Chapter 3
Kairi's weekends were usually reserved for hanging out with her friends or with cousins.
They would spend hours at malls, catching movies, or even late-night outs.
However, this weekend felt different. Nag-iwan ng kakaibang pakiramdam ang usapan nil ani Miss Herrera at hindi niya maiwasang isipin na may nagbabago sa buhay niya na hindi niya inasahan.
Saturday afternoon, nasa coffee shop si Kairi at may hawak na sketchbook. Mas madalas na siyang mag-drawing ngayon. She seems inspired. The doorbell chimed, and she looked up to see her friends, Zoe and Maya walking in, carrying shopping bags.
"Uy, Kairi! Nandito ka na pala," sabi ni Zoe pagkaupo sa upuan sa tapat ni Kairi.
Tiningnan ni Maya ang sketchbook ni Kairi. "Wow, ang ganda naman. Nag-i-sketch ka na ulit?"
Kairi shrugged, smiling. "Maybe. I'm just trying to do more of what I enjoy."
Zoe nudged her playfully. "Mukhang nai-influence ka na talaga ni Miss Herrera, ah."
Natawa si Kairi sa sinabi ng kaibigan, pero may katototahan naman dito. Their new teacher had sparked something in her, a curiosity and a desire to engage more deeply with her passions.
Sunday morning was market day, and Kairi decided to accompany her mom for a change. It was only a distraction from her usual routine. As they moved through the crowd, Kairi spotted a familiar figure near the vegetable stands.
"Ma, I'll just say hi to someone," pagpapaalam niya.
"Miss Herrera!" tawag ni Kairi, at lumingon ang guro nya with a surprise on her face.
It was something Kairi had never done before nor ever imagined of doing.
As much as possible, umiiwas siya sa mga teacher lalo na sa labas ng school.
Kapag may nakikitang teacher mula sa malayo, agad siyang nag-iiba ng direction para lang makaiwas.
Pero bakit hindi iyon ang ginawa niya? Bakit siya pa ang lumapit this time?
Habang papalapit, Kairi finally noticed details about Miss Herrera. Mga detalyeng hindi niya pa napapansin o nakikita dati. There, stood Miss Herrera in her casual clothes, jeans and a plain shirt. Her eyes, which Kairi had always seen as stern and watchful, now seemed warm and inviting.
Paano nga ba niya hindi napansin ito dati? Maybe it was because she always saw Miss Herrera in the formal, structured environment of school, where her presence demanded respect and discipline. But here, out in the public, parang ibang tao ang kaharap niya.
"Kairi! What a surprise. Anong ginagawa mo rito?
" tanong ni Miss Herrera that snapped Kairi out of her own thoughts.
Tuwing Linggo kasi siyang nasa market pero hindi pa niya nakita rito si Kairi dati.
Not judging, pero Kairi didn't seem the type to be in such place where it's crowded and somewhat noisy.
"Just helping my mom sa pamamalengke."
Ngumiti si Miss Herrera, hawak ang basket na puno ng mga pinamili. "Same here. It's nice to see you outside of school."
Kairi nodded, feeling a bit awkward but also oddly pleased. "Yeah, it is. Madalas ka ba dito, Miss Herrera?"
"Every weekend. And ngayon lang kita nakita dito," the teacher commented.
Kairi returned a slow shrug. She glanced at her mom and then back at Miss Herrera. "Hmm...do you want to grab a coffee or something? I mean, if hindi ka masyadong busy."
Nagulat si Kairi sa lumabas sa bibig. Where did she get the courage to ask her teacher? She's really acting different from how she used to.
Maging si Miss Herrera ay nagulat sa narinig pero pumayag din ito. "Sure. There's a great little café just around the corner."
Nag-settle sila sa isang corner booth, at naramdaman ni Kairi ang sense of ease na hindi niya inaasahan. Si Miss Herrera ay nag-order ng cappuccino, habang iced coffee ang kay Kairi.
Mga ilang minuto ring tahimik ang dalawa.
Hindi maiwasan ni Miss Herrera ang mapatingin sa paligid, naghahanap ng familiar na mukha ng mga student at co-teachers.
Hindi matanggal sa kanya ang pag-aalala pero wala naman silang ginagawang masama.
Si Kairi? Abala sa pagnanakaw ng tingin sa babaeng nasa harapan niya.
Iniisip pa rin kung paano hindi niya ito napapansin sa klase.
"So, kamusta ang Literature classes?" pagputol ni Miss Herrera sa katahimikan.
