In our twenties

In our twenties: some people will just come and go

In our twenties: some people will just come and go

I went home with all my smiles. I could finally start my job as an English teacher. Although I really hate English, I still cherish this job because it's about teaching! 

My students are mostly Japanese and of all ages. The eldest students were 89, I think, and the youngest was 3. Imagine teaching different ages every after 26 minutes, isn't it tiring? Well, it isn't tiring once you love what you're doing. I enjoyed teaching them so I don't mind the stress at all. 

My first week as a teacher was great. I've met various students. Some of them make me happy, and some of them will just really try to test my limits. 

But since I need this job and I need money, I got to endure all these pain in the ass students. 

"Can you hear and see me well?" I asked the student. It's mandatory to ask them every class. 

"yes, I can see and hear you well," he replied. 

"Thank you. How about my speaking speed. Am I speaking too fast, too slow, or just okay?

He raised a brow at me, and shrugged his shoulder." well, I don't know," he said. 

I'm just new, and I don't really know how to handle such a situation, so as stupid as I am, I replied, "huh?" 

The student starts laughing a bit. "I mean, why do teachers on this platform are always asking for their speed? Like, you guys only speak for 15 seconds or so? How could I tell your speed?" he mockingly said. I don't know if it's on purpose but I remained calm despite the situation because he has some point though. Since that day, I never asked any students about my speed and I just adjust my speed depending on their level. 

Teacher ako eh, edi ako na mag-adjust. Walang choice eh. But there are actually times where I just wanna rolled my eyes 360 degrees because some students are just too much. But, slowly by slowly, I'm trying to master the art of pretending. 

Never thought that working in this kind of field would require me to praise some students who are not even worthy of such praise. But I am the type of person who doesn't really praise someone when he's wrong. 

"What's your biggest goal?" I asked the student. Well, no matter how stressful my job is, I have to always remind myself that I love this job and I need it. 

"Earn a lot of money," the student replied. 

"Oh. So that you can buy everything you want, right?" 

"no. Just earn money." 

I was dumbfounded. 

With an awkward smile I spoke.  "okay... So do you have any regrets in life?" 

He fell into silence. Seems like he's thinking very well. "I regret not earning much money," he answered. 

Oh, such a deep answer. I regret not earning much money, either. 

"money is really important, right?" I commented. 

With a serious expression on his face, he shook his head. "no…. It's significant." 

I bit my lip to refrain from laughing. I just wanna melt right now. Aren't they the same words?

Funny moments like this really help me to keep going in my job. Though sometimes some students would really go below overboard. 

A shocking experience of mine at work happened. It was 3am in the morning, Philippine time when a student named Fabio entered my class, and what he did was beyond my imagination. 

With all my might and dashing smile, I greeted the student. But when I lay my eyes in his video, I was dumbfounded. I started to shake and my eyes got teary. I don't know what to do. I panicked. 

My student was m**********g in front of me! 

Embarrassed by what I've seen, I looked away. But a concerned voice echoed to my ears. 

"Are you okay?" he gently asked. 

As if I was enchanted by this guy with an angelic voice yet demonic action, I nodded and said "okay" as if this word is already my default reply to anyone who would ask if I'm okay. 

Like what the hell? Who the hell on earth will be okay after swing your student m**********g in front of the camera?! Well, that's me, Princess. f**k! 

I got the guts to face him only to see his face covered with guilt and conscience. 

"I'm sorry." Then he left the classroom. 

It took me a while to recover. His thing was big, though but I don't really care. I don't want him back in my class so I sent a report to the admin and blocked the student permanently. 

Some students will just really ruin your day. But there also some students who would make you feel valuable and special. 

On one comfortable afternoon, a student named Fumiya suddenly entered my class. He's 20, a University student, and take note, he's very cute. 

I greeted this student with my beaming smile. Am I so biased? Well, I think so.

We're having a very fun and entertaining class. This class is my favorite class so far. 

Since he cannot pronounce the word umbrella properly, we have to practice it several times. 

"repeat after me. Um-"

"Um.."

'Bre'

'Bre'

'La'

'La'

'Umbrella'

'Umbrera'

'Again'

'What?? Oh my gosh. I thought this is going to be easy! It's just a word. Oh no... Okay Umbrera?"

Pft. He's so cute. I smiled at him and shook my head. 

'it's  Umbrella'

'Ohh... I'm sorry.... Umbrera?' he closes his eyes. 

I chuckle. Why do you have to be so cute, sweety? 

'It's okay. Let's do it slowly... Follow me... L... Elll...."

He obediently repeats after me. 

' L.. ELLL."

'la'

'la'

'um-brel-la-'

'Um-brel-la-'

I snapped my fingers. 'Oh, that's it! Very good. Say it again! Umbrella!'

'Umbrera'

I smiled at him. Nagpipigil ng tawa.

'O my gosh. Wait. Let me exercise my jaw for you." He wiggled his jaw, then smiled at me. "Umbrera? Umbrera... Umbrera... Umbrella!' He was really struggling until he finally gets it.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Lumapad ang ngiti.

