Bad For You

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Professor

Well, maraming tao na Luke ang pangalan. I don't even know why I'm so affected by it!

Natigil ang lahat nang pumasok ang isang pamilyar na lalaki sa classroom. Pakiramdam ko ay bigla na lamang akong nanigas sa aking pagkakaupo.

Unti-unting umuwang ang aking bibig. I can't be wrong with that height and built... I-It's him. Why is he here?

"Good Morning," bati niya. Even his voice sounds exactly the same! "I'm your new English professor."

Bigla na lang nanikip ang dibdib ko. Parang hindi ako makahinga... It's already been a year but seeing him now, in front of me, made me realized that I still remember every single thing about him. Na parang kahapon lang no'ng huli ko siyang nakita...

"You can call me Prof. De Guzman or just Sir Luke," he added.

Where's the Mackenzee now, huh?

Nang maramdaman ko ang panunubig nang mga mata ay agad kong pinigilan ang sarili. I need to be strong... It's the only thing that I can do for myself.

Sometimes, you have to be strong when you feel like giving up. It's all you can do just to keep going.

"Okay ka lang, Gwy?" tanong ni Emi. Nginitian ko naman siya sabay tango.

Nothing sums up. He doesn't want to see me anymore. Why is he here? To teach? That's impossible! Graduate siya sa Garnet Academy tapos ay bigla na lang niyang gustong magturo dito sa Ilocos?!

"I'd love to meet everyone," Mac said.

Isa-isang nagpakilala ang mga blockmate ko. Nang ako na ay halos nanginginig ang tuhod ko pagtayo.

Why is he even here? Magtuturo siya kung saan ako nag-aaral... Is this some kind of revenge?

"I-I'm Gwyneth Chen. You can call me Gwy," pagpapakilala ko.

Nilakasan ko ang loob para tignan siya, mata sa mata... Pero wala akong naramdaman doon. Wala siyang reaksyon. Parang wala lang sa kanya ang makita ako.

Pakiramdam ko bibigay na ang puso ko. It feels so heavy right now.

During the lesson, I can't focus enough. I just really don't understand why is he here and why is he like that. Am I nothing to him? Parang sasabog ang puso ko nang makita siya, pero parang wala lang ako nang makita niya ako.

I really want a new life, but how can I even do that now? I've never been so confused.

"Gwy, okay ka lang ba talaga?" Tanong ni Emi habang nagsusuklay ng buhok. Nandito na kami ngayon sa girl's restroom dahil breaktime na, pero hindi pa rin ako mapakali.

My heart is racing violently. "Emi, remember my ex-manliligaw that I told you about?" I asked.

"Oo naman... Iyong tahimik, matangkad, naka-salamin, at pogi?" si Emi.

Tumango ako. "He's here... Mac is our new English Professor."

Bigla namang tumawa si Emi na para bang nagpapatawa ako. "Alam mo ba, gutom lang 'yan! Kain na lang tayo, Gwy."

"Emi, I'm serious..." giit ko.

"Gwy, nasaan sa Sir Luke at Prof. De Guzman ang Mac?" Tanong pa ni Emi.

I sighed. "It's Luke Mackenzee De Guzman."

Muling humalakhak si Emi. "Fine! Kung ex-manliligaw mo siya, ako ex-husband!"

Dahil ayaw maniwala ni Emi, kinuha ko sa wallet ko ang tinatagong picture naming dalawa ni Mac no'ng Halloween Party.

"Oh," sabi ko sabay abot no'ng picture.