Tik. Tok.
the sound of the clock echoes as Ms. Gwen stares at me under her glasses. She had taken me to her office for the “private talk” she wanted.
I stare back at her. She must be thinking about how to start scolding me.
It must be about my late arrival earlier, but I figured this is a bit of a stretch. She looks like she is far more concerned about me being able to talk with Mr. Venesian.
“What do you want to talk about, Miss Gwen? I am late for my next class.” I decided to be the first person to break the silence.
“How were you able to talk with Mr. Venesian?”
I furrowed my eyebrows, right? Because that’s what matters more now.
“Haven’t Mr. Venesian explained already?”
She raids her eyebrows, “He must be cheering for you just so you. Wol does not get in trouble in my class.
“He’s not. He’s telling the truth. and if you still doubt it, go and ask him ourselves.”
“that I the problem. Mr. Venesian is the type not to talk with anyone. He must have seen something in you… or you purposely bumped into him.”
“you’re telling me I m seducing him?” Wow, as if I have alll the tie in the world. I do not even care about men at all now.
I stood up and grabbed my bag, “I can’t d this today, Ms. Gwen. I am late for my mother's class. If you still want to talk about your unrequited love for Mr. Vensian please keep me out of it.”
She slammed her book on the table rather harshly, “Go to the student affairs office. you’re put on confinement.”
“What? For talking back to you?”
“No, for being disrespectful. Why did the school accept a student like you?”
I rolled my eyes, I have to stand up for myself because no one else would. “Excuse me ma'am, but is withdrawing your student and interrogating her just because you couldn't get your crush’s attention worth being put in confinement? I never break any rules.”
Confinement notice is like detention and trusts me, I never got into detention back in high school. I am a goody two-shoe and follow any school rules, I was the nerd and the teacher's pet!
Because being tint confinement will ruin my chance of a scholarship! And I couldn't afford payin' he tuition I full. I still have a huge student debt waiting for me. I can't bother to mess up.
Ms. Gwen looks like she’s lost her mind as she gave me a slip and throw me out of her office.
I breathe deeply walked to my next class and when it finished, went straight to the office. I want to file a complaint about Ms. Gwen, but I stopped when I saw Mr. Venetian in the hallways talking to the office.
I am itching how important she is to the school for them to act as if he’s alright and for Ms. Gwen to treat me like that. To think that I promise myself to keep a low profile and never make any trouble.
“Ms. Uy.” I was about to walk away and avoided eye contact but Mr. Veensan still managed to see me. “Why e you hee?”
I opened my mouth but did not want to say anything. I might make an enemy out of Ms. Gwen if I snitch her to Mr. Vensian and this might affect my grades.
But Mr. Venesian saw the paper I was holding, “I see Ms. Gwen sill gave you confinement. I’ll talk to her about this.”
“Oh, don’t bother, sir. It is alright.”
“But this will affect your scholarship, is it not?”
I want to ask how he knew I was a scholar but then I quickly thanks him and avoided him. I do not want to be involved in any trouble.
Days passed by and one of my schoolmates suddenly made Eye contact with me in the hallways and asked for me to have lunch with her. “Ms. Uy, let’s talk.”
We sat by the cafeteria and I am not the friendly type but since I know nothing here except the teachers, I figured I might need one or two friends so I col ask.
“Hello, my name is Dana. We are in the same ethics class.”
I nodded and reemerged that I could see her in front of the class always or either sitting beside me.
She might be a good friend, right?
“Oh, my name is-“
“Saphira. Yes. I know.”
I looked at her confused, “How did you know?”
“Well, you are quite the talk of the school.”
I blinked, How?”
“You know the dean and son of the owner of this school. Talk is going around that’s how you pass this sem.”
I gulped, Dean? ad son of the owner? so Mr. Venesian is that important?
“I didn’t know he would…”
“Yes, and not only that, don’t you check our med books? He published quite a few book and famous articles. He’s known globally. He’s like thee mozart but in medicine.”
i blinked, “Are you telling me he’s a doctor?”
“Yes, duh! a world renowned one! Girl, are you really living under the stone? everyone knows who he is!”
i