Chapter 7
Kairi slowly opened her eyes to the soft morning light streaming into the room. Her heart stopped when she realized who was lying beside her – Miss Herrera, sleeping peacefully. Their faces were just inches apart. The sight made Kairi pause, her mind racing.
Bakit kahit sa panaginip, sinusundan mo ako?
Kairi thought, letting out a soft sigh.
Her gaze lingered on Miss Herrera's face – the delicate arch of her brows, the subtle curve of her nose, and her lips slightly parted as she breathed.
Kairi reached out, her thumb hesitantly brushing over Miss Herrera's bottom lip.
It was soft and warm, and Kairi almost laughed at herself.
I hope this dream doesn't end yet.
Napatigil si Kairi nang dahan-dahang iminulat ni Miss Herrera ang mga mata niya at nagtagpo ang mga tingin nila. Napakunot-noo naman si Miss Herrera nang maramdaman ang mainit na kamay ni Kairi sa kanyang pisngi at ang hinlalaki nito na nakadampi sa kanyang labi.
"Kairi," mahina ngunit seryoso ang boses ni Miss Herrera. Agad niyang hinawi ang kamay ng estudyante mula sa kanyang mukha. "What are you doing?"
Kairi blinked in confusion and sat up abruptly. "Miss, anong ginagawa mo rito?"
Her voice was louder than she intended, her confusion turning into panic. It wasn't a dream.
Hindi na nakauwi si Kairi kagabi dahil na rin sa kalasingan.
Alam niya ang limit niya sa pag-inom pero last night was different, everything was too much for her and so she turnd to drinking more than she could handle.
Napansin ni Ella na lasing na talaga si Kairi kaya hinatid niya ito sa room niya at pinatulog na dahil halata namang hindi na nito kayang umuwi.
Ilang oras din ang lumipas at natapos din sila Ella sa pag-inom.
The others went home and some of them had stayed over, including Miss Herrera who couldn't drive home.
Miss Herrera sighed, rolling onto her back. "Lower your voice, Kairi," she whispered firmly. "And what was that about?"
"I..." Kairi stummered. Hindi niya alam kung anong sasabihin kaya pilit niyang iniba ang usapan, "What are you doing here? And how–"
Natigil ang tanong ni Kairi nang mapansin ang kamay na nakapatong kay Miss Herrera.
Agad napunta ang mata niya sa babaeng katabi nito.
It's her again – the one Miss Herrera kissed during the dare.
Her silky camisole was slipping off her shoulder, exposing more skin than Kairi wanted to see.
Hindi na napigilan ni Kairi ang emotions dahil sa nakita and momories of the party flooded back – the drinks, the dares, and the kiss.
Jelousy and anger, washing over her again.
"Really, Miss?" Kairi said bitterly, glaring at Miss Herrera. "Sa tabi ko pa talaga?"
Napaupo si Miss Herrera, looking both confused and annoyed while moving the hand off her. "Excuse me? What exactly do you think happened?"
"I don't know, Miss. You tell me," Kairi scoffed as she threw the blanket off and swung her legs off the bed.
"Kairi, it's not what you–"
Hindi na ito pinatapos ni Kairi. Tumayo na siya at habang papalabas ng kwarto, napansin niya si Ella at ang isa pa nilang pinsan. They were sleeping on the floor, bundled up in blankets.
As Kairi stepped into the hallway, Miss Herrera followed her.
"Kairi, wait," Miss Herrera called out in a commanding tone. "Stop for a moment."
Kairi stopped midway as Miss Herrera's hand grasped her arm, turning her around to face her.
"What?!" Kairi shouted, glaring at the woman in front of her.
Nagulat si Miss Herrera sa pagtataas ng boses ni Kairi at sa kanya pa talaga na teacher niya. Hindi ito ang Kairi na nakilala niya. Ano bang nangyayari sa estudyante niya?
"We're not done talking," Miss Herrera's voice was low, but her tone carried authority. "What's gotten into you? Bakit ka ganyan? Why have you been so distant lately? And now, this attitude? What's going on with you?"
Kairi's glare softened for a moment, pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang frustration na nararamdaman. Hindi siya nakaimik. Hindi niya kayang aminin kung bakit siya nagkakaganito, kung bakit siya umiiwas. Hindi niya masabing naiinis siya, na nagseselos siya dahil may gusto siya sa taong hindi dapat.
