Lessons of the Heart

CHAPTER 1:THE FIRST GLANCE (PART 2)

The next day, their class was held outdoors for a fieldwork session. The sun was high, casting golden rays over the grassy clearing they were studying. Dr. Rivera stood at the front, clipboard in hand, explaining how to measure biodiversity using quadrat sampling.

Lena crouched beside a square frame placed on the ground, carefully counting the species within it. Beside her, Aliza was half-heartedly poking at a cluster of wildflowers.

“Girl, seryoso ka na naman masyado,” Aliza whispered, smirking. “Parang may grade tayo sa bilang ng damo.”

“Focus ka naman,” Lena shot back, but her lips twitched in amusement.

“Focus daw,” Aliza teased. “Eh si Sir Rivera nga ang focus mo.”

“Aliza!” Lena hissed, her face heating up.

Before Aliza could say anything else, Dr. Rivera approached their group. Lena straightened immediately, clutching her clipboard.

“How’s it going here?” he asked, his eyes scanning their notes.

Lena cleared her throat. “We’ve identified seven species in this quadrat so far, Sir. Mostly grasses and a few flowering plants.”

“Good observation,” he said, crouching beside her to look at the sample. “But don’t forget to note the abundance of each species. It’s just as important as identifying them.”

“Yes, Sir,” Lena replied, her voice soft. She could feel his presence so close to her—calm, composed, and completely intimidating.

“Your notes are thorough,” he added, glancing at her clipboard. Then, almost imperceptibly, he gave her a slight nod of approval.

Lena’s breath hitched. It was such a small gesture, but it felt like it had imprinted itself in her mind.

Later that night, Lena sat at her desk, flipping through her notes from the day. The hum of the dormitory filled the background, but she barely noticed. Her mind kept drifting back to that moment in the field—how Dr. Rivera’s praise had felt so personal, like it was meant just for her.

She shook her head, trying to push the thought away. “Focus, Lena,” she muttered to herself. “This isn’t high school.”

But no matter how hard she tried to concentrate, her mind kept replaying the small details—the way his voice softened when he addressed her, the rare but genuine smile he gave when she answered correctly, and the intensity of his gaze that seemed to linger just a second too long.

It was impossible to ignore. Dr. Rivera wasn’t just a professor anymore; he was becoming something more in her mind. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t help but wonder if he felt the same.