Miguel POV
“Magkakilala kayo?” her dad asked.
“She’s my student.” I answered.
“Oh, I see, Oo nga pala swimming instructor tong si Miguel sa school, I hired him to teach there for the mean time, wala pa kasi yung nag leave.” Andrew explained.
Umupo naman ito sa tabi ng Mommy niya and she was given her snack. Just cake and juice. Tumango tango naman ang Daddy siya then we talked about the reason why I was there
“Anyway, I just wanted to talk to you about being our private pilot? Of course, you can still do your swimming.” Mr. Montecillo offered.
“Actually Miguel, I suggested you nung naghahanap siya nang private pilot.”
“And you thought about me?”
“Dude, I wanna help. I know you need it especially with your mom’s situation. Cmon, we’ve been friends since College.”
I chuckled and shook my head. They were offering me thrice the normal wage I get from doing commercial flights and to think, it’s just their family I am going to service.
“Okay.” I said at biglang nabulunan ata si Tiffany.
I watched her being assisted by her mom. I have to say, they were almost the same only her father’s features were stronger.
Mr. Montecillo smiled and shook his hand with me. He even had a contract at hand and gave me my first month salary so I can use it for my Mom.
Napabaling ang tingin ko kay Tiffany and smiled but she still had her eyes wide while her cheeks were puffy maybe from the food inside her mouth.
Her dad asked if we can have dinner outside and asked me to wait for them for a while. I couldn’t say no to my new boss. I guess I have to provide my immediate resignation now.
I was just seated at the couch sa living room nila with Andrew and Cristoff, we were talking about the flights I am going to make for the next couple of days.
Then biglang may dumating na lalake along with his family, I guess. The kids ran to Tiffany na galing lang sa kusina.
“Tita tiffy!!” sabi nung dalawang bata. A teenager boy was also after them.
Tiffany gasped and embraced the two kids, the the teenage boy next.
“Ikaw pala, Matt.” Andrew said.
“Is he the pilot you were saying?” he was pointing at me
“Yep, wag kang mag alala, magaling to. Miguel, he's Matt, dad's eldest, Matt meet Miguel.” Andrew patted my back.
The man called Matt just nodded and proceeded in sitting on the lone couch.
“Where’s dad?” he asked to Cristoff.
“Nasa taas, naghahanda with Mom, dinner daw outside.”
“Guess sama yung mga babae ha, okay, I’m just gonna tell the kids and Irish.”
“Wag na kuya, di sasama si Tiff, so they can accompany her here.” Kumunot naman noo nito.
Cristoff just gestured sa phone niya. And they communicated through phone.
“Okay.” Sagot ni Matt.
“Hey, we’re missing out. Bakit naman?” Andrew complained.
“Secret na namin yun.” Mas lalong kumunot noo nito.
I saw Mr. and Mrs. Montecillo coming down from the stairs, Nag aya na itong lumabas. But he made sure na may maiiwan dito sa bahay and for them.
“Girls, you gonna stay at home right?” he asked.
“Yes dad.” Tiffany answered.
“Okay, lalabas muna kami, want some take outs or mag oorder nalang kayo?”
“Kami na bahala dad, kids are with us eh.” the other woman said.
.
“Alright, you all stay safe.”
Saka lang kami lumabas at binabaybay ang daan patungo sa restaurant
--
Tiffany POV
After that night, hindi ko masyadong nakikita sa school si Prof Miguel. Nabalitaan ko nalang na he was busy being a pilot samin since Kuya Matt had to travel like all around the country and the world as well.
There are times na si Kuya Andrew or Kuya Cristoff ang napapa service sa kanya. Madalas na itong mawala sa school.
Amber keeps on coming back sa swimming pool area g to find him there, pero di niya minsan maabutan kasi he only has class once a week nalang. Di na gaya ng dati na halos 3 or 4 times a week siyang andun.
I usually see him pag sinasama ako ni Dad and Mom kung saan siya pupunta. Dad sometimes go overseas to talk to clients and Mom wants me to go with her pag free time ko.
Palaging may nakahandang ngiti itong si Prof Miguel pag nakakasalubong ko. Maybe because I am the daughter of his boss. Ngumungiti nalang din ako pabalik.
While waiting for Mom and Dad, nasa loob ako ng plane. They were still saying goodbye sa mga clients nila. I sighed, ganito ba sila palagi? Di ko namalayan na umupo sa harapan ko si Prof Miguel habang nakatukod ang palad ko sa baba ko.
“Ang busy nila no? Buti nasasama ka.” He said.
Bigla naman akong tumingin sa kanya na napalaki ang mga mata. Agad din akong bumaling sa bintana at pinagmamasdan sila Momy and Daddy.
“Uh yeah, minsan lang din naman nila akong isama, pagf free lang ako.”
