Genius in Distress

Chapter XV: First Impression

The lobby of the commerce building was abuzz when Aia finally reached it. It was break time. That meant her first subject had just ended. Students hurried past her to go wherever they plan to spend their break time. No one took notice of her as she headed to her second period. She’d have to find her classroom.

When she found the room, she stepped inside. No one was there yet. She walked towards the farthest table at the back hoping no one occupies it. She sat there; on her mind was Lieutenant Castellejos. She couldn’t believe how easy it was for him to obey her demands. As in, there were no bickering and arguments. “What are they planning?” Are they up to something behind my back?”

Fifteen minutes later, students started coming in. Her classmates for management subject for the whole semester. They noticed her but didn’t say a word. “What a bunch of snobs,” she thought. “Hostility is in the air!”

The bell rang to signify the start of class. The whole class fell into silence when their management Professor briskly walked in. She was a petite, old woman wearing a wide rimmed eye glasses. 

A terror one! She could tell by the way the whole class behaved after she came in. They were sitting stiffly straight, mouth shut and eyes focused on the board.

Their Prof. started roll call. She looked one by one to her students, checking if someone’s missing or not paying attention. With Aia’s height and the only one sitting at the back row her professor noticed her.

“You must be Aia Trinidad.” Aia couldn’t miss the sharp tone in her voice.

“Yes Miss..?

“Miss de Guzman. Please come here in front.”

Aia walked to the front of class, eyes glued on the floor, avoiding the scrutinizing gaze of everyone. It was not because she was shy or anything else, it was simply to hide her face from everyone. Someone might recognize her.

“Class, meet the new student, Miss Aia Trinidad. She’s going to be your classmate. Please pay attention as she introduced herself.”

“Hi, I am Aia,” she began. “I’m seventeen year old. Due to my current situation, I was enrolled late. But I’ll catch up. It’s nice to meet you all.”

She was about to go back to her chair when she stopped by the professor.

“Not so fast, young lady. I don’t tolerate tardiness in my class,” she said. “If not for the Dean, I’m not going to accept you. For Pete’s sake you are a month behind our discussion. I won’t make adjustments for you or re-discuss the topics we have tackled. It’s up to you to catch up. Are we on the same page, Miss Trinidad?”

“Aye, Miss de Guzman.”

“Good, you can go back to your chair now.”

One of her female classmates spoke up, “Miss de Guzman, diba indi pwede mag suksok kalo sa sulod sa classroom?”

“Miss Trinidad?” said Miss de Guzman in a sharp tone.

Her brows snapped. She was really clueless. Only the word ‘classroom’ was she able to understand but it was not enough to understand the whole sentence.

“I’m sorry?” She glanced toward the girl and said, “Could you please translate it in English? I hardly understand your words.”

“Ah, eh, your cap. Not allowed. Here,“ she said in broken English.

The whole class broke into laughter. “Nice try, Lian.” Their male classmates teased her. The girl couldn’t help it but sulked in shame.

“Silence!” Miss de Guzman yelled at them. “Now, Miss Trinidad take that off.”

Aia was left with no choice but to wear down her hoodie and show her face. Then she heard all of them gasped. Their eyes widened in shock. Some mouths were hanging open.

“Gwapa tani galing ka niwang kag higante.”

“Gwapa tani galing daw zombie!”

Higante means giant so they regarded me as a GIANT ZOMBIE? Aia’s eyes narrowed. Bakit ba mas importante sa mga ito ang physical na kaanyuan ng isang tao? Siya, hindi, she really didn’t care much about her physical attributes. Mas importante sa kanya ang laman nang utak nang isang tao at kung paano ito makakatulong sa pag unlad hindi lang ng sarili kundi sa pangkahalatan. At some point, beauty could be use as power but hanggang doon lang iyon. When we grew older, it fades. Pero ang kaalaman natin ay hindi nawawala, bagkus nadadagdagan. Iyon ang magiging bala natin sa lahat nang hamon nang buhay.

 Napailing siya.  Anak nga sya ni Senator Altamirano. Manang mana siya dito.

 “Lastly, Miss Trinidad,” it was Prof. De Guzman again, “I am strict with uniforms. I expect you to wear the prescribed uniform next Monday. Now, go back to your seat. You are taking so much of our time already.”

Aia sighed heavily. No, she’d never wear a uniform. It was a relief she gave her at least a week to wear civilian clothes and to think alibis so she could be exempted on wearing tight fitting blouse and pencil cut skirt uniforms. It would be hard to conceal her vest.

A short while later, Aia started to doze off. She didn’t have enough of sleep from last night and Lt. Catellejos woke her up as early as five where she barely able to sleep. It was also not a good help listening to their Prof’s discussion. It was boring to the nth degree. Maybe that was the reason why students disengaged with learning because it was no fun and just a bunch of repetitive theories from books. Teachers should devise strategic learning process that could entice students to be active in learning; a learning process that could stimulate one’s mind not teaching through spoon feeding.