Remembering Sir Tisoy

Menudo

"Sir Tisoy, seryoso, hindi mo na talaga ako kinailangang ihatid pa sa bahay."

"Ms. Mendoza, naihatid na kita. At kung mahiya ka pa, parang 'di kita pinapakain kung saan-saan ng...ilang weeks na nga ba?"

"Weeks? One month na, Sir Tisoy."

"O, tingnan mo! And plus, para naman mabawasan ng konti 'yong atraso ko sa'yo," he says as he nudges her with his elbow.

She was about to open the gate when her older sister beat her to it.

"MENG!"

Maine was surprised at her sister's sudden enthusiasm, making her place a hand on her own chest and lean back.

"Luh, bakit Coleen?"

She doesn't reply but instead looks behind Maine, checking Sir Tisoy out.

"Sino 'yan?" she questions almost whispering.

"Teacher ko...bakit?"

"Teacher mo 'yan? Ang bata ah. Gwapo din o," she examines, looking at him again whilst nodding.

"Landi," Maine comments.

"Anong kaguluhan 'to?"  Maine's younger brother, Dean, asks out of the blue.

"O, Dean, andito 'yong manliligaw ni Meng!"

This earns Coleen a slap in the arm from Maine.

"COLEEN! Nako, Sir, pasensya ka na dito sa kapatid kong sira ulo."

"Aray, ang harsh bes."

"O, bakit nagaaway nananaman kayo?" her mother asks as she emerges from the doorway of their house.

"'Nay, andiyan na ba si Meng?" her father follows.

Before she could even speak, there came Maine's other older sister, Nikki, with her husband and son, and Maine's older brother.

"O, Meng, manliligaw mo?" Nikki asks as she passes by Richard.

"Ba't nasa labas kayong lahat? May family meeting ba?" Nico genuinely concerns.

"UGH!" Maine grunts in frustration and walks over to Sir Tisoy, pulling his arm soon after.

"Sir, pasensya na talaga ah. Assuming lang talaga 'yong pamilya ko."

"Ano ka ba, Ms. Mendoza. It's ok," he says flashing his wide grin.

Ang pogi.

"Sorry?" he asks startled.

"Po?"

"Did you say something?"

"H-Ha? W-Walaaaa, Sir. Guni-guni mo lang siguro," she reassures him.

"'Nak?" her mother asks gently. "Siya ba 'yong teacher mo na naikwento mong tinutulungan ka para makakuha ng scholarship?"