“How’s school pala? Minsan nalang ako makapunta dun kasi kaliwat kanan flights ng pamilya mo.” I chuckled.
“School pa din po naman, kaya lang ang boring nung pumalit sa inyo.” I said. He laughed, and it made me want to stare at him.
“Bakit naman?”
“Puro kasi kami lectrues minsan lang may activity.”
“Ganun ba? Pero effective ba siya na nagtuturo?” Napangiwi ako
“Maraming ayaw nang pumasok sa swimming nila. Di na ginaganahan. Tsaka wala na din pati tao sa swimming area simula po nang di ka na nagtuturo. Wala eh, wala yung habulin doon.”
He laughed once more at umiling. He patted my head and stared at me.
“You’re a funny girl, aren’t you?” agad naman namula ang pisngi ko.
“Nagsasabi lang po ako ng totoo.” I said.
“Nandoon ako bukas. I might handle your class.” Agad akong bumaling sa kanya.
“Talaga?”
“Yep. It’s my day off kaya pwede akong magturo doon bukas.”
“Hay salamat, akala ko makikita ko nanaman yung prof na yun.”
He smiled, and it was my favorite smile of him. Mas nakikita ko ang kanyang asul na mga mata. May itatanong pa sana ako but I saw Mom and Dad climbing the stairs already.
He moved and smiled upon seeing them. He welcomed them again and dad said na pwede na kaming maka alis. He saluted and went back to his position.
I smiled when they sat down and was given wine and champagne. Mom doesn’t want to drink wine kaya iba ang sa kanya.
“Did you have fun, baby?” dad asked. I nodded.
“So much, it’s my first time here in Paris so of course. And mom was with me all the time.”
Dad smiled so as Mom. Ilang oras din kami sa flight, 13 hours or more ata, basta we left Paris like the afternoon and nakarating kami sa Manila it was still dawn. I still have enough time to rest.
Pagdating ko sa bahay, I immediately went to my room and slept, I had classes at 10 am hanggang sa afternoon.
I woke up around close to 8 kaya dali dali akong naghanda. After I showered snd done my outfit today, diretso akong bumaba and just ate an apple and some juice bago ako lumabas ng bahay. Buti nalang dumaan si Kuya Andrew for something he needed to discuss with dad.
Nakasabay ako sa kanya papuntang school. Kahit naman kapatid ko asawa ni Kuya, and kami may ari ng school, I still behave as student.
Nakaabot pa ako sa first class ko and it was with Miss Kisses. Looks like the rumours were true, masakit Makita silang dalawa sa labas ng room, talking softly sa gilid with smiles on their faces. I saw them kiss bu immediately turned away.
Para akong sinasaksak nang ilang beses habang nakikita ko silang magkasama. Amber saw it too that why she looked so sad as we entered our room.
“Ang swerte niya. Ang gwapo gwapo ni sir Miguel. Kainis sila.” Pagdadabog nito. I remained silent and just watched her.
“Buti ka pa, walang gusto sa kanya kaya di mo mararamdaman nafefeel ko.” Kung alam mo lang Amber, kunag alam mo lang.
Sakto namang nag ring na ang bell nung pumasok ito sa room na may malapad na ngiti, she greeted us and we greeted back. I couldn’t be angry at her kasi wala naman akong karapatan diba?
She teaches well and does her job well. Kaya wala akong maireklamo sa kanya. Nawalan ako nang gana all throughout my day. Last subject ko ang P.E.
Kahit sa lunchtime, I saw them together with the other faculty. Nagtama ng minsan ang mga mata namin ni Sir Miguel at ngumiti ito pero alanganin ko naman siyang nginitian.
I was sad up until sa klase niya, walang buhay ako na nagpalit ng swimsuit ko na one piece at lumusong sa pool. I was just under the water habang wala pa siya at di pa nagsisimula. I just want to be alone. But Amber went under and gestured for me to come up and so I did.
Nasa harap na pala si Sir Miguel. Halos lahat pala nakatingin na sakin. I just went near sa side and waited for instructions. He smiled.
“Care to join us first? I’ll give you guys ample time later on to enjoy swimming okay? Ngayon lesson muna, is that alright?” he was facing the others already.
“Yes!” masiglang sagot nila. I didn’t answer but just kept silent while listening to them.
The lesson went on and on pero di na din madrawing ang mukha ko lalo nung nakta ko si Miss Kisses na papalapit sa kanya.
I was watching her go near but diverted my eyes as soon as she kissed him. They were already showy sa relationship nila. Amber beside me cried foul dahil daw dapat di sila ganun. Nasa school pana man din sila.
I didn’t say anything and just swam instead. I don’t want to see them. Sa layo ng iniisip ko hindi ko namalayan na halos kami nalang tatlo ang nasa swimming pool area. Others have gone home na ata, same kay Miss Kisses.