"Kairi, talk to me," Miss Herrera said nang halos nagmamakaawa na. "Stop running away."
This time, Kairi avoided her gaze, looking down at the floor.
"I'm not..." the only words Kairi managed to say, almost whispering.
Miss Herrera studied her for a moment before letting out a resigned sigh. "Kung ayaw mo talagang pag-usapan, fine. I'll let it go for now."
Miss Herrera insisted on driving Kairi home despite her protests.
"Miss Herrera, kaya ko namang umuwi mag-isa," Kairi said as she reluctantly slid into the passenger seat.
Not a word from Miss Herrera.
The ride was quiet at first, with only the low hum of the engine breaking the silence. Just as Kairi thought she could get through the whole trip without conversation, Miss Herrera spoke.
"Coffee tayo?"
Napansin ni Kairi ang paghinto nila sa harap ng coffee shop. "Huh? Miss–"
Wala ng nagawa pa si Kairi dahil nag-pa-park na si Miss Herrera. Her teacher's really persistent, huh?
Sa loob ng café, umupo si Kairi sa isang sulok. Miss Herrera brought their drinks, placing Kairi's iced coffee in front of her. "I remembered you liked this from last time."
Tahimik lang silang dalawa hanggang sa nagsalita muli si Miss Herrera. "You know, hindi ko in-expect na umiinom ka. You always seemed so focus on school."
Kairi just shrugged. "Normal."
"Ahuh. And your attitude lately? Normal?" Miss Herrera pressed gently, sinusubukan pa ring i-open up ang tungkol sa pag-iwas ni Kairi.
Another shrug from Kairi.
Miss Herrera sighed. "You're not going to make this easy, are you?"
Kairi looked out the window, trying to avoid Miss Herrera's eyes.
Nang wala na siyang narinig pa mula kay Miss Herrera, ibinalik na niya ang tingin sa babeng kaharap.
This time, si Miss Herrera naman ang tahimik at nakayuko lang.
Nakaramdam si Kairi ng guilt dahil sa pakikitungo niya sa taong nagmamagandang loob lang at maayos na nakikipag-usap.
After a moment, as the silence was getting awkward, Kairi spoke up. "So, you kissed a girl."
"What about it?" Miss Herrera asked, caught off guard but did not let it show.
"It's just... girls don't just kiss other girls for a dare," Kairi said, shrugging – acting like it's nothing to her.
"It was just a cheek kiss," Miss Herrera said in a light but defensive tone. "And yes, lagi naman iyong ginagawa ng mga babae lalo na kapag nakainom na. It doesn't mean anything."
"Right," ang tanging nasabi na lang ni Kairi, may bakas pa ng pagdududa sa mga sinabi ni Miss Herrera.
Miss Herrera tilted her head, studying Kairi. Ganon din kasi siya magtanong during their truth or dare game when Kairi pressed her about the guy she was with. Hindi na niya ma-figure out si Kairi, kung anong tumatakbo sa isip nito.
"Is there something else bothering you?" Miss Herrera asked, somewhat challenging Kairi.
"What about earlier? What I woke up to?" Kairi hesitated before continuing. "May nangyari ba sa inyong dalawa?"
Miss Herrera smirked lightly. Kairi had cut her off earlier, refusing to listen. But now, she's curious about it. I'll let her suffer a little, Miss Herrera thought to herself.
"We were also on the bed together, Kairi. Did something happen between us?" pang-aasar nito.
Naramdaman ni Kairi ang pag-init at pamumula ng mga pisngi dahil sa narinig. "Hindi ko alam, Miss. Did you do something to me while I was asleep?"
Napataas ang kilay ni Miss Herrera, amused sa narinig mula kay Kairi. That was bold coming from Kairi.
"Miss Ferrer," she said in a professional tone, pero nagpipigil talaga siya ng ngiti.
Kairi rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile hovering on her lips. They both let out soft chuckles, the tension easing slightly. Miss Herrera then looked at Kairi with sincerity.
"Nothing happened," she said. "I promise."
And Kairi nodded.
Gumaan na ang pakiramdam ni Kairi. May nararamdaman pa siyang pagseselos pero unti-unti na itong nawawala.
Nakapag-decide na siyang hayaan muna ang sarili to enjoy the moment – sharing coffee and laughter with the woman she admired, like they didn't just have a little argument earlier.
It wasn't what she wanted, but it was enough for now.