Chapter 11
The air inside the lecture room was tense.
No one was talking.
No one was even moving unnecessarily.
Even Raegan, who was normally full of unnecessary side comments and sarcastic remarks, was sitting up straight, paying full attention to the professor in front of us.
Professor Carter Celest Haneul.
I leaned back in my seat, arms crossed as I observed her.
She stood in front of the whiteboard, her posture straight, her presence almost suffocating. Cold. Mysterious. Completely detached from everyone in the room.
Her voice was smooth and controlled as she spoke, explaining today’s topic.
Damn.
Kahit hindi niya tinaasan yung boses niya, it felt like a threat.
I glanced around the room.
Everyone was laser-focused.
Some were even taking down notes like their lives depended on it.
Ako? I was just listening. Absorbing. Watching.
Si Raegan, nakasimangot pero mukhang pinipilit niyang mag-focus. Hindi niya ata expected na ganito ka-intense si Professor Haneul.
I side-eyed her. “Shut up.”
She rolled her eyes but obeyed. Wala naman kasi talagang may lakas ng loob mag-ingay ngayon.
Professor Haneul turned around, her sharp eyes scanning the room.
Then she asked a question.
I immediately straightened. “Yes, Ma’am?”
I blinked.
Ah.
She’s testing me.
I smirked slightly. “Of course, Ma’am.
Biophilic design focuses on incorporating natural elements into architectural spaces.
It aims to create a healthier, more harmonious environment by integrating nature, improving both psychological and physiological well-being.
It’s not just about aesthetics, but enhancing the quality of life within a space. ”
Professor Haneul stared at me for a second.
Then, she nodded. “Good.”
Tss.
I knew that.
I felt Raegan elbow me slightly, probably impressed.
Professor Haneul then shifted her gaze to another student, asking another question. The discussion continued.
But even though she wasn’t looking at me anymore…
I still felt that heavy presence of hers.
And for some reason, it reminded me of my dreams.
That faceless girl.
That same cold aura.
That same distant, mysterious presence.
I frowned slightly, my fingers tapping against my desk.
Could it be…?
No. That’s ridiculous.
I shook my head, focusing back on the lesson.
But deep inside, a part of me knew—
Something about Professor Carter Celest Haneul wasn’t normal.
And I was going to find out why.
__
Lecture Room, 11:30 AM
The discussion continued.
Professor Haneul’s voice remained steady, her explanations sharp and straight to the point. Walang sinasayang na oras, walang extra kwento—puro essentials lang.
Walang unnecessary humor tulad ng ibang professors.
Walang personal stories.
Just pure cold professionalism.
And yet, walang nakakaramdam ng antok.
Lahat kami, focused pa rin. Kahit yung mga students na madalas mag-busy sa phones o kaya nagdo-doodle lang sa notes nila, nakikinig ngayon.
Ganun kalakas ang presence niya.
I rested my chin on my palm while watching her.
She was something else.
Mula sa paraan ng pagtayo niya hanggang sa paraan ng pagturo—lahat calculated. Lahat precise.
Parang hindi siya tao.
Naramdaman ko ang siko ni Raegan na tumama sa braso ko.
I rolled my eyes. "Stop whispering."
Tumahimik siya agad.
Good.
Professor Haneul turned her back to the class, writing a formula on the whiteboard.
As she moved, I noticed something.
Her posture.
Masyado siyang stiff. Hindi natural yung kilos niya.
As if… she wasn’t used to being around people.
Parang every movement niya, forced.
Or controlled.
Nag-slide yung tingin ko sa mga kamay niya.
Ang pino ng galaw niya habang nagsusulat.
Pero…
There was something off.
Like she was… holding back.
Bago pa ako makapag-isip ng kung anu-ano pa, she suddenly turned around.
And her eyes locked onto mine.
I froze.
For a split second, it felt like time stopped.
Yung tingin niya?
Parang alam niya na inoobserbahan ko siya.
Parang nahuli niya ako sa ginagawa kong pag-aanalyze.
Tss.
I held her gaze, refusing to look away.
What?
