Les Warrioress: Justice

Ch. 01

The Substitute.

"Are you sure about this?" my friend, Tayla asked in our call.

Infront of me is a massive gate of a known University here in Cebu. It had two massive building in it.

Carrying my laptop bag on my left shoulder while carrying my bag on the right.

"You can't stop me even if i say no."

I quickly headed in as i checked the time on my watch. Marami akong nakakasabay na estudyante, some greets me and smiles at me, but mostly are the girls on the corner talking about how short my skirt was to be a teacher, how tall my heels were to be a teacher and how red my lipstick is to be a teacher.

I tried to avoid their eyes and directed my attention on the floor.

I dislike the feeling of having people looking at you, i dislike attention infact I wouldn't call it dislike, i'd call it loath.

"Llana, go back here! You can stay at my place."

"I'd rather not. Get back to your job, you lazy hag. Im heading to the faculty na. Call you when i feel like i want to call you." I ended the call right away.

As soon as i seen the door na may nakasabit na plakang 'FACULTY' ay binuksan ko na ito.

Truly, first days could be rough. But this is messed up, way too bad as what ive expected.

As i opened it widely, tumambad sa akin ang mga lalaking umiihi at napatingin silang lahat sa akin. Yes, it as a goddamn male's toilet.

I heard students laugher and giggles behind me. Napapikit ako ng mariin at sinarado ng malakas ang pinto. I took off the sign and carried it with me.

F**! Now where is that goddamn office??

I walked as quick as i can until i finally saw a teacher.

"Um, im sorry. Im kinda lost kasi, someone put this sign on the door of the Male's toilet, ngayon di ko na alam kung saan hahanapin ang faculty." I said.

"Ay! I'll show you nalang, roon din naman ang punta ko e." sabi nito.

Di kalayuan ay nakarating na rin kami. Pagkarating ay sumalubong sa amin ang isang lalaking guro na hula ko'y nasa 50s.

"Richel, nakita mo ba yung signage dito na nakatapal sa pinto?"

"Naku, sir. Eto nga po at nahanap ng bago nating kaguro. Nakita niya raw nakasabit sa Male's toilet. Akala niya yun ang office kaya muntikan na siyang pumasok."

I handed the signage to the old man and smiled at him.

"Ako nga po pala si Llana Abregorio." Kinamayan ko ang lalaki.

"Nice to finally meet our new fellow teacher, Ms. Abregorio. Ako si Josebio Macaraan. This lady on your left is Richel Buendia."

Kinamayan ko ang dalawa at sa wakas ay makakapasok na ako sa office.

"Ms. Buendia, please assist her inside as i have to deal with the student who pulled a prank on her." Seryoso nitong sabi.

Bago pa ako makapasok sa loob ay sumigaw si Mr. Macaraan.

"MACEO JOAQUIN, IN MY OFFICE NOW!!"

Maraming cubicle ang narito sa malawak na office, at dahil malaki ang paaralan na ito ay ang iba pang mga guro ay nasa first floor. Kasalukuyan kaming nasa pangalawang palapag.

Ipinakilala ako sa ibang mga guro na naroroon. Halos lahat ay babae ngunit mas marami raw ang mga lalaki sa first floor dahil iyon daw ang halos mga guro ng sports at IT. Ang aking cubicle ay nasa dulo katabi ng bintana na kitang kita ang malawak na football field, at basketball court.

Since my class would just start in the second period, i used this time to organise my cubicle, konti nalang ang nag stay at isa na ako roon.

"Hey, Ms. Abregorio. I know kakakilala palang natin and i shouldn't be asking you a favour like this." Isang babaeng guro na malaki ang tiyan ang lumapit sa akin.

"No. Its alright, go on!" i smiled at her.

"The teacher who was supposed to be my substitute for the next 7 months kasi just resigned yesterday dahil naaksidente siya.." she was teary, na parang any minute ay hahagulgol na siya sa akin.

I caressed her shouler.

"Im sorry to hear that." Halos hindi na siya makangiti sa akin dahil natatabunan ito ng lungkot sa mukha niya.

"I have no one to see my class for me, kasi bukas na ang start ng maternity leave ko. Can i ask you if you could be my substitute teacher for me while im gone?"

Honestly, it pressured me, how the guilt and pride fought silently in my mind. But every time i look at her belly, it just reminds me of something beautiful.

"Sure, Ms. Fuentes."

Malapad niya akong nginitian at niyakap ng mahigpit.

"But i have to warn you that these kids are way too hard to handle. Pero you can always call Mr. Macaraan because he deals with stuff like that. Thank you ulit!"

Our long discussion ended with a few questions about her being a mother of twins.

Naghanda na ako sa klase ko, buti nalang at grade 4 kids ang nasa roster ko. Halos lahat ata ay mga bata ang tuturuan ko, nabago nga lang nang maging sub. ako ni Ms. Fuentes. Grade 4, 6, 11, at 12 na ang tuturuan ko mag mula bukas.

Im a Science teacher sa mga elementary students ko. While now being the next Ms. Fuentes, i'll be advising year 12 students, at english teacher sa kanila pati na sa year 11s.

It was our lunch break and i just finished my elementary classes. Doble ako ngayon kaya meron pa akong ihahandle na class sa last period.

Bumaba na kami papunta sa University headquarters, dahil nandoon daw ang silid ng canteen ng mga teachers. Nandito ang faculty ng mga college teachers.

Buti nalang ay kasama akong mga teachers with me kaya di na ako masyadong napagttripan ng mga bata.