“Girl, may balak kang umuwi? Kanina pa nag aantay si Sir, nakabihis na nga.” Bumaling ako sa kanya and saw him sitting by the chairs.
“hm, sandali, magbibihis lang ako.” I said saka umahon na sa pool. Sabay kaming nabihis ni Amber but nauna siyang lumabas.
Nang matapos ako ay lumabas na ako, nakita kong wala na si Amber kasi raw nandon na sundo niya sa labas. So ako nalang at si Sir Miguel ang nandito.
I went near sa kanya kasi malapit sa kanya ang bag ko. Nagpa alam na din ako sa kanya, he was just watching me,
“Tiffany sandali. He said stopping me from my tracks. Humarap ako sa kanya,
“Bakit po?” I asked.
“is there something wrong? Akala ko pa naman matutuwa ka kasi ako instructor ngayon.”
Again, I didn’t say anything but stared at him. Ilag Segundo din yun. Until I said something.
“Don’t mind me sir, may problema lang ako sa acads.” I said to him.
“Are you sure?” patuloy pa din itong nakamasid sa akin.
“Yes sir, I am fine.” He nodded and told me I can go.
Mabilis akong lumisan sa lugar na yon, sakto lag kasi mukhang papunta na doon si Miss Kisses. Binati koi to at patuloy na naglakad paparking.
May inaayos pa si Manong kaya sumakay nalang muna ako. Habang naghihintay ako ay nahagip ko ang kanilang bulto. Papunta sila sa sasakyan ni Sir Miguel, nakakapit naman si Miss Kisses sa kanya at ito sa baywang niya.
Akmang hahalikan niya nanaman siya kaya inalis ko ang tingin sa kanila. Napapikit ako sa sakit ng nararamdaman ko. Mabuti nalang tapos na si Manong sa inaayos niya at umalis na kami doon.
I sighed and let my tears fall, ilang beses kong inulit ulit sa ulo ko na wala akomg karapatan, wala akong karapatan masaktan.
I wiped my tears and slowly composed myself. Nakarating kami sa bahay and I went down the car. Mom was there sa living having her cup of tea.
“Want to join me baby?” she asked.
“No po. Aakyat na po ako sa room ko, papahinga po muna ako. Tawagin niyo nalang po ako pag dinner time na.” I said and slowly made my way up.
“nang makapasok ako sa room. I went to my washroom and tinanggal lahat ng damit ko sa katawan ko. I stepped into my shower and got into the hot water.
It was comforting that it made m stay there for at least half an hour. I went out of the shower and wore my jammies saka bumalik sa kama ko.
I opened my laptop and signed in sa social media accounts ko. Nakita kong may pinost si Kuya Andrew ngayon lang. Oh, hindi siya ang nagpost but he was tagged.
I checked on it and I swore I shouldn’t have done that. Because the post he was tagged in was something that would shatter my heart.
He’s getting married… with her. I chuckled sadly, ang bilis, ang bilis nilang ma engage. I shut my laptop off and just placed it by my bedside.
I just stared out of my window and sighed heavily. Maybe.. I wasn’t really the one for him. Maybe it’s not really me that was meant for him.
I laid on my bed and unti unti akong napapikit. Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako.
--
Nagising ako mag aalas siyete na nang gabi at eksaktong kinakatok na ako ng maid sa kwarto, kakain na daw kami.
I said I was gonna go down. Inayos ko lang ang buhok ko at bumaba na. Ako nalang ang natitira sa bahay since silamg lahat ay nakapag asawa na.
That’s why Mommy takes good care of me and Daddy vehemently denies me of having a bf kahit 20 na ako. Gosh, Daddy still reminds me that I’m still his baby. Natatawa nalang ako minsan.
We just chatted about their upcoming travels for the coming months and when I can join them, thinking about me encountering him made me decline their offer. Ayoko siyang Makita sa ngayon, I’m still kind of hurt.
I went up eventually saka natulog nang for tomorrow’s class.
--
Months passed and I keep avoiding him like a plague. Pag siya ang nag c-class, I make it sure na umaattend nalang ako sa kung ano na nangyayari sa business namin, may it be mall or hotel.
Lagi ko silang nakikita sa malayo, sweet and all, at ang magagawa ko lang ay umiwas.
Lunch came and wala si Amber, so ako lang mag isa na kumakain sa loob ng canteen, Nakikita kong nagkukumpulan na din ang mesa ng faculty kaya dali dali akong kumain. Baka mawalan nanaman ako ng gana.
As I was about to finish, may umupo sa harapan ko. Napatingala ako and stared at those blue eyes. He smiled at me pero tinignan ko lang siya. Tumikhim naman siya saka kinausap ako.
