The CANIS’s heart (English Version)

MAXINE navigated the muddy road towards the tricycle stop. It was the first day of classes and she couldn’t afford to be late. She was studying at Wilford University, a prestigious and renowned school where only the rich and famous could gain admission. She didn’t belong there. Her mother was a maid, and she had been serving the Alfonzos for ten years. She wanted to be annoyed. Not a single tricycle passed by when she was in a hurry, and the sky was starting to darken. Her frown deepened when a black car sped past her from behind. Mud almost splashed on her uniform. It was Beatriz’s car, the only daughter of the Alfonzo couple. The couple was kind, but Beatriz was the opposite. She was incredibly snobbish and arrogant. MAXINE immediately went to the restroom upon reaching Wilford. She carefully looked at her reflection in the mirror. She shook her head. She was just entering the university, but she looked like she was already going home. She wasn’t a rich kid who was chauffeured to

“TEACHER is coming!” a classmate of Maxine’s shouted the next day, running into the classroom. The students immediately straightened up in their seats. The room, previously buzzing with noise, fell silent. “Excuse me.” Maxine whispered to the girl next to her. “Do you know who our Law-1 instructor is?” “Miss Calupe.” “Ah, is she nice?” she asked again. But she didn’t expect the answer her classmate gave. “My God, you don’t know Miss Calupe?! She’s one of the terror instructors in this University. You’re so clueless, Maxine, we’re about to graduate!” She turned to the front, grimacing. She never understood her classmates’ behavior. “These students here are really crazy. I asked a simple question.” “What did you just say?” “Nothing. I said you’re beautiful.” “Indeed.” She smirked. “Just kidding. You actually believed me.” “Oh, you---” “Good morning, Ma’am!” Her classmate stopped talking as Miss Calupe arrived, though she still gave Maxine a finger sign. “Good morning!” Miss

THE day of Maxine’s camp finally arrived. Since the College of Management (COM) is composed of four courses, a bus for each course was used to transport them to the location, one of the most prestigious mountains in Sta. Monica where the camp would be held. “Wow!” Maxine exclaimed in awe as she gazed at the scenery from inside the bus. They were driving along the road at the foot of the mountain towards the location area. “Do you see that, Maxine?” Meghan asked in amazement, pointing to the palatial building perched on top of the hill. The two were sitting next to each other. “It looks like a palace.” “We’re getting close to the location area. Get ready. I think we’re only ten minutes away,” announced Miss Gillany. “Excuse me, Ma’am!” Meghan interjected, raising her hand. “Yes, Miss Bodegas?” “What is that building over there…? It looks like a palace.” All the students turned to look in the direction Meghan pointed. “That belongs to the Harrison family, the richest clan here in

AFTER a ten-minutes break, Maxine and the other students had to return to the hall, where they all gathered. “Okay participants, fall in line by course,” Miss Gillany announced. Everyone followed. “Sit on the ground,” she instructed. The students lined up and sat on the green grass. “Maxine, look,” Meghan whispered from behind Maxine. The latter followed and sat down. She looked in the direction Meghan pointed and caught Hevo looking at them. He smiled shyly and waved discreetly. “He seems to like you, huh,” Meghan teased. “You’re wrong. He’s just being nice to me…” “I don’t think so.” Meghan shrugged. “I bet.” “Whatever.” Maxine shook her head. They sat up straight as the microphone echoed. “Good morning students!” greeted the newly arrived instructor. “I will be your first speaker for this morning. By the way, I am Belsie Macalisang but you can call me, Ma’am Bellz.” She seemed nice, Maxine thought. “Actually, I just arrived from Europe yesterday for my research. I thought

THE COM management camp was a success. The students and some instructors were now heading back from the camp. “Hey, just wondering, where did you go yesterday? And why is your shirt torn?” Meghan confronted Maxine. As usual, the two were sitting beside each other. “I went for a walk. You’ve been asking that since yesterday. How many times are you going to ask?” Maxine said, not bothering to glance at her companion. “Hah! You’re hiding something, I knew it,” Meghan said unconvinced. “It’s just your imagination.” Maxine leaned back in her seat and decided to take a nap. The school bus would be leaving soon. She wanted to rest. “No---” “Hep! I’m going to sleep,” the girl interrupted Meghan, knowing that she would ask again. “I hate you,” Meghan muttered, rolling her eyes. “Same here,” she replied with a smirk. Even she was curious about the man who saved her. She knew their first encounter wasn’t good. She immediately judged him for his arrogance. But after he saved her yesterday