The Tradition (Completed)

A Marathon of Pride

Sam’s POV

Nagmamadali ako papunta sa room dahil late na akong nagising.

It was already time, at heto ako ngayon, tumatakbo sa napakalaking campus. Para akong contestant sa Amazing Race, at ang grand prize… ay sermon ng halimaw kong fiancé.

My room is located on the fourth floor, dahil iyon ay para sa mga graduating students. Of all places, bakit ba doon pa sa pinakataas?

Para akong sinusubok ni Lord kung gaano kalalim ang pasensya ko.

Takbo ako nang takbo hanggang sa hingal na hingal akong nakarating sa room.

“Good morning, Ms. Buenavista. You look so exhausted. How’s your marathon? It looks like you’re the last one to reach the finish line.”

Nakakainsultong bati ng halimaw kong prof.

Of course, lahat ng kaklase kong baliw, nagtawanan.

Wow, thank you ha, Clyde. Ako na naman ang laughingstock. Ako na talaga palaging bida sa comedy show na ‘to — at ikaw yung producer.

Umupo ako nang padabog, sinabayan pa ng malakas na bagsak ng bag ko sa desk. Kung pwede lang, ibato ko na rin siya kasama ng bag.

Clyde’s POV

Honestly, teaching is not my real profession. I’m a businessman, but for now, I agreed to step in as a substitute professor while Mr. Alejandro is on leave.

After he comes back, I’ll return to running our businesses. Until then, I took this role so I can keep an eye on Sam—and maybe discipline her a little.

Besides, our family owns big shares in this university, so it wasn’t hard to volunteer. In short, I can do whatever I want here.

At isa pa, sino pa bang may lakas ng loob na magturo kay Sam kung hindi ako? Pasaway na princess ng Buenavista.

Flashback…

I came to Sam’s house to pick her up and invite her on a date. When we arrived, I gave her an engagement ring. Tsk, bahala na siya kung anong sasabihin niya sa pagiging ungentleman ko. That’s just who I am. Hindi ako mahilig sa romantic dates, so ayun!

Pero nakita ko sa mukha niya — disappointment. As if she expected roses, fireworks, and a violin background. Sorry, sweetheart, pero wala sa personality ko ‘yon.

It was already 7:30, pero wala pa si Samantha.

When she arrived, I greeted her na parang nang-iinsulto. She looked so exhausted, siguro dahil sa kakatakbo.

Napakapasaway talaga! Kung hindi siya nagpalate, hindi niya mararanasan ang mala-marathon na pagtakbo niya. Kaya gustong-gusto ko siyang bigyan ng leksyon. She’s irresponsible!

Umupo siya nang padabog. I took note kung saan siya nakaupo — second row, center aisle, left side. Perfect view. Kahit anong gawin niya, hindi siya makakatakas sa mga mata ko.

I noticed she was zoning out, clearly bored. Paminsan-minsan, tinitingnan ko siya, pero lagi niya akong deadma. Tsk. Alam kong ini-ignore niya ako on purpose.

Habang nagdidiscuss ako, nag-vibrate phone ko. Text from the head — urgent meeting.

“Who’s the class president?” tanong ko.

“Ms. Samantha po, sir,” sabay-sabay na sagot ng mga kaklase niya.

Fans club confirmed.

I raised a brow. Akalain mo, siya pala ang president? Tapos always late. Poor Sammy.

“Ms. Sam, please come here.”

She stood up, obvious na irita sa akin.

“Yes, sir?”

“Ikaw muna ang maghahandle sa classmates mo until I get back,” utos ko.

“Okay po, sir,” sagot niya, with a fake smile. At talagang ini-emphasize pa yung po.

“Okay, class, you heard it right? She will be the one to handle our class, so behave… or else ikaw pa, Ms. Sam, ang manguna sa gulo.”

She just rolled her eyes at me. I smirked at her sarcastically before I walked out.

Tsk. Kahit sa simpleng bagay, gusto pa ring makipag-away. But fine… let’s see kung paano mo hahawakan ang classmates mo, Samantha.