Chapter 5 Continuation "The lecture"

May nag vibrate sa aking Cellphone "Status?" Isang maikling text mula sa isang unknown number. I didn't need to check the sender to know who it was. My handler was getting impatient.

"On my way," reply ko bago tuluyang i-delete ang thread.

Pagdating sa gate ng academy, dumaan ako sa security scanner. My heart did a little somersault nang tumapat ang bag ko sa X-ray, pero as expected, the custom lining did its job. My gadgets remained undetected.

"Your late," sabi ng guard, his eyes narrowing as he looked at my ID.

"Sorry, po. Traffic sa expressway," I gave him my best 'innocent student' smile while my mind was already mapping out the hallway behind him.

Huminto muna ako sa harap ng pinto para kumuha ng malalim na hininga. I adjusted my uniform. With one last look at my reflection sa screen ng phone ko, pinihit ko ang door knob.

The heavy wooden door creaked open, and suddenly, the sound of Prof. Drake lecture stopped. Every head in the room turned toward me. Awkward.

"Nice of you to join us, Ms. Reyes," Prof. Drake said, He was leaning against his desk, looking every bit like the strict, intimidating professor na kinatatakutan ng lahat.

"The academy’s gates close at 8:00 AM sharp. My clock says it's 8:15. Care to explain why you're operating on 'Filipino Time' today?"

"Traffic po, Sir. Heavy collision sa south diversion Road," I lied smoothly.

"Traffic" he repeated, finally looking up. His sharp blue eyes felt like they were scanning me, searching for any sign of a lie. "In this line of work, a 15-minute delay. Sit down before I change my mind about letting you stay."

Dali-dali akong naglakad papunta sa bakanteng upuan sa dulo. As I passed by the other students, I could feel their judgmental stares. I don't care.

I sat down and pulled out my tablet, pretending nanakikinig sakanya.

Since this is a part for everyone medical degree, I expect more than just memorization. I expect precision. Today, we discuss the Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Reproductive System."

"The reproductive system is the only system in the body that is not essential to the survival of the individual, but it is vital for the survival of the species, It involves complex hormonal interactions and specific anatomical structures designed for one goal fertilization."

Drake stopped right in front of my desk.

"Ms. Madrigal," he said, using my undercover name with a clinical coldness that made my skin crawl. "Since you were so preoccupied with traffic this morning, I assume you’ve had plenty of time to mentally prepare for today's topic."

He point against the diagram of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems on the board.

"Explain the physiological process of the Menstrual Cycle, specifically the role of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis. Which hormone triggers ovulation, and what happens to the ruptured follicle immediately after?"

Everyone turned to look at me. I felt the weight of my hidden laptop in my bag the one containing the encrypted files I’d swiped last night. My brain was a mess of code and algorithms, and now he wanted me to talk about hormones.

"I... I'm sorry, Sir," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. "I wasn't able to review." sagot ko nanakayuko

"You didn't review?" Drake repeated. The way he said it made my heart sink. He stepped closer, his polished shoes clicking against the floor. "Ms. Madrigal, as a scholar of this institution, you are held to a higher standard. Your tuition is paid for by people who expect excellence, not excuses about traffic."

"The reproductive system," pagpapatuloy ni Drake habang naglalakad pabalik sa gitna continue to teach blah blah blah."

"Class dismissed," maikling anunsyo ni Prof. Drake. Hindi man lang siya tumingin sa amin habang inaayos ang kanyang gamit sa harap.

"Except for Ms. Madrigal. Follow me to my office. Now."

Napatigil ang ilang kaklase ko at binalingan ako ng mapanghusgang tingin. Rinig ko ang bulungan nila bago sila tuluyang lumabas.

"Patay... mukhang tatanggalan na ng scholarship." Sabi ng lalaking kung klasmeyt

Huminga ako nang malalim at binitbit ang bag ko. Sumunod ako sa kanya sa hallway. Ang bawat hakbang ng sapatos niya ay tila tunog ng hatol sa akin. Pagdating sa tapat ng pintuan ng opisina niya, binuksan niya ito at pumasok. Papasok narin sana Ako ng sinara niya. Tsk kala mo kung sino.

IN THE PROFESSOR'S OFFICE

Pumasok ako at dahan-dahang isinara ang pinto. Ang loob ng opisina niya ay tulad niya malamig, organisado, at intimidateng. Puno ng makakapal na libro tungkol sa medisina ang mga shelf, at may mga anatomical models sa gilid.

Umupo siya sa kanyang swivel chair at itinuro ang upuan sa harap ng desk niya. "Sit down, Ms. Madrigal."

Umupo ako nang matuwid, pinipilit na huwag ipakita ang inis

"I’ve looked into your records," simula niya habang binubuksan ang isang folder. "You have a spotless academic history. High marks in all subjects. A consistent top performer. Kaya hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit sa klase ko, para kang lutang. Being late is one thing, but being completely unprepared for a fundamental topic like the Reproductive System? That’s unacceptable for someone in your position."

Sir. I promise it won't happen again," sagot ko, nakayuko pa rin.

Inilabas niya ang isang pirasong papel at inilapag sa harap ko. "This is a formal warning. Isang pagkakamali pa, I will gonna failure you at I gonna make sure na mapaalis ka dito sa university. Unless you marry me.

Natigilan ako. Halos hindi ako makahinga sa narinig ko. Dahan-dahan kong iniangat ang paningin ko sa kanya, naghahanap ng kahit anong senyales na nagbibiro lang siya. Pero seryoso ang kanyang mukha malamig at walang emosyon.

"P-po?" nautal kong tanong. "Sir, hindi ko po naiintindihan. Bakit ako?"

Isinara niya ang folder sa harap niya nang may pinalidad. "Huwag kang mag-isip nang kung ano-ano, Leslie. This is purely a business arrangement to satisfy my grandfather’s ridiculous demands. He wants me married, and to be honest, you're the most convenient choice."

Tumingin siya sa akin mula ulo hanggang ilalim, at may dumaang saglit na pangungutya sa kanyang mga mata. "Besides, I know I'll never have to worry about falling in love with someone like you. It makes the contract much simpler."