How Much I Love Her

Chapter Thirty- Four

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Leanne's POV

Mabilis kumalat sa buong department namin ang tungkol sa namgyari sa klase namin nina Miss Leslie.

Naging usap-usapan para sa lahat ang ag tanggap ko ng project tungkol sa bunkhouse. Batid ko yon sa mga bulong-bulungan ng mga tao sa paligid ko.

Mga makakahulugang mga tingin din ang halos sinasalubong ng lahat sa akin at tila nakukuha ko ang atensyon ng lahat sa tuwing ako na ang dadaan.

Huminga ako ng malalim at sinubukang wag nalang pansinin pa ang mga tao at mabilis nalang silang daanan.

Mabilis kong sinuyod ang malaking tumpok ng mga tao sa may student center at dumetso na sa Dean's office.

Kumatok ako at tuluyan ng binuksan ang pintuan ng marinig kong sinabi ni Mr. De Vera na "Come in."

"Good afternoon Dean." Nahihiya at kinakabahang bati ko sa middle-aged man na Dean ng department namin.

"Please take a seat Miss De Jesus. I've been expecting you for a while." Pormal naman nitong sabi at bahagyang ngumiti at iminuwestra ang pintuan sa kanyang harapan.

Umupo ako ng maayos at itinikom ang aking mga kamay at matiim na tumingin sa Dean.

Truth is, It's my first time to be called and meet the dean in his office.

He's well known for being intelligent and reserved type of man. He doesn't even meddle with things he thinks not need his attention and can be handled by the profs.

Being called to meet in his office smells troubles for everyone and I now have the feeling of understanding why.

'Di ko magawang mag isip ng maayos dahil napaka intimidating ng dating nya. Ni hindi ko nga yata kayang tingnan sya ng diretso sa mata.

"It must be a surprise for you. I just want to discuss something to you personally." Panimula ni Mr. De Vera. "I've learned about your decision about your final requirement. I might not be in the right position to ask you about your reason for taking the project, however, you are under my supervision. I will only allow this if I have the consent of your family." Simple yet authoratative na dagdag ni Dean.

"Yes Sir. I understand. I will discuss this with the family as soon as possible." Kinakabahan man ay nagawa ko padin makasagot ng maayos.

Ng nag angat ako ng tingin ay nakita ko kung paano lumambot at nag iba ang ekspresyon ng mga mata  ni Mr. De Vera.

"Look, Leanne.. We were all as devastated as you when what happened to you occured. We were practically in pieces when that happened. Ang totoo, while I was waiting for you, I actually do not know how to start nor face you." Sincerity was the only thing seen in his eyes and voice.

I can't sort what to say nor how to react. I was about to open my mouth ng magsalita syang muli..

"I may not look it but I sincerely study each one of you guys in the department if I could. I mean, CAS department is not as huge as other colleges we have. I saw what happened to Philip and your friends."

Calling us in our first names brought a warm feeling in my heart. It somehow makes me see that it isn't just names for him. It has taste of familiarity.

"Actually kung ako ang tatanungin ay ayoko sana. I don't want to take the risk." Leaning on the table. Bahagya itong bumungong hininga tila naninimbangan.

"I think I can handle Sir." Buong lakas loob kong sagot. "You won't notice the project will be done Sir." Dagdag ko pa.

Mataman nya akong tiningnan tila ba sinusuri ako ng maigi. "Ang totoo kinukumbinse din ako ni Miss Leslie, saying it means a lot to you." Naguguluhan na sabi pa nito.