Chapter 9
The days that followed were a blur of quiet conversations and shared moments. Kairi would find excuses to spend time with Miss Herrera, from asking questions about lessons to staying late after class. She'd even ask for help with clarifying topics she already understood.
One afternoon, in an empty classroom, Kairi sat on a desk while Miss Herrera pulled up a chair beside her to explain a text.
"So, this part," Miss Herrera said, leaning closer and explaining the text.
Pero hindi nakinig si Kairi. Naka-focus lang siya kay Miss Herrera na sobrang lapit sa kanya. Nadadala siya sa lambing ng boses at paraan ng paggalaw ng labi nito. Mga labing para bang inaakit siyang sunggaban ang mga ito.
"Do you understand now?" Miss Herrera asked, glancing at her. Napansin niya ang pagtitig ni Kairi na nagpakunot ng noo niya. "Kairi, nakikinig ka ba?"
"Uh...yeah," Kairi lied, smiling sheepishly.
Ibinalik na ni Miss Herrera ang tingin sa libro pero nararamdaman niya pa rin ang mga tingin ni Kairi.
"Eyes on the book, Kairi," Miss Herrera warned.
Tumawa lang si Kairi at ibinalik na ang tingin sa libro. Pero hindi pa rin maiwasang magnakaw ng tingin sa guro.
Another time, habang nag-aayos sila Kairi at Miss Herrera ng mga assignment na isinumite ng huling klase ng guro, pareho nilang inabot ang isang folder at nagtagpo ang mga kamay nila. Si Miss Herrera ang nakahawak sa folder at ang kamay ni Kairi ay sa kamay ng guro nakalapat.
Miss Herrera tried pulling her hand away, letting go of the folder, pero hinuli ni Kairi ang kamay ng guro at hinawakan nang mahigpit. This time, Kairi looked right at Miss Herrera's eyes.
"Kairi..." bulong ni Miss Herrera na pilit na binabawi ang kamay niya.
Ilang segundo pa bago tuluyang binitawan ni Kairi ang kamay ni Miss Herrera.
"Stop joking around," Miss Herrera said, brushing off the tension.
Kairi laughed awkwardly, masking her own confusion. Ano bang ginagawa niya?
Nahihirapan na si Kairi na pigilan ang nararamdaman. She wanted more—more time, more closeness, more of Miss Herrera. Pero deep down, alam niyang mali ang ginawa niya. Pero the way it made her feel, it felt right.
Hindi na niya alam kung ano pang magagawa niya sa susunod, na sa paningin ng lahat ay hindi tama. At hinding hindi ito magiging tama lalo na kay Miss Herrera. Alam niyang imposible.
This...it's forbidden.
Wednesday morning, maaga ulit na pumasok si Kairi. Habang naglalakad sa hallway papunta sa classroom nila, may nakita siyang guro na naglalakad. Likod pa lang, alam na ni Kairi na si Miss Herrera iyon. Halos lakad-takbo niyang nilapitan si Miss Herrera at sinabayan sa paglalakad.
"Good morning, Miss," Kairi greeted.
Miss Herrera glanced at her. "Good morning, Kairi. Ang aga mo na naman. This is becoming a habit, huh?"
Kairi shrugged, smiling. "Mas maganda po iyong maaga, di ba?"
"You're right," Miss Herrera said, smiling. "Are you joining me again later after class?"
"Yes, Miss," mabilis na sagot ni Kairi.
Tumigil si Miss Herrera sa paglalakad na nagpatigil din kay Kairi. Tiningnan niya si Kairi sa mga mata.
"Kairi," Miss Herrera began. "Bakit ba palagi ka na lang nag-i-stay sa school nang late? Is everything okay at home?"
Napataas ang dalawang kilay ni Kairi. Natanong na siya ni Miss Herrera before. She must be really worried.
"Miss, wala pong problema sa bahay," Kairi answered.
"Then, why?" Miss Herrera pressed.
Napangiti si Kairi sa curiosity at medyo kakulitan ng guro.
"I just enjoy it," Kairi replied casually.
Miss Herrera tilted her head slightly, studying Kairi. "Enjoy what?"
Tiningnan lang ni Kairi si Miss Herrera nang hindi binubura ang ngiti bago ipinagpatuloy ang paglalakad.
"You," bulong niya sa sarili nang ilang hakbang na ang layo sa guro.
"Hmm? What was that?" Miss Herrera asked nang makahabol kay Kairi.
"Wala po, Miss," Kairi said, her smile getting wider.
During class, as Miss Herrera began the discussion, Kairi opened her notebook, pen in hand. She planned to take notes, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere. Without realizing it, her pen moved across the page, sketching lines and curves. Slowly, the image of Miss Herrera began to form on the page.
She glanced up now and then, using the excuse of looking at the board to study her teacher's features—her sharp eyes, the way her lips curved when she explained something.
Nang magtama ang mga mata nila, hindi napigilan ni Kairi ang ngumiti na nagpataas ng kilay ni Miss Herrera. Nang ibalik ni Kairi ang tingin sa notebook at ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa nang hindi nawawala ang ngiti, napailing na lang si Miss Herrera at muling itinuloy ang pagtuturo.
"Okay, class, that's it for today," Miss Herrera announced. "You're dismissed."
