Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Reya ran her way to the faculty room, where everyone else was at except for her. After taking the crayon from Thomas, she received a message from the Josephine telling her that she was running extremely late for the meeting.

She stopped in front of the door and took a series of deep breaths to calm herself down. Then she wiped away the small sweat on her forehead before twisting the doorknob open and stepping inside.

Suddenly everyone’s eyes were focused at her. 

“I see that you’re late again, Miss Fernandi.” Mrs. Santos, the dean, spoke.

Reya bowed her head down. “I’m sorry ma’am. I was not informed.” She apologized.

“Is that so?” Mrs. Santos replied. 

“How come that you are the only one who was not informed?” The dean asked sardonically.

From the tone of her voice, Reya knew that she was going to be reprimanded. Her eyes then shifted to one of her co-teachers, Krisha, who obviously looked pleased to see her getting in trouble.

“You are a part of the faculty of one of the country's prestigious universities, therefore you are compelled to uphold righteous and positive morals. Being late is not one of them!”

Having to be reprimanded in front of her colleagues, wounded Reya’s pride. 

“With all due respect ma’am, I know that I did something wrong but I do not deserve to be humiliated in front of my co-teachers.” Reya defended.

Yes, she is at fault and she acknowledges that, but that does not mean she deserves to be humiliated in front of everyone. Reya was in the verge of crying but she was stopping her tears by biting her lower lip and clenching her fist.

She must act strong; she should not allow people to belittle her.

“Are you saying that I’m wrong for discipling you?” Mrs. Santos responded.

“No ma’am. That is not what I intent to say.” Reya replied. “My point is that---”

Reya balled her fist and took a deep breath. If she continues to argue with her, she knows that her job will be at stake, but if she chooses to stay low, she will get more humiliated – either way she is bound to appear as the black sheep in the eyes of the people.

“Enough! You are suspended Miss Fernandi.” Mrs. Santos announced.

Reya took a took a deep breath and shook her head.

“I don’t understand ma’am. Why do I get suspended for defending myself?” Reya asked with a hint of pain in her voice.

The dean raised her brow and looked at her. “Are you questioning my judgment Miss Fernandi?” she questioned. 

“No ma’am.” Reya hopelessly breathed.

At that moment, Reya realized that no matter what she says she will not be able to redeem herself from being viewed as the enemy and save herself from the humiliation.

Why did I fail to notice that everything was getting too toxic? I was only trying to explain and defend myself yet I was made to look worse in the eyes of these people.

I used to love my job, but I cannot take this anymore.

-

On her way home, Reya took the bus and sat on the last seat. It was almost 10 PM, so there were only a few passengers on board. 

Reya leaned her head on the window and gazed at the starry night sky – feeling numb and helpless. She was already thinking giving up. 

Suddenly, tears started flowing down from her eyes. She is in too much pain that she no longer cares what the other passengers would think if they see her.

Was I wrong for defending myself?

Reya immediately wiped her tears away when her phone rang – her mother was calling.

“Hello Ma!” She answered in the jolliest way she could sound at that moment.

“Hello... I called to ask about the money for the fees.” Her mother answered from the other line. “When are you going to send the money? Your father is almost out of maintenance medicine, and your sister needs the money for her tuition.”

Reya bit her lower lip to stop her sobs from being heard. Listening to her mother asking her for money added daggers to her heart. 

She just went through getting humiliated, losing her job, and now reality is slapping her harder with the fact the she is nothing but a source of income for her family – a milking cow.

After the phone call, Reya could no longer stop her sobs. She cried and sobbed loudly in the bus. The other passengers were staring her but it did not bother her. They will never understand the pain that she is feeling right now.

When she arrived home, she immediately went straight to her bedroom to get some rest. Her housemates noticed that her eyes were a little puffy.

“Hey guys, I think Ate Reya is going through something.” Alliyah said while she helped Tammarah set the dinner table.

“She is.” Jiel replied as he placed the pitcher of juice on the coaster. “I heard from the faculty that she was humiliated by the dean.” He shared.

“I guess I made parfaits at the perfect time...” Gerieca spoke as she pointed at the parfaits that were being chilled in the refrigerator.

“They look mouth-watering.” Kaize praised.

The five of them made their way upstairs to knock at Reya’s door. They were like students who were pushing each other to enter the principal's office. At the end Kaize decided to take the responsibility.

She slowly lifted her hand to knock at the door while looking at the others hesitantly. 

“Ate? Can we come in?” She calmly asked.

The other were signaling her to continue by making hand gestures. Kaize scratched her nape and sighed, then she takes a deep breath and knocks again.

Reya hid herself under the comforter as she cried. She heard her friends knock, but she wants to be alone for now.

“A-I want some time alone...” Reya sobbed when she heard the door open.