Doctor and Ma'am

Chapter 2

Jas was overjoyed as she walked out of the university compound. She was carrying the letter of recommendation from Dean Buenaventura. The Dean recommended her as a tutor, and if she got accepted, her father's medication would be resolved.

“Jas!”

The young woman turned around to see who called her. He always had a smile on his face, was handsome, and could easily hold his own against the university's hunks.

“Oh, it's you, Alfred.” He gave her a wide smile, which she returned.

“Let's walk together,” he said, and they walked side by side along the patio towards the gate. “How's your father?” the young man asked.

“He's recovering,” Jas replied. The young man had been her long-time suitor since high school. He was kind, a gentleman, and hardworking—qualities she admired in him. She hadn't answered him yet because she promised her parents she wouldn't have a boyfriend until she finished college. Her parents knew Alfred's family, so they approved of him more than the others who were interested in her.

Her heartfelt heavy as she recalled what happened to her. She felt sorry for Alfred. How could she answer him when it seemed like she had deceived him from the start? He believed she had never had a boyfriend. If he became her husband, he would find out she was no longer a virgin. Her chest tightened, and she fought back tears.

The young man noticed she was sad, “Jas, don't take the problem too much to heart, you'll get through it.”

Jas managed a smile, “Thanks, Alfred.” If only Alfred knew she had other problems besides her father.

Jas knocked on the large gate of an opulent mansion. A housemaid came out. “Good day, is this the house of Mrs. Jelyn Archangel?” she asked politely.

“Yes, it is. Are you the tutor?” the housemaid replied politely.

Jas smiled at the person she was speaking to, “Yes. I am Jasmine.”

“Come in, Madam is expecting you.” The housemaid opened the small gate.

She followed the housemaid. She was amazed at the beauty of the modern mansion. It was a picture of wealth and luxury. On the other side of the garden, there was a gazebo, and she could see a large swimming pool. The garage was spacious, with parked cars that looked expensive just by their appearance.

The housemaid seated her in the living room, which was so spacious it could accommodate their entire house, along with their small yard and her father's taxi garage. There were paintings hanging on the walls, undoubtedly made by award-winning painters.

After a while, she saw a woman descending the grand staircase. She thought she was about the same age as Dean Buenaventura, a mestiza, and her attire showed her aristocratic and respectable nature. She guessed that this was the person she was looking for.

She stood up and greeted respectfully, “Good morning, Ma’am. I am Jasmine Domingo, recommended by Mrs. Patrice Buenaventura as a tutor.” She noticed the woman furrowing her brow as she looked at her.

"Good morning," she said. She gestured for her to sit down again and also sat in front of her. "You're about to graduate," she said while reading her bio-data.

"Yes Ma'am," Jas replied nervously.

"Okay Jasmine, here's what your job will be. I have a niece living with me right now. She needs a tutor and, at the same time, someone who can attend to her needs, like school activities and other activities if required. Now, I want to know your class schedules," Mrs. Archanghel said.

"Uh Ma'am, I can be available MWF at 4:30, TTHS in the afternoon, and Sunday I can do the whole day." Jas secretly prayed that she would be accepted.

"Since Pat recommended you, I don't think she wouldn't give me someone I can't trust. MWF 4:30 to 6:30, TTHS and Sunday 1:00 - 5:00. You will be receiving Php20,000 a month. Is that okay with you?" Mrs. Arkanghel said again.

"Po!" Jas was shocked at the pay. "Y-yes Ma'am, o-okay with me." She almost stuttered in her response. Jas was delighted because the pay would be a big help to her family.

"You can start tomorrow. Marta, please call Samantha," Jelyn said to the maid.

A few moments later, the maid came down the stairs with a child.

"Sam, I want you to meet Teacher Jas. She will be your tutor," Jelyn introduced them.

"Hi Sam," Jas greeted the child with a smile.

"Hi," the child shyly smiled back.

Jas observed the child. She had a pointed nose, a gentle face, bright eyes, fair skin, and wavy hair.

"Sam, say goodbye to Teacher Jas. You will see her tomorrow," Jelyn said, and then stood up from her seat.

Jasmine also stood up and said goodbye, "Thank you, Mrs. Archangel."

"Call me Jelyn," she said with a smile.

Though surprised, Jas was happy with what Jelyn said. She didn't expect that Sam's aunt would be so easy to deal with.

"Thank you, Ma'am Jelyn, bye Sam," Jas waved to the child with a smile.

The young woman exited the gate. She still couldn't believe the pay she would receive. A smile was plastered on her face. 'My pay is big. Dad's medication is solved.'

The first day of Jas as a tutor arrived. She immediately saw Sam, who seemed to be really waiting for her. "Hi Sam," she cheerfully greeted the child.

"Hi Teacher Jas," Sam also smiled.

"Sam, are you ready?" She held her hand. "Come, where do you want me to teach you?" She hadn't asked where the children's room was in the house, if there was one.

"There! Let's go!"

Sam excitedly led her by the hand. She was pleased with the child, who seemed affectionate, and she thought they would get along well.

They entered a room, and it seemed like everything she needed for teaching was already there. There was a bookshelf full of children's books and DVDs, and there was also a television and DVD player. 'It's really different when you're rich,' she thought to herself.

Sam immediately sat at the table. She was secretly pleased because Sam seemed more well-behaved than other kindergarten pupils she had seen.

“Sam, before we start the proper lesson, let's chat first, okay?” She wanted to get to know the child better. “Sam, tell me about your favorites, likes, and dislikes.”

“Hmm..” Sam even held her chin and thought. “My favorite colors are pink and yellow, my favorite foods... Fried chicken… pizza… doughnut… strawberry ice cream. Favorite subjects... Math and Science. I like rides and I don’t like bad girls. How about you?” the child asked in return.

