Behind Her Mask

CHAPTER 2

TANNER MATA

(One month later)

"Hoy Tanner! Dali-dalian mo nga! First day of school late tayo! " reklamo ni Luis.

Inalis ko ang seatbelt ko. "Sino ba kasing may sabing makisabay ka sa gwapong laging late? " bumaba ako sa kotse at nilock ito.

"Wala akong choice okay! Sira kotse ko. "

"Hindi lang ako ang kaibigan mo 'no! "

"Nauna na sila. "

Nagsimula na kaming maglakad patungo sa building ng engineering. Oo engineering kami, hindi lang halata dahil mga loko kami.

Right now, Third year college na ako. Fourth year naman si Tyler. Na-delay ako sa pagiging fourth year dahil yun nga, bulakbol ako. At ewan ko kung magiging bulakbol ulit ako. It's my nature, and I don't have reasons to change.

Pinihit ni Luis ang door knob pagkarating namin sa classroom kung saan kami designated. Maraming engineering students kaya hati-hati ang mga estudyante sa building na ito.
Pagkabukas niya ng pinto, bumungad sa amin si Ms. Vargas na nakataas ang magkabilang kilay.

"Good morning ma'am. Sorry we're late. " pormal na pagbati ni Luis.

"First day of school and you were late, do you know that it can be your habit? Always late in attending classes. "

"Sorry ma'am. " ani Luis.

"Well for you Mr. Hontiveros, based on your personality, I can surely say that this will be your last record in being late. But for you Mr. Mata, I don't think so. "

Napangisi ako. "I don't think so too ma'am. "

Nagtawanan ang mga kaklase ko. Si Luis naman ay siniko lang ako habang si Ms. Vargas ay hindi makapaniwalang sinabi ko 'yon.

"Tsk! Sit down! " itinuro niya ang isang bakanteng upuan sa may likod. Agad naman kaming tumungo ni Luis dito at naupo. Nilingon ko ang mga kaklase ko at lahat sila ay nagpipigil ng tawa.

"So as I was saying a while ago. I will be your teacher in oral communication. I shall teach you all on how to pronounce the words clearly and be fluent in the language of english. "

Tsk. 'Yan lang naman pala ang ituturo. Ang boring naman! Alam ko na kaya ang mag-english, fluent pa ako.

"Ma'am! " I raised my right hand.

"Yes? "

"Alam ko na po ang mag-english eh. Can I just sleep? " natatawang tanong ko.

"Well, Mr. Mata. I will not discussed about our lesson for today. It's first day of school that is why we need to get to know everyone here in this classroom, that is why you do not have any reasons to sleep in this class. "

"Introduction again ma'am? "

"Yes, you're right Mr. Mata."

I groaned. There is a sense of continuity in introducing yourself during the first day of school. And I hate it because I keep repeating what I've said last freshman year up until now.

"Ms. Vargas ako na po ang mauuna! " volunteer ng babaeng kaklase ko.

"Okay. Go ahead. "

Tumayo ang babae sa harapan at kumaway bago magpakilala. "Hi guys! I'm Marry rose Ramirez! 19 years old. I was a premature baby but look at me right now! Ang hyper ko! Let's be chingu guysue! Saranghae! " umupo na siya.

Ano daw? Nag-alien language pa yata?
"Thank you Ms. Ramirez for the warm beginning. Next, Mr. Mata. "

Napasimangot ako ng tinawag niya ang apelyido ko. Here we go again Tanner. Just introduce yourself, that's all. "Hi. I'm Tanner Mata. 21 years old. I'm a little bit older with you guys but it's not noticeable 'cause obviously, my physique is younger than you----------"