TOTGA (Candy Stories #4) (Published under Bliss Books)

Chapter 03: Used to be

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3rd year BS Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering, STU

"Are you questioning my ability to give marks, Miss Arellano?"

Kagat-kagat ko ang labi ko habang nakatingin kay Sir Cunanan. Hindi nakakatulong ang mataas na hairline niya at makintab na noo para ma-distract ako sa puntong pinag-uusapan namin. I got 2.5 for midterms even though I aced his tests. Topnotch din ang project na ipinasa ko according to him. There's no way for him to give me a grade lower than 1.5.

"No, Sir. I just think that there's a mistake po," sabi ko sa kanya. "You told me no'ng nagpasa ako last week na maganda ang project ko. Matataas din lagi ang exams ko sa inyo. If we take that into account—"

"Yes, Miss Arellano. I told you na maganda ang circuitry ng portable winding machine na binubuo mo."

Nangunot ang noo ko. "Then, why..."

"At sinabi ko rin na kailangan mong pumunta sa opisina ko para i-improve pa iyon. Why didn't you?"

Lalo na 'kong naguguluhan. If there's something to improve on my project, he could have told me in class. Hindi ko kailangang sumadya pa sa opisina niya.

"You discuss adjustments in class, Sir. I thought—"

Mabagal ang pagpalatak niya. The shadow of the devil darkened his face. Humawak sa balikat ko si Sir.

"Advance units mo ang klase ko, hindi ba?"

Lumunok ako. Manipis ang manggas ng blouse ng Engineering sa STU. Tumatagos ang init at gaspang ng palad niya sa balat ko. Nagsimulang sumikip sa pakiramdam ko ang bakanteng kuwarto kung nasaan kami.

Now that I think about it, why would he wanted to talk to me in this isolated room? Ang Room 515 ay nasa dulo ng ikalimang palapag ng Engineering building. Katabi ito ng dalawa pang mga silid na tambakan din ng makina, lumang proyekto, alikabok, at dilim. Iilang fourth at fifth year students lang ang tumatambay rito kapag break.

"Why did you think I let you enroll in my class, Miss Arellano?" Bumaba ang palad niya sa braso ko.

I'm starting to understand what we're really talking about.

"Why don't you tell me, Sir?" madiing tanong ko.

"It's because you're talented and I want to teach you," aniya at kalmanteng ngumiti.

Teach, your foot.

"If you can just visit me in my office every lunch time," patuloy niya, "I'll make sure to improve your projects and your grades for you."

Huminga ako nang malalim para kontrolin ang temper ko. The nerve of this old man to make passes like this! He's a professor! People actually respect someone like him! How dare he...

"Take your hand off me, Sir. Before I scream and complain to the Dean about you."

Mababa ang pagtawa niya. "Complain? What's to complain?"

"You're harassing me. You're making an indecent proposal."

"Oh. I didn't say anything out of line."

Naglaban ang mga ngipin ko. "Yes, Sir. Kung pakikinggan lang ng kahit na sino ang sinabi n'yo, puwede nilang sabihin na walang kahulugan 'yon. But you and I both know what you're suggesting with your touch." Tinanggal ko ang kamay niya sa balikat ko. "Keep your hands off me. I could sue you."

Nailing lang ang matandang lalaki. "That's the problem with rich kids like you. You think you can always sue. I'm sorry, Miss Arellano, but without proof nor a witness, you cannot just sue an old man like me."