I'll Love You, Tomorrow

Chapter 16 –Wrong Move

Mikhael...

"Paul!, dude, what are you doing here?!", I exclaimed when I saw Paul in the classroom with me. I really didn't stop myself and gave him a hug. "Where have you been? You're not at work, your phone cannot be reached. I am worried sick dude."

"Chill dude, you ask a lot of questions. You missed me?", he joked me

"You i***t!, I am worried."

"Been busy.", he replied shortly.

"Been busy? that's it?", I ask sarcastically. "We were MIA for several days. You're not at work, no phone calls and you're just going to say, been busy?", I threw him some tantrums and went back on my seat.

"I'm sorry Mike, please don't get mad."

I didn't mind him for a short while and remained silent on my seat. When he noticed that his charm won't work on me at that time, he started to talk.

"I realized something right after we had that talk.", he sighed. "I want to be like you Mike. I want to try and reach for my dreams also. Even if its hard and filled with short comings, I want to try. I want to be proud of myself. I want other people to be proud of me too. I want my parents to be proud of me."

Hearing Paul say those broke my heart.

Paul told me everything. He told me about the night he left his house and his dad's current condition at the hospital.

"...so I decided to go back to school so that my parents will be proud of me. Even if I won't finish a medical course, at least I finished college as a computer programmer. I will reach for my dreams so that my parents will be proud of me."

"Dude, I am proud of you already. That's so brave.", I complemented Paul.

"...I filed an emergency leave so that I can work on my papers. All of it is in Manila. Miss Jen was so kind enough to grant me that leave. She is just waiting for my letter of explanation."

"...I have to pawn my phone also because I was a bit short on cash lately. I don't have friend there in Manila so I couldn't ask anyone for help. I stayed with my college friend Kyle when I was there. Luckily, his place was still available."

"Why didn't you tell me!", I yelled at him.

"I don't want to cause you any more trouble because I know you're short too. You were here only because of the grant right?", he replied to me joking. "But seriously dude, thank you. I know you will help me but I want to do this alone for myself. I can do this. We will both graduate. I promise.", he smiled to me filled with confidence.

I looked at Paul full of admiration. I know we will face many challenges but surely, we will face it together and we will succeed.

"That's enough Mike. Let's stop this drama haha." Paul cut the seriousness of the moment. We both laugh at each other for our silliness. I missed my best bud. I missed Paul.

"Good Morning!"

Our professor greeted as he entered the classroom. The class immediately arranged themselves on there seats. Even Paul took his notes and pen from his clutch bag and pretended that he was writing something. I sat properly also to my seat and looked at the professor.

The smile on my face faded when I recognized who our professor was. He come to the table and laid down his things. He pulled out his records and started scanning it over.

"He is my professor?"

"MJ is my professor?", these questions started to cloud in my head as I looked at him from my seat.

He stood at the center of the class holding his records. I cannot stop admiring him more in his formal attire, he's gotten even more gorgeous. He looked hotter in his maroon semi-fitted long sleeves with tie. His gray custom fit slack pants were very tacky. It gave emphasis to his firm and sexy legs especially the buldge he had just below the belt buckle. And his smile, so mesmerizing. His lips were naturally pink and soft like marshmallows.

"How wilI concentrate in my class if my professor is like this?", I asked myself. But to be honest, its seemed like I was not the only one who got mesmerized by his charm both girls and somewhat girls.

"Abad,... Acueza,...Aheda,...", he started his roll call. He requested to raise our hand when we were called. "Agusan,....", he continued.

And as my name comes nearere, I felt a little nervous and unease on my seat. Why?

"Alfonso,....", he called out. I heard my name as he called it but I didn't raise my hand.

"Alfonso?....", he called again.

"Hey dude, our professor is calling you.", Paul whispered to me. Only then I got the courage to raise my hand. I looked at him waiting to be recognize. He looked at me as well but continued roll calling the names like he didn't know me.

"He doesn't recognize me?", I asked myself.

MJ kept calling out names. As he threw his glances over the class to look at the student raising their hand. I was looking at him intently, trying to figure even a hint of recognition whenever our eyes met. I knew he recognized me, its impossible that he didn't.

"Dude, are you ok? what are you thinking?", Paul asked at my side. Maybe he noticed my intent stare at our professor.

MJ continues calling until the last name on his list.

