Happily Ever After?

New Chapter

“Welcome to our department, Miss Brown.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“I know you probably didn’t expect to be thrown into the new program right off the bat, but I assure you, it’s nothing out of your comfort zone. You will be teaching the same syllabus, only the class time and the age group of your students will be different.”

“It’s OK, Sir. This is my first job, and also my first class. I don’t have a comfort zone yet. Also, I’m very adaptable. I’m confident, this will become my comfort zone in no time.”

“I sure hope so, Miss Brown. If you have any further queries, feel free to knock my door. It's always open.”

I came out of the chairperson’s room and let out a heavy breath I didn’t know I was holding as I started walking towards my office. This is my first full-time job, I’m not picky about whatever responsibilities they throw at me. The teachers of the English department are supposed to take the English language courses of all programs of all departments as service courses. I was assigned to some of the courses of the engineering students. Unfortunately, one of my sections got closed due to not having the required number of students registered to it. Now, to cover my course load, the chairperson of the engineering department came up with a brilliant solution! They have started a new evening program. Same syllabus, different time, for students who didn’t complete high school, but has a diploma in engineering. Unlike regular students who come from the same age group and educational background, these students will widely vary in age, education, and jobs. Some, no, probably a lot of them will be older than me!

Well, at the age of 25, I can’t really fuss about people older than me. After all, I only completed my Masters a few months ago. I have never taken a gap year, and all my work experience comes from working as a Teaching Assistant in my own department since my undergraduate years. I also work as a news presenter, but that’s a contractual job. I only need to be there at the time of the telecast. Luckily, my channel’s office and the college I joined are only a short distance apart. My college has permitted me to continue that job, so I’m all set now. I just have to deal with some younger, same age, and older people, mostly men, during the dark hours, with no other teachers in the building, as this is the first batch and there’s only one section. You can do it, Prom! No need to worry.

You’d think, being the only female teacher at those hours had me worried about my safety on campus. Not really, because I do believe in human decency, even though I don’t expect any. What has me worried is that this will be my first class with such a wide range of students. With regular classes, it’s easier as students more or less think the same way with one or two exceptions. Here, I’m sure the students will be more mature as they have more experience in life. However, I don’t know how to generalize the approach, but I sure don’t wanna f**k it up in my first class! I don’t want my students to think that this “young lady” isn’t experienced enough to teach them. Damn, it’s getting on my nerves! So I get behind my desk and start going through the books. Today will only be the introductory class, nothing too heavy, but I want to be prepared.

“Miss Brown, aren’t you leaving? It’s already 5:00!”

I look up at Lana Lopez, my colleague. We share our office room. It’s a small room, but with the seating arrangement of 5 teachers. Talk about cramming! Luckily, it’s only the two of us for now. Miss Lopez and I joined together this semester, though she is a senior and has experience in working at other colleges. Recently married, this woman leaves right on the clock, not even a second late. Well, love is in the air for her, unlike me. Not that I care about it. I smiled at her.

“My office hours changed, Miss Lopez. From today, I’ll be taking the new evening course.”

“Oh, wow! They roped you in it because they know you’re not in a hurry to go home. I’d never have agreed to it.”

It pricked me a little with annoyance. I know I’m single but it doesn’t mean I don’t have a family. My parents don’t stay far from me, and I do visit them every day. I basically go to my apartment to sleep. I stay at my parents’ till dinner. Mom is an amazing cook, and Dad still has a hard time believing that both I and my sister have moved out! My younger sister is pursuing a business degree and lives in her dorm. Luckily for my parents, my younger brother is still with them. Being a special child, there’s almost zero possibility of him moving out unless it’s with one of us sisters. Mom says it’s a blessing in disguise. The kid is 10 years younger than I am, and I love him with everything I have. Ever since Mike was born, he has been the center of our universe.

So, to be fair, I am more in a hurry than her. Regardless, personal issues shouldn’t interfere with work.

“It’s ok, Miss Lopez. I don’t mind. Isn’t your husband picking you up today?”

“Oh, shoot! You’re right, he’s waiting! Bye, Miss Brown!”

“Goodbye, Miss Lopez. Have a nice time.”

Thank God! Finally, I’m alone! Don’t get me wrong, she’s not that bad, nor do I hate her. But I enjoy my solidarity and silence. And now that I think about it, thanks to these evening classes, I’ll have some me-time every day even in my office! That’s a nice thought right there! I start going through the books again, much relaxed this time. I can handle this. In fact, might even be better with more mature guys. I lock my door and turn off all the lights as it starts getting dark outside. Closing my eyes, I listen to a few songs. I have 10 minutes before I leave for class. Might as well enjoy it a bit.