I'll Love You, Tomorrow

Chapter 15 – Unexpected Times Two

Mikhael…

The first week of classes had gone so fast. I didn't noticed that it's Saturday already. Most of my subjects this week had done the same things: orientations, syllabi, and meeting expectations.

I was surprised with my laboratories, the list of all the dishes that we will prepare for the entire semester is very expensive. I haven't even heard most of them. Fortunately, we were grouped in labs so I don't have to shoulder everthing.

My grant only gives me a specific amount to cover for everything, it's up to me to budget it. Of course, most of it will go to my tuition and the rest will be covered by my salary.

I enjoy going to school. Even if I'm tired of working, it's fine. I miss the feeling of doing mountains of homeworks. Luckily, I only bring papers from school at home and nothing from work at all.

My new found friends in school are actually cool. Loise continuously invites me to go out with them. I get to be with them in one class only but I see them all the time around campus.

Ram's group is very accomodating also. They'd stop staring at me already after that moment in the bench the last time, they all seem very nice. Jerome even talked to me and apologized for the way they looked and treated me on the first day.

They are just being protective about Loise and her friends because they've known each other since junior high. Their parents even know each other and asked to looked over them. Loise and her friends are quite free-spirited and their parents worries.

Afternoon break and drinking my coffee, I am writing essays and doing some assignments given to us this week. It's quite unusual for me because Paul is not around. After that failed meet up with him in the mall, Paul changed. Something changed with him, I don't know what it is but we are able to talk before my week starts at the university.

Flashback...

"Hey Paul, are you ok? What are you thinking?", I asked Paul. He was staring blankly while eating in our favorite restaurant at Complex.

"Me? I'm fine. How's your things for the class opening? Are you all set?", he replied defensively. It was obvious that he was changing the subject.

"It's all good. Don't worry about it.", I said. "Paul, why didn't you show up last time?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I had to visit my family in Manila. It was an emergency so I didn't have time to tell you.", he answered not looking at me.

"Paul are you sure you're ok? You know I'm just here when you need me right?", I assured him.

"Yeah, I know. Thank you."

Behind the jokes and smiles, I know Paul is not telling me something. For two years that I've known him, I know if he is lying.

For several minutes, no one talked. We just ate until we ran out of milk tea. Then he suddenly made an effort to speak.

"Mikhael, I am going to tell you something but promise me that you won't get mad.", he said seriously.

"What is it? You're making me nervous."

"Mikhael, I'm jealous of you.", he said.

"What?", I asked in confusion. "What do you mean? are you serious? jealous of what?"

"Mikhael don't get me wrong. I am not jealous because of the admirations at work. It was something else. It's not that."

"That what is?",

"I am jealous because you have the courage to achieve whatever you dreamt of. You are brave enough to take it. You don't care what other people say. And you know what's amazing in there? you are doing all of it without stepping on to anyone.", Paul confessed.

I can't believe that Paul will say such things to me. I have known him to be introvert and a very private person. He said that he only became jolly and sociable when we met. So, it's very surprising that he had such a feeling like that with me.

I was speechless.

"Haha, Mike chill. No pressure. I'm just saying. It doesn't mean anything.", Paul said when he noticed that I was not saying anything.

"Paul", I said, taking a deep breath, "for people like us, dreams are the only thing that will keep us going. Our dreams make us a better version of ourselves. Honestly dude, I'm flattered that you looked at me that way. But the truth is, I am getting tired also. But being tired does not mean we will stop. If we are tired, take a break but never quit. Nothing is easy. We have to work hard. What matters is, we don't quit." I told him.

Paul smiled at me.

"Thanks Mike." he said. And i returned it with a smile a pat on the back.

End of Flashback...

After that talk with Paul, I haven't seen him already. I get to the HR to asked for him and Miss Jen told me that Paul filed for an emergency leave for 5 days via email. She said that he will make an explanation when he gets back.

I've been calling him but there was no answer, it just went into voice mails. I am getting worried. Was there something about our talk last time?

***

I woke up late on a Saturday morning because of a late meeting I had last night.

We are going to have a simulation activity with one of my major subjects and Sean is my partner. Sean initiated the partnership so I go with it.

After a quick shower, I eat my breakfast and go to school. Saturday classes are quite different with my usual night classes, I have to come to school early. Most of the students are wearing PE or NSTP uniforms and not the usual uniforms during weekdays.

