Chapter 5
“Kaya crush na crush talaga kita eh,” sabi ni Cecilia habang hawak ang kamay ko, tapos hinalikan niya ako sa pisngi.
Agad kong pinunasan 'yung pisngi kong hinalikan niya, at bago pa ito maka-reklamo, agad akong nagsalita.
“Alis muna ako,” I said, my voice laced with slight hesitation, though I tried my best to sound confident. I didn’t wait for their response; I quickly turned and walked out of the classroom.
Paglabas ko, nakita kong hindi pa rin nakakalayo si Ms. Sanchez. Parang nagbigay ng pagkakataon ang tadhana—agad ko siyang nilapitan.
“What?” she asked flatly, her face devoid of any emotion, as if I had just inconvenienced her with the most mundane request.
“Let me help you with your things,” I offered, reaching for the books, notebooks, and papers she was carrying—things that looked a bit too heavy for her to manage alone.
“I don’t need your help. Go back to your class, Gomez,” she replied, her tone slightly hesitant but her refusal firm.
“I insist, Miss,” I said, standing my ground despite her cold rejection.
“Let me be clear, Gomez,” Ms. Sanchez said, her voice laced with quiet threat. “Whatever you’re planning, it won’t work.”
A small smirk tugged at my lips, half-teasing, just to annoy her a little. “Gosh, Ms. Sanchez, I’m just trying to help. You’re the one assuming things here.”
Her voice tightened, tension creeping into every syllable—though honestly, she always sounded like that. “Don’t push me, Gomez. My patience is wearing thin.”
“So is mine, Miss,” I shot back, unfazed, only to be met with a sharp glare so intense it felt like it could burn through my skin.
Napabuntong-hininga siya ng malalim, tila pinipilit kontrolin ang sarili. Unti-unting inabot niya sa akin ang mga gamit. Napangiti ako. Hindi niya naman pala ako mati-tiis eh.
“Bibigay din naman pala,” bulong ko sa sarili ko, parang nagwagi sa isang maliit na laban.
“Do whatever you want, Gomez. I don’t care about you after all,” sabi ni Ms. Sanchez habang nilalakad nang mabilis palayo. Halatang sinusubukan niyang takasan ang sitwasyon.
“Ouch,” sabi ko, acting like I was really hurt.
“Wait for me, Miss,” sigaw ko habang binibilisan ko ang hakbang, sinisikap habulin siya.
Maya-maya lang ay nakarating kami sa faculty room niya. Ngunit nagulat ako nang makita si Ate—mahigpit ang tingin niya sa akin, parang may gustong sabihin pero pinipigilan.
“Hi baby Gomez! Hindi mo naman sinabi kay Cynthia na kasama mo si baby Gomez ko!” sigaw ni Ms. Martinez at dahil dito, biglang nakakuha ito ng sapak kay Ate, na agad namang tumigil sa pagngisi.
“Una na po ako,” sabi ko matapos kong ilagay sa lamesa ang mga gamit ni Ms. Sanchez nang maayos, bawat sulok ay inayos ko pa ng konti para siguradong walang maiwang kalat. Sinulyapan ko pa siya bago ako lumingon, pero gaya ng inaasahan, tahimik lang siya ro’n, parang laging may iniisip.
“Ang bilis naman! Dito ka muna,” biglang utos ni Ms. Martinez. Halatang nagmamadali siya—siguro may next class na—but her voice had a gentle, almost concerned tone na parang ayaw niya muna akong paalisin. Napatigil ako sandali sa pinto, hawak-hawak ‘yung bag ko.
“Sabay na kayo ni Seinna. She will be your next class,” dagdag pa ni Ate habang itinuro ang direksyon kung saan naroon si miss, na busy pa yata sa kakatingin sa phone niya habang may hawak na tubig. Nagkatinginan kami sandali at ngumiti siya.
“Wait for me, honey. Btw, I’m Ms. Dizon,” sabat nita sa akin. Familiar ang mukha niya, I mean, right. She's my Ate's friend.
Her voice was sweet, and the way she said "honey" made it sound like she was used to saying that to people she cared about.
“Ah, sure po,” sagot ko, habang hinawakan ulit ang strap ng bag ko.
“We’ll be going now,” sabi ni Miss Dizon habang sinisimulan nang pulutin ang mga gamit niya sa mesa.
Lumapit ako kay ate bago kami umalis.
“Bye, Ate,” sabi ko habang niyayakap siya ng mahigpit. Hindi ko napigilang pisilin ng konti ang braso niya habang inilalapat ko ang ulo ko sa balikat niya, even just for a few seconds.
“Mhm,” ang sagot niya. Simple lang, pero sapat na.
