Kissing My Kryptonite [GL-Sapphics]

Chapter 38 - Training

KISSING MY KRYPTONITE

"The SSC National Leadership Training is taking place in Baguio City?" I sink in my seat after reading the email.

I'm in Casa Grandé today, and traveling to Baguio City will take me a long time to get there. Blain called to say she couldn't make it to the training. Cash's Gallery gala was rescheduled, so I was obliged to be sent to Baguio or risk leaving Professor Cordova on her own.

"Ano'ng sabi niya? Nagalit ba?" right now, I'm speaking with Blain via phone call. My buttocks, and my neck muscles are starting to get hurt from driving for so long. Some roads were closed off and my car nearly broke down, kaya mas lalo akong natagalan.

"She reprimanded me, I told her na hahabol ako pero sabi niya 'wag na raw akong pumunta kasi hindi niya na raw ako kailangan."

"Okay, I'll be there in a jiffy.."

I've been to this city numerous times, so it was easy for me to locate the event venue, which is one of Baguio City's largest national convention halls.

Inside my car, time after time I think about my constant reminder I made for myself: to keep everything professional and work-related throughout this one-week leadership training. The easiest way to do this is to pretend she's just my SSC Adviser, someone I barely know, and that I have no romantic feelings for her.

"Ezra Meziah Y. Veneracion from Cambridge University," nagmamadali kong saad, mag-iisang oras na akong late at hindi magandang impresyon 'yon para sa isang Cambridge's SSC President.

"I'm sorry wala po sa guest list ang pangalan niyo, ma'am. According to the record, Blain Finnegan should be the SSC Student, accompanied by Professor Rafa Eli Cordova, the SSC Adviser," says the woman who, I believe, supervises the visitors' arrivals.

"Blain Finnegan is my Vice President, she's supposed to represent me, but circumstances have changed so I am here."

"Give me a minute to confirm, ma'am," she says as she picks up the phone and calls my university.

I walk back and forth, looking at my watch. Professor Cordova hates students who arrive late for class, and much more so in serious events like this-I'll be in big trouble.

Ang bagal mag-asikaso 'nung babae kanina, sana hindi ko na lang ginamitan ng charm ko dahil 'yon pa yata ang nagpalito sa kanya kaya ang tagal niya.

Tumigil ako sa may desk para pumirma for our attendance, akala ko 'nung una ako lang ang late pero may nakasunod sa 'kin. I don't have anything with me seriously kahit pen lang kaya kinapalan ko na lang ang muka kong kausapin ang babaeng kasama kong kanina pa naghihintay matapos ako.

"May I borrow your pen?" my jaw fell after seeing her familiar face.

She doesn't seem stunned, possibly because she saw me first.

"Did you miss me?" she projects eyebrow, her fingers carefully twirling her long curly black hair.

"Do I know you?" I mirrored her bitchy face. Does she really think I was checking her out? Well, she's wearing a too-revealing crop top, but that wasn't what kept me silent as I studied her face. Naalala ko kasi 'yung muka niya at kung ano'ng naging ugnayan ko sa kanya noon pero hindi pa rin ang pangalan niya.

I recall hooking up with this spoiled brat for a one-night stand, then seeing her next week at Cambridge University, where she sort of disrespected Professor Cordova. Iyan ang rason bakit pilit ay naalala ko pa siya, dahil sa matapang na pagsagot-sagot niya kay ma'am na hindi ko nagustuhan.

"Oh, Ezra Meziah Y. Veneracion a.k.a. snowbear," she clicks her tongue, her gaze spreading to my whole body. "Mukang wala ka pa ring pinagbago? You look hotter nonetheless, and I'm glad to know you're finally taking your life seriously in that university, SSC President?"