chapter 13

VI

Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoice in truth;

 “Someone’s happy.”

“Yeah.” I tried to hide my smile but I really can’t get over myself. I am happy that I wanted to shout. Well, I’m not going to. The head of the freaking Ethics Committee just told me that the ‘allegations’ about me were all wrong.  They didn’t apologize, though. I was really lucky that my superior, the Dean and the Vice President for Academic Affairs sided with me all the way through this circus. They were professional enough not to join the band wagon.

I just can’t wait to finish this class. As soon as the time’s up, I would call Lincoln and tell him the good news. Though, he wasn’t showing it, I knew how much the rumor bothered him. I’ll tell Nick too. I’m sure he would want to know that everything’s okay now.

Linc beats me from calling him. “Hey, boss…”

“Hey…”

“You sound good.”

“I know.”  I excused myself from the group I am with. “Guess, what?”

“What’s up?”

I can feel from his voice that his smiling too. I can imagine his smile now. It’s what made me fall and long for him most. “Looks like I’m not really having an affair my student, after all.”

“Really, now?”

“Yeah, it’s a shame though. I always thought I’m hot enough for my students to lust for me.”

He roared with laughter. “Is that so? That’s just sad… and pathetic.”

“Well, life’s a bitch, I know.”

“Yeah? Well I think you better know this too.” He chuckled. “I love you and I’m so proud of you.”

            With that, I melt.

***

“Someone’s happy.”

“Yeah.” I knew Corrine would be mad at me if she ever learns that I applied for another salary loan. She said I should wait so that both us could apply when the time comes that we decided to buy a house for our family. I’ll have another loan. Next year. For now, I am going to buy something. For her. I can imagine her reactions now. At first, she’ll scream at me. She’ll pout, make a face and tell me how she dislikes what I did but later I know she’ll like it. At, least I am hoping that she’ll like it and say yes.

I am going to ask her to marry me.

Corrine is a hopeless romantic so I have to make something grand. And out of ordinary. I have seen too many chick-flick movies with her to know that I have to top those standards.

I’ll ask her tonight.

I could pick her up in school. No, she’ll want to wear something beautiful so I guess I’ll just call her and tell her that we’re going out. She would want to prepare.

Where should we go? She loves pizza and ice cream. Placing the ring on the ice cream is too ordinary. I’ll hand her the box and ask her straight away.

No. Not romantic enough. Maybe we can go to a place where the waiters sing. Someone would play the violin and we would dance. She hates to dance but I guess she would like that.

Or maybe we could go to the carnival. She loves the carousel for it’s the only ride that’s safe enough for her not to puke. Then I’ll ask her.

I’ll place the ring on her hand. Ring. Ring.

Ring. Oh, my phone is ringing. I checked my phone. Corrine making faces appeared on my screen. “Boss?”

“Are you somewhere around? Boss, can you pick me up, please? Please? Please?”

I checked my watch. “I can get there, thirty minutes. Can you wait?”

“I will.” She lets out a sigh of relief. “You are an angel! Have I already told you that I love you?”

“Yes. But you can tell me again.”

She laughed. “I love you. And I will surely love you more if you can come here earlier and with something to eat.”

Corrine is hungry every five minutes. “I’ll take out something. I’ll see you soon.”

“The rain is about to pour so drive safely.”

Thirty minutes later, I saw her at the front gate of the school. She’s talking animatedly to some students. It wasn’t that hard to spot her. Wherever she is or who she was with, I never had a hard time looking her. No rain nor crowd nor clutter would make her undistinguishable. As soon as she saw my car parked at the opposite side of the street, she smiled at my direction and waved.

“Who are you waving at?” I sneaked behind her.

She shrieked, laughing. She obviously didn’t expect that I’m already behind her. “The guard. You know, him being the love of life and all…”

“Oh, really?” I frowned when I realize how heavy the bag she’s carrying. “What in blazes did you put in here? Where’s your umbrella?”

“In the bag.” She answered matter-of-factly. I eyed her. “It’ll get wet.”

“Duh? Baby, umbrellas are made to fight off rain.”

“Oh, come on; let’s just make a run for it.” I shook my head. She grabbed my hand. “Come on, Boss!”

We ran towards the car. We’re halfway across when the rain poured its heart out. She laughed, almost dancing, as we tried to get in.

“You’re crazy, don’t you know that?”

She kissed me. “Crazy in love with you.”

“Marry me then.” I pulled the box out of my pocket and handed it to her. She was dumbstruck. I laughed and kissed her again.

***

“Someone’s happy.”

“Yeah.” I got a job! Well, it’s more of a sideline than a job. But it’s a start. I got noticed in a bar once, and someone offered me to model for them. At first I thought it was simply just a prank from my buddies but it was true after all. We went to some photo shoots, attended some this and that ramp and viola! I’m now being paid to look good! Isn’t that nice? The pay’s really good too. I think this is real sweet.

And since I have enough spare money now, I would call Corrine and ask her out. No, not actually ask her out as a date. She wouldn’t go. I’ll invite her to eat out for a treat. She, being language major and all, gets to play and twist words according to her needs and wants. I like it. It suits me.

“What are you hungry for?” I asked as soon as she picks up. “Come on, dinner tonight…”

“Hmm donut…” Sounding her best Homer Simpson. “Why? What did you do?”

“Paranoid much?”

“Are you going to treat me for dinner?”

“Duh? I’m asking, aren’t I?”

I can sense her brow knitting as she switched her phone from one ear to another. “Why are you asking me for dinner? And where did you get the money?”

I laughed. “My God, you really are paranoid! I’ll tell you everything later. Let’s eat out, my treat.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Where?”

“Same place?” There is grill that we hang out that I’d like to think as our place. “Same time?”

“Sure.”