Falling for Mr. Chinito

Ika-walong Kabanata: Makita kang Muli

It has been two weeks since I got home. I feel well-rested. Pano ba naman nag KATUGA lang ako sa loob ng dalawang linggo. As in kain, tulog, gala.

I also spend quality time with my mom and lil'bro. Sinusulit ko na ang bakasyon ko kasi two months lang ako makakapahinga. After that, we will be assigned to a new province. I think, Quezon naman o Benguet.

Kahit na masaya ako kasama ang family ko these past weeks, at the back of my mind hindi pa rin maalis ang last conversation namin nina Ara at Ian about Kevin.

Nasan na nga kaya sya? It's been 8 years since I last saw him. May asawa na kaya sya? Most likely. Nasa edad na kasi kami na pwede ng mag-settle down. Kung hindi man I'm sure he has a girlfriend na.

I just hope he's happy. Yun pa din naman ang prayer ko for him. Wherever he is, whoever he's with, i just hope that he's happy.

Nothing will change what he meant, and what he still means to me. I just pray that I will find someone who will make me feel the way he does.

Right now, I'm contented with my singlehood. I'm enjoying my freedom to do what makes me happy. Hassle kasi kung may boyfriend ako with my line of work. I'm not sure kung papayag ang magiging bf ko sa buwanan kong pag akyat sa bundok o pagpunta sa kung saan mang lupalop.

I love teaching so much. Iba yung fulfillment watching students learn. And for now, that's more than enough for me.

I am surprised when Ara texted me this morning. She said that she was informed by our regional superintendent to report to the office next week. She told me I'd probably receive a message too, inuunahan nya lang ipaalam sa kin.

Hindi nga sya nagkamali. I receive the message requesting me to report for a meeting. Nagtaka ako. Wala pa naman kaming two months nakakapagbakasyon ah. Don't tell me mapapaaga ang new assignment namin. Hay.

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Today is our meeting with our superintendent and I am travelling early so I won't be late. Ara and I decide to just meet at the regional office. May dadaanan pa daw kasi sya. Si Ian naman dun na din tutuloy, may sira kasi yung van nya kaya magko-commute na lang sya. Hindi na kami nagkasabay kasi napaaga ang alis ko. Nakasakay na ko ng bus nung magtext ang loko na dadaanan ako sa amin.

Ang aga aga, haggardo versoza ako. Letsugas na traffic! Thank goodness hindi naman ako na-late. Magkakasunod lang halos kami nagsidating nina Ara at Ian.

Kala mo isang taon na kaming hindi nagkita sa kwentuhan namin. We also chat with our co-teachers. Para kaming mga bubuyog sa pagchi-chikahan namin.

Natahimik lang kami when our superintendent, Mr. Reyes finally enters the room. He is with a tall, fair and chinky-eyed guy.

I gasp. My jaw literally drops. Pati ang puso ko kasamang lumagapak.

Nananaginip ba ko? I want to slap myself to check if I'm really awake. Is this really happening?

Natauhan lang ako nung maramdaman ko ang kurot ni Ara sa braso ko. Masakit! So I'm really not dreaming. It's true.

Allan Kevin Lim is still smiling and standing beside our superintendent. My Mr. Chinito. He's back!

Mr. Reyes invites us to sit at the conference table so we can start the meeting.

Para pa rin akong bangag. Buti na lang inalalayan ako ni Ara at ni Ian na takang-taka na sa asal ko. We sit at the right side of the rectangular table.

Our superintendent sits at the head of the table. Kevin sits at his immediate right. Halos magkatabi kami.

Kulang na lang mangatog ang tuhod ko. Nanlalamig din ang pakiramdam ko. Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko.