Take Me Down, Professor (El Profesor #1)

Chapter 25

"Professor..." pagtawag ko sa kaniya. Ilang araw kong sinanay ang sarili kong tawagin siyang ganoon dahil ayokong madulas sa mga magulang ko at matawag siya sa pangalan niya. Ayokong isipin nila mom na may something sa aming dalawa ni Ismael.

"Honestly, forget about the professor," he quoted. "I prefer you calling me by my name."

I gasped. His assertiveness always leaves me in shock. Minsan, hindi ko na ma-take ang pagiging honest niya. Bawat salita ay nagdudulot ng kakaibang sensasyon sa puso ko.

"I need to, Ismael. I should call you Professor now that we're meeting my family. Aren't you nervous?"

"Nope. Why would I?" he confidently asked. How I wish I could be like him. Kasi ako ngayon, sukdulan na ang kaba sa dibdib. Kanina pa nga ako pabalik-balik sa CR dahil sa nerbyos. This is our first family gathering after my parents got divorced. Hindi ko talaga ma-gets bakit may ganito silang pakulo. Ano bang pumasok sa mga isip nila at parang pinagtutulungan nila ako?

Binuksan ni Ismael ang pinto ng kotse niya, kaya pumasok na ako. Akala ko'y isasara niya na ang pinto, pero nag-stay siya roon sa bukana para pagmasdan ako. Napatingin din tuloy ako sa kaniya. He's wearing a dark gray tuxedo, clean and neat. Mukhang bagong gupit din siya ng buhok. Pinaghandaan niya ba ang araw na ito?

Napansin kong tumagal ang pagtingin niya sa akin, kaya napatanong na ako. "What?" mataray kong sabi na naging dahilan ng pagtawa niya. Pansin kong palagi akong tinatawanan ng isang ito.

"I like that you're wearing a modest dress. It suits you," he commented. "No man can resist your beauty."

Sinara niya na ang pinto ng kotse para pumunta sa kabila at umupo sa driver's seat. Ako nama'y naiwang nakanganga habang sinusundan siya ng tingin. Sabihin niyo sa akin, may professor bang magsasabi ng ganoon sa kaniyang estudyante? Inaaning niya ba ako?

"Ready?" hirit pa niya bago ako sinulyapan. Shit. How come he's so gorgeous when he looks at me that way?

"Of course."

A couple of minutes had passed when we finally arrived at Black Gourmet, a fine dining restaurant here in the city of Lourdez. I don't know why my parents chose this restaurant when it is known to be expensive.

"Let's go?" he inquired. I flinched when he held my waist. Napalingon ako sa kaniya kung kaya't mas lalo akong napalapit sa kaniya. Saglit na nawalan ako ng hininga dahil sa ginawa niya. He's always giving me tension, which makes me panic. He's so good at this—leading me to insanity.

I gave myself a secret snap and tried to push him away. "Professor, would you mind taking your hands off of me?"

"Of course, I know you'll ask the other way around later anyway," he whispered. What the fuck is he talking about?

Pinakawalan niya naman aki at hinayaang maglakad papasok sa loob ng napaka-eleganteng restaurant. Mukhang mamahalin. Kahit siguro alabok dito ay ginto.

"Good evening, Madam and Sir. May I know if you have any reservations for tonight?" tanong ng receptionist.

"Under Mr. Alvandra," sagot ko.

"This way, Madam...Sir." The receptionist led us to our table, and to my surprise, naroon na silang lahat—my father, my mother, Joth, and Roxsielle. They are wearing sophisticated outfits, especially Roxsielle which made me amazed by her beauty.

"At last, your sister is here. Is that guy you were talking about, son?" tanong ni dad na hindi man lang ako binati o pinaupo. Mabuti na lang at hinila ni Ismael ang upuan para paupuin ako.

"Yes, dad," sagot ni Joth bago tumingin kay Ismael. "Care to introduce yourself?"

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Why do they act like this? They are so fucking rude towards my guest.