Chapter 15
Miss Herrera adjusted the rearview mirror as she parked her car in the school lot. She sighed, rubbing her temple, feeling the slight exhaustion from grading test papers late last night. As she reached for her bag, movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention.
A familiar figure sat by the side, legs stretched out, head tilted slightly upward as if waiting for something—or someone.
Kairi.
Miss Herrera stepped out of the car, and the moment she did, Kairi stood up, brushing off invisible dust from her uniform. She walked toward Miss Herrera's car, a bright smile immediately stretching across her face.
"Good morning, Miss," Kairi greeted, her voice carrying an unusual cheerfulness.
Miss Herrera shut the car door behind her and returned the greeting, though her voice carried a hint of suspicion.
"Good morning, Kairi. What are you doing here this early?"
"Nothing much," sagot ni Kairi. "Napadaan lang."
Miss Herrera gave her a skeptical look. "Napadaan?"
At ngumiti lang si Kairi.
Miss Herrera sighed and turned to get the stack of test papers from the back seat. Pero pinigilan siya ni Kairi. Inabot niya kay Miss Herrera ang hawak niya na ngayon lang napansin ng guro.
"Here's your coffee," Kairi said casually, passing her the store-bought cup of coffee. "I'll help you, Miss."
Napakunot ang nood ni Miss Herrera dahil nalilito na siya sa nangyayari. Kairi was quick to move.
Kinuha ni Kairi ang mga test paper. "Ito lang ba, Miss?"
"Y-yes," Miss Herrera answered nang hindi pa nabubura ang pagkakakunot ng noo. "Kairi, what are you doing?"
"I'm helping you," sagot ni Kairi. "Let's go, Miss."
At bago pa makapagtanong muli si Miss Herrera, nagsimula ng maglakad si Kairi. She always does this, walking away and avoiding questions.
Miss Herrera followed anyway, still holding the coffee, her mind struggling to process what just happened.
Habang naglalakad sila papunta sa classroom, hindi napigilan ni Miss Herrera ang sarili.
"Kairi," she started.
"Hmm?"
"Anong meron?"
"Miss, sinabi ko na, I just wanted to help," sagot ni Kairi nang hindi lumilingon.
"No," Miss Herrera sighed, shaking her head. "You're up to something."
Napangiti si Kairi. "Ano naman, Miss? Masama bang tumulong?"
Miss Herrera didn't answer. Instead, she watched Kairi carefully, but her student only smiled as if there was no hidden agenda behind her actions.
Pagdating sa classroom, inilapag ni Kairi ang mga papel sa mesa, while Miss Herrera set down her bag on her chair with one hand resting on her hip. She observed Kairi for a moment before speaking again.
"Okay, I'll ask one last time. What are you really up to?"
Kairi, who was now casually looking through the test papers, answered without looking up. "I already told you, Miss. I just wanted to help."
Miss Herrera narrowed her eyes, then smirked as realization hit her. She placed a hand over the pile of papers, stopping Kairi's search. "Are you looking for your test paper, Miss Ferrer?"
Kairi looked up at her teacher with feigned innocence.
"H-huh? Bakit po, Miss? Nandito ba?"
Miss Herrera let out a soft chuckle. She reached into her tote bag and pulled out a two-page test paper, waving it slightly. "Ito ba ang gusto mong makita?"
Kairi's eyes immediately locked onto the paper, trying to catch a glimpse of her score.
But Miss Herrera, anticipating this, held the paper in a way that covered the number.
"So, how confident are you?" Miss Herrera asked, leaning back slightly, enjoying the subtle shift in Kairi's expression.
Ang kaninang confident na Kairi ay napalitan ng pagdududa, hindi lang sa sarili kundi pati na rin sa guro. Nililito lang ba siya nito?
"You look nervous, Kairi," dagdag ni Miss Herrera.
"Miss, just show me," Kairi pleaded, taking a step forward.
"Not yet," said Miss Herrera, keeping the paper away from Kairi's reach. "I'll return it with the rest of the class."
"Miss naman—"
"No exceptions."
Napabuntong-hininga si Kairi, pero wala itong nagawa.
Miss Herrera called her students one by one, handing them their test papers while briefly commenting on their performances.
And Kairi... had to wait.
She tapped her foot against the floor impatiently, barely listening as her classmates approached Miss Herrera's desk.
Then, finally—
"Kairi," Miss Herrera called, her voice calm but her eyes watching Kairi carefully as she made her way to the desk.
Dahan-dahang inabot ni Miss Herrera ang test paper—nakabaliktad ito para hindi agad makita ang score.
Kinuha iyon ni Kairi at agad na tiningnan ang front page.
48/50
A wide smile stretched across her lips. She barely stopped herself from shouting.
"Yes!" Kairi whisper-shouted.
Miss Herrera wanted to smile, but managed to keep a straight face.
"Go back to your seat."
Kairi just nodded—she just won her deal.
Pagkatapos ng klase, hinintay ni Kairi na makalabas lahat bago lumapit kay Miss Herrera.
"Five things about you, Miss," she reminded her teacher. "Five things."
Miss Herrera crossed her arms, "You're too happy, Kairi."
Kairi smirked. "Shouldn't I be? See you later, Miss."
Tinaasan lang siya ng kilay ni Miss Herrera. At nang paalis na si Kairi—
"I won't be staying after class today," sabi ni Miss Herrera.
Napahinto si Kairi. "Miss, why not?"
"Just because," Miss Herrera shrugged. "Maybe next time."
"Miss, no. That's unfair—"
Miss Herrera only gave her a small smirk before turning away. "Go to your next class, Kairi."
The first time she actually wanted to do well for something—no, for someone. Pero para saan pa? Bakit pa siya nag-effort kung hindi naman susunod si Miss Herrera sa usapan nila? Maybe she never really wanted to share anything in the first place.
Maya leaned closer, tapping Kairi's arm. "Kai, ang tahimik mo. May problema ba sa exam results?"
"Wala, Maya," Kairi answered flatly. "I passed."
"Eh bakit parang ang lungkot mo?" Zoe asked, frowning.
Kairi sighed. "I did well...but for what?"
Nagkatinginan sina Zoe at Maya.
"What do you mean, Kai?" Zoe asked, concerned.
"Nothing," Kairi muttered, shaking her head. Then she stood up, picking up her bag. "Tara na. Uwi na tayo."
"Wait—" Maya tried to stop her, pero tuloy-tuloy lang si Kairi sa paglalakad. Hinayaan na lang din ulit nila si Kairi. She'll open up when it's time.
The next day, Kairi was feeling lazy. Unlike the past few days, hindi na siya nagmamadaling pumasok. She arrived at school just on time, like the way she used to before meeting Miss Herrera.
As she walked down the hallway, a hand suddenly clung to her arm.
"Kairi!" a familiar voice called out.
Kairi turned her head.
"Alice?"
"Good morning!" Alice greeted, smiling. "Uy, coffee! Can I have one?"
Alice asked but she was already grabbing a cup from the paper cup holder Kairi was carrying, grabbing one of the three coffees.
Before Kairi could protest, Alice already took one.
Kairi blinked. She originally bought it for Miss Herrera. The other two were for Zoe and Maya para lang tumigil sila sa pang-aasar.
Alice took a sip, humming in satisfaction. "This is good. Still your favorite?"
"Yeah," Kairi nodded. "How do you still remember?"
"I just know you too well, Kairi."
Hindi alam ni Kairi kung anong isasagot kaya tumahimik na lang siya. They continued walking, talking casually until they reached their classroom.
Inside, Miss Herrera was already at her desk, busy on her laptop.
"Good morning po, Miss!" Alice greeted cheerfully.
Napatingin si Miss Herrera, eyes immediately landing on Kairi and Alice. She was surprised to see how close they seemed—hindi naman niya madalas makita si Kairi na kasama ito. Last time was noong nag-review lang si Alice sa tabi ni Kairi.
Miss Herrera's eyes lingered on their arms, on the coffee Alice was holding. And for some reason, she didn't like the way it looked.
"Good morning," Miss Herrera greeted them back.
Alice walked to her seat, but Kairi stayed.
"Good morning, Miss," Kairi greeted softly.
Miss Herrera eyed her for a second before speaking. "So you're just giving out coffee now, huh?"
Hindi agad nakasagot si Kairi. She felt caught off guard. Hindi naman niya kayang sabihin na kinuha ni Alice ang dapat ay para kay Miss Herrera. Babawi na lang siya bukas.
"Uh... yeah," Kairi answered as she forced a small smile before quickly walking away.
Nakita niya sina Maya at Zoe na nakangisi, halatang may iniisip na naman. As soon as she reached them, she handed them their coffee.
"Morning coffee," she emphasized, giving them a pointed look, as if telling them na huwag ng magsimula.
Maya giggled. "Thank you!"
"Thanks, Kai. But..." Zoe lowered her voice. "Maya, may napansin ka ba?"
Kairi frowned. "Ano na naman?"
Zoe glanced towards Miss Herrera's desk. "Wala siyang kape today."
"Kasi binigay na sa iba," Maya subtly tilted her head towards Alice's seat.
Napatingin si Zoe kay Alice, then back to Kairi, her expression turning serious. "Bakit mo binigay sa kanya? And why are you hanging out with her again?"
"It's nothing, Zoe," Kairi said, sighing.
"Okay. Settle down, everyone," Miss Herrera announced.
At naputol ang usapan nila. Kairi let out a silent sigh of relief, thankful for the interruption. But even as class started, she felt the lingering gazes of her friends.