento. Parang you're physically here, but not mentally with me." Tumayo siya at lumipat sa kabilang sofa.

I bit my lower lip. "Sorry, may iniisip lang," tipid kong saad, avoiding her eyes.

She let out a slow breath before looking at me again. "Who?" tanong niya, as if she already had someone in mind.

Nanahimik ako sandali, my fingers tightening around the edge of the laptop. "It's nothing," pilit kong sagot, though even I didn't believe it.

She crossed her arms, studying me. "Chan darling, you don't space out like this for nothing. I know you too well." There was no anger in her voice-only quiet concern.

Huminga ako nang malalim. "Vel... I'm trying, okay? I really am." My voice softened, almost pleading.

She sighed, leaning back against the sofa. "I know. But sometimes, trying isn't enough if your heart is somewhere else."

Muli akong natahimik, knowing she was right-and that silence said more than any words I could give.

Muli ay tumanaw ako sa kaniya. "Vel..."

She gave me a weak smile. "Be honest with me, darling." Iniwan niya ang laptop at lumapit sa akin, her presence calm but insistent.

Ilang sandali kaming nagkatinginan, the silence between us heavy with unspoken words and lingering emotions.

"What?" panimula ko, my voice is low and hesitant. "Kung ano man ang iniisip mo, it wasn't like that, Vel."

She softly tapped my head. "You're always lying to yourself. Hindi mo man lang narerealize, but I know_" I cut her off, my chest tightening.

"What do you mean?" Tumayo rin ako at lumapit sa kaniya, trying to meet her eye-to-eye.

"Nothing," she shrugged lightly, a faint smile playing on her lips, though I could see the truth lingering in her eyes. "Or maybe... everything, but you were just keeping it,"

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words got stuck in my throat. Instead, I just stood there, feeling the weight of her gaze and the pull of emotions I had long tried to ignore.

Humakbang siya palayo, at mabilis naman akong sumunod. "Vel, naman..." masuyo kong sabi sa kaniya. "Nag-space out lang ako kasi iniisip ko 'yung case ni Mr. Akayama. Hindi ko iniisip si Isla-"

She immediately cut me off. "I didn't mention her name, ikaw ang nagsabi niyan, Chan," she said softly, her eyes searching for mine. "You're thinking about her? Huh?"

Nanahimik ako, unsure what to say. Tama siya. I was thinking about Isla, and every word that Vel said to me only reminded me of how much I had tried to bury my feelings.

Ilang araw na simula nung bumalik ako sa Spain, wala na ang bigat sa puso ko, ngunit palagi ko pa rin iniisip si Isla. Ayaw kong maging unfair kay Vel, kaya hindi ko iyon masabi sa kaniya.

Pinilit kong ngumiti sa kaniya, kahit ang puso ko'y nag-aalangan. "Vel... I'm just trying to focus on work, nothing else," bulong ko, hoping she wouldn't notice the truth I couldn't yet voice.