Chapter 2

“I-I—I want to see you,”

“Ah! Ano ba Shane, let me go!”

“Let me see yo---” Bago ko pa matapos ang tanong ko…

A hand landed on my face

“Shane! What are you doing here at women’s restroom?” Napaharap ako sa babaeng sumampal sakin,

“Sandy?” I asked. Naramdaman kong nagbubulungan na yung ibang mga babae. Hindi ko namalayan ibang bathroom pala pinasok ko.

“Hey bitches! Magsi-ihi na nga kayo huwag kayong mimosa jan!” sigaw niya sa mga kasama namin sa restroom.

“I thought…”

“You thought what again Shane? Wag ka nga makalat. Kahit pa desperado pa ako magka-jowa hindi kita papatulan no!” At itinulak niya ako palabas. Nagkusa naman ang katawan ko na sumunod.

“Babae daw yung bagong Prof?” tanong niya sa akin at inabot ang isang bote ng tubig. Tumango na lang ako masama pa rin kasi ang pakiramdam ko.

“Maganda?” Binilisan ko nalang ang paglakad nang malagpasan siya deretso sa room.

“You can see for yourself.” Naramdaman kong humahabol siya kay sinara ko ang pinto at dumeretso na ako sa upuan ko.

 “Hoy! Hintayin moko lalaki ka. Ngayon kalang ata nawalan ng interest sa babae ha? Oww! ---Obrie? A-anong ginagawa mo dito?” gulat na tanong ni Sandy at gulat din namin sa reaction niya pagkapasok.

“Huh? Yes, my name is Obrie your substitute teacher for this subject. I’m sorry miss you are?” Nakita kong lumingon sa direksyon namin si Sandy at sinenyasan siya ni Carlos. I attempted to analyze their sign language, but I’m not good with the alien language.

“Wala na si juntis? Ah. Good Morning po, by the way, I’m late hehe.”

“Ow! Professor? Great! You sure you don’t know who I am? Because I recognize you hmm.” Subalit nakapako pa rin ang tingin nito.

“Excuse me, Ma’am, but that is actually my girlfriend.” Sabay-sabay kaming lumingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses na iyon. Gusto ko sana magulat pero kilala ko sila masyado para ikabigla ko pa.

“Girlfriend? Nasa katinuan pa ako Alfonso para patulan ka no?”

“Babe sorry na sa kagabi, nag marathon ako ng cococmelon eh bawi nalang ako mamaya. The wheels on the bus goes round and round…”

“Kilabutan ka nga sa sinasabi mo nuno sa ponso!” Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin namin sa dalawa na wala atang balak tumigil.

“Please have a seat.” mahinahoong utos ni Mam Lantana sa kanila kaya umupo na siya sa tabi ko. Oh man, buong taon nanaman ba akong papagitan sa tubig at langis?

“All right, class, I'll dismiss you early today, but please be prepared for the activities tomorrow. It's simply a basic game that I'm preparing for so that we can all play together. Okay? Examine your understanding of yourself.”

“Goodbye, and I'll see you tomorrow.” And she said that the formal commencement of our class will be in a few days.

“Can we talk, Sandy?” Carlos asked,

“Oh, yeah, darling. If you want to Err, take me home!”

“Marami na kaming aso ayaw na namin ng dagdag palamunin,” sambit naman ni Alfonso,

“Whatever! Shall we Carlos? Rawr.” Lumbas sila pero dahil see through ang window pansin kong panay ang pagsulyap nila sakin at tinitigan ko sila, however, once again, I don't understand aliens. 

“Hindi namin alam kayo na pala ni Sandy?” Sabay tusok ni Keith sa tagiliran ni Alfonso.

“Hindi ko pa sinasagot actually.”

----------

I was laying in my bed pondering, but I couldn't think of anything. When Ms. Lantana's face suddenly appears in my head.

“Nakilala ko ba siya bago ako naaksidente?” bulong ko sa sarili. Then I can see clearly the shadow of a person standing beside my door. Dahil kalahati ay nakabukas madali mo makikita. I got my protective self-stick from behind my bed and walked gently approached the door...

“Ahh!” I cover my ears when she yelled in surprise,

“F*CK you!”

 “Please don’t, hahaha. Are you lost baby girl?” Then put down my stick.

“Uh? I was just about to sweep my room so I took a broom from the kitchen. That's all there is to it.” 

“Are you aware that it is 2 a.m.?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Just admit you’re peeping on me.”

“Stop. I’m your teacher remember?”

“But I can teach you something too.”

“Pervert!”

“Uh? Ikaw lang nag-iisip ng masama. Bahala ka nga jan!” I turned on my back and back to bed pero naririnig ko ang pagsigaw niya.

“I practiced it since I had been in the United States for so long. I'm sorry for bothering you, but I've got a go!” And she hurried upstairs. Akala ko kukuha siya ng walis? Wala naman siyang dala. I get on my back and sleep.

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“Good day, students! We will begin our activity at exactly 8:00 a.m., so please stay calm and quiet while I was preparing these papers.” Niyuko ko ag ulo kasi Sandy at Alfonso hindi nanaman magtigil sa asaran nila. I snapped, 'Get a room.'

