Chapter 4 – Petty Fight

I knew. I actually knew the question he was asking, it's just I didn't know the answer because I wasn't paying attention lately.

“Quiet, class! And Mrs. Montemayor, could you please be serious?” I just nodded. Galit nanaman siya kahit wala namang mali sa sinabi ko.

“Again, tell me how constitutional law impacts the relationship between the government and its citizens?”

“Ah—I don't know the answer” I honestly answered but the whole class began to laugh again, kumunot nga ang noo ko.

“Are you kidding me, Freya?” prof jay asked in a serious tone, nakakainis! hindi naman kasi ako nagjojoke.

“No prof. Hindi ko talaga alam yung sagot kasi hindi ako nakikinig kanina. But if you want me to answer your question in my own understanding, the constitutional law promotes accountability and transparency in governance. If the government oversteps its bounds, citizens can seek redress through the courts” magkasalubong na kilay kong paliwanag buhat sa iritasyon. Suddenly, everyone in the class smiled, even prof jay couldn't help but to smile. Gagi, may saltik ba sila?!

“Exactly, Mrs. Montemayor. Constitutional law is essential in maintaining the balance of power and safeguarding individual liberties”

“What the— I actually guessed it right” I thought to myself, maski ako ay nagulat din sa aking sarili.

After that, the lecture went on, prof jay's words filling the room until the bell rang na siya ngang nagpapahiwatig na uwian na namin.

“Good bye, prof”

“Thank you for teaching us, prof jay” kanya-kanyang aniya nang mga kaklase ko bago sila tuluyang lumabas ng silid.

It was just me and prof jay left in the classroom. He's packing up his laptop and the HDMI cable he used earlier. After two hours of his straight talking, I didn't bother trying to talk to him, paniguradong natutuyo na ang lalamunan niya at namamaos.

“Where are you going?” biglang tanong niya nang lalabas na sana ako sa classroom para bilihan siya ng tubig sa cafeteria. “Bibilhan ka ng water” I said, directly. Dahan-dahan niya namang inihakbang ang kanyang mga paa patungo sa kinatatayuan ko.

“Just stay here” he whispered to my ear, his voice a little rough as he hugged me tight, “I've missed you” he added like we hadn't just seen each other in class. “Paos kana oh” I spoke in a concerned tone but he just kissed my cheek with a smacking sound that made me laugh softly. “Don't worry about me, ali. I'm fine hmm?”

“Okay sabi mo eh”

“Did I really distract you earlier?” he said with a chuckle, his voice low and sweet.

I smiled, “yes, a lot,”

“Let's go now, ali” I added, pulling away from our hug. Baka may makakita pa sa'min na nagcocuddle rito edi mas nakakahiya.

I turned around to leave. Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, nagulat ako at namula ng bahagya dahil sa kilig.

He nestled his head into the curve of my neck.

Unti-unting nagtataasan ang mga balahibo ko dahil sa malalim niyang paghinga. “Stop, baka may makakita sa'tin” suway ko nga sa kanya.

“Don't mind them” he whispered as he continue planting kisses on my neck, nag iwan din siya ng pulang marka sa leeg ko. “Prof jay, stop na” I shuttered again. I immediately grab his hand that was about to slip inside my blouse, wala talaga siyang paawat.

“Fine, I love you, Ali” he whispered, gently to my ear.

“I love you, Freya” he repeated, as if he was asking for an I love you too from me. Hindi ako mahilig magsabi ng ganoon dahil nacricringe ako, I believe that actions speak louder so I turned my head to face him, idinampi ko ang aking labi sa kanya pero smack lang.

“sus, kunwari ka pang galit kanina, eh gusto mo namang iniisip kita palagi” I pouted that makes him smile, “Tss.. you're pretty cute, wife”

“By the way, who gave you that energy drink earlier?” he suddenly asked, napatingin ang mga mata niya sa sting na nakapatong sa mesa.

“Si Ria”

“Okay, I don't want to see you drinking that sting ha? it's not good for you” paninigurado niya.

“Opo” nakangiting sagot ko.

Tinapon niya sa basurahan yung sting na binili ni Ria para sa akin bago kami tuluyang lumabas sa classroom na iyon. We only have half-day classes on Mondays so my brain won't be too rusty today.

As we were walking to his office,

nakasalubong namin si Meekho, nakangiti itong pinagsasalit-salitan ang tingin sa amin ni Arjay, kupal talaga. I smiled back at him. He tried to high-five me but before our hands could touch, prof jay suddenly grabbed my wrist. “Who's this guy?” he asked in a cold tone.

Ayan nanaman siya, lahat nalang pinagseselosan.

“He's just my friend” sagot ko.

“Hello, ako po si Meekho" my friend still managed to smile despite of prof jay's dark, intense stare, hindi alintana kung mabugbog siya ng asawa ko eh.

“Stay away from my wife, or else I'll kill you” prof jay threatened while gripping Meekho's collar. Hindi nanaman ako makagalaw mula sa aking kinatatayuan. Bakit ba siya ganyan?!

I could feel everyone's eyes on us and I didn't want to be the center of attention. Hindi naman ako maganda para magustuhan ng mga lalaki dyan.

“Let's go, Ali” buong lakas kong hinila si prof jay papalayo sa kaibigan ko, mabuti nalang at hindi mahilig makipag-away si Meekho kung hindi, baka nagbugbugan na talaga sila.

“Is he really your friend? I saw you two together lately, at the bench.” prof jay said, his voice laced with anger. So all this time, pinapanood niya ako?! “Ikaw ba yung nagbigay ng jollibee sa'kin kanina?” naninigurado kong tanong.

“Just answer my question first” he stated coldly, his grip on my arm tightening. “A-aray, masakit na” I complained as we entered his office.

“I swear, I'll kill that man if he approaches you again” mabilis ang paghinga niya, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ba siya nagagalit eh wala naman akong ginagawang masama.

Totoo namang kaibigan ko lang si Meekho.