Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Meeting My New Professor

Skye's POV

"Mommy, I'm already late! Ihahatid mo ba ako o hindi?" I dash down the stairs. Muli kong inayos ang uniform ko. I'm dressed in a blue long-sleeved blouse with a red scarf as a necktie, a grey blazer, a grey skirt above my knees, and black shoes with an inch heel.

She came down after a minute and checked me from head to toe. "ID mo?"

"Oh, shoot!" I dash upstairs to look for my ID. "Where is it, where is it?" Natataranta kong sabi habang hinahanap ang ID ko. Kung saan-saan ako naghanap. Sa mga drawer, study table, and bedside table, ngunit hindi ko pa rin iyon mahanap. Pumadyak ako sa carpeted floor. "Nasaan ka na ba?"

"It's hanging near your life-size mirror!" Mommy shouted downstairs.

I paused to see if it was really there.

I smiled seeing it really hanging beside the mirror. Muli kong sinipat ang sarili ko sa salamin. Perfect! You're really stunning, myself!

"Mommy, I'm really late this time. Hindi na ako makakapasok sa first subject ko," sabi ko habang nagmamadaling bumaba.

I saw her sigh while going out of our house. Sinundan ko siya hanggang sa garage. "I've already told you to learn to drive, but you're too lazy. 'Yong ibang kaibigan mo, they're already driving on their own.

Lumabi ako dahil alam naman niya ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw kong matuto.

"I'll schedule you for a driving lesson. I can't always send you to your class, lalo na't dumarami na ang mga customer sa restaurant. Also, I need to train the new staff."

Hindi ako sumagot dahil ka-chat ko ang mga kaibigan ko. They were already bugging me about being late for class.

From: Cattleya Miranda

You're already running late. It's best not to come to class.

From: Penelope Zamora

Oh my goodness! We've got a hot professor!

From: Marie Jane Payadon

Ang guwapo niya, as in! Tapos ang mga mata, nakakalunod! Akin siya, ha, guys?

From: Cattleya Miranda

First Come, First served! Ako ang naunang nakakita sa kanya, kaya sa akin siya! Gidili ang mangingilog! (Bawal ang mang-aagaw!)

I smiled at their antics. Kapag talaga guwapong lalake, ang bibilis nila. Basta ako, loyal ako kay Anton ko. Sa kanya lang ang atensiyon ko, pasasaan ba't magugustuhan din niya ako. Kaunting push na lang. I giggled quietly as I imagined him smiling at me.

Half an hour later, Mom parked her car in front of Lyceum University. Hindi ko na napasalamatan si mommy, basta na lang akong lumabas ng kotse at kumaripas ng takbo habang hawak sa kamay ko ang aking shoulder bag.

"Could you please refrain from running? Hindi ka na bata, June Skye!" sigaw ni mommy. Nang lumingon ako sa kanya ay nakadungaw siya sa bintana.

Nakangiti akong kumaway sa kanya. "Thank you, mom! I really have to go!" Muli akong tumakbo

But I stopped running when I reached our building. Nakalimutan kong itanong kung saan ang room namin. Hinihingal ako habang nagtatype nang message ko sa grupo.

From: Skye Torres

Ano nga ulit ang room number natin?

From: Cattleya Miranda

Secret.

From: Marie Jane Payadon

Huwag ka nang mag-aral, Skye.

From: Penelope Zamora

Estudyante ka niyan? Hindi mo alam ang classroom number mo?

I groaned out of annoyance. Umupo ako sa bench sa silong ng kaimito at hinanap ang class schedule ko. "Where are you?" Tanong ko habang hinahanap iyon. Inilabas ko ang lahat ng laman ng shoulder bag ko. Inisa-isa ko pang binuklat ang mga binder ko. "I found you!" I smiled and returned everything to my bag.

Room 403.

Sa likod ako dumaan para hindi ako mapansin ng aming professor. She doesn't comment on latecomers. Basta papasok ka sa klase niya.

Nakayuko ako, yakap ang shoulder bag ko habang tila mananakaw na dahan-dahang pumapasok ng klase.

"Class 2A! "A strong masculine voice rang out in the classroom. "Could someone please tell me the University's tardiness policy?

I gradually straightened my back and turned to face the person speaking in front of the class.

My gaze was drawn to his deep blue eyes, which widened in surprise as he saw me!

Namilog ang mga mata ko sa nakita ko!

I an now a bit flustered. I tried to focus on the questions running through my head: What brings him here? Is he supposed to be at his mansion? Is he a guest? A student who sits in? Or perhaps a teaching assistant?

My questions were answered when I looked at the blackboard and saw his name written there: Professor Hugh McConaughey.

"Oh, so that's his name," I thought, realizing that despite having been to his house several times, I had never bothered to ask his name before.

"Miss Payadon," he called out my friend's name. "Can you please state what is the policy regarding the tardiness of a student?"

Mabilis namang tumayo ang kaibigan ko habang may nakatagong ngiti sa kaniyang labi. "Section V of the Lyceum University policy states that students must attend class on time. Three counts of tardiness shall be counted as one absence. Under certain conditions, tardiness may be excused," Marie Jane explained.

Professor McConaughey lowered his eyes, pushed down the rimless glasses on the bridge of his nose, and raised his icy eyes to look at me. "In this class, I do not tolerate latecomers. If you can't make it on time, just don't show up. You're already wasting our time, Miss." He flipped through his journal. "Miss Torres," he said sternly. "Be a responsible student."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I heard his words. "I'm sorry for being late, Sir," I said softly, trying to sound apologetic.

Nakita ko ang mga blockmates kong nangingiti. Ang iba sa kanila ay nagtatakip ng libro sa mukha.

"Umupo ka na, bilis!" anas ng president ng class namin. Agad naman akong umupo sa tabi niya.

"Miss Torres, did I already give you permission to sit?"

Napapikit ako sa kahihiyan. This is starting to feel like hell for him. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago ako muling tumayo.

"What is your excuse for being late, Miss?" Inalis niya ang suot niyang salamin. Ipinatong niya sa tabi ng laptop. Then he rolled his sleeves up to his elbow.

Is he really like this? Cold and always angry?

"I waited for my mom, Sir. She drives for me," I honestly replied.

"Hindi ba uso ang commute sa 'yo?" He handed a set of handouts to the class while still staring at me. Tahimik naman nilang ipinasa ang mga handouts.

"I'm not used to commuting, sir," sagot ko.

His brow rose. "What do you think, class? Is it a valid reason?" Tumingin siya sa mga blockmates ko. "To those who think that it is valid, please raise your hand."

Isa-isa naman silang nagtaas ng mga kamay. Alam kasi nila ang reason kung bakit hindi ako marunong magcommute. I am caged by my father's love. He always showers me with attention. He always sends me to and picks me up from school. Lahat ng activities ko as I grow up, kasama ang daddy ko. Kaya nang mawala siya last month ay parang gumuho ang mundo ko.

People perceive me as a cheerful girl, but I am hollow on the inside.