For my morning class, I have College Statistics. Unlike most of my classes, this is in Computer Studies Building at the back of the university and beside the campus gym.

As I was walking down the hall, I heard students cheering in the gymnasium. I took a peak and I saw students playing Volleyball.

"Mine!", one of the players yelled.

It was that SRU Volleyball team. I saw Ram in the middle of the court, its impossible not to see him with his height. He was wearing the volleyball uniform in red and white. He was at the center and was dictating the team. I did not bother calling him to not distract his game.

I continued walking to the CS building until I reached the entrance. The hallway was lined up with computer laboratories making me wonder if I'm on the right place. I asked the guard I came across with and he directed me to the second floor, room 206. I took the stairs and looked for my classroom. After passing through 5 rooms, I was standing at the door of room 206. I was not hearing any noise from the inside so I opened the door gently and entered.

I may have gotten there early because there were few students inside. Like all of my classes, I sat at the back row of the room. I am not fond of making friends with my classmates or anybody, I wait for them to talk to me instead. I am only at ease with Paul which is AWOL up to this day. I tried calling him several times already but still, no answer.

I decided to put on my earphones and listen to music while waiting for the professor. After several minutes, students started to come in. It seems like most of them knew each other already. They started chatting upon entry and the others were coming in in groups.

The room were occuppied fast. Only the remaing two rows at the back were available. I placed my bag beside me so that no one will sit, making the expression that I was saving it for someone.

I was enjoying myself with music when I felt somebody sat behind me. I ignored it and continued listening. Suddenly I felt somebody whispered in my ear over the earphones.I ignored it thinking it was nothing. Again, somebody whispered over and I ignored. I didn't know anybody in this class so I didn't bother entertaining until a hand held my shoulder and slightly gave me a thug.

"Is this seat taken?.. may I?", a voice behind me asked.

I looked behind and I was surprised to see the very person I didn't expect seeing here.

"Paul?!....", I exclaimed with eyes wide open.

MJ...

First week of the job came in lightly. We had our orientation on day 1, discussed the organizational charts, rules and regulations and the activities that were laid out for the entire year.

I tried to focus on my job even if it was difficult. Danny messaged me last night saying "Good luck to your first day." He is quite annoying and very insensitive. He had been talking about Adrian in front of me even if he knows what I feel for him. I am jealous and feeling sad for myself that no matter what I do, he will still choose Adrian and not me.

Luckily, I had my head occuppied the whole week with the paper I submitted yesterday. Its Saturday and my work will start in an hour. I left the house early this morning so I could have my breakfast before I start. I grabbed my coffee and sat on one the benches and looked over the gounds. The grounds were populated by students on PE or NSTP uniforms.

While drinking my coffee, I think I saw a very familiar face walking on a distant pathway. I saw him entered the gymnasium but left immediately.

"Was that Mikhael?", I asked myself.

I tried to ran after him but I lost him when he entered a building. Instead of looking for him, I decided to go back to the office and grabbed my things for work.

"Good morning Professor Joaquin.", greeted by a student assistant. I walked pass the other cubicles until I reach my own. I settled my bag on my chair. I ran a finger down my schedule that was pinned on my cork board. It reads College Statistics at CS building.

I opened my drawer, took my book and class list, grabbed a whiteboard pen and gave my self a look on the mirror. For a week, I've been facing different classes and students were staring at me all the time. I felt like I have been interrogated by there stares. They were looking at me from head to foot. It seemed like they knew even the brand of my long sleeves. 

"You look great already, we know.", professor Maria said when she saw me looking at the mirror. "your students might not listen to you anymore and just look at you the whole class.", she teased.

"I hope not.", I smiled.

I was hired as a professor in this university under General Education Department. I will be teaching Mathematics subjects across different department this semester. And for today, College Statistics at 9am in Computer Studies Building.

Unlike most of my classes where the department is stated, this class was unlabeled. I was thinking its irregular and non-block section.

After grabbing my things, I left the faculty room. I walked passed the gymnasium where I saw students playing Volleyball. It reminded me of my playing days in college, I used to play too. I walked two flights of stairs to my classroom, 206.

Brought my mannerism, I took a deep breath, iron my clothes with my hands, forced a smile and entered the classroom.

"Good morning class!", I greeted the class as I enter.