broken barriers

two.

It was February 2009, I was with my brothers from the seminary and we were waiting for the next subject teacher in Philosophy class. But instead of expecting Mr. Montenegro right on the doorstep, there was a lady.

She looks very young to be a teacher here in the seminary. She doesn’t seem to be a teacher as well with the way she dressed. She wore professionally. A white long-sleeved top was tucked in a pair of brown square pants, matched with tanned brown, embroidered oxfords. Her hair was tied in a messy bun and she was wearing square-framed glasses. Her outfit matched her fair-skinned complexion. She was carrying books and as far as I can see, all of those books were related to Philosophy. And a voice I haven’t heard broke the silence among us, the seminarians. Is this an angel, I see? I thought.

"I am Mildred Gutierrez, studying Philosophy in UP-D. I am only here to sit in your class,” the lady said.

When she talked, my heart fluttered. I was speechless and I’m technically in awe. But, I already knew that I was in love.

She walked right past us and a scent of sweet pomegranate perfume whiffed in front of us. She sat behind us, and there goes our professor in Philosophy. “Well, it seems you have met our observer for a month. Yes, she will be here for a month as she serves for her on-the-job training purposes,” our professor explained as he stepped inside the classroom.

As the discussion started, our professor was always doing his first task before proceeding to the lesson proper, a short recap of what we have discussed yesterday. Of course, I would like to impress Mildred but maybe my classmates would look at it as a malice. I remained silent for the whole period.

…

When the bell rang, Professor Montenegro called me to talk to him outside of the classroom.

"Mr. Sanchez, you seem to be acting differently earlier. Is it because of Ms. Gutierrez?” he asked straightforwardly. What the f**k? I thought, this man really knows what I have been thinking. I began to startle.

“Well, uhh, not because of her, but…” My heart was pounding fast like the beat of the drums when I can’t explain the reason why.

"It’s fine, I can see that you do like her,” he smirked.

“I’ll go back to class, sir.” I hurriedly turned away from Professor Montenegro. Immediately.

I thought I was alone in the classroom, but then Mildred was at the back door when she said, “So, you do like me. Look, I don’t want to come out as a stalker, but I was only eavesdropping when I heard my name as Mr. Montenegro mentioned.”

I think I’m experiencing a heart attack today. “Nah, it was nothing. Really,” I said confidently.

"I’m Mildred, by the way.” She reached out her hand, and we shook. “You seem to be smart, and I think that you’re pretty cool, too.”

“I’m Mario Sanchez, I’m only a month away from being ordained as a priest.”

“We could hang out sometimes. Is there any café inside the seminary?” She asked.

"Well, there is one near the seminary. We could go out if you want to,” I suggested.

"Are you even allowed? I mean, I thought you’re not supposed go out–“

“It’s entirely a misconception. We're allowed, sometimes.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks for the enlightenment. How about I see you later at 8?”

"Sure! I mean, you can count on me.”

She giggled, “Okay.”

…