Unti unti ng nagsilabasan ang mga kaklase ni Kairi pero parang nasa sarili niya itong mundo, nakaupo pa rin siya at abala sa pag-re-refine ng kanyang sketch.
Napansin ni Zoe ang katabi na abala pa rin sa notebook niya kaya nilapitan niya ito at sinilip ang akala niya'y isunusulat ni Kairi.
"Uy, sino 'yan?" Zoe asked after seeing that Kairi was sketching a familiar person's portrait.
Mabilis na isinara ni Kairi ang notebook, her cheeks heating up. "Wala!"
"Weh? Patingin nga!" at pabirong inagaw ni Zoe ang notebook mula sa mahigpit na pagkakahawak ni Kairi.
Nakisali na rin si Maya sa pang-aasar kay Kairi. "Kai, share mo na kasi!"
"Wala nga!" Kairi insisted na halos yakapin na ang notebook sa dibdib nito.
Zoe smirked and turned to Miss Herrera, who was watching them with amusement. "Miss, paki-confiscate nga po iyong notebook ni Kairi. Nag-draw-drawing lang po siya habang may discussion."
"Miss, no!" pag-de-deny ni Kairi.
Miss Herrera chuckled, shaking her head. "Alright, that's enough. Let's go or you'll be late for your next class."
Lumabas na sila ng classroom pero hindi pa rin tinigilan ng dalawa si Kairi. And they had the whole lunch break para kulitin at asarin ang kaibigan.
"Amin na kasi, Kai. Si Herrera ba iyon?" pagpupumilit ni Zoe na hindi pa rin nawawala ang nakakalokong ngiti.
"Hindi nga!" Kairi denied for the nth time. "And lower your voices down. The others might hear you, especially her name at baka kung ano pang isipin."
"So, siya nga?" pagpupumilit din ni Maya.
Kairi sighed, her head falling into her hands. "Hindi na talaga kayo titigil, ano?"
The final bell rang, and Kairi hurriedly packed her things.
Maya leaned over, eyeing her. "Hindi ka ba sasabay? Uuwi na kami."
Zoe grinned knowingly. "Or pupunta ka kay Miss Herrera?"
Kairi ignored them, slinging her bag over her shoulder and heading straight to Miss Herrera's last class. This time, may totoo na siyang rason para puntahan ang guro.
Pagkarating ni Kairi sa classroom, mag-isa na lang si Miss Herrera.
"Miss Herrera," Kairi greeted.
"Hi, Kairi," Miss Herrera greeted back, smiling.
Inilabas ni Kairi ang notebook at ipinakita kay Miss Herrera.
"Miss, I have a question about the assignment. Hindi ko yata nasulat lahat ng instructions."
Kinuha ni Miss Herrera ang notebook mula kay Kairi. "I thought you were taking notes kanina?" she asked curiously. "Don't tell me Zoe was telling the truth?"
"Uhhh..." Kairi couldn't think of an excuse.
"Distracted again, Miss Ferrer?" Miss Herrera asked, raising her brows. "Hmm who were you sketching? Someone from the class?"
"I-It's nothing, Miss," pag-de-deny ni Kairi.
Napunta ang tingin ni Miss Herrera sa hawak na notebook.
"Is it in this notebook?" Miss Herrera asked, teasing.
Sinubukang kunin ni Kairi ang notebook mula sa guro pero agad itong inilayo ni Miss Herrera. Kairi leaned over the corner of the desk, trying to grab it, but Miss Herrera quickly moved her hand down to her side.
Mabilis na sinundan ni Kairi ang kamay ni Miss Herrera, nearly losing her balance. Luckily, she grabbed the back of Miss Herrera's chair for support and her other hand accidentally landed on Miss Herrera's shoulder. While Miss Herrera's free hand was holding Kairi on the waist.
They froze.
Ilang inches na lang ang layo ng mukha nila sa isa't isa at ramdam ang mabibigat nilang paghinga.
Ngayon lang sila naging ganito kalapit at kadikit sa isa't isa, lalo na ang mga katawan nila.
Miss Herrera is even holding her, almost hugging her by the waist. At bago pa may kung anong magawa si Kairi, nagsalita na siya.
"Miss," Kairi said softly, "Do you really want to know?"
Miss Herrera hesitated.
"No..." she whispered, slowly letting go of Kairi.
Kairi grinned, standing up straight.
"I'll tell you anyway," Kairi said as she was adjusting her uniform. "It's someone I like."
Miss Herrera stared at her, speechless. What did she just hear?
And what just happened? Their faces were just inches apart and their bodies?
It was a close physical contact with her student.
And what? Someone Kairi likes? May hindi malamang kakaibang naramdaman si Miss Herrera sa narinig. Curiosity? Unease? What?
Kairi was enjoying herself, feeling bold and fearless. She had no idea where her confidence was coming from. Ever since meeting Miss Herrera, she had been acting differently, doing things she never thought she would.
"Miss? Notebook?" Kairi asked, tilting her head.
"Here," Miss Herrera said as she placed the notebook on her desk, avoiding Kairi's gaze.
Mabilis na binigay ni Miss Herrera ang instructions sa assignment at pinauwi na si Kairi.
Agad din namang sumunod si Kairi at hindi na nagpumilit pang manatili kasama si Miss Herrera dahil pakiramdam niya, she's had enough time with her teacher.
Being that close to Miss Herrera? It was more than enough for her. Well, at least for today.