Every Bad Thing

Chapter Thirteen

Kumatok ako sa faculty room bago binuksan ang pinto at sumilip sa loob. There were a few teachers inside. Nakaupo sa sari-sariling cubicle. Hinanap ng mga mata ko ang adviser namin.

Bigla akong tinamaan ng kaba nang makita siyang nakaupo sa harap ng isang table at nagla-laptop. Nilakihan ko ang pagkakabukas ng pintuan at umayos ng tayo.

"Ms. Lim." tawag ko.

Nang marinig ang pangalan niya ay naalis ang mga mata niya mula sa screen at tumingin sa pinto. Umayos siya sa pagkakaupo nang makita ako. She nodded her head, as if asking me to come in.

Naiilang na pumasok naman ako. It's my first time to enter the faculty. I never had a business here anyway. Kung itatanong naman kung frequent visitor ako sa discpiline office, the answer is yes without reservation.

"Yes, Ms. Serrano, what brought you here?" mahinhin na tanong nito nang makalapit ako sa kanya.

Ms. Lim is very accommodating. That's the best thing about her.
Hindi katulad ng ibang teacher na kapag may bad records ka na ay parang patapon at wala nang pag-asa ang tingin sa'yo.

"Uh... Magtatanong lang po kung pwede pang sumali sa cotillion." I sheepishly smiled at her.

Parang pinagbagsakan ang mukha ni Ms. Lim. Iyong mukhang sobrang disappointed. "Nako, iha, wala nang available slots para sa juniors."

"Ma'am, sige na po." ngumuso ako at itinaas ang magkadikit na dalawang kamay para mas convincing.

"I'd be happy to see you participating in school activities, pero wala na talagang slot. Nakapagpasa na lahat ng parent's consent." malungkot na sabi niya.

Napakagat ako sa labi ko. Damn. What should I do now?

Ngumiti si Ms. Lim. "Siguro nabalitaan mong kasama crush mo 'no? Just dress up well, malay niyo kayo ang maging junior prom king and queen? Unless it's a senior..."

"Ma'am Lim, malabo iyon. Hindi pumipili ang coordinators ng mga pasaway." singit ng isang atrabidang teacher na si Ms. Escuelta. Science teacher.

"Really? I'd choose Lauren though, if I were them. She's beautiful and a really sociable person." Ms. Lim said. I knew she's trying to defend me. It was highly appreciated.

"A proper attitude and good academic standing should come with that beauty." Ms. Escuelta snorted like a pig.

Kumunot ang noo ni Ms. Lim habang nakatingin kay Ms. Escuelta. Imbis na sumagot sa nakakatanda ay umirap na lang ako. That's the least I could do. I may be everything, but I know how to respect people and treat people as how they should be treated. I'd give her the respect that she failed to give me.

"Thanks anyway, Ms. Lim." I smiled faintly before excusing myself and leaving the faculty room.

Bigo ako na bumalik sa room at walang gang gawin ang kahit ano. If time machines exist, I would go to the day when Ms. Lim asked for volunteers. Dapat pala kumagat na ako sa gustong mangyari ni Des. I should have... I heavily sighed.

The whole day, I wasn't in a mood. I need ice cream and Silas to cheer me up. He's the only one who can. Maybe I can ask him to hang out later dismissal?

A small smile painted on my lips. That contributed a little to uplift my gloomy mood.

Nang mag bell at i-dimiss na kami ng panghuli naming subject teacher ay nanguna ako sa paglabas ng room. I've already packed my bag beforehand, that's why.