'That’s it! Very good!'

'umbrelra!' he exclaimed. 

Kapwa na lang kami natawa

'Okay. Let's proceed to the discussion first, and let's go back to umbrella later, "I recommended because we can't just waste our time with the word umbrella. 

'Okay, please... Umbrera.'

Natawa ako kasi mahina siyang nag practice.

After our class, I have to bid goodbye and what happened next was beyond my imagination. 

'Thank you for having a class with me, Fumiya! "

He waved his hand trying to stop me from talking so I give him time. 

'Yes?'

'Uh...teacher? See you again, okay?'

I smiled. 

'Sure see you again.'

He smiled at me, and that smile just melted my heart. How can he be so innocent as a child? 

'Thank you. Bye'

'Don’t forget the umbrella okay?' I reminded him. 

He laughs. 

Both he and I said in chorus “umbrella, umbrella umbrella, umbrelra umbrella." sabay turo pa sa isa't isa sabay tawa until both of us are disconnected. 

It was indeed one of the best classes I ever had. I was really hoping for the day that we would meet again, but after a couple of months, no Fumiya had ever come to my class again. 

Although I was kind of hurt by his unfulfilled promise, I just try to be considerate because, in life, some people are not destined to be with us forever. 

My life as an ESL teacher was exciting, sometimes I felt stress due to the demands of the company. Lalo na at tinaasan nila ang percentage ng deductions namin. 

Some people in their twenties have already enjoyed some of their big salaries, but not in my case. I enjoyed teaching my students, but I feel demotivated because of the demands of the boss of the center I am working. I worked 10 hours, with no proper rest, and benefits. At the early stage of my twenties, I learned how to endure some inhumane treatment of someone just to keep my job. 

Alam mo yong tipong gusto mo ng tumigil sa trabaho pero Di mo magawa kasi wala kang choice dahil ang hirap maghanap ng trabaho sa ngayon. Kaya tiis-tiis na lang. 

Ang hirap pa lang mag banat ng buto. Sadyang hindi nga talaga pinupulot ang pera. 

But in the times that I felt, I am about to quit my job, another person came into my life, who gives me new hope and new energy to keep going. 

I am aware that having a relationship with a student is never okay. It's against the policy, but I am willing to go overboard for this student. His name is Aslani, he's not Japanese but an Arab. He's in Japan and currently learning English. He was my first ever Muslim student. 

Just like a typical class, we enjoyed and finished it. He's so funny that I can't stop myself laughing all the time. I've never felt lively like that in my 5 months of teaching, only when I met him. 

Things go easy with both of us. He became my regular student, and we always see each other. Not just once but 4-7 times a day just to talk about some random things. We used the platform to get to know each other. 

"Stop being so funny, I might fall in love," I jokingly said. 

He smirked. "Not might, you should."

Seems like my heart skips a beat. Like what the f**k? How can we be so vulgar during class hours? 

Seeing my reaction, he smiled again, as if he won in a lottery. Damn this guy. 

"My heart is so fragile. Once you ask for it, you have to bear all the responsibilities," I said softly. I really tried my best to say it not loud enough for my coworkers to hear. Kasi mahirap na, ma terminate pa ako dahil sa kalandian ko. 

But I feel no shame and did not feel scared at all at that time. I let myself fell into his trap. 

Ganyan siguro kapag tipo mo iyong tao, halos wala ka ng pakialam sa paligid moa ng atensyon mo ay sa kanya lang. Iyong excited ka palagi na makita at makausap siya. Cliché it may seem but I feel so intoxicated in this strange feeling now.

He never got a girlfriend, and never got an experience of dating someone, which make me so happy. I never had a boyfriend as well, so I was really thinking that we’re fated to each other.

"Would you mind if I take 14 classes with you a day? You can rest in some of our classes. I just don't want you to get tired." 

I gulped at his statement. Since the day he entered my class, I never got more chance to entertain other students in my class since he keeps on coming to my class. 

His offer is actually tempting but I refused his offer. I don't want to use what we have right now just to benefit from him. 

"You know what? I've never met someone who would understand me like how you understand me. I don't know if it's because you're a teacher that's why it's easy for you to understand me, but I am really surprised that even without words, you can understand me. How can you do that? "

The side of my lips curves in his statement.

“It might be my talent," I said. 

“Yeah… and did I already told you that… "

“That?”

“That you're the most beautiful teacher I ever had.”

“Stop!”

He just laughed." It's real. I'm not lying. "

We just talk all the time, just purely random stuff. I don't know anymore if he's learning from me or what. Even if it's against the rule, he sometimes wants to flirt with me during the class, and would even call me, 'baby' and 'my wife'.  Sometimes he would act as if he’s giving me a smooch on screen. He acts like a child sometimes, which I really like about him. Whenever he got a correct answer, he would ask for some kiss virtually, and guess what I have done? I give his request. Like a fool being intoxicated with some drugs, I gave the camera a quick smack as if he’s the one I am kissing. 

Indeed, when love hits you, you can really do all the crazy things you’ve never imagined. 

To be continued...

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