Anong problema niya?
Pero imbes na mag-react, she just raised a brow slightly—then looked away.
As if she was amused.
Tangina.
My grip on my pen tightened.
Hindi ko gusto yun.
I hated feeling like someone was one step ahead of me.
And right now?
Parang binabasa niya ako ng buo.
Damn it.
I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to refocus.
This wasn’t over.
If Professor Haneul thought she could intimidate me that easily…
She was wrong.
Biglang may bumulong sa likod ko.
Citrine.
I rolled my eyes pero hindi na ako lumingon.
Napairap ako nang bahagya.
Typical.
Laging ganito ang usapan nila kapag may magandang professor na bagong pasok. But this time, I had to admit—Professor Haneul wasn’t just gorgeous, she was intimidatingly stunning.
At parang… may something na hindi ko ma-explain.
Pero bago pa ako makapag-react sa pinag-uusapan nila—
Shit.
Tahimik ang buong klase.
Walang kumilos.
Lahat ng mata, nasa kanilang dalawa.
Napansin kong nanginig ng bahagya ang kamay ni Citrine sa lap ko.
Tss.
Ang yabang-yabang kanina, tapos ngayon parang kuting na takot.
Dahan-dahan akong lumingon sa kanya.
Gusto kong makita kung anong itsura ng mukha niya ngayon.
Ayun.
Halos maputla na.
Meanwhile, si Forest, instead na mataranta—ngumisi pa ng pilya.
Napakurap ako.
Tangina, Forest.
May pagka-walang takot talaga ‘to.
Ang buong klase, parang nagpipigil ng tawa.
Si Professor Haneul, on the other hand?
Blanko ang mukha.
Hindi mo mabasa kung naiinis ba siya o wala lang.
Pero may napansin ako.
Yung kamay niyang nakapatong sa mesa?
She curled her fingers slightly.
Then, in a smooth but sharp voice, she said—
Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ni Forest.
Nagtagal ang katahimikan.
Nag-aantay si Professor Haneul.
Nag-aantay ang buong klase.
Napabuntong-hininga si Forest bago dahan-dahang tumayo.
Tss.
Good luck sa ‘yo, Forest.
Mukhang nagising mo ang natutulog na dragon.
Tahimik ang buong klase.
Lahat nakatingin kay Forest, na mukhang ngayon lang nag-sink in sa kanya ang sarili niyang kapalpakan.
I swear, kahit hindi ako lumingon, ramdam ko ang smug aura ni Citrine sa likod ko. Akala mo wala siyang kasalanan! Siya nga yung unang nagreklamo na nakakatakot si Prof, tapos si forest lang ang napansin
Tangina talaga.
I shifted my gaze to Professor Haneul.
She stood in front of the class, arms crossed, her cold eyes locked onto Forest. She was waiting.
Waiting for her prey to move.
Naglakad siya pabalik sa whiteboard at may sinulat na equation.
Complex. Mahaba. Tricky.
I squinted.
Damn. Even I had to take a few seconds to process that.
Narinig ko ang mahinang paghinga ni Forest.
This was bad.
Professor Haneul raised a brow.
It wasn’t even a question.
It was a statement.
Matapos ang ilang segundo, Forest sighed in defeat. "Yeah…"
Nag-slide pababa ang mata ni Professor Haneul sa kanya, expressionless.
Then she turned back to the board and, in a few smooth movements, solved the equation effortlessly.
Walang mali.
Walang palya.
Parang napakadali lang nun para sa kanya.
Pagkatapos, she turned back to Forest.
I swallowed hard.
Damn.
Forest sat back down, completely shut down.
Si Citrine, tahimik na lang sa likod ko. Hindi na gumagalaw.
Natawa ako sa loob-loob ko. Takot na takot bigla?
Professor Haneul looked at her wristwatch, then straightened.
Isa-isa nang tumayo ang mga estudyante. Tahimik pa rin. Parang may trauma na lahat.
Ako?
I took one last glance at Professor Haneul before standing up.
This woman…
Wasn’t just cold.
She was a whole damn blizzard.