He's Not Mine To Keep [COMPLETED]

Chapter 19

ANG IKALABING-SIYAM NA KABANATA:
Sun and Moon

(FIVE YEARS PASSED...)

"Good morning, Ms. Hernandez."

"Good morning, ma'am."

"Have a good day, miss."

Bati saakin ng mga estudyanteng nakakasalubong ko. I just gave short nods to greet them back. I just went straight to my advisory class.

"Good morning." I greeted as I entered the room but nobody greeted back. Napabuntong hininga ako. My advisory class is really a pain in the ass.

"All of you! Face front!" Agad naman silang nagsitigil sa mga ginagawa nila at humarap saakin. I sighed again.

"You have the rights to grouch or resent me, alright. But I'm still your teacher. Show some respect."

"Sorry, miss." They said in unison.

I am now a licenced teacher here in New York. This has always been my dream and I'm happy I have finally reached it. Far from the cruelty of the business world.

Actually, ginusto ko 'to dahil gusto kong maging katulad ni Lola Georgina. Teacher siya noon at lalong tumataas ang tingin ko sa mga guro tuwing may bumibisita noon sa bahay ni lola na dati niyang mga naging estudyante noon na ngayon ay mga propesyonal na at may mga napatunayan na sa buhay.

I also want to be like lola. Building dreams and guiding people on their chosen tracks. Natigil lang naman ako sa pag-iisip na maging guro nang pinili kong tanggapin ang mundong gusto ni Dad na pasukin ko. Nang makaalis na ako, doon muling nagbalik ang kagustuhan kong maging guro.

"Not because I'm young and new to this circle, doesn't mean you can disrespect and ignore me like that. I don't want this to happen again. Like what I always tell you, respect begets respect, young lads and ladies. Put that in your minds. "

"Yes, Miss Hernandez."

"Okay, let's start the discussion."

Napatigil ako nang nag-ring ang phone ko. Napakunot ang noo ko nang mabasa kung sino ang caller.

"Excuse me for a while. Scan your notes. You will have an assessment for yesterday's discussion."

They all groaned. I just smirked. Ito ang isa pang rason kung bakit gusto kong maging guro. For some sweet revenge. Lumabas na ako at sinagot ang tawag.

"Hello?"

[Hello, madam!]

"Bakit ka natataranta? May nangyari ba?" Tanong ko kay Hilda, our Filipino yaya.

[Si Russia nanaman po kasi, madam!]

Napapikit nalang ako at napabuntong hininga nang naisip ang posibleng nangyari.

"I'll be there." I ended the call.

Bumalik na ako sa loob at sinabing aalis muna ako at wala na munang quiz na tiyak naman na gustong-gusto nila. Walang pinagka-iba sa mga estudyante sa Pilipinas.

Nagmadali akong pumunta sa parking lot at nagtungo kila Hilda. Some things might get worse if I won't hurry.

Nang makarating ako sa paaralan nila Russia, nagtungo ako agad sa alam kong kinalalagyan nila ngayon. I immediately opened the door of the principal's office.

"Mr. Escareal, listen! Your son just hit my son's face! Look at it! I can't let this pass!"

"Mister, It's your son's fault. If you could just let me explain—" Russia was cut by a man who's at its near 40s or so.