The Woman Behind His Tears

Chapter I

It was one sunny afternoon when we first met. And believe me, it was hatred at first sight.

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"Lauren!" I turned my head saw my friend running and waving her hand at me.

"Zie! Bakit?" I asked her the moment she stood in front of me, catching her breath.

"Ang bilis mo namang maglakad! Ms. Rosales is looking for you."

"Ha? Bakit daw?"

"Hihingi ata ng tulong sayo. Go na, I really am not sure. Baka magalit pag pinaghintay mo."

"Why me? Ugh. I-ka-cram ko pa yung Geom homework ko! Next subject na natin yun, right?" Yeah, I'm one of those students who love cramming stuff. Sadly.

"Oo! I texted you last night! Sabi ko gawin mo na. Did you receive it ba? Ugh, copy my answers nalang. Sige na, go na!" I laughed and hugged her.

"You really love me, Zie!" I hugged her again then she laughed. "You're my savior talaga! Thank you babes!" then I ran, heading for the Chem lab.

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I entered the Chem lab quietly as possible then found Ms. Rosales arranging the beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks. "Miss!" I called her. Now, Ms. Rosales is one of the greatest teachers I've ever met in my life. She explains and discusses everything clearly, super, walang halong biro. Tapos she's approachable and friendly pa kaya you wouldn't hesitate in asking her about a certain topic that you don't understand.

"Lauren! I need your help, dear." I brisk-walked. By the way, she calls her students dear. And she's super malambing to our class pa.

"Yes, Miss?" Then she handed me the beakers na hawak niya before. I counted them, 10 beakers. 2 200 mL, 4 150 mL, 4 100 mL.

"Pakidala naman nito sa Physics lab sa taas, Mr. Dario needs these." Tapos inabot din niya yung mga stirring rods and thermometers.

"Sige Miss, I'll go na." I told her. She thanked me then patted my shoulder. I went out of the Chem lab and headed for the stairs.

But as soon as I was about to place my foot on the first step, an unfortunate thing happened. A guy who was running bumped my left hand and the beakers slipped out of my hand.

"ANO BA?" I wanted to curse at him. Ugh, tang ina! Bwisit! And what's worst?

"Tatanga-tanga kasi." Wow. Ang kapal ng mukha mo, gago.

"What? As much as I remember, ikaw ang bumangga sakin! And please lang, hindi playground yung school!" Poise ko, nawala. Ugh, ang sarap niyang i-chop into tiny pieces sabay prito then ipapakain ko sa mga askal!

"LAUREN? WHAT HAPPENED?" Damn. Narinig siguro ni Miss yung pagkabasag nung glasswares!

"Siya po kasi!" we both answered her. Aba, gaya-gaya putomaya itong lalaking 'to!

"Ms. Lauren Fernandez and Mr. Zion Romero! Guidance counsellor's office, NOW!" Buti nalang, recess na and yung mga students, nasa cafeteria and gym na. Gosh, nakakahiya, if ever. I bowed my head and I don't know if he did then I muttered an apology the walked to the o

said office. Hinabol ako nung guy na tinawag ni Ms. Rosales ng... Sion, Schion, Zion? Ugh, basta. And guess what he said?

"Ms. Lauren Fernandez, binangga mo ko para mapansin kita, right? Halata ka naman, laos na moves mo. Pathetic."