Professor, We Adore You [BXB]

C H A P T E R 8

/ 𝕺𝖈𝖍𝖔 /

VIVI

   Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.

   Hesitantly staring at the door of my class, I took a deep breath before coming in.

   Compose. Breathe in. Breathe out.

   After a remnant of a fuzzy memory from yesterday, I could not bring myself to be the same person whenever I enter class. Everyone went quiet when I arrived, and it felt like my heart did too. My entire system screamed loudly, only I could hear, when my eyes locked with those glimmering, innocent eyes of Johan.

  
   Namula ako at agad napaiwas ng tingin.

   "G-good morning," I shortly greeted as I went up to my table in front with a heavy feet. I tried my best to remain a dignified posture, but it seems like my face and tone of a voice were giving that up for me. My students immediately noticed my change of aura.

   "Are you okay, professor?"

   Hearing that one student's voice that asked made me freeze. Pakiramdam ko, mas dumagdag pa ang bara sa lalamunan ko matapos marinig ang nag-aalala niyang boses. I suddenly felt nauseous. I should be relieved that someone is asking me out of concern, but the person who did that part made me feel a lot worse considering the horrible thing he tried to do and kept from me.

   Still, I don't want my students to feel that something really is wrong. I gave a forced smile to Stephen, the one who just asked me that delightful question but sadly came from a man with an ugly intention, and stood straight in front.

   "I am. Sorry, everyone. I ended up eating a lot for breakfast and realized I was running late so I had to make a run for it. Tummy's just upset." I reasoned out and laughed a little from my silly excuse.

   Nagkatinginan naman ang mga estudyante ko sa aking sinabi. Hindi ko alam kung naniniwala ba sila o hindi. Whatever. I need to get their attention elsewhere.

   "Ready for our test?" I brought up and as always...

   "Yes!" ... they are.

   Binuksan ko ang aking bag at kinuha ang isang makapal na folder. Binuhat ko iyun at inumpisahan ang pagbigay ng test papers amounting to 350 items. "I don't wish to take your time any longer. Here is your test for today. I hope you all took a good preparation for it. It's not easy." paalala ko at bahagyang ngumisi.

   Kita ko sa peripheral vision kong nanlaki ang mata ni Johan habang hindi makapaniwalang nakanganga sa test paper na binigay ko.

   If yesterday did not happen, I would have laughed from his silly reaction, but it's different this time. All I ever felt as my eyes linger at him for about 3 seconds was... frustration and awkwardness. Mas lalong nag-init ang mukha ko sa naalala.