“All right, everyone please stand up and please remain silence as we walk on the pathway. Pupunta tayo sa closed gym para gawin itong activity.” Naglakad na kami at nag form ng circle as she says.

“Mam ano daw po yung circle sabi ni Sandy” Panunukso ni Alfonso kaya nagsimula nanaman ang World war four. When she handed me the papers, she merely grinned so big that it gave me odd chills. Is she avoiding what happened last night?

“All right, since everyone has the paper, I'll explain the game mechanics.”

 “Mam pwede daw po tagalog hindi daw naiintindihan ni Sandy, puro buhangin lang daw po kasi laman ng utak niya!” nanlilisik ang tingin niya kay Alfonso here comes the World War five.

“Hahahaha, okay. Sa binigay kong papel isusulat niyo ang pangalan niyo sa itaas then ipapasa natin sa katabi natin sa kaliwa.”

“Now move forward. On a piece of paper, write down one unique attitude, looks, or even your experience’s had with her/him. Pwede either positive or bad, but keep your language in check, okay? I'm allergic to foul language, and I don't like hearing or reading it.” Does that make sense? But she just spoke the F word to me last night.

“So, if I start counting pass the paper till your paper has been returned then pass it forward. Is that clear? I think it is much better kaysa isa isa ko kayong tawagin and tell me about yourself right?”

Then the counting started.

Wala kong maisip na maaaring maisulat sa mga papel nila ah? Ang unang napunta sa akin ay kay Sandy I wrote ‘hairy monkey’. I chuckled. Keith is an arrogant monkey whereas Carlos is a drooling monkey. Malapit nang matapos dahil nakita kong kay Alfonso na ang hawak ni Sandy, I saw her writing ‘alcoholic-retarded bish’ then pass the paper to me. Okay, next is Alfie na kanina ko pa hinintay I wrote stinky monkey, pooping monster, booger king, covers it and slam on his desk. Siguro nga puro unggoy tingin ko sa kanila hahahaha

“Bumalik na ba ang lahat ng papel? Please return on our classroom quitely.” Nag-ayos at ipinasa ang mga papel sa harapan. We are not allowed to peek at our papers since it is against the rules.

“Ngayon hawak ko na ang paper ng bawat isa, magbabasa ako ng tatlo hanggang lima na nakasulat sa paper ninyo. Kung alam mo na ikaw yung tinutukoy ko, tatayo ka at sasabihing ‘Legit ako yan!’ then explain bakit nila nasabi ‘yon sayo. But ang twist is kapag tumayo ka at hindi pala ikaw yon 10 points will be deducted to your recitation. Similarly, kapag hindi ka tumayo kahit ikaw yung dini-describe ko 0 points ka for this activity then may consequences. You will ask me bakit zero points naman Mam, that's because the purpose of the game should be to get to know you people, and if you don't know who you are, how can I remember you?” Sumang-ayon ang lahat kaya nagsimula na siyang mag shuffle ng papers at magbasa. So far out of 30 sampu na ang nakaka 100 points.

“So next, please no coaching okay? Who among you is thoughtful, pretty, and what is this hairy monkey? One more is ‘Black-Jamaican-Afro-beauty’, ang haba ah haha who are you?”

“Iisa lang naman dito ang naglo-lotion ng kapeng barako diba?” sabay tingin ni Alfonso kay Sandy.

“Siguro ikaw nanaman nagsulat non no? Palibahasa noong unang buhay mo tsinelas ka, yung nakatapak ng t*e!” At tumayo na si Sandy.

“Buti nga sinabi ko pang beauty eh? Masakit lang sa una pero sa huli may bawi tol,”

“Alcoholic-monkey---”

“Legit ako yan Mam. Alam ko namang bitter yung iba jan mamahalin kasi name ko. Ehe!” Naglakad na si Alfonso papalapit kay Mam para kuhanin yung paper niya.

“Mahal na ba yung 265 pesos’ ha? Alfonso Uno!”

“Mas mahal kita.” walang emosyon na sagot ni Alfonso kay Sandy kaya nagsigawan ang buong klase, I wonder if possibleng ma-develop ‘tong dalawang ito.

“So cute. Napakasarap magmahal hindi ba guys, hahahaha.”

“May mas masarap pa don Ma’am pero baka bata kappa par matutunan. Kidding!”

“Okay, Mr. Rossi. Anyway next and for the last one, sobrang obvious na nito ha?”

I'm so bored so I took out my phone and scrolled through my social media accounts.

“So far, this has received the best feedback pero piliin natin yung maganda i-explain——”

Oh? Is there a program for freshmen on Friday?

“First and foremost, he is a gentleman. When we were at a get-together, he picked me up, treated me to dinner, and even drove me home safely.' Wow, that’s so sweet----”

Ano to? Saturday class has been approved? Damn.

“Next momma's baby and soon to be my baby, which is a sweet thing naman. Big-eyed spy and ‘Yummy pa sa delicious.’ Hahahahaha. Stand up whoever you are para ma check kung totoo nga ba?”

This anime series seems fascinating; I'll have to watch it later. Oh? may program pala sa Friday for freshmen huh?