"Who's name is not called?", he asked after the roll call. "make sure you are enrolled in this class or else you are not allowed to be here.", he said with authority. He waited for several seconds if anybody would raise a hand.

"Okay then, let's proceed with the introduction.", he continued. "This is College Statistics and I am your professor, Mr. Manuel S. Joaquin.", the room was filled with murmur from the class. His f*******: will be flooded with invites later that's for sure.

"Please fill out your classcards now then pass it forward.", he said.

Like most professors for tha past week, he too gave his syllabus, requirements and expectations for the entire semester. MJ's voice was low, deep and very masculine. He didn't have to shout to capture the attention of everyone. In fact, he had the entire class' interest, everyone was listening.

MJ dismissed the class thirty minutes earlier but left us with tons of assignments. I saw the frown on Paul's face, it was funny.

"That's what you want right? go back to school with me?", I teased him.

"Loads of assignment?! seriously?", he protested.

"Dude, our class here is once a week only. Expectedly, we will be left with a lot of assignments. Don't worry, I will help you through it.", I offered.

After giving assignments, MJ straightened his sleeves, picked up his things and left the room. He didn't even finished us saying our good bye before he left.

I wanted to ran after him, just to introduce myself or at least reminded him that "he knew me". I hurriedly snuck my notes in my bag and stood up.

"Dude, why in such a hurry? Where are you going?", Paul asked looking at me.

"I need to talk to our professor. Hurry up, follow me.",

We walked fast and ran to catch up with MJ. I saw him on the hallway but of course, I couldn't yell at him.

We caught up to him in front of the gymnasium.

"MJ....", I called up to him. Paul looked at me, bewildered.

"MJ!, wait!", I called again.

"Hey, that's our professor. What are you doing?", Paul said but I hardly noticed. I continued to follow MJ along the hallway.

I finally caught up to him on the main entrance of the gym. 

"Hey MJ wait. How are you. You walk fast. I've been calling you....", I said, panting.

"Mr. Manuel Joaquin.....is my name. I believe you were there in my class when I deliver my orientation and expectations, am I correct Mr. Alfonso?, he said strongly on his low and deep voice. I was taken aback and felt ashame for myself.

"I...I...I'm sorry Mr. Joaquin. I didn't mean to..."

"We are inside the school premises Mr. Alfonso. I am expecting respect from all my students and I wont let my name get dragged down by anyone by yelling at me on the hallway. Is that clear?!", he said authoritatively.

I was frozen.

"I apologize again Mr. Joaquin. It won't happen again.", I shamely apologized.

"Apology accepted. Now if you have nothing more to say I shall get going. I still have classes to attend to. Excuse me.", he finished sternly and left.

I felt so ashamed of myself at that moment I was about to cry.

"Dude are you ok?", Paul put his hand on my shoulder. "You came in a bit strong there my friend, not good. Were you friend?", he asked, teasing.

I looked at Paul and felt a sudden gash of anger rising to my head. I was about to yell at him but I realized I had not mentioned MJ to him yet; not yet friends, acquaintance maybe.

"...forget about it dude, let's eat. Let's go", he insisted.

We took the jeepney to the mall. While on board, I couldn't help but frown and think of how stupid I reacted in front of MJ. I hoped he wouldn't take it personally even if, obviously, I did. I made a bad impression on him at first day. How could I perform well in class I will be reminded of how i***t I become today.

MJ...

I couldn't help it. I wanted to take back what I said to Mikhael and apologize but his friend was there.

My meeting with Mikhael always been unexpected. First was in Southwoods while jogging. He got injured, I tended to it but he wasn't talking so I didn't know what to do. He was just there staring at me.

Then, at the coffee shop. We were about to have out time when Danny came and took me with him. After dropping him off at his apartment, I really wished I stayed with Mikhael.

And just now, in my class.

I feel good with Mikhael, he is a nice person. He barely talks when I come to him. I was a bit surprise with he reacted earlier and I didn't know what to do. I was hard on him and I know I said things. I hope I haven't offended him.

My class ended at three in the afternoon. Normally, I go straight home after my work to rest. Maybe watch television and cook something to eat. I was about to go out with the boys later but after what had happened with Mikhael, I think i lost my mood. I think I'm just going back home, rest for a while and take a cold shower to relieve myself.