"Good morning students of Mechanical Engineering- Block 1A!" Octav greeted us with his intimidating aura.
"Good morning, Sir!"
Bumati pabalik ang aking mga blockmate samantalang ako ay nanatili lamang na nakatingin kay Octav.
I can't believe that the man I talked to last week, the man who was making fun of me and the man who got my books is a professor. Worse is he was in front of me!
Umupong muli ang mga blockmate namin kaya tahimik na rin akong umupo habang hindi pa rin makapaniwala. How come that he was not replying on my text messages?
Pagkatapos ay nasa harapan ko siya dahil isa siya Professor namin?!
Nakakahiya tuloy dahil alam niyang umiinom ng alak!
He smiled in front of us and looked around and the moment our eyes met, he immediately diverted his gaze.
Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang irapan siya. Malayo naman ang upuan ko sa unahan kaya naman ay ayos lang.
Nakakapanggigil siya! Nandiyan pa sa kaniya 'yong mga libro ko eh!
"Did you ever think that the day passed so quick?" he asked, but no one answered his question. Then he smiled again in front of us, "Ang daling lumipas ng panahon dahil isa na kayong estudyante sa Pamantasan ng Bikol at isa nang ganap na kolehiyo," he added.
"You all probably met a lot of new people came from different part of Albay or Bicol. Am I right or correct?"
At dahil sa kaniyang huling sinabi ay napangiti ang mga kaklase ko. I was just looking intently at him and waiting for him to look at me.
"And since we are new to each other, kindly introduce yourself." he commanded and smiled at us.
Nagsimulang magpakilala ang nasa unahan at tatango-tango naman siya kapag natatapos ito. He also asked us if why did we chose this coursw instead of others. And I feel so dumb because of my blockmates' answers.
Their answer was really amazing because some of them also wanted to pursue being a pilot after taking this course. Ang iba naman ay gustong magbenta ng mga sasakyan kapag nagkaroon na sila ng sapat na pera.
While some answers were really inspiring because they find Mechanical Engineering interesting and a challenging course.
"Thank you! That was a great reason of why did you chose Mechanical Engineering." saad ni Octav at ngiting-ngiti dahil napakaganda ng pagpapakilala ng isa sa mga kaklase ko.
Upon hearing my blockmates, I feel so left behind and out of place here. Eh paano naman kasi ay ang gaganda ng mga rason nila samantalang ako ay hindi makaisip ng magandang rason.
My only reason was because I followed my Mama's dream course.
Nakakahiya sa harap nila, lalo na at dalawa na lang ay ako na ang susunod!
I was already practicing in my head on what should I say and how should I introduce myself. Kung ano ba ang unang sasabihin ko. I know that I can say my name in my head but I'm pretty nervous that I can't say it properly later.
At nang matapos na ang katabi ko sa upuan ay tumayo na ako ngunit nakakainis dahil pinigilan ako ni Octav.
"What's your name, Ms.?" he asked me as if we don't really know each other.
Ang galing niyang magpanggap ah!
"I'm Savannah Caroline po," I answered and forced a smile at him.
Kahit gusto ko na siyang irapan ay hindi ko magawa. Baka mamaya ay bigla niyang lagyan ng automatic na singko ang grades ko!
"You didn't greet me 'good morning' earlier, so your the last one who will introduce yourself." he strictly said and smiled at me.
Ngunit alam ko namang pekeng ngiti iyon! And I know that he was just making fun of me!
Nanahimik tuloy ang mga kaklase ko dahil sa sinabi niya dahil napaka-estrikto niyang prof kung magsalita.
A sarcastic Prof, but he can't lie on me!
"Noted, Sir." I said and sat back on my chair, but what surprised me was his instruction on how will I introduce myself.
"But you're going to stand here in front, introduce yourself like telling us your name, age, address, talents or hobbies and why did you chose Mechanical Engineeeing." he explained.
Ngunit talagang nang-iinis siya dahil may idinagdag pa siya!
"And tell us the thing where you compared yourself." he added.
Nakakatangina talaga siya, eh 'no?!
Ito na ba ang kabayaran sa pangsusuplada ko sa kaniya?!
But damn him because as far as I know, I didn't do anything that will offense him huh?!
"But, Sir?" I complained.
Where in fact, I know that I can't do anything with his instructions!
"Next," sambit niya at binalewala ang nais ko pang sabihin.
Nagpakilala na tuloy ang susunod sa akin at nakakainis man ngunit wala na akong magagawa.
I never thought that my lame reason on why did I chose this course was as just lame of why did he punished me! Hindi ko lang naman siya nabati ng good morning ay ganoon na?
Hindi naman yata siya masyadong sentimental person sa good morning na 'yan ah?!
At nang matapos na nga ang pinakahuli sana bukod sa akin ay tumayo na ako. I badly wanted to rolled my eyes on Octav yet I'm scared that he would punished me even more.