“Pa-hug din ako!” biglang sabat ni Ms. Martinez at medyo natawa ako sa biglaan niyang hirit.
"Oh shut up," sagot ni ate at napatawa nalang ako.
"Let's go, honey," sabi ni Ms. Dizon at naglakad na pero nilapitan ko muna si Ms. Sanchez at may binulong.
"Bye, Miss, mamimiss kita," biro ko pero hindi man lang ito ngumiti o tiningnan ako. Harsh.
We started walking towards the classroom, and for a few seconds, neither of us spoke. I was just quietly absorbing everything—my first day, the chaos, the awkward stares, and that one dramatic moment earlier. I was still a little shaken, but Ms. Dizon's presence beside me felt oddly reassuring.
“How’s your first day here?” she asked with a soft smile, her voice calm but genuinely curious. There was something comforting in how she asked—hindi siya pilit, parang talagang gusto niyang malaman if I was okay.
“It’s okay po, Ms. Dizon,” I replied with a small smile, trying to sound fine. I didn’t want to sound like I was complaining.
“Are you sure, honey?” she asked, tilting her head a bit. “You looked a little overwhelmed.”
“I’m alright po. Just… a little tired,” I said, keeping my tone light.
“Did Ms. Sanchez give you a hard time on your first day?” she asked suddenly, her voice now more serious. I glanced at her, a little surprised by how direct she was. Parang binabasa niya ‘yung mukha ko, waiting for any sign of hesitation.
“Not really, Miss,” I answered honestly. “She’s… strict, but not rude.”
Which was true. Ms. Sanchez wasn’t outright mean. But her presence was heavy, like she carried this aura that could crush your spirit if you weren’t strong enough.
“Ms. Sanchez isn’t the type of person you can easily approach,” Ms. Dizon said as she looked ahead. “She’s not very expressive, but… she has her ways of caring, though she doesn’t show it often.”
I blinked. That was unexpected. I thought professors kept to themselves. Hearing her say that made me wonder kung may alam ba siya na hindi ko alam.
“I’m just letting you know, honey,” she added, her tone softer now, like she was warning me—but in the kindest way possible. I simply nodded. I wasn’t sure what she meant exactly, but I appreciated the concern.
Before I realized it, we were already standing outside the classroom. The hallway felt quiet, with only a few distant voices echoing from other rooms. Ms. Dizon opened the door for me, and I quietly stepped in.
As I walked toward my seat and began organizing my things, I heard a familiar voice call out.
“Bakit kayo magkasama?” Cecilia asked with a raised brow, clearly curious.
I glanced at her and gave a small shrug. “Nakasabay ko lang siya,” I said casually, not really wanting to explain further.
Nakita kong may bahagyang pagkakamot sa ulo si Eliana, pero bago pa ako makasagot ay may bumulong sa akin si Kinsley, “Kanina pa kaya pinag-uusapan sa page ng University.”
Napanganga ako at nagulat, “Why?” tanong ko, talagang nais malaman kung ano ang sinasabi tungkol sa akin.
"May nag post na picture kasama mo si Ms. Gomez sa hallway at nakahawak kapa sa bewang niya," sabi nito.
"Ah ganon ba? Pakihanap nga ng pake ko," tanging sagot ko.
“Gaga ka!” biro ni Kinsley kaya napatawa nalang ako, kahit na medyo naiinis sa kanya minsan.
“Hintayin mo mamaya, pati kay Ms. Dizon, meron na rin,” dagdag pa niya nang may malikot na ngiti.
“Pake ko ba?” tanging sagot ko, tinatablan ang mga tsismis at biruan nila.
Hindi ko na sila pinansin at nag-focus na lang sa discussion ni Ms. Dizon. May pagka-same ng aura itong si Ms. Dizon at Ms. Sanchez—pareho silang seryoso at medyo mahigpit, pero para sa akin, mas nangingibabaw pa rin ang masungit na dragon na si Ms. Sanchez.
Ngunit hindi ako magsisinungaling, maganda magturo si Ms. Dizon. Hindi siya nakakaboring. Kakaiba ang paraan niya ng pagpapaliwanag, kaya’t kahit mahirap, natututo ako nang mabilis.
Pagkatapos ng halos isang oras na diskusyon, natapos na ang session, at nakita ko sa relo ko na malapit nang mag-11:30 ng umaga. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at nakita kong may message mula kay Ate.
I put my phone down and sighed. I really can't win against my Ate.
“Let’s go?” inaya ni Eliana habang nag-aayos na ng gamit.
“Kayo na lang. Kakain ako kasama si Ate,” sagot ko, tumango lang sila ng mga kaibigan ko.