“Me? I like any food,” Jas replied. They were poor, so being picky with food wasn't common in their family. “I don’t like high rides and bad girls too.”

“Sam, let's look at what you did in school. Is there anything difficult for you?”

The child showed her the work from school, and she saw that Sam had good grades, meaning she was smart.

“Wow, you're doing very well.” She patted the child's head.

Sam's smile widened, “Really! I am very good?”

“Yes, you’re very good,” Jas replied to the child, patting her shoulder. “Here's what we'll do, we'll do advance study for your next lessons. Okay?”

“Okay!” Sam replied excitedly.

---

Jas quickly grew fond of Samantha, and teaching her became easy because she was diligent and obedient.

Their graduation was approaching, so besides being a tutor, Jas was also busy preparing her requirements for graduation. Her application letters and résumé were ready to be emailed to schools. Wherever she gets accepted, that's where she'll teach first. She thought of Sam, she would miss her when she starts teaching. In reality, her salary as a tutor was substantial, but she wanted to gain experience as a teacher. That was her dream, to become an excellent teacher. She was happy that she maintained her grades. Her parents and siblings were also thrilled to learn that she was graduating with c*m Laude. She was leaving the campus when someone called out.

“Jas, wait.” Alfred was running towards her.

“Alfred, it's you.” She greeted the young man with a smile. The excitement was evident on his face.

“Are you on your way home? I was hoping to invite you to eat out.”

“Sure, I'm not in a hurry.” She agreed to his request because it had been a while since they last talked, since she became busy as a tutor.

She and Alfred ate at a fast food chain.

“I'm sorry, Jas, this is all I can afford for now. Once I have a job, I'll take you to a five-star hotel. By the way, congratulations on graduating with c*m laude honors. Wow,” the young man happily congratulated her.

"Thank you and congratulations to you too. You're also a c*m laude graduate and soon to be an Accountant," Jas replied to the young man. He has high aspirations and, like her, comes from a humble background where their parents worked hard to send them to college.

Suddenly, Alfred fell silent. He stopped eating and looked at her. "Jas." He held one of her hands. "Jas, when will I know your answer?"

Jas knew what Alfred was referring to. It was about her answer to his long-standing courtship. She felt a lump in her throat. She didn't know what to say. "Alfred, it's just that..."

"Jas, I hope you'll answer me now." The tone of his voice showed he was really hoping for a positive response. Jas's chest felt even heavier.

She admitted that her feelings for him weren't deep, but he was very kind, and she didn't want to hurt him. It was probably time to be honest, "Alfred, you're kind... a-and I can't find any fault in you. B-but I hope you won't be angry or upset with me." She took a deep breath, "because I can't give you the answer you're hoping for. I'm sorry, Alfred, but let's just be friends."

She felt Alfred's grip on her hand loosen.

"Am I difficult to love, Jas?" Alfred's voice quivered.

Jas could see the pain in his eyes clearly. She felt even more guilty but wanted to be honest with him.

"Alfred, you deserve someone better. Believe me, she will come."

"But you're the one I want." She could see his eyes turning red, clearly trying to hold back tears in front of her.

"Alfred, try looking at others. There are many beautiful and deserving women to love. Let's just be friends, please?" she pleaded.

"Why, Jas, is there someone else?" His voice quivered even more.

"I don't want you to hold onto false hope. I want you to give yourself a chance." Is there really someone else in her heart? Even she was confused.

"What if I don't want to stop? Until I see you with a boyfriend, I will keep pursuing you," Alfred said, sad but determined.

"Alfred, I don't want you to get hurt, please," Jasmine pleaded.

"Please, Jas. Just allow me to continue," the young man pleaded.

The girl could only sigh because the young man was really determined. "We better go home," she finally said.

Jas continued being a tutor to Sam. She even accompanied her on outings.

In the garden, while they were in the gazebo, she read a fairy tale story to Sam.

"Teacher Jas, can you attend my graduation?" Samantha asked in a sweet tone.

"Why Sam? I mean, your daddy will surely attend your graduation." She said to Sam because, according to Jelyn, his daddy was coming home.

"But Daddy is away," Sam said, resting his chin on his hand.

"Don't worry. Perhaps Jelyn will attend," she comforted the child.

“But I want you to be there.” Sam approached her and hugged her.

Jas felt sorry for Sam, so she decided to grant her request. “Okay, sure, I’ll be there.”

“Yes!” Sam even jumped before returning to her seat, looking thoughtful as she rested her chin on her hands again. “Teacher Jas, is it nice to have a mommy?”

“Yes, it's nice because someone takes care of you and loves you. Why do you ask?” She looked at Sam's sad face.

“Because I don't have a mommy.” Sam became even sadder.

“Why, where is mommy?” Jas gently combed Sam's wavy hair.

“She's in heaven now.” Sam seemed about to cry.

“Don’t be sad, even though she's in heaven, your mommy still loves you, and you have a daddy, right?” She hugged her and kissed her hair.

“Daddy always leaves me.” Sam started to sob.

“Why are you crying, baby?” They heard a gentle male voice say.

Jas felt a wave of nervousness upon hearing the newcomer's voice.

“Daddy!!!” Sam shouted excitedly, running off and leaving Jas behind.

“How’s my baby? I missed you so much,” the newcomer said eagerly. Jas could hear Sam's delight.

Jas turned slowly, her eyes widening in shock.

“Look, Teacher, it's my Daddy!” Sam said excitedly, pulling her father closer to her.

Jas was speechless, frozen like a statue, her tongue-tied. “You?” was all she could manage to say.