Beyond the Beat

Chapter 13

After everything that happened between me and Eros, I started avoiding him. It felt like we were in a trial, me as the defense lawyer, him as the prosecutor. What a “perfect” match, except ew, he’s a cheater. Definitely not a good match for me.

For a whole week, I did my best to stay away from him. If I saw him walking in the hallway, I’d quickly turn left, avoiding his path. If I saw him eating in the canteen, I’d go to the other side,the professors’ canteen,just to be far from him. When I caught him waiting for a jeep, I stopped too. Instead of boarding the jeep, I took a tricycle, even if it was more expensive. Thank God the tricycle drivers at our school were kind enough, but still, mahal siya.

If I saw him walking near the subdivision, I’d stop and wait quietly until he passed by. I didn’t even want my shadow to be seen by him. I stopped going out on the veranda as well. Gawin ko talaga ang lahat para hindi ko siya makita, para hindi niya rin ako makita.

And I could tell he felt it. Minsan, pag nakasalubong kame, siya na mismo ang kusang umiiwas. Like what happened today.

I was walking in the hallway, heading to my next subject Prof. Rudy’s class. When he saw me, his jaw tightened. This wasn’t the usual happy-go-lucky Eros I knew. There was pain in his eyes as he looked at me.

I just stared at him blankly, then turned away and left.

Suddenly, a guy called Eros,

“Eros! Ipinapatawag ka ni Prof. Jude.”

“Bakit daw?” Eros asked, confused.

They were right behind me. Eros standing there with the guy who called him.

“Pinapatawag ka lang eh,” the guy shrugged like he had no idea why, just told Eros.

Eros just nodded slowly, and both of them walked away.

I continued walking, trying to calm my pounding heart. Avoiding him was exhausting, but I couldn’t help myself. Every little thing reminded me why I had to keep my distance, even if it hurt me too.

Hindi ko nga namalayan na tapos na pala mag-discuss si Prof Rudy ng bagong lessons. Ganun na ba ka-occupied ang isip ko? Buti na lang nag-advance reading ako; at as usual, kung hindi surprised quiz, pagkatapos ng discussion may quiz na naman. Kaya nga halos galit na galit ang mga kaklase ko sa kanya, puro quiz na lang daw!

“I want to remind everyone that cheating is illegal. What happened to Ms. Saavedra should serve as a reminder to you all.”

Striktong sabi ni Prof Rudy, and I could feel the tension in the room.

Ellery was expelled for two weeks, kaya nilipat na siya sa 2B.

Everyone whispered about it, and I heard the name “Ellery” spark a mix of curiosity and judgment.

“Yes, Prof.”

The whole class agreed quietly, some maybe thinking the consequences were too harsh, others just glad.

“Now, get one half lengthwise. This is easy, class. This is just multiple choice.”

He announced, and almost instantly, my classmates cheered.

“Yes naman, Prof!”

My classmate shouted, relief clear in their voice.

After 30 minutes, we all finished and checked our quizzes.

“Who's perfect?”

Prof Rudy asked, his eyes scanning the room.

“Si Ms. Panganiban, Sir.”

Maybel said, she was the one who probably checked my paper, and I felt a small swell of pride but tried to hide it.

From my spot, I kept my face calm, but inside I was glad. Somehow, in all the chaos of quizzes and tension in the class, it felt good to have at least this small victory.

“Very well, Ms. Panganiban,” Prof. Rudy said, his voice full of delight.

I just nodded and said, “Thank you.”

“Naks naman! Sana all!”

I heard my classmates whisper and tease.

“Haystt, bunita pa, bright na!”

I caught their playful shouts, and I couldn’t help but smile quietly inside.

“By the way, Ms. Panganiban, see me in my office. I have something to tell you.”

Prof said after gathering his things.

I followed him immediately, curious and a little nervous.

“Ano kaya yun?”

I heard my classmates gossiping as we left the room.

“Baka scholarship kasi ang talino ni Lumi eh,” one whispered with admiration.

“Baka nga,” said another, agreeing.

I tried to keep my calm but inside, my heart was pounding. Whatever this was, I had to be ready. I’m now inside Prof. Rudy’s office. It’s big and really neat. On the left side, there’s a mini library filled with books. In the middle, there’s a tall, huge desk with a very comfortable chair behind it. On the right side, there’s a sofa. I sat down there, facing Prof. Rudy.

Prof. Rudy is in his mid-forties. He looks very strict, kind of scary, actually. They say he often fails students because he handles all the major subjects, so everyone’s really afraid of him.

“Ms. Panganiban,” he called me, and told me to sit again in the chair right in front of his desk.

I stood up and walked straight to the chair he pointed at and sat down immediately.

“There’s an upcoming debate competition in our department,” Prof. Rudy began.

My lips parted slightly. Don’t tell me I’m one of the representatives for this competition, I thought nervously.

“Yes, you are,” he said, like he read my mind.

“This is a big opportunity for you, and for our school. If you win this competition, you’ll compete against all the other departments here in the university. And if you win again, our university will go on to compete in some really prestigious contests,” he explained clearly.

I was shocked to hear that. Yes, debate is really my strong suit. I’ve been joining since forever. It gives me such a thrill. At Ateneo, my friends say I become a different person when I debate like a fierce monster ready to take down anyone. I laughed quietly at how they described me.

“Ms. Panganiban, are you in?” Prof. Rudy asked.

What else can I say? This is exactly the kind of challenge I need. My training ground. My bullets for the future.

“And don’t worry, this will also be part of your grades. If you win, you’ll be exempted from my final exam, but you still have to take quizzes,” he added seriously.

I just nodded and said thank you again, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

I just left prof Rudy’s office and was walking down the hallway when I heard Eros talking to a girl.

“Eros, pumayag ka na. This is really an opportunity,” the girl said, sounding a little pushy.

I glanced at the girl Eros was talking to. She’s tall, morena, with an air like Regina from Mean Girls. but her thick black hair and bangs made her look nothing like Jessica Alba who played Regina. Yeah, she’s pretty, but I couldn’t help rolling my eyes inside. Seriously?

I stopped behind the doorway to hide, making sure they wouldn’t see me since they were just ahead.

“Alam mo naman na hindi ako magaling sa ganyan, Beryl,” Eros laughed and shook his head, clearly hesitant.

“But Eros, si Prof na mismo ang nag-sabi, eh,” Beryl pouted, frustrated at his hesitation.

Ikaw na lang kaya Berly. You’re really good though,” Eros teased her playfully.

“Tsss, not as good as you,” Beryl said with a dramatic flair, reaching out to hold his hand.

What the hell? I thought, feeling a pang of jealousy that I wasn’t used to.

“Beryl, my IQ is just average. Mas matalino pa si Chion sa akin,” Eros explained, gently pulling his hand away.

“But, Eros…” Beryl pleaded again, eyes wide and hopeful.

“Tss,” Eros murmured, clearly annoyed but still undecided.

“Sige na nga, pero pag-iisipan ko pa,” he said. Beryl’s face lit up instantly.

“Yey! You said it!” she cheered and quickly hugged him.

“Uy, uy,” Eros laughed, trying to pull away but smiling.

I muttered under my breath, frustration bubbling inside me, What a flirt. After me, he’s already moving on to another girl again. Kawawang Ellery.