Behind A Smile

Chapter 26

Kabanata 26

"So, may I just remind you that your midterm examination is fast approaching, and I'm hoping that all of you will have a passing scores this time..."

Nakatingin lang ako sa nanenermon na si Miss dela Vega. Halos kalahati kasi ng klase ay hindi kaaya-aya ang mga scores last preliminary exam kung kaya't heto siya, nagtataka kung ano ba ang mahirap sa asignatura niya.

"This is just a simple subject guys! Critical thinking lang, makakapasa na kayo sa subject ko."

"E ma'am, grabe naman kasi sa hirap niyo magpa-exam..." dinig kong reklamo ng isang kaklase.

"Critical thinking is acquired and can practice, Miss Salazar."

Nakita kong tumungo si Miriam Salazar, isa sa mga tahimik sa klase, pero minsan nakakagulat siya, dahil bigla nalang siyang magsasalita kagaya ngayon.

"And I'm giving you that type of test, so you'll be prepared with your board examination when the time comes,"

Tahimik lang na nakikinig ang lahat, at napalingon ako kay Karina nang mahina niyang tinapik ang balikat ko bilang pagkuha ng atensiyon ko.

"What?" bulong ko.

"Nakakarindi si ma'am," she whispered back. Muntik na akong umirap sa kaniya.

Tinignan ko si Miss Dela Vega na abala pa rin sa panenermon.

"Makinig ka na lang," then I glared at her, ngunit sa huli ay natawa na rin sa kapilyahan niya.

"It may be hard guys, and you might see it as something... disturbing, but this is actually beneficial for all of you."

"Whatever," dinig kong pabalang na sabi ni Karina, at agad ko siyang pinanlakihan ng mata.

"Tumahimik ka diyan, kapag ikaw narinig ha, bahala ka ah!" a warning tone is in my voice, and the witch just rolled her eyes at me. Baliw talaga! Nagpatuloy lang kami sa pakikinig nang bumaling sa akin an tingin ng propesor.

"Bakit hindi ninyo gayahin si Miss Cortez?"

What the hell?

I uncomfortably shifted on my seat when I can feel everyone's eyes on me. Now.. what.

"She aced the last exam, and almost all the tasks and activities I've been giving you..."

Karina winked at me, while the others are just looking at me. Though, they don't have that piercing and judgmental eyes anymore. Maybe that outing we had months ago really helped, huh?

"Sinasabi ninyong mahirap, pero bakit halos ma-perfect ni Miss Cortez?"

Uhh, stop it. If she thinks that I'm liking this, definitely not. I hate comparing the most. And it sounds to me, that she's just being... sarcastic.

"'Tsaka, mukhang hindi naman mahirap para sa kaniya 'e. Bakit mahirap sa inyo?"

Is this personal? Does she have any problems with me? And the last words sounded like insults to me, and for others.

"You can't say that." malamig kong sabi, hindi na napigilan.

Isn't she a bit of sensitive? She's a psychology major, pero siya pa iyong ganiyan. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasan ang makaramdam ng pagkadismaya sa kaniya.

"May iba't-iba tayong talino, and that's what makes us... unique. Hindi naman pare-pareho ang tao. Siguro, sa iisang bagay lang lahat tayo nagkakapareho,"

Tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay. Mayroon ba talaga siyang problema sa akin? Pero nagpatuloy ako.

"Struggles. We are all struggling, Miss. Everyone has struggles..."