A Teacher's Diary

Avoiding Mr. C

September 13, 2017
Wednesday

As I checked my phone, I have several notifications. One of them was a new friend request. And I was surprised to see to whom it came from. Thinking to myself, I was sure I got him the message that I don't want to do anything with him, because I don't want to owe him anything. That's why I decided to unfriend him, and that, was weeks ago.

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I've been feeling down lately - with all the stress being a teacher and with my love life status. I was just recently cornered by mom, about EJ, with his tattoos and lifestyle - including playing cards, boardgame and drinking a few bottles with his friends. Mom said it was my eldest brother who tipped her off. So I was like, what the heck. I was seriously affected because I didn't know what to say to her. How would I explain something that I couldn't understand myself, either? All I know is that it's EJ's way of coping up with his own stress. And I don't want to take it away from him.

I just feel upset because even though I want to give him freedom, I also want him to be responsible and limit himself in posting such rants often with profanities, and of course, the drinking bottles he's sharing with his friends. But we talked about this and he said he doesn't care of what other people think. And just as it hurts, he doesn't understand - that I do. I do care of what people think about him. Simply because I don't want them to think he doesn't deserve me. And when I say 'them', I mean my close friends and family.

And here comes the load of work I must accomplish . Paperworks to finish, activities to prepare. Being a teacher is really a tough job. I've been saying that since I landed with this career.

After I paid the bill mom asked me to, I felt that I wanted something that could comfort me. Anything available that I could buy in 7 Eleven. Since the one I went is just a small branch, I had limited options. So I surveyed, via Facebook. Suggestions from different people flooded: hotdog sandwich, siopao, cornetto, among others that one could typically find in 7 Eleven. And this is when Mr. C comes in again.

We were casually exchanging chats for a while and I didn't mind it at first. We had our first chat when I was on my way home from a seminar in Baguio with my fellow English teachers. I don't know Mr. C personally but when he sent me a friend request, I didn't hesitate for one moment to accept it because I was thinking it's not a big deal since he is a fellow teacher from my school. Though, he only visits from time to time because he transferred to an International School. So I don't see him, at all. Or maybe, once, if my memory serves me right. There was one time I was in Diego that teachers were telling me to eat pizza. And when I asked what's the occasion, they casually told me that Mr. C just visited. And that's the same time I learned some things about him. They said he's kind, rich, generous and a Math genius. And he's in International School but he's still employed in IMC part time. So okay, this guy seems cool.

Fast forward, we became friends in Facebook. He frequently reacted to some of my posts through Messenger and deliberately asked if I feel okay. He was concerned and it felt nice - but not too long.

I once joked about applying as his yaya. Then, he was the one to introduce a particular Milk Tea that I can buy in 7 Eleven. He also offered to buy me Silvanas when I posted that I was craving for that food. And I started doubting all the kindness he was offering when he said he was willing to sponsor me, and would buy me a Journalism handbook I would need to train the kids. The catch was I need to hang out with him. He said we could do shopping together, eat in a restaurant I would prefer. And I can't find any logical reason why I should accept any of this.

At first, I would like to accept his invitation as a courtesy since he seemed likely as a mentor. I respected him based on what I heard about him. However, as we talked, the way he insist and the way he seemed desperate, I realized it wasn't any normal hang out. Of course I was having second thoughts of my own judgment. It's not as if I'm sooo beautiful that Mr. C would be gaga over me. I even clarified from him if he's aware I'm in a relationship and he is yet he wanted to be my consultant when it comes to posting my selfie pictures, asking me to send them to him first so he could see. And telling me, from time to time that I'm pretty. And he insisted that he was born on the same date as me, and I could even ask our School Directress. He's close to her that it had hit me how dangerous he is. I still refused to believe him until he said he would ask the NSO to change his birth certificate and move his birthday to another date. So I stopped arguing with him and told him that I believe him already even though I am still 100 % doubting it.

He aked if I mentioned him to my colleagues and told me that it would be better not to mention our chat with them because he's doing the same - like it's some secret that we have to keep. I was bothered by this. I only told one person from work whom I could really trust and she confirmed that Mr. C is rich but according to the hearsays, he's a womanizer. I also told this to my eldest sister, just in case I would be gone missing. Ugh. Just the worst case scenario.

All throughout my conversation with Mr. C in Messenger, I could only think that he wanted to be my Sugar Daddy - because how would you explain all his offers? It was creepy. So in the end, I backed out in meeting and hanging out with him. He could have a car and buy me all the things I need or want. He could treat me in a nice restaurant with good food. But what could be the consequences of these? I already told him that everything comes with a price. So I declined his total kindness though he said he would never ask anything in return. Still, I was firm that I don't want to owe him anything.

Besides, if my guts tell me I am right, and IF I ACTUALLY FELL INTO MR. C'S TRAP. It would be me who's going to suffer in the end because he had built his own reputation he was even close with a lot of influential people so he could get away with a crime so easily and I fear that nobody would believe me and everyone might mock me, asking me why I agreed especially that I have a boyfriend already.

So I made a decision. I am going to avoid Mr. C from now on. Hanging out with him will never happen. So I removed him in my Facebook and Instagram.

Mr. C no more. I am going to avoid him. And I pray, I would never meet him in school, ever.

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Note:
Since he has a lot of connections to influential people and he's as influential as them, I decided to tell him about my decision but didn't go straightforward in telling him that the reason was it felt like he was trying to be my sugardaddy. Because maybe... my assumptions are wrong. I don't know. I'm not sure. I just want to end this as soon as possible.

Since he didn't harm me in any way, I tried my best not to offend him.

"Why am i guilty of this? Anyway, im planning to unfriend you po. Im sorry that we have to come to this. Im in a relationship po kasi that's why i am paranoid and i think this way. I myself, tell me that i am not the kind of person that will abuse someone else's kindness, although tempting. It's just really hard to believe na may mababait pong tulad mo. And im truly sorry if im having a hard time grasping that. So, ako lang naman po may issue. Just keep on being an inspiration to others, being kind and humble. Thumbs up ka po diyan. Sorry po since i have wasted your time but thank you for your kind words.

Rock and roll lang po Sir! God bless~"