Dahlia's Lover

CHAPTER 04

Second Encounter

The ambiance of this classroom is comfortable. Even though the design is simple, it's clean and has a nice scent. Hindi masikip. Hindi mainit. There are six curtains in total, mint green in color. There's no airconditioner, only eight ceiling fans. Kulay beige ang mga upuan at lamesa nila at hindi magulo. Sa likuran nakalagay ang mga cleaning materials, such as mop, brooms, dustpans, rugs and others.

Twenty-six are the total numbers of my students. Fourteen girls, twelve boys. Kaunti lang iyon kaya visible sa paningin ko ang lahat. Binilang ko isa-isa at kumpleto sila. Complete outfit, identification card, and a positive vibe.

Seeing them for the first time made me imagine that I will surely create a happy and genuine bond with all of them.

I first did the attendance. In terms of memorizing, I'm good at it. Since twenty-six lamang sila, naging madali para sa akin na kabisaduhin ang kanilang mga pangalan.

I closed the record and looked at them.

"Okay, so if you have any questions, you can freely ask me. But, no personal questions please."

Half of them raised their hands. I slowly bit my lip because I can't choose who to call.

"Ilang taon na po kayo?" the girl with tiny curly bangs questioned me. Her long black hair was tied up and she had a clip sa magkabilang side, it's pink and purple. She's sitting in front that's why I noticed her immediately.

I smiled at her. She got those almond black eyes with a bright smiley face. "Uhm, Corinne right?"

Tinanguan ako nito. "Yes po,"

"I'm thirty,"

"Oh my gosh! Thirty? As in three-zero po?" hindi pa makapaniwalang tanong niya sa akin.

I laughed and nodded. "Yup,"

"Hala, mukha po kayong twenty." Naivelle Lauren said. She's sitting on the fourth row, sa gilid ng bintana.

Napahawak ako sa pisngi. Hindi ko inaasahan na iyon ang unang matatanggap ko na compliment. I don't know what to feel. Pumili na lang muli ako nang isa pa'ng estudyante na lalaki. I think his name is Miles Valentino. Nakaupo rin siya sa dulo at kasalukuyang nag-p-pen-spinning.

"Single po ba kayo?" he shouted it so loudly that the whole class cheered.

"Kapal ng mukha nito, oh!" said the girl who's beside him. Brianna Mendez is her name, I bet.

"First day pa lang tarantado na! Grabe na talaga, Levine!" dagdag naman ng isang chubby na batang lalaki, Hans Nueva. Nasa row two at unahan siya. He's eating a chocolate donut sa right hand and two boxes of donuts in the left hand.

I looked at the young man which they called Levine, he was leaning forward on the chair while looking at me. He's still spinning his pen. Waiting for an answer.

"Uh..." I was just going to answer when one of my students spoke. Pauline Mariani. She's a girl. Katabi niya si Corinne na unang nagtanong sa akin.

There's a lollipop stuck in her mouth. Sitting comfortably, with crossed arms and legs. "That's a personal question, stupid. Stop messing around, will you?"