Sa gulat, napatingin si Kairi sa baba, trying to hide the fact na kanina niya pa tinitingnan ang guro.
Mabuti na lang at naka-recover siya agad at nakasagot. "Mas interesting kaysa dati. Dati, wala akong pake sa material, pero the way you teach... iba eh."
Ngumiti si Miss Herrera. "Glad to hear that. Teaching is more than just delivering information. It's about connecting with students and helping them see the relevance in their own lives."
Tumango si Kairi, habang lumalalim naman ang respeto kay Miss Herrera. "Gets ko na iyon ngayon. It's like you're not just teaching us about the books, but about life too."
Nagkuwentuhan sila nang matagal, sharing stories and thoughts.
Nalaman ni Kairi na passionate din si Miss Herrera sa painting at panonood ng films. Nagsimulang mag-open up si Kairi tungkol sa mga interests niya, at ang refreshing sa feeling na may kausap who genuinely cared.
Ngayon lang siya nakapag-share sa ibang tao at sa teacher niya pa.
Hindi niya maintindihan pero pagdating kay Ma'am Herrera, gusto niyang i-share lahat.
The next week at school, napansin ng mga kaibigan ni Kairi ang pagbabago sa kanya. She was more engaged, more present. Nakikinig na talaga siya sa klase. Sumasabay na sa discussions and recitations. During lunch, Zoe and Maya cornered her.
"Okay, spill. What's going on with you?" Zoe demanded. Halata ang curiosity sa kanya.
Natawa si Kairi at napailing ng ulo. "Wala, I just...I guess I'm trying to take things more seriously. You know, find meaning in what we do."
"Oh, wow. May pa-ganyan ka na, ha. Finding meanings?" biglang pang-aasar ni Maya.
Tinaasan naman ni Zoe ng kilay si Kairi. "At iyong sudden realization mo, walang kinalaman kay Miss Herrera?"
Kairi shrugged, a slight blush creeping up her cheeks. "Maybe it does. She just makes me see things differently."
Zoe smirked. "Aminin mo, may crush ka kay Miss Herrera."
Muling tumawa si Kairi. "It's not like that! Ayaw ko nga sa mga teacher, diba? She's just...something."
Nakangiting tumingin si Maya, parang may iniisip. "Well, kung ano man 'yan, I like this other version of Kairi."
One afternoon, habang papalabas ng school si Kairi, nakita niyang hirap si Miss Herrera sa pagbitbit ng mga papel at malaking canvas bag.
Tumakbo siya para tumulong. Yes, ayaw niya ng interactions with teacher pero not to the point na hindi siya tumutulong pag may nahihirapan.
Also, dahil na rin si Miss Herrera iyon.
"Need a hand, Miss?"
Mukhang nabunutan ng tinik si Miss Herrera. "Oh, Kairi, thank you. Ang dami ko kasing dala ngayon."
Kinuha ni Kairi ang mabigat na bag at naglakad sila papunta sa kotse ng teacher. "Para saan lahat 'to, Miss?"
"Tumutulong ako sa isang art exhibit for this weekend. Showcase ito para sa young local artists," paliwanag ni Miss Herrera.
Na-curious si Kairi. "Oh, that sounds great. Pwede bang pumunta?"
This time, hindi na dahil lang kay Miss Herrera. May interest talagag siya sa art exhibits kaya hindi na siya nag-hesitate pa.
Ngumiti si Miss Herrera. "Of course! Open to everyone. Sigurado akong mag-eenjoy ka."
That weekend, nasa art exhibit si Kairi, surrounded by vibrant paintings and sculptures. Nakita niya si Miss Herrera na kausap ang isang artist at lumapit siya.
"Kairi! You made it," bati ni Miss Herrera nang nakangiti.
"Yeah, this place is incredible. Ang daming talent," Kairi said in awe.
Tumango si Miss Herrera. "Art is a powerful way to express ourselves and our experiences. I'm glad you could come."
They spent the afternoon exploring the exhibit, discussing the pieces and their meanings. Naramdaman ni Kairi ang deep connection sa art. Pero hindi lang dito, kay Miss Herrera rin. With the same interests, lalo niyang naramdaman how different her teacher is.
Habang pauwi, na-realize ni Kairi kung gaano siya nagbago sa maikling panahon. Mas open siya, mas curious, at mas willing mag-engage sa mundo sa paligid niya. At malaking parte nito ay dahil kay Miss Herrera.