“How are you? Long time no see? Haven’t seen you around.”
Bumaling ako sa mesa nila and saw her looking at our table. Napalunok ako nang makita ko itong masama ang tingin sakin.
Binalik ko ang tingin sa kanya saka sumagot.
“I’m fine sir, may tinatapos lang kaya busy. I’ll go ahead, kasi tapos na po ako.” Akmang tatayo na ako when he held my hand.
“Wait.” Tumingin ako sa mga kamay naming saka sa kanya
“It seems you’re avoiding me. Have I done something wrong?”
Meron, meron. Pero ayaw kong isatinig ito. Napalunok lang ako at kinuha angkamay ko.
“Wala po. Busy lang po talaga ako.”
“Kahit sa pag attend ng class ko? Am I boring already?”
“H-hindi po, nagkataon lang po. Cge po aalis na ako.”
“Why are you trying to leave so fast?”
“K-kukulangin na po ako sa oras.”
Tintigan lang niya ako, napaiwas ako nang tingin sa kanya at baka mabasa niya ang nararamdaman ko.
“Aalis na ho ako.”
“Okay.” Ang tangi nitong sagot.
Dali dali akong lumabas sa canteen at dumiretso sa banyo ng babae. I went inside a cubicle and silently cried there. Kanina pa gustong kumawala nang luha kong to.
Narinig ko nalang na may pumasok sa banyo. Tumahimik muna ako at baka marinig ako.
“Have you seen that? Ikakasal palang pero kuntodo na mag away.” One girl said.
“Kaya nga, masyadong selosa ata yung girl. Rinig ko parang may kiausap daw na girl si sir at nagtatalak na si Mam Kisses.”
Pinakinggan ko pa ang sinasabi nila.
“Tignan mo, kala mo mahinhin tangina nagger pala.. Tsk tsk kawawa naman si sir Miguel.”
“Kaya nga eh, hindi ko din akalain. Masyadong possessive si girl.”
“Ganyan lang yan kasi takot iwan ni sir, ikaw ba naman may ganyang kagwapong fiancé, ahy ewan nalang.”
“Nakakatuwa siya na parang hindi. Naku baka di makasal yan kasi magsasawa si sir kakanag ni Mam Kisses.” Nagtawanan sila.
Narinig kong papalayo nang boses nila sabay bukas at saran ang pinto. Lumabas ako sa cubicle saka naghilamos. Totoo kayang nag aaway sila?
Umiling iling ako. Di ko na problema yon. Problema nila yun. Inayos ko ang sarili ko saka lumabas at nagpunta nalang sa library.
Wala na din naman talaga akong pasok sa hapon ngayon araw, nilaan ko ito para makapag trabaho sa mga projects ko pang nalalabi.
Nakapasok na ako sa library at pumili ng pinakadulo na upuan. Iniwan ko lang muna ang mga gamit ko doon saka naghanap nang librong kailangan ko.
Nasa likod na ako ng library nang may mapansin akong nakahandusay sa sahig at natatakpan ang mukha ng libro. Nakaka harang ito sa dadaanan ko kaya nang akmang tatawid ako sa kanya ay siyang pag iwas ng libro sa mukha niya.
Tinitigan niya ako saka hinablot ang kamay ko pababa at malapit na ang mukha naming dalawa.
“What were you thinking you were going to do?” tanong nito. Naaamoy ko ang hininga niya na minty.
Hindi muna ako makakilos at tinitigan ko lang siya hanggang sa nagsalita itong muli.
“I want to kiss you.” He whispered. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat lalo na nang bigla ko itong sinagot na “kiss me.”
Ngumiti ito at sinunggaban ang mga labi ko. Napapikit ako nang maramdaman ko ang mga labi niya sa labi ko.
He kissed me softly then it turned to an aggressive one. Halos di ako makahinga pero nagugulat akong tumutugon ako.
I tried to push him back pero mas lalo niya akong hinapit. I couldn’t resist his soft lips. Lalo lng akong tumutugon sa mga halik niya. Napabitaw ako when I moaned in the kiss.
Agad akong tumayo and covered my lips. I looked at him with wide eyes na halos maiiyak na
“I-I’m sorry—“
“I’m not. I really wanted to kiss you. You felt that spark right?”
“I-I gotta go, sorry I did not intend to do that, I-I’m sorry.” Yun lang ang sinabi ko saka dali daling lumabas ng library.
God, why was I such a klutz. Ikakasal na ang taong yun pero nakuha ko pang magpahalik. Gaga ka, gaga ka. Hindi ko na din namalayan na nabunggo ko pala ang taong di ko akalain makikita ko sa labas ng library.
Masama ang tingin nito sakin kaya nagpatuloy na lang ako. Gosh ayoko pagmulan ako ng away.