I saw Teacher Anthony. His hair was wet and he smelt of shave and manly perfume, like the scent he usually wore in school. My throat went dry. School. I had a class. I smiled at him and looked away. "Good morning, Sir." A smile curled in the corner of his lips. "Just call me Anthony. I am six years older than you but I don't like to hear you calling me Sir in this house." "Okay." I cleared my throat and looked at him sideways. "Are you going to school today?" His shoulders shrugged. "There's no class for today, Sydnee. The roads were full of waters from last night's thunderstorm and the authorities were still cleaning the roads. The principal cancelled classes for two days." Good news then. But when I took a glance outside the balcony, I remembered the little nipa hut. Was the storm swept clean the little hut? I hoped not. My parents were still there. "Let's go downstairs. I'll cook our breakfast and I'll return you to your home after." "No." I shook my head. "I don't want to go

"What? Did I surprise you that much?" I asked. "I can't help it." He grinned. "As you wish." His arm was still around my shoulder so I hastily wrapped my arms around his torso and looked up gently to meet his eyes. "Thank you for listening," I said. His thumb caressed my cheeks and his lips curved into a gentle smile. "Good night," he said. The warmth of his arm around my shoulders diminished as he put his arm down. I sighed and entered my room. I closed the door while staring into Anthony who was still standing in front of the door, scrutinizing me under his gaze. Only when the door closed that I exhaled a sharp breathe. I did not notice how I held my breathe while staring into his soft gaze. The air had changed around the corner of the school. More gazes fell on me as I walked in the school ground. My brows knotted in annoyance and curiosity. Why were they staring at me like I was a strange prey? "Have you heard the news?" a girl whispered to her companion sitting on the bench

I squinted my eyes on his face. I was right. There was a streak of tears on his cheeks and I was dumbfounded. It was my first time to see a man crying because of me. I looked away. "Stop blabbering. It's not your obligation to free my father from prison nor to provide for my tuition. But don't worry. I'll see it as a loan and I'll pay you in the future with the interest --" "I'm not charging you." He combed his hair using his hand and scoffed. "Your father was not a criminal. Lisa's father, the duke, wanted to put him to prison because your father was an upright man. They charged him fraud and planted fake evidences. Lisa was betrothed to me since childhood and they wanted us to wed when time come. I took that chance to seal a deal with the duke and my parents." His gaze on me soften. "I want to stay here to protect you but I can't do it when I'm gone." "Why are you doing this?" "Because Sydnee," he whispered and caressed my cheek. "When I first saw you, I fell in love with you. An

He failed to hug me the second time. "She's not someone who you should think about, Sydnee." But I turned around and looked at the horizon while my arms were crossed against my chest. I did not know why my heart pound with constant pain. I found it hard to breathe. Anthony hugged me from behind. My heart skipped a beat. And it pounded faster than usual. I gulped hard and whispered, "Tomorrow. I'll go back home tomorrow."HUMID air danced across me as I watched the little nipa hut at the distant. Anthony had dropped me here earlier. I just did not want my parents to think that I stayed with my teacher while I was away. That idea would freak them out. I breathe sharply and took a step ahead. Little by litle, my insides curled. I was not really ready to face them, but I wanted to get Anthony's approval. I knew that he wanted me to reconcile with my parents. There's a hard pound in my chest, and then it quicken and quicken until I was out of breathe. I stopped in my tracks to breathe

"Calm down," was all I could mutter as I stole a glance at the railing. Did I ever think of jumping on that odd cliff?Anthony was still in rage when we arrive at his house. I kept my mouth shut as I climbed my way to the stairs but I halted when he called my name. I was in the middle of the stairs. I turned ahead and looked down on Anthony who was squinting his eyes on me while his arms were folded against his chest. "Come here," he said. I could not figure out if he was still mad but the fine creased of his forehead told me that he was still upset. I gulped hard and descended down the stairs. I stopped in front of him and I did not bother to tip my head back to look at him. I heard him sigh. My body tensed when he reached for my shoulders and pulled me close to him. After a few seconds, I found myself hugging him back. His strong arms were around me and sometimes, his hands rubbed the small of my back and my nape to help ease the tension in my body. I relaxed in his hold. "Tell