My Teacher is a Gangster

3. ONE OF THREE

"Since this is the first day of class, gusto kong ipakilala ninyo ang inyong mga sarili." Perez said with a huge smile. Is she serious? Ipapagawa niya sa amin ito? Wrong move Perez, wrong move.

"I want to start para naman makilala din ninyo ako. I am Allison Perez. I am a newly hired teacher at dream come true para sa akin ang makapagturo dito sa Patterson High School." She sounds very optimistic. Dream come true daw na nandito siya sa PHS. We'll see kung ganyan pa rin ang sasabihin mo mamaya.

Iyon lang ang nasabi niya about herself. Unlike other teachers, she doesn't enjoy flattering herself and impressing others.

"Ok. I'm done and now is your turn. Let's start with Mr. Avila." pagpapatuloy niya.

Walang kagana-ganang tumayo si Duke at nagsalita sa klase. "Duke Avila." sabi niya sabay upo. Natigil naman saglit si Perez. Mukhang hindi lang iyon ang gusto niyang marinig kay Duke. "Is that all Duke? Wala ka na bang idadagdag?" tanong niya. Halata naman ang kawalan ng interes ni Duke na dagdagan pa ang sinabi niya. He then said, "Yes. I don't like speaking too much. These guys know me anyway."

The boys started to laugh and she now looks embarassed. She's trying her best to stay composed and calm in front of us. Pero kitang kita ang pamumula at pagpapawis niya. She is easy to read. She is tensed. "Ok. Let's have Mr. De Leon then." she continued.

Walang tumayo na Mr. De Leon. Inulit niya ang pagtawag pero wala pa ring tumayo. After few seconds, Ace spoke. "Who is exactly the Mr. De Leon you are calling?" Ace asked without any formality. "Is it Ace De Leon or Axe De Leon? You got two De Leons here. Read your record."

Tinignan naman agad ni Perez ang students' list at sabay sabing, "I'm sorry. Do you mean Ace and Axe De Leon are brothers?" This time Axe stood and said, "De Leon, Axe here. The guy over there is De Leon, Ace. Are we clear now?"

Narealize naman niya eventually na twins sina Ace at Axe. "My bad. I didn't notice you two are twins." Perez answered. Lumakas naman lalo ang tawanan sa klase pagkatapos sabihin ni Ace na, "Nice. Your eyeglasses is such a useful accessory." Of course, Ace means the opposite. He is mocking her.

Nawawala na ang ngiti ni Perez. Napakasaya naman talaga ng first day niya sa amin. Tinuloy pa rin niya ang walang kuwentang self-introduction at halos lahat nang natawag ay mukhang bored, kung hindi naman ay halatang inis. Iyong iba ay namilosopo pa. Well, hindi sa ganitong paraan magpapakilala ang hell section. She must know that.

Finally dumating na ang turn ko. She called my name but I remained on my seat. Hindi ko na kailangan pang tumayo. "I'm Jazz Sison." sabi ko habang nakangisi. Mukha namang ayaw niya ang ginawa kong pagsagot habang nakaupo.

"First day pa lang pero mukhang tinatamad ka ng tumayo Mr. Sison." Perez said to me. Tumayo naman ako at tumingin sa kanya. I gave her my most intense look. I badly want to intimidate her. Hinintay ko ang susunod niyang sasabihin pero she suddenly couldn't utter a word. Mukhang nasindak nga siya sa mga tingin ko. "Nakatayo na ako. First day pa lang pero mukhang tinatamad ka ng magsalita Miss."

Pagkatapos ko iyong sabihin ay humagalpak na sa tawa at hiyaw ang mga classmates ko. Pulang pula ang pisngi ni Perez sa labis na pagkapahiya.

Sakto namang tumunog ang bell. Nagsi-alisan ang lahat nang hindi man lang nagpapaalam sa kanya.

Umpisa pa lang ito. What we did earlier was just the beginning. Mas malala pa ang mangyayari in the next two days. I'll make sure that she'll hate every second she's with us.

I got my bag and left the room without giving her another glance.