I stood straight and nervously smiled in front of my classmates. At kahit na college student na ako ay hindi ko maiwasang mangatog ang aking mga tuhod dahil sa nasa harapan ko ang mga kaklase ko. Unang araw ay napahiya kaagad ako!
"To my fellow Mechanical Engineering students- Block 1A, science enthusiast, mathematicians, and to our handsome and lovely Professor, Sir Octavius Reggie Marquez, good morning!" I nervously said and I even looked at Octav for me to formally greet him.
Nagulat pa ang mga kaklase ko dahil sinabi ko ang buong pangalan ng Prof namin dahil hindi pa naman siya nagpapakilalang talaga. I smirked on thier reactions.
"I am Savannah Caroline Teodoro, residing somewhere here in Albay where my Tita's house located. You can call me Sav for short and I am seventeen years old." I tok a deep breath while saying those words.
Shocks! Kabado pa rin talaga ako!
"What are your hobbies or any of talents like singing?" tanong sa akin ni Octav kaya napatango ako habang hindi man lang siya binabalingan ng tingin.
"I can't say any specific of my hobbies, and I can't guarantee you that I have a special talent but yeah, I can sing." I forced a smiled at them.
Ngumiti rin naman sila at hindi ko alam pero medyo nawala na ang kaunting kaba na mayroon ako nang ngitian nila ako.
"Choosing mechanical engineering wasn't really in my choices. Well, in fact, I don't have any choice to choose from any of courses because I'm still figuring out myself. I chose this course because this was my mother's dream course way back then. And to honestly tell you, I am not as smart as you think because I am just a middle class student."
"What's the thing that you can compare yourself to?" tanong ulit sa akin ni Octav.
"The best specific thing that I can compare to myself was a book, because just like a book, I am the author of my story. My story only runs within myself with the help of others or authors that supports me all the way until I reached my dreams. I am the protagonist itself and I am capable of the things that happened on my story where I can freely choose of what I wanted in life." I explained.
It feels fantastic upon saying those words in front them.
"And just like the story on a book, my novel story wouldn't be completed if there was no hindrances and problems in my life. But ofcourse, I believe that every problems that comes in my way was going to be solved." I added and looked at Octav.
Yeah, I mean Sir Octav.
He was already smiling at me as if he likes my answer to his question.
"Dati ka bang, Ms. Beauty Queen?" tanong niya kaya agaran akong umiling sa kaniya. "Or have you joined on one of a beauty contests?" he asked me again,but I shook my head.
Namilog ang kaniyang mga mata na tila ba ay nagulat siya sa aking sinabi. Bakit ano ba ang mayroon sa sagot ko at ganiyan siya makapag-react? Akala mo naman ay napakaganda talaga ng sagot ko.
"I like your answer, Ms. Teodoro." aniya kaya bumalik na ako sa aking inuupuan at saka nakinig naman sa kaniya.
"Standing in front of you is Mr. Octavius Reggie Marquez, but you can call me Sir Octav na lang." panimula niya kaya tahimik naman kaming klase niya na nakinig sa kaniya.
"I am 5 years older than you and I am here to discuss with you all about the Modern College Algebra subject. The truth is I am not really your supposed to be professor in this subject, but one of my known person here recommended me to apply here in Bicol University as one of the Professor." nakangiti niya pang dagdag.
Umupo siya sa teacher's chair at saka nginitian kami.
"I am happy and proud to greet you all with congratulations because you all made yourself to be here in my class in Mechanical Engineering. Maybe one of you are still wondering why did you made to be here, well it's because this is where you belong." he explained and smiling througj out jis introduction.
"I am your professor here in Modern College Algebra and my name is Octavius Reggie Marquez," he said and looked at me.
Tila pinigil ko tuloy ang aking paghinga dahil ngayon lang niya ako tiningnan. "And you can call me, Sir Octav or Mr. Marquez for formality." aniya habang nakatingin sa akin kaya napalunok ako.
Pakatapos niya akong titigan nang matagal ay ngumiti siya pagkatapos sa aking mga kaklase na parang wala siyang ginawa sa akin na makapagpigil hininga.
Pagkatapos nang mahabang introduce yourself ay nagbigay siya ng pre-test sa amin. And I was worrying about my score because I wasn't able to answer most of the questions. Kaya naman ay natapos ako nang maaga sa exam na 'yon.
"Don't pressure yourself in answering the test. Remember that it is just a pre-test." tugon niya habang nakatingin ako sa may bintana at inaalala kung paano ko nga ba ito masasagutan.
Limot ko na kasi ang distance formula at ang midpoint formula. Mga ilang minuto rin ay may nagpasa na ng test sa unahan kaya naman ay ipinasa ko na ang aking papel kahit hindi naman ko naman nasagutan ang iba.
I don't want to pressure myself answering it. Baka ma-stress lang ako lalo dahil sa pagpilit ko na masagutan lahat nang 'yon.
And just after taking our pre-test ay nag orientation lang siya sa subject na kaniyang ituturo. And while I'm looking at him, my mind still can't promise that he was in front of me.
Napakalabog ang aking puso nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko na nasa loob ng aking bag. My classmate's attention immediately diverted from Sir Octav to me. Napapikit ako at hinihintay ang cellphone kong matigil sa pag-ring at hindi alam ang gagawin.
I thought the one who was calling me ended calling me, yet I was wrong. Tumunoh muli iyon kaya napunta na naman sa akin ang atensyon nila.
"Ms. Savannah, can't you silent your phone?" Octav strictly told me.
Dalu-dali ko tuloy na kinuha ang aking cellphone at tiningnan kung sino ang tumatawag at si Kennedy lang naman pala 'yon.
"Answer the call, Ms. Savannah. You're excused," Octav seriously said and handed the door.
Tumayo tuloy ako at naglakad palabas ng classroom. Kailangan ko pang lumayo sa ibang classroom kaya pumunta na lang ako ng comfort room para roon ko makausap si Kennedy.
"Bakit ka ba napatawag?" may halong irita ang aking boses pero napatawa lang sa kabilang linya ang babae.
"Hey! Calm down first, Sav. Ang highblood mo naman yata?" natatawa niya pang saad kaya napapikit ako.
"We have a classes, Kennedy!" irap ko lahit hindi niya naman ako nakikita. "Nakakahiya kay Octav, siya pa naman ang professor namin tapos tumawag ka pa!" I said in frustration.
"Ha? Sinong Octav?" taka niyang tanong sa akin.
"Limot mo na ba kaagad siya? Iyong vocalist ng banda noong pumunta tayo sa Magayon Festival!" I told her.
Narinig ko pa ang kaniyang pag-ohh na katulad ko ay nabigla rin kanina.
"You're blockmates?" she asked me, but I shook my head even though she can't see me.
"No, he's my Prof. Modern College Algebra ang subject namin sa kaniya. At nakaka-bwesit siya dahil nasa kaniya pa 'yong libro ko pagkatapos ay malalaman kong Professor pala namin siya!" ani ko at inis dahil sa mga nalaman ko kay Octav.
"Wait, what? Anong libro ang sinasabi mo?" tanong niya pa sa akin kaya napahinga ako nang malalim.
I wad being talkative again.
"I'll tell the whole story next time. May klase pa kami!" I told her and without further a do, I ended the call.
Nang pabalik na ako sana ako sa classroom ay nakasalubong ko na si Octav kaya naman ay nakayuko lang ako habang naglalakad. I was really embarassed in front of him earlier.
Ang ayos pa naman ng first subject namin kanina pero nabago lahat nang siya na ang second subject namin!
"Hey!" pumiglas ko nang biglang may humigit ng kamay ko at hinila ako.
Ang akala ko pa naman ay matutumba ako ngunit nang pagmuklat ng aking mga mata ay siya na naman ang nakita ko.
"Shhh," he warned me, so I didn't shout.
"Ano bang kailangan mo?" galit kong tanong sa kaniya.
Binu-bwesit niya talaga ang Lunes ko ah!
"Shut up or else your co-students will know that we knew each other." mariin niyang salita kaya tumahimik na ako at tiningnan siya nang masama.
"I'm here to personally apologized, okay?" kalmado niyang saad pero inirapan ko lang siya. "Kung ayaw mong malaman ng mga kapwa mo estudyante rito ay makikinig ka lang sa sasabihin ko."
Tumango lang ako sa kaniya ngunit inirapan ko pa rin siya. Guess who was in front of me?
It was fucking Octavius Reggie!
"Ano ba kasi ang sasabihin mo? Hindi naman yata ilegal na mag-usap tayong dalawa bilang estudyante mo 'di ba?" I furiously asked him.
At nang maalala ko na naman ang libro ko sa kaniya ay nanlaki ang mga mata ko at sisigawan na sana siya ngunit kaagad niya rin namang natakpan ang bunganga ko. I looked at him intently. Mabuti na lang at nandito kami sa may tagong parte ng building ng Mechanical Engineering kaya walang ibang makakakita kung hindi kaming dalawa lang.
"Huwag kang mag-alala, nandito pa rin ang libro mo sa akin." tugon niya sa akin habang nasa bibig ko pa rin ang kaniyang kamay. "I'll explain my side when we talked in another time, but this time, we can't talk about it." aniya at pinalawalan na ang aking bibig.
"Just give it to me, okay?" inis kong sambit sa kaniya. "I was constantly sending you text messages, but you were not responding. Isa ka ring ghoster ano?" I mocked him.
Ngunit imbes na magalit siya ay napangiti pa siya sa akin.
"I didn't say you laugh!" irap ko sa kaniya.
Nginitian niya lang ako ng matamis saks siya nagsalita, "We'll talk later after your morning class. Alas dos pa naman ang pasok mo kaya makakapag-usap pa tayo." saad niya at tumalikod na sa akin ngunit may sinabi pa siya.
He even gestured a flying kiss towards me. At napasimangot na lang ako sa ginawa niya.
"I'll text you later, let's talk!"