*3 years ago*
"Grazielle Beatrice Capistrano, please proceed to room 416."
I stood up and went inside the clinic. I'm inside my dream university, about to have all my requirements complete. This is it. Welcome college!
"Hi Ms. Grazielle. Here's your medical results." I smiled as this cute guy handed me the documents. Parang ang bata pa niya to be a doctor. "I'm not Dr. Ramirez. I'm Jay, his nephew. He went out for awhile, there's an important call he received and asked me to give this to you. You're lucky I'm here. You could have went home empty handed. What's your program?"
"Business Economics." I answered right away not wanting to have a conversation with someone who feels so good about himself. "I guess, I should get going. Thanks Jay."
I was about to turn the knob when he spoke, again. "Hey, don't you want to talk to me?" Wow. This guy.
I turned to him, now sitting at the edge of the table with his arms crossed looking very, edgy. "I'm sorry. I don't."
"I can help you and give you some tips to 'survive' this university."
"I can do this myself. I don't need your help. Thanks for the offer by the way." And I went out.
Sadly, hindi ako sa University of Metropolis Manila nagenroll. Last minute, another university called to offer a slot sa program na gustong gusto ko. Tinanggap ko, sayang naman eh. Daming may gusto makapasok doon. Entering Luceat University is kind of a bittersweet moment. But that's life. You have to choose. In my case it was a battle between the dream school and the dream program—and I chose the latter.
I'm running late for my first and only class during Saturdays. Shit naman. First meeting tapos bad shot pa sa prof. What a nice way to start second term. I was panting by the time I entered the classroom. Buti na lang wala pang professor!
Minutes after I arrived, someone also entered the room. "Good afternoon class. Thanks for not leaving and I'm sorry for being late."
I turned around only to see a familiar face I've seen months ago. I can't believe it. Biology professor siya dito? With how he looked like months ago in the clinic, akala ko student pa lang siya, student assistant to be exact. I pretended not to be bothered by him during the entirety of our classes. Also I sticked by with the saying "first impression lasts". He doesn't seem to remember me, though. No biggie.
"Hi Grazielle. What are you still doing here? It's almost 9 PM." He knows my name. He knows me.
"Good evening, Sir." Putting an emphasis on the s-word. "My class always ends at 8:30. And I'm waiting for someone."
"Boyfriend?"
"Nope. I don't have one. I'm waiting for dad." Bakit ko sinabing wala akong boyfriend. It's not that it's a secret but I should have just answered him with a no.
"Do you want me to wait here with you?"
"No, but thanks. Okay lang ako dito. He's just five minutes away. You can go home na sir."
"Sigurado ka ba? Alis na ako. Mag-ingat ka ha? Stay inside the campus. Bye Elle."
Hindi na ako nakasagot. Nag-Tagalog siya! Ever since I met him last admissions, hindi ko siya narinig na nag-Tagalog and nabanggit niya once sa class na hindi siya nakakapagsalita ng Tagalog. Tanga ko naman to believe him, eh dito na siya sa Manila nag-college.
Saturdays have been fun. Naging masaya sa class niya. Pero when it comes to the lectures and discussions, I'm that invisible girl in class; he never called me to recite. But, one night, I received a notification that he has followed me in some of my social media accounts.
For one time, again, he's late. I was about to leave since lagpas naman na sa grace period kaso an upperclassman was at the door, maybe for an announcement. "Good afternoon. Sir Angtuaco is looking for Elle." There was a hesitation sa voice ni Ate. Maybe not sure kung tama yung name na nabanggit niya. "Please check your phone daw. Thanks." No one stood up. No one calls me Elle in class, except for him—like a moniker that only the two of us knows. Hindi siya pumasok sa class. Hindi ko din binuksan phone ko for a reason I'm feeling so narked that day. He could've told us that he won't make it. I hate wasting time and for that supposed to be session, I felt like a big part of my life was lost.
"What's the hold up, Elle?!" Sir J flashed on me when we met at the parking space. I was stunned kung gaano kagalit yung itsura niya. but I'm quite not sure what is it about. "I sent you an email last week. I asked someone na sabihin sayo. Bakit hindi ka nag-respond?!"
"I'm sorry, Sir. I cant seem to remember my email password. I'm using a new one."
"Wow Elle. What a nice excuse!" Tinignan ko lang siya, hindi ko alam sasabihin ko. "I'm trying to help you, okay? I have read your tweets, I'm sorry I barged in but I thought maybe I could help you reach your dream."
He offered help para makapasok ako sa media for the sports fest as a host but, Grazielle Beatrice being Grazielle Beatrice, I told him na kaya ko mag-isa. He said sorry for acting that way.
The term ended and he told us his thanks and his goodbye as it was his last day in the university.
Since the incident in the parking space happened, he seem to act out strange around me. I've been receiving unnecessary messages from him but I shrugged it off. 'Ni hindi ko nga alam paano niya nakuha cellphone number ko.
During those times, professor pa siya. Kahit na, gwapo siya, at gusto kong umasa na may gusto siya sa akin, I can't. Ang alam ko kasi may girlfriend siya and he's my professor.
When he stopped teaching at Luceat we kept in touch by having occasional talks and meet ups. Kahit na mahangin siya, masaya naman pala siyang kaibigan. Also, I have developed a crush on him. How can you not? He's the perfect example for perfect. And that crush developed into something more that made us, us. Little to nothing knows about us.
From his choice of clothes to the way he walks and talks and every single little quirks, I loved it. I loved him.
The last time I saw him, and the last time we talked was during my surprise birthday party. Little did I know, after two years, we would be meeting again. In a foreign place kung saan kaming dalawa lang ang magkakilala.
