June ( Gugma Series 3)

PROLOGUE

Prologue

"Bye, Professor! See you!

Stepping out of the faculty building, I was greeted by a sudden burst of wind that tousled my hair and made me feel alive. With the day's academic duties behind me, I couldn't wait to head home and unwind. Joining the throngs of students making their way out of the building, bigla akong nasabik para sa darating na gabi. 

"Sir, dating gawi?" A colleague made a drinking gesture with his hands.

"Pass muna, Sir. May importante po akong lakad ngayon," napakamot ako sa baba ko. Every Friday, they always invite me to join them for a drink. It relieves our stress and is extremely beneficial to us. We usually rent a resort cabana and drink until we pass out.

"Sige, Sir. Pag-amping sa imong pagmaneho. Sa Resort lang kami, baka lang gusto mong sumunod kapag hindi natuloy ang lakad mo," pabiro pa siyang sumaludo sa akin bago sila humiwalay patungong University quadrangle. Ako naman ay naglakad papunta sa reserved parking space kung nasaan naka-park ang aking Lexus car.

Bubuksan ko na sana ang pinto ng kotse ko nang biglang may tumawag sa akin.

"Prof. Hugh! Wait lang po!" A senior student is sprinting towards me, clutching a card in her left hand.

Isinarado ko ang pinto ng kotse ko, sumandal roon, at hinintay siyang makarating. "What is it?

She was panting heavily and gasping for air when she came to a halt in front of me. She blushed as she handed me the card. "For you, po., thank you for granting us a two-day extension for our written report." She smiled and stormed away.

Sisigaw pa sana ako na magdahan-dahan sa pagtakbo ngunit nakalayo na siya. Napailing ako. Cards, chocolates, cakes, and flowers Lagi ko iyang natatanggap sa mga estudyante ko ngunit tanging ang card lamang ang maaari kong iuwi. Kapag may chocolates, cakes, and flowers ay hindi ko tinatanggap. I could hear them saying I'm so strict, but they still gave me gifts, so I'm confused.

Ibinulsa ko sa pocket ng blazer ko ang card at sumakay pagkatapos ay pinaandar ang kotse ko palayo sa University of San Carlos. Then, while stirring the wheel, I called my long-time girlfriend Julia.

"Asa ka karon?"

"I'm at work; I'm sorry, but I think I'll be late." I heard a suppressed breathing. "I'll be late; please do not wait for me; I'm going up the stairs. Nasira ang lift ng hotel."

Julia is a corporate assistant at a five-star hotel here in Cebu. Habang abala siya sa pagtatrabaho ay ganoon din ako, but we make it a point to make time for each other. Minsan ay sinisigawan niya ako kapag may mga oras na hindi ako nakakarating sa oras at araw ng usapan ngunit naiintindihan ko naman iyon. Ako lagi ang nagkukulang ngunit alam kong napupunan ko naman.

I smiled wickedly, knowing that I had plenty of time to prepare for my marriage proposal. It's our fifth anniversary today, and it's time to ask for her hands. Ilang beses na rin siyang nagpaparinig kaya alam kong handa na rin siyang lumagay sa tahimik at bumuo ng pamilya kasama ako.

I went to a balloon shop and bought various types of balloons as well as gold letter balloons that said "Marry Me, Julia." Bumili rin ako ng 1000 red roses na pinaplano kong ilalagay sa buong unit niya at sa gitna ay ang malaking puso na gawa sa pulang rosas. And lastly, I went to a bakery.

"Sir Hugh, it's good to see you again." Mariel beams brightly. She knows how to deal with her clients. "May newly-discovered po kaming cake, bigyan po kita ng free taste," she says as she places a glass of cold pineapple juice on a table that had been reserved.

"Mmm," I said, making a delicious sound. "It tastes good; Julia will definitely enjoy it. She loves strawberries."

Ibinalot niya ang macapuno with a twist cake na sinamahan niya ng 5th anniversary stand greetings. I thanked her and excitedly made my way to her condo unit.