A Burnt Flower's Ashes

Chapter Seventeen

Today is definitely not a good day.

My eyes wandered beyond the windows of the faculty, where the unexpected downpour of the rain could be seen. It was somewhat satisfying to watch the raindrops sliding through the blurred glass window.

"Miss Irenea," I could sense the aversion in Sir Hana's voice as he called my name. "Are you even listening to me? Pay attention."

Napatingin ako sa kanya. He seemed uncaring at first glance, but his eyes showed otherwise. They were worried and full of questions. Nakikita ko sa mga mata ni Sir Hana na talagang nag-aalala siya.

But the fact that he's addressing me by my surname clearly means that he's talking to me as my teacher now, nothing more and nothing less.

"I don't see the point of summoning me, Sir."

His eyes narrowed into slits. "This is the first time that you got a perfect zero in an exam." My professor told me, raising the test paper that I purposely left blank. "Bakit hindi ka nagsagot at sinadya mong iwan na blanko?"

I gave him a blank stare. "I was in no mood to answer the test, Sir. Forgive me." I replied.

"What?" His eyes twitched at my response, obviously disappointed. Sir Hana took a deep breath. "You don't ignore exams just because you're not in the mood to answer them. That's just disrespectful." he scolded me.

"I was in no mood to answer the test."

He hissed. "Don't you have a better excuse? Give me something valid, at least."

Napakurap ako. "I was in no mood to-"

"Suna," He sighed. "May problema ba?"

May problema ba? Wala naman.

"You have been acting weird lately. Did something happen in your part-time job?" My adviser pried further, his face genuinely painted with concern. "Inaaway ka ba ni Lars?"

I shook my head frantically. "Not at all."

"What is it, then?" nag-aalalang tanong ng aking guro. "You know that I'm always here to listen, right? What's wrong? Tell me."

It felt like something was stuck on my throat.

I couldn't tell him the truth. I just couldn't bring myself to say what's been on my mind since that day. It wasn't my story to tell.

"Nag-aalala po ako kay Uriel." pag-amin ko.

I didn't want to lie, so I confided half of the truth to him. May katotohanan naman iyon.

"Hindi na naman po siya pumapasok. Masakit man aminin pero walang pakialam ang buong klase sa kanya. I'm the only one who remembers him from time to time."

"I see. It's Uriel." His face softened at the sound of my shaky voice. "I'm fully aware of his frequent absences, and I plan to visit his home soon. For your own peace of mind, I will update you."

Imagine being abused by his father for years, witnessing the death of his mother with his own eyes and being stuck with the murderer for the rest of his life...

I remember when Uriel had a mild asthma attack, he refused the idea of calling his parents to inform them of what happened. Iyon ba ang dahilan kaya ayaw niyang makausap ni Sir Hana ang magulang niya?

"Suna?"

"Ah, yes." Napayuko naman ako. "That would be much appreciated, Sir Hana. Thank you."

He pursed his lips. "Don't worry too much."

"Hmm."

My professor dismissed me after that small talk about my seatmate. I was about to leave, but I suddenly felt the urge to ask him this.