I Love You, Prof.

Chapter Twenty : Uncloaked

Sheiia

Everybody got hold of their silence. It seemed like they're still processing what just had happened.

As I looked at Matthew, I saw his expression stunned a bit. Maybe he didn't see it coming. Kahit ako din naman, nagulat sa ginawang pag-amin ni Prof.

Well, I guess we could never keep this a secret anymore.

"I'm sorry guys. Did I offend you?" That's Prof. "Sorry if I ruined your birthday, Pat."

Saka naman natauhan si Patrice saka nakangiting umiling. "No worries, Prof. Nagulat lang kami pero it doesn't mean na naoffend kami sa nalaman namin."

I can see the genuine appreciation on Pat's eyes. Nagsitanguan naman ang iba.

"Well, that's so dauntless revelation, Prof. Are we gonna assume that you're the one that sends flowers and stuffs to Sheiia?"

It's more like Ralf's matter-of-fact statement rather than a question. Roxanne's puzzled, though.

"Wait guys, am I missing things here?" Naguguluhan naman nitong tanong. Pagak na tumawa si Patrice.

"Blame it to yourself being missing in action for many days." Sabat naman ni Vera.

We all looked at Matthew who's still silent. Sinong hindi tatahimik, eh ang babaeng gusto mong maging girlfriend ay may gusto sa kapwa babae din and happened to be your Prof?

"I'm sorry, Matt. I didn't mean to hurt you this way." I said in between sobs. Gahd, kahit kelan napakababaw talaga ng luha ko. Prof. Melendrez took my hand and intertwined it with hers.

Matthew looked at me and gave me a wimpy smile. "It's okay. I've been keeping a hint between the two of you for so long. I saw you together in Prof's car. I did this intentionally to make you both spill out what's between you two. I'm sorry if it had to be this way."

I felt Prof's hand suddenly clenched. Hindi siguro niya nagustuhan ang ginawa ni Matthew. Noong una, nakaramdam ako ng kaonting galit sa ginawa ni Matthew, pero narealized ko din na mas mabuting ganito ang nangyari. Kasi hindi ko alam kung kailan ako magkakalakas loob na aminin sa mga kaibigan ko ang tungkol sa bagay na ito.

Hinigpitan ko ang hawak sa kamay ni Prof. She looked at me and I smiled at her.

"It's okay Matt. You're all my friends and I trust you."

I saw the admiration on Roxanne's eyes. Kung para saan, hindi ko alam. Si Vincent naman, bahagyang napatanga. Siguro pansamantalang nawala sa isipan niya ang pagkain and he finally realized kung anong nangyayari sa paligid.

"C'mon guys. We've known Prof for how many years and Sheiia's our friend. This shouldn't be a big deal, right?" That's Ralf. Prof and I both smiled at them to show how thankful we are for their understanding and acceptance.

"I'm also sorry if you have to know about this in this way, guys." Bahagyang lumuwag ang mahigpit na pagkakahawak ni Prof sa aking kamay. Siguro kumalma na siya kahit papaano.

Vera finally let out her restrained smile. Bahagyang nawala ang tensiyon sa pagita naming lahat. Since this is a bit awkward and Prof's a bit older than us, dagdag pa na kahit nasa labas ay ang katotohanang Professor pa rin naman siya, walang tuksuhang naganap.

Everybody decided to wash their sanded bodies in the water as the clock ticked at two in the morning. Tila hindi alintana ang lamig sa paligid at nagsipulusan ang mga ito papuntang dagat. Kaming dalawa lang ni Prof ang naiwan sa tabi ng bonfire.