Lumabas ako ng classroom at naglakad papunta sa faculty ni Ate, habang iniisip ang mga nangyayari sa araw na ito. But I don't really care.
Habang papalapit ako sa faculty ni Ate, bigla akong nabunggo ng grupo ng mga estudyante. Hindi ko inaasahan nang isang estudyante, kasama ang mga kaibigan niya, ay tinambakan ako ng isang baso ng tsokolate na inumin.
“What the hell?!” galit kong sigaw, habang nililinis ang basa kong damit at balat.
Napalingon ako sa mga taong nasa paligid, hinahanap ang taong gumawa sa akin ng ganyang kagaspang.
"Stay away from Ms. Gomez kung ayaw mong magkaproblema tayo," sabi nito and I laughed.
"Keep laughing and you will regret it," pagbabanta pa nito ulit pero tinawanan ko lang.
"Gosh, do you think Ms. Gomez would give someone like you a chance? You're nothing but a trash," sagot ko.
"Anong sabi mo?" sabi nito and I felt her hand slapping my face.
"You're worthless and utterly useless; you're worse than trash." dagdag kopa at akmang sasampalin pa ako nito pero may tumigil sa kamay nito.
“What the heck do you think you’re doing?” The sharp, commanding voice of Ms. Sanchez cut through the tense air, making everyone freeze.
“M-ma’am, s-siya po yung nang-uuna,” stammered the student who had just shoved me, eyes darting nervously as if trying to avoid the inevitable consequences.
“I’m not blind,” Ms. Sanchez said coldly, her gaze unwavering. “If you continue with this behavior, I will have you expelled from this university. And all of you involved—meet me later at the guidance office. We’ll talk then.”
Her words struck the room like thunder, silencing the murmurs and restless whispers instantly. But strangely, instead of feeling anger or fear, I found myself smiling faintly. There was something about her—something fierce but fair—that softened the moment for me.
“Let’s go. And stop smiling. You’re making me even more mad,” she said, her hand firmly gripping mine.
I looked up at her, curiosity and something like gratitude bubbling in my chest. “Why did you help me? Were you concerned about me, Miss?” I asked, letting a playful smile tug at my lips.
“Don’t assume,” she snapped quickly, pulling her hand away with a small shove. “I’m helping you because you’re my student—and the sister of a friend.”
I raised an eyebrow and teased, “Hm, but I don’t want that.”
She crossed her arms, turning away but not before muttering, “Okay, I don’t care. Go on your own.”
“Gosh, I’m just kidding,” I called after her, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she walked ahead, leaving me standing there with a light laugh.
“Hold my hand again, Miss. I like the feeling of your hand in mine,” I joked softly, watching as she gave me a quick, annoyed glare, then smirked just slightly. I chuckled, shaking my head at the odd warmth in the moment.
We finally reached the faculty.
As I stepped inside, the looks I received made me suddenly painfully aware of how disheveled I must have looked—my clothes slightly damp from the spilled drink, my hair a little messy, my whole appearance less than put-together.
For a brief second, I felt like a beggar standing in a room full of well-dressed people.
How embarrassing.
“What happened?!” my sister’s voice was sharp and demanding, full of worry and frustration as she took in my state.
“Nothing, Ate. I just spilled my drink,” I lied quickly, wanting to avoid a scene or further questions.
But she wasn’t convinced. Her eyes searched mine, silently urging me to tell the truth.
Ms. Sanchez, standing quietly in the corner, gave me an unreadable look—stern, yet somehow protective.
I swallowed hard, wondering if I could keep the secret a little longer.
"What happened, Cynthia?" my sister asked, turning to the other woman. Ms. Sanchez looked at me with an impassive expression.
"Some students did that to her because, from what I hear, they have a crush on you," she replied, causing me to facepalm.
"Yeah, nakalimutan kong sabihin, ang daming pictures na kumakalat na kasama tayo ni baby Gomez." dagdag pa ni Ms. Martinez.
"Where are they?" seryosong tanong ni Ate kay Cynthia.
"Calm down, I'll handle them,"
"How can I possibly stay calm after what they did to Sylvia?!" galit na saad ni Ate.
Agad ko siyang niyakap dahil alam kong ako lang ang makakapagpakalma sa kanya sa mga ganitong oras.
I felt her arms wrap around me tighter, and slowly, her breathing started to steady.
Ramdam ko yung puso niya na bumibilis pero unti-unting bumagal habang nakahawak ako sa kanya.
She rested her head on my shoulder, and for a moment, parang nawala lahat ng tensyon at galit sa kanya.
“Stop hugging me, ang baho mo,” ani niya na may konting ngiti, which told me na medyo kumalma na siya.
