Kissing My Kryptonite [GL-Sapphics]

Chapter 19 - Wind Of Change

KISSING MY KRYPTONITE

"Never again will I fall for your deception.." I breathed out, "Never again.."

"Sweetie! Are you okay?" my mom queried softly, and I fumbled with a nod as I saw her outside the washroom with Ma'am Navaeh.

Professor Cordova trailed close after, walking straight forward until Ma'am Navaeh pulled her back.

"The CU Vice president's wife," pormal na banggit ni Ma'am Navaeh saka iminuwestra si mom. Pareho sila ng suot na uniform ni Professor Cordova, at mukang work-related ang dahilan kung bakit sila sabay na narito.

Professor Cordova apologized, "I didn't intend to be rude, I didn't notice you pretty quickly madame," and they exchanged handshakes.

Nag-uusap sila na parang magkakilala na, it's not impossible because Professor Cordova holds a high position in Cambridge.

Ang stupid ko pa rin talaga na inisip kong kabit siya ni dad, it was so easy for me to judge her kasi hindi ko pa naman talaga siya kilala ng husto.

She is a living mystery, it's so hard to define her..she's a risk.

"It's alright, Miss Cordova. I wish you the best of luck to your flight to Palawan. Make Ph Cambridge University proud okay?"

"This is my first seminar-workshop, and Professor Rafa Eli Cordova is one of the most well-known speakers in that forum, so I'm confident she'll do really well," nakangiting sambit ni Ma'am Navaeh.

They're talking about the National Conference of University Librarians that will be held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan before Christmas break. Cambridge sent them to represent the school as I heard.

Hindi na ako masyadong nakisali sa usapan nilang tatlo dahil wala rin naman ako sa timpla, nakatayo lang ako sa likod ni mommy habang nakapamulsang nakikinig sa kanila.

"Before I forgot, can we have a group shot together Mrs. Veneracion? May mai-send lang ako kay Juke," Ma'am Navaeh took her phone up excitedly.

Magkasunod na tango ang sagot ni mommy after saying, "Sure."

Sa loob-loob ko ay medyo nataranta ako dahil katabi ko lang ang isang tahimik na propesor na kanina'y seryosong kausap ko, lilipat palang sana ako ng pwesto nang magsalita ulit si Ma'am Navaeh.

"Rafa, can you move closer? Lumagpas ka na sa frame, I can't spot you in my camera," Ma'am Navaeh pouted, kita nga sa phone niya, Professor Cordova is missing..muka pa ngang walang balak sumali if it's not for mom.

Akala ko hanggang ngayon, may pa 1 meter rule distancing pa rin siya.

Noong una kalmado pa 'ko kahit na ramdam na ramdam ko na 'yung presensya niya sa tabi ko at kitang-kita sa front camera ni Ma'am Navaeh ang nakakapasong pagdikit ng braso niya sa braso ko.

"I hope everything goes well today, I'm rooting for the both of you," nakangiting tugon ni mommy after the intense picture taking, ba't kasi may paganon pa? Lumayo ako agad pagkatapos, tahimik na napabuga ng hangin sa gilid.

Nagagalak na itinago ni Ma'am Navaeh 'yung phone niya sa bag saka ito ngumiti ng matamis, "Have a blast madame! We are looking forward to hearing about your trip! Meziah ha? waiting ako sa pasalubong all the way from Paris."

Tumango lang ako at payat na ngumiti.

"I hope you have smooth skies for your safe flight. Bon Voyage," Professor Cordova smiled without baring her teeth, when her glance brushed mine, I quickly averted my stare.

My mother keeps bringing up how lovely these professors are and how much they add meaningful value to the University after we all parted ways. And that is when I knew Professor Cordova is really a valuable asset to the school because of her significant contributions to its sterling reputation.