"Okay, kids. Settle down," utos ko sa mga bata. Sumunod naman sila agad sa sinabi ko at naupo sa mat. Nginitian ko sila at inabot ang ukulele na nasa gilid.
"Teacher Savanna gonna play music!" a child chirped and clapped. Ginaya siya ng kanyang mga kaklase.
"Listen..." I heaved a deep sigh. "Today is my last day in Goode Elementary School."
The kids gasped. "You're leaving us?"
I smiled sadly at them. "Teacher Savanna have to go because she have some important things to do. She'll start building up her dreams."
"What can we do to make you stay, teacher?" a girl asked. Her tears were already flowing down her chubby cheeks. Bumigat ang aking pakiramdam. It's so hard to say goodbye to them kahit pa ilang buwan palang kaming magkakasama. I really had fun. Sa lahat ng mga batang naturuan ko'y sila ang naging pinakamalapit sa akin.
Hindi ko na lamang sinagot ang tanong na iyon. "As a farewell gift, I will sing a song to all of you," kalmado kong sabi.
"But teacher! We'll miss you!" a boy interrupted. Tumayo siya at pumunta sa akin para yumakap. "You're like my second mother!"
"Xander," I hushed. "Back to your seat. You'll meet your new teacher later."
"But I want you here. Don't leave me," Xander said with a pout. Ginulo ko ang kanyang buhok at pinabalik siya sa kanyang upuan.
"Is everything alright, Sav?" Vane asked. He was leaning on the wall beside the door.
"Teacher Vane! Teacher Savanna's leaving!" sumbong ng mga bata.
Humalakhak naman si Vane saka tumabi sa akin. "See? The kids don't want you to leave too."
"You know, I have to..." I murmured. Ngumisi siya sa akin. "I know. It's for your dream, right?"
Tumango ako't bumaling sa mga bata. "Don't be sad. I'm going to visit you here after a few months."
"You promise?" the kids asked expectantly. I smiled. "Promise."
They cheered and hugged me one by one. Vane helped me calm them down so I could sing them a song.
"You promised you'll come back. Don't break it..." bulong sa akin ni Vane saka kumindat.
"My parents live here. I'll definitely come back for a vacation."
"Yet you're staying in the Philippines."
"I have to. It's for the kids there. Especially those who are dealing with disability. I want them to see hope in me. I want to inspire them," I explained. Pinisil niya ang aking pisngi. "You really are a nice girl."
"Thanks," I grinned. Tumigil kami sa pag-uusap nang asarin kami ng mga bata.
"Teacher Vane and Teacher Sav, love, love!" ani ng isang batang babae.
Pinatahimik naman siya ni Xander. "Love is for dorks."
I laughed and told them to stay silent before I began strumming the ukulele. "Sing with me, okay?"
BINABASA MO ANG
I Heard You
Romance{ Constantine Series: Book 1 } "I love you. Do you hear me? I said, I love you..." - After getting rejected by his long-time crush, Cryd Constantine meets the shy and timid girl, Savanna Esquivel, who is crying alone on a rainy day in a waiting shed...