Ngumiti rin ako. “Grabe ka Ate, ang sama mo."
Pinikit niya lang ang mata niya nang konti, tapos sinabi, "Cynthia, ensure I never see them at this university again. Don't underestimate me.
“Okay lang ako, Ate. Wag kang mag-alala,” sabi ko, trying to sound reassuring kahit na medyo kinakabahan ako.
“Huwag kang magsinungaling. Naiinis ako sa’yo,” sabi niya nang may halong frustration, pero ramdam ko na seryoso siya. Minsan, mas mabuti nga na tumahimik na lang.
“Change your shirt. May extra ako dito,” sabi niya habang iniaabot yung malinis na damit sa akin. Agad kong kinuha yung damit, since basa pa rin yung suot ko dahil sa natapon.
Buti na lang may CR sila sa office kaya dali-dali akong nagpalit. Medyo gutom na rin ako kaya gusto ko lang mabilis matapos. Matapos magpalit, hinalamusan ko 'yung mukha ko at tinanggal ko yung chocolate drink sa buhok ko—natapunan kasi ako ng inumin kaya medyo basa rin yung buhok ko.
Paglabas ko, nakatingin sa akin si Ate at ngumiti siya.
“Tara, kain na tayo,” sabi niya habang inaaya akong umupo sa tabi niya.
Napansin ni Ms. Dizon na basa pa yung buhok ko at sinabing, “Your hair is still wet, honey.”
“Binasa ko po kasi,” sagot ko, medyo nahihiya.
Bigla siyang kumuha ng maliit na towel mula sa bag niya at dahan-dahang pinunasan yung buhok ko. "It's bad to keep your hair wet, let me dry it for you, honey"
Tumango na lang ako.
Bigla namang nagsalita si Ate, “Huwag mong sabihin type mo kapatid ko, Seinna, ha.”
Ms. Dizon rolled her eyes. “Stop making things up, Athena.”
"Ate."
“Oh?”
“Narinig ko kasi, limang professors kayo na magkakaibigan dito sa university, pero bakit apat lang kayo ngayon?”
“Samantha is in vacation,” sagot niya na may ngiti.
Ah, okay. Kaya pala.
“Baby Gomez, kain ka pa, marami pa rito,” sabi niya habang itinutulak yung plato ng baboy papunta sa akin. Ngumiti na lang ako at sinimulang kumain.
I glanced at Ms. Sanchez, who stayed silent at the far end of the room. She wasn’t talking, wasn’t smiling—just watching, like she always did, as if she existed in a world separate from everyone else.
There was something about her—something I couldn’t put into words. Her presence was cold, almost intimidating, pero sa hindi ko maipaliwanag na dahilan, I didn’t want to stay away. In fact, I wanted the opposite.
I wanted to know her more. Kahit konti lang. Kahit hindi ko pa sigurado kung bakit.
I really found her… interesting. More than interesting, actually. And that thought scared me a bit.
After we finished eating, I stood up, excused myself, and went to my last class. Konti na lang, and I’d be free to go home. Or so I thought.
The class dragged on for nearly two hours. My eyelids were heavy, my brain was slowly shutting down. The lecture felt like a lullaby—monotone and painfully long. Halos nakatulog na ako sa sobrang bagal ng oras.
As soon as the professor dismissed us, I gathered my things, said goodbye to my friend, and made my way to the parking area. Gusto ko na lang umuwi. My back hurt. My brain was fried. I needed silence.
But fate, apparently, had other plans.
Sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, I saw Ms. Sanchez walking alone towards the parking lot, not far ahead of me. Her posture was slightly off, like she was struggling with each step. Something about the way she moved felt off—parang pinipilit niya lang maging composed.
Without thinking, I started walking after her. Not in a creepy way—I just wanted to make sure she was okay. Pero habang sinusundan ko siya nang tahimik, I realized something else.
She walks with so much grace. Effortless, like she owned the ground she walked on. Her hair swayed with every step, her figure straight and confident despite the slight limp. Damn it. What am I even saying?
Why do I notice these things?
“This is all a game,” I whispered to myself. “This shouldn’t mean anything.”
But the universe didn’t care what I was telling myself.
Suddenly, she lost her balance.
“Miss—!” I shouted as I rushed forward, but it was instinct that took over.
Before she could fall to the ground, my arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close to steady her. Her body landed softly against mine, warm and trembling slightly. For a brief, breathless moment, everything paused.
Our faces were just inches apart.
I could see every detail of her up close—the soft curve of her lips, the faint freckles across her nose, the way her lashes cast shadows on her cheeks. Her usual stern expression was gone, replaced by shock, confusion… and something softer. Something I’d never seen on her before.
Was she always this beautiful?