“Hey who are you?”

I wanna drool on this kare-kare uh. Makapagluto nga mamaya so I need to go to the grocery after school. Should I cook for 2? 

“I will count one to ten okay? Kung hindi ka tatayo you will get zero.”

Or just cook for myself. Naramdaman ko ang mga marahan na pag-sipa ni Sandy sa kinauupuan ko pero wala siyang sinasabi.

“Warning, no coaching or you’ll share the consequences.”

“Times-up!”

 Teka why do I care for her ba?

“Mr. Lafitte please stand up.”

Damihan ko nalang then, aayin ko nalang sila Carlos kumain mamaya. While I was on F******k, I heard Jollibee's advertisement…

"Mister Laffite." I glance to Prof. Lantana, who shouts,

“Kanina pa kita sinisipa di ka namamansin!”

"Can you kindly turn off your phone? Take your paper, you earned zero.” I approach her and take the paper she was holding.

“Be ready for the consequences.” I nod.

“What consequences?

“You will do an intermission number on the program, which will be performed in front of freshmen on Friday.”  

“I don’t want to. I have no talent to show.”

“Just do as I say.”

“Why would I?”

“Because you don't know yourself.”

“Yes, I know who I am” I heard my friends attempt to convince me not to start an argument,

“Don’t I deserve a second chance?”

“You must always do your best at first!”

“Did you?”

“Yes, but you have no right to question me. I’m your Professor here, you must follow my rules.”

“No, you aren't!”

“Wait a minute, child. You don't recognize yourself on our game.”

“Do you know who I am? You can't criticize me like that,” No one had the right to question my identification; I recall everything!

“You know what, ayoko gawin ‘to sa unang araw ng klase ko pero…”

“You don't know who I am!” I said as I slammed my paper on her desk. I was trembling; I was furious.

“You don't know me either,” she stated casually.

“I don't give a damn about your silly games!” And I turned away, I'll dismiss my class now.

“If you go out that door, be sure to visit the detention office.” I was stunned. Wait? Napasobra ba ako? Is she serious? No, sobrang magagalit ang parents ko and possibly baka nila bawiin ang bahay.

“I need to go to the restroom,” I replied, but I stopped to get some water. I need to take a deep breath and relax. I really need to cook dinner I made her mad.

I've been a puppet of my parents my entire life, and I can't afford to lose my freedom. I didn't bother looking at her as I got to our room. Alfonso isn't here, but I noticed him in the front carrying a large chart, or is it a calendar?

He waved, but my attention was fixed on the chart.

“Listen up, students; I've got a chart here. As you can see, it bears a number 1-105, which is the precise amount of dates for Madame Lhorie's Maternal Leave at ang pagsasama natin sa klase na’to. Bago ako umalis, I'd like someone to remember me as your temporary teacher here.”

“Aw. Mam huwag kana po umalis.”

“Dito nalang din po kyo magturo.”

“I wish I could. My sister enrolled me to pursue my master's degree abroad. Anyway, the objective of the chart is to treat the final one in which the name of the person is written on each number. Kung ikaw ang huli at pipirma sa ika-105 days, you will obtain anything from me. Begin immediately in accordance with your seating arrangements.” Hinatak ko paupo si Alfonso na tumayo pa para magbilang kung sino ang huling pipirma.

“Ako ang pang 105” masayang pagmamalaki ni Alfonso.

“Take note kahit absent ako you must have signed here pero ibang usapan kapag absent yung dapat pipirma mamomove yung schedule.” I doubt kung may aabsent sa school na to. One absent is one-week equivalent to community service. Inaya ko sila Mag-mall pero madami daw sila aasikasuhin kaya mag-isa kong binili ang kakailanganin ko sa dinner.

----------

“You were so aggressive earlier” Hindi ko siya nilingon, instead I pour some milk on my glass.

“That isn't good. Pinakiusapan ako ng parents mo to assist you here at your place and sa school hanggang nandito pa ako.”

“You know them?”

“We’re good friends.”

“Teka ilang taon kana ba?”

“I’m older than you.” I offer her milk but I saw her disgusted reaction.

“Are you allergic to milk?”

“Something along those lines. Anything with a high carbohydrate content.” Tumalikod na siya sa akin but I need to ask her this…

“Why were you listening in on my room last night?”  

“Be ready for your intermission next Friday,”

“But I don’t want to. I can’t sing or dance.”

“That’s not my problem you failed.”

“Hindi ba natin pwede pag-usapan?”

“Pulling out string huh? No.”

“It’s unfair! How about you do you recognize yourself in 3 words? Sobrang big deal ba sayo if you can’t remember me?”

“I’m your teacher don’t ask unnecessary things.”

“Yes at school but this is my house now!”

“You’re not sure.” Tumakbo na siya paitaas kaya hindi ko na narinig ang huli niyang sinabi. Pumasok nalang din ako sa kwarto ko. I'm curious if the school is aware that we shared a residence.

Is it fair because she is a family friend of mine? Living alongside our instructor was just terrible for me. Whatever it is, I'm hoping nothing bad occurs in the following 105 days.