A Teacher's Diary

That Awkward Moment

October 26, 2017
Thursday

I had my fair share of spending time with V-Neon. They had their last day exams and thankfully, I didn't encounter any problems with them. After dismissal, I busied myself with checking all the exams so I don't need to take them home.

I had my spare time so I was really bored waiting for the time passing by. I can only go home by 3:30 PM and I was done checking around 1 PM. Elsha and Ivan slept in the clinic so I decided I could also use a nap. I was about to fall asleep when the two came back in the Faculty and talked about the seating arrangement for the party later. Turned out that T. Daisy had it printed and they were already looking for their names. I found mine listed under Table no. 12 and saw Riza's name quickly after so I was happy to know I need not worry later at all.

I decided to go home by 3 PM, 30 minutes earlier than the official time. However, I was unable to avoid to spend some money before going home. One of the pupil's parent came, encouraging us to buy dresses from her.  I needed to ask permission to leave early from T. Daisy who was accommodating the parent that time so I had no choice but to look at the dresses our parent was selling. I chose a pair of pants and a skin tone cycling shorts that I asked T. Daisy to pay for me since I was about to go home. I'll just pay her the next day.

Most of my co teachers stayed in school. I wish I could make myself pretty on my own but I just don't have that skill. And I don't even have the tools so... Unlucky for me, I really need someone to do that job for me.

This Teachers' Night is really freaking me out. Ang gastos kasi. 😒 Dang it.

Dress : 450
Shoes : 550
Hair and Make Up : 600

I chose to go home since I already asked mom if her friend, Paul can accommodate me for my hair and make up. It seemed that they already had a deal so I thought I could no longer back out.

When I got home, I saw the tailoring shop in front of our house - damaged. I didn't know what happened but to what I heard, an Innova car crashed in there. Driver was allegedly drunk. I  was just relieved that it's not my room that the car crashed.

I asked mom whether Paul was available. I took a shower and prepared the things I would wear and bring to the party. I decided not to bring much: just myself, phone and cash to pay for my ride.

Mom accompanied me at Paul's salon. Paul wasn't there but another beautician welcomed us and told us, "Ibinilin naman na kayo ni Paul sakin. Halika, ayusan na kita ng buhok mo." So I surrendered myself to him and prayed that he'll not make me uglier.

He did my hair, as well as my make up. He even trimmed my eyebrows. And put false eyelashes. I wasn't pretty much used to wearing make up but I went with it. And I knew he's thinking that I lack jewelry. Just because I have none.

I was anxious of the time and I was thinking I would be really late. He finished at around 6pm. The same time that the party would start. So right after we were done, (with me already wearing my royal blue gown and my newly bought high heels) I booked a Grab car and waited. But my anxiety doubled when my Grab app was force closing on me. I panicked a little because a driver already accepted my booking but I can no longer respond to his messages because I cannot open the Grab app anymore. Mom suggested that I could just take a cab and she's actually willing to accompany me to where I can ride. I tried to book an Uber car because I was worried the Grab already cancelled my booking since I cannot respond to his messages. I had a quick decision to cancel it when I see a car approaching that fitted to the description for my Grab. Thank goodness for my memory because I remembered the Grab car's plate number. And I was so grateful of mom who supported me all the way. She brought home my things and I rode the car.

The driver verified my name and I hesitated a little since I have different account names for my Uber, Grab and Angkas account. So the driver was confused as to why I hesitated. I told him I was worried that he cancelled the booking and I was just confused as well because I was kinda panicking  with the situation. That moment that I knew I was late and my Grab app wasn't working well.

I arrived at the school and went straight to the Multipurpose Hall. The door wasn't easy to open and I was hearing the founder of our school doing his speech. Again, I was panicky and tried to open the door but it won't budge so I decided I would just wait for the speech to finish. I was thinking whether they locked it so the late comers won't be able to get inside. Oh geez. I don't want to force it because I don't want to cause a commotion.  But then I had another attempt, and luckily, it opened! I discovered Joel at the side and he told me he was also late. Wohoo! It's not just me! 😂😂😂

Kuya Bernie and Kuya Bong saw us, saying we could go in and quietly settle down on our seats. We fished information from them whether our assigned tables were far from the door. And as soon as Sir Pete finished his speech, we ran towards our seats and found out that Joel and I were  actually seated near each other.

But here's the twist... I saw two empty seats. One was beside Riza. It was a seat which you had to face away from the table so you could see the stage. And that, my dear reader was a relief. Why? Because opposite me was someone who made my whole night a little bit awkward.

I had no idea that Mr. C was assigned with the same table as mine. What a coincidence, huh? I wasn't sure whether he recognized me. I wasn't sure what he was thinking. And I definitely wasn't sure whether or not I would approach him - say hello, smile and pretend we hadn't some kind of weird conversations over chat.

Riza: "Pril, he's here."
Me: "Sa dinami-dami nga ng table, bakit magkasama pa kami. Tsk. Ang awkward."
Riza: "Hindi kaya may kinalaman siya? Sinigurado niya na makakasama ka niya sa table?"
Me: "Hmm.. Hindi naman siguro. Wala naman ata siyang say don."
Riza: "Alam mo bang unusual yung daldal ko ngayon?"
Me: "Oo nga eh.."
Riza: "Para sayo. Para hindi ka makaramdam ng awkwardness. Alam ko na ehhh."
Me: "Haaaay. Iaapproach ko ba?"
Riza: "Huwag na."

All throughout, Riza was trying to divert my attention by talking to me nonstop. It was a good thing that she's the very person who was with me that night because she's only person I confided about my chapter with Mr. C. I asked her to keep it a secret.

We kept on giggling and chatting. I wasn't my usual 'don't talk to me' mood whenever I'm on a party. I talked and joked around people. Like when Kuya Bernie was teasing me about being late, I replied... "Hala, Kuya Bernie, quiet ka na laaaang. Huwag mo na kong ilaglag, pleaaaase?"

I cannot help myself but look at him at times. But it's good that he's not looking back so I was sure he didn't catch me. He was quite good looking though he's kind of a big guy. I'm pretty sure that if he works out, he'll achieve the matinee idol look. But well... it doesn't matter. I was just shocked when Riza told me, "Tinitingnan ka niya." I felt the creeps.

Maybe it was just me. Maybe I was just thinking too much. Maybe he's just too nice (that I really refused to believe because I have this belief that nice guys are just being nice when they want something from you).

Or maybe I just assumed things so differently that he actually doesn't deserve my poor judgment.

But thank goodness, he didn't attempt approaching and talking to me.

Baka kung nagkataon, hiniling kong kainin sana ako ng lupa. 😲