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Zarinna plastered her gaze to her lap, her heart throbbing as she heard the nearing voice of Mr. Sepnayen from outside of the office.
"Ma'am Zarinna, are you okay?" Zarinna glanced up, forcing a smile towards the teacher adjacent to her, "You look so pale right now. Are you sick?"
"N-no," Zarinna replied, "I'm alright Ma'am Mel." She assured.
Zarinna looked towards the empty table beside her.
So this is why there was a new table here. Zarinna surmised in silence. Shutting her eyes momentarily as the two males made their way inside the faculty office.
"Good morning Sir!" Her fellow teachers greeted in unison. Zarinna couldn't speak, her gaze still downward as Mr. Sepnayen began to introduce each of them to the new teacher. She fiddled with the hem of her blouse in apprehension, listening as David and Mr. Sepnayen went around the room. Her chest heaved once more, summoning courage as she felt the two now standing before her.
"This is Ma'am Zarinna Bunhiyan, David, also a new teacher like you," Mr. Sepnayen introduced. For a moment Zarinna couldn't lift her gaze, uncertain how she is to handle the embarrassing situation she was trapped in.
Would he recognize me? She questioned in silence. How am going to survive being with the man who-
"Ma'am Zarinna?" Zarinna's was torn from her thoughts, slowly lifting her gaze as she heard Mr. Sepnayen's voice.
"I-I'm sorry Sir," She stuttered, standing to her feet. "It's nice to meet you..." With all the courage she can muster, Zarinna met the man's gaze, gulping as she extended her arm. "Sir David."
The man's features were clouded with astonishment as soon as they locked gazes, and immediately Zarinna knew. He recognized her.
I'm done for. The thought echoed in her mind.
"It's a pleasure to meet you..." The man replied, shaking her hand. "...Ma'am Zarinna," the sound of her name upon his lips somehow made Zarinna's heart lurch. She bit the inside of her lip, suppressing the scream of embarrassment that bubbled from her core.
"I-I need to get to class." She stammered, scurrying through her desk for her book.
"Ma'am Zarinna," She gazed up, "Are you okay?" The older man asked.
Zarinna took in a breath, summoning her body to calm down as she tried her best to compose herself.
"Y-yes Sir Sepnayen," She forced a smile, "Excuse me." She flashed David a glance and walked out of the office in haste, her palm upon her chest as she panted for breath.
Zarinna came to a halt as she reached the front of her classroom, her palm clenching to a fist as she remembered Gina's words.
