Not Me, Maddie

Chapter Ten

My hand hurts, but worth it naman kasi nag-improve naman ako, I guess. 3 hours akong naitutor ni Sir Damon. Supposedly, 2 hours lang kasi late na raw but napilit ko siya e. Tsk, para-paraan lang, Maddie? But I studied naman talaga. We didn't even talk about personal things kahit I tried bringing it up. Lagi niya lang sasabihin sa akin na Focus, Miss West.

"Do you want something to eat?" natigil ang pagfafantasize ko nung nagsalita si Sir. We didn't eat kasi sa house niya kasi nabusog naman kami pareho sa car. I bought a lot, really.

"I'm still full po. Ikaw po, may gusto kang kainin? My treat." I'm really trying so hard not to be conyo in front of him. Baka mamaya, naiinis din pala siya with the way I talk.

He just shrugged. It's 10 PM na. Nakakahiya, maaga pa naman ang pasok ni Sir everyday.

"I'm sorry po. I should've come home early po. Baka you had commitments to do at home pero hindi mo nagawa because of me, tapos may pasok ka pa po tomorrow."

"It's fine, Miss West." no, it's not, Sir. 11 PM ka na makakabalik sa house mo. Ugh, Maddie. Bakit hindi ka nag-iisip?

"And please, we're not at the school. 'Wag ka nang magPo at Opo, Miss West. I feel so old." he chuckled. I still can't believe na ngumingiti at tumatawa pala ang taong 'to. Sobrang approachable niya. I regretted not asking for help noong panahong nahihirapan ako during the class. Edi sana, hindi ko siya naabala now.

But if I didn't ask him to be my tutor, would I still hear his poging laughs? I so love his smile pa.

"Eh, how old are you na kasi? You never answered any of my questions kanina." I pouted. He looked at me for a second then faced the road again.

"I'm 23, Miss West." he said.

"You're still young pala. I'm 20!" almost magkaedad lang pala sila ni Duncan.

"And please, call me Maddie na lang po, Sir. We're not at the school like you said." I saw him smile. I so love it talaga. My night is filled with his laughs and smiles. What a good night, and a sweet dream.

"Yet you're calling me Sir."

"H-ha? You're my instructor po kasi. Isn't it super walanghiya if I call you Damon or something?"

"I'm not a licensed professor. I was just asked to teach. It's all temporary." he said. I felt sad. I almost forgot na temporary prof lang nga namin siya. Akala ko pa naman, I'd be inspired till I graduate.

"Just call me Damon when we're outside the school."

Mas mabilis kaming nakarating sa village namin kasi late na and wala na masyadong traffic. I thanked Damon before I stepped out of the car. He opened his car windows para magpaalam ulit. My heart.

"Thank you for tonight, Sir—uhm, Damon." hindi talaga ako sanay.

He nodded and smiled. "Good night, Sir! Please take care. Drive safely po." I said smiling. Ang bilis niya kaya magdrive kanina noong galing siya sa EU and sinundo niya ako sa mall. Pero noong nakasakay na ako sa car niya, hindi naman mabilis. I mean, parang nag-iingat. I'll assume na it was because of me. Like, it's not a crime to assume things naman 'di ba? Pwera na lang sa malicious things. That really would not be safe.

Pinauna niya akong pumasok sa loob before daw siya umalis kasi hindi raw safe. Hindi niya na rin pinabalik ang jacket niya. Why is he so gentleman? I couldn't suppress my smile when I came inside. But yeah, every fantasy has a nightmare. There was Duncan, crossed arms, standing in the living room, raising his eyebrows on me.

"And where have you been? Who was that? Lalaki ba 'yon? Nanliligaw ba sa 'yo? Pasalamat siya, nakaandar na siya nung nakita ko kayo."

"What? No! I've been to Sir McLaren's house. He tutored me sa accounting. Duh? The usual?" I said, totoo naman, but he still gave me a suspicious look.

"When did I ever lie to you, Duncan? You're so stupid na naman." I hissed. He rolled his eyes.

"E bakit ngiting ngiti ka? Crush mo ba 'yon? Crush ka? Si Damon ba 'yon? Sabihin mo sapakan kami. Kapag natalo niya ako, saka ka niya ligawan." magkakilala sila? But never will I ask that. Lalo lang siyang magtatanong!

"Are you out of your mind? Oh, you're an airhead nga pala. Nothing new. He's not courting me, okay? And please, huwag kang magsasalita nang ganyan in front of him. That would be embarassing! Baka sabihin niya, kung ano anong sinasabi kong lies about him." I said. Nakakahiya talaga 'yon ano?

"And baka hindi niya na ako i-tutor. Kapag bumagsak ako, ikaw ang ituturo ko kina Mom!"

"Aba't! Ako pa talaga?! Teka, are you sick? What happened to your tongue, huh? Hindi na pilipit?" what?! He sounds so tambay talaga!

"Whatever! I can take a rest already, can't I? Stupid Duncan."

I left him at the living room and went upstairs. I even saw him tulala and shaking his head. He looked so stupid. Bawal na ba akong magtagalog nang straight?

Duncan's squad is here sa house and we just finished eating. It's Friday morning pero nandito sila at mag-aaral daw. Pare-pareho kaming walang class pero himala lang kasi wala sila sa training.

This is my first time to see them na focused sa pagrereview. Like, buong college life nila, paeasy easy lang sila but now?

"I can't fail again, brother. Mom's gonna kill me."

"Same, bro. Same."

"Fuck Correl 3. Fuck it."

"No, fuck you, Tan. Who chose ME anyway?"

"Drama." I said and they just ignored me. Nag-aaral talaga sila, oh my God. I think I'm gonna cry.

Gusto ko na lang matawa sa kanila. Like, now, quiet sila pagrereview. Later, may sisigaw na and sasabunutan ang sarili. Tapos madidistract na silang lahat, isusumpa na nila ang kaisa-isang subject nila, tapos malilipat kay Tan ang sisi.

"Stop recording, will you?!" sigaw ni Duncan when he noticed na nakatapat ang phone ko sa kanilang apat.

"No, we're live." at napatingin silang lahat sa akin. Their reaction was priceless. I bursted out laughing, I can't.

"Did you just show the world how—"

"How obtuse you guys are?" I cut Asher off while laughing.

"That's not nice! Queen of the darkness!" Kit yelled while pointing his fingers at my direction. Then, there was Duncan who whispered something to their ears.

"What?" I asked in annoyance when they all grinned at me. What was that, Duncan?!

"I think, I'm gonna go to Sir Mc—"

"Halt!" I cut Duncan off and quickly ended the live video. God, epal talaga.

"Is there something we're missing, evil princess?" Kit wiggled his eyebrows. Eww?!

"You look like a perv!" I yelled.

"You were with Damon last night, huh?"

"You know what to do, brothers." Duncan said that made me throw my slippers on his face. They all laughed.

"Don't you dare!" I slammed the door and got back to my room. Stupid stupid stupid devils!