As The Sun Sets (Mi Amore #1)

24

"Congratulations, Ms. Nicole!" Professor Brenda greeted me with a smile through the camera. She specifically requested for me to meet her even when she referred to herself as a mere nuisance because I did everything on my own.

I pushed my glasses up and raised my medical mask before pretending to cough a little.

"Thank you, Professor Brenda." I returned with a hoarse voice. "I'm glad my Mom got you as my teacher."

Umiling siya at mas natawa. Kitang-kita ang saya sa mga mata niya. Hindi rin kasi nagkakalayo ang edad nila ni Mama kaya naman nagkasundo agad sila.

I wonder what she'll think when she realizes we fooled her for 3 years.

"I'm glad I got to see your growth through these years, Nicole. It's just sad that you didn't get to experience college life with your friends because of your sickness..." she pouted.

As if on cue, I coughed intentionally and looked at her through the cam.

"Hindi rin po ako pwede sa mga activities sa school, e," I tried to sound as sad as possible.

Tumango siya. "I've sent your completion certificate on your email. As a homeschool teacher, we don't generally give out diplomas to your address, sa email lang talaga. If ever you're planning on working once you're better, hindi magiging sagabal ang pagiging homeschooled. In fact, most of the business companies want homeschooled students because they think they're educated better."

I slowly nodded but didn't let out a smile. Hindi niya rin naman iyon makikita dahil may suot akong mask.

"They'll be surprised on how you finished the course within 3 and a half years," she laughed. "Napakasipag mo naman kasi, the usual 3-5 hours of everyday study, you turned it quickly to 6-7 hours. Pati summer ay hindi na pinalampas!"

I joined in on her laugh. If only she knew how badly I wanted to finish the course easily so I can say I graduated college already.

Hindi naging madali para sa akin ang maging homeschooled. Nang sabihin ko iyon kay Mama ay doon niya lamang naunawan ang ideya na nakakatakot pumasok kahit pa lumayo na kami. Everyone knows about the issue and I wouldn't want to risk going to school every day and dying slowly because of whatever insults they'll throw at me if they discover I'm that murderer's daughter.

Mom spent a fortune on this homeschool. Even though all of the materials were sent to me online, videos of my Professors, presentations, quizzes and exams, study materials, all of those were sent online.

She still had to pay for so much because apparently if you're hiring homeschool teachers, you'd have to be ready for the price.

I did go to a school with Professor Brenda and all my other professors like how a normal college student would, but the school's made for homeschool students like I am which is why it cost so much. Good thing they had Business Administration or we'd have to go through weeks of searching again.

I've used the name Nicole Atienza since then. Naalala ko pa noon ay palagi nila akong tinatanong kung kaano-ano ko raw iyong Dave Atienza.

I'd say nothing. I don't know anything about the guy.

"Salamat po ulit," I smiled. "I guess I'm on my own now."

She gave me a sweet smile before sipping on her tea. "I know you'll flourish more into a lovely woman, Nicole. There's still a huge and intricate road ahead of you. Kahit hindi mo na ako Prof, you can still contact me anytime, okay? I have quite a liking to my students."

Tumango ako at nagpaalam na sa kaniya. She had been the sweetest Prof and would always compliment me for finishing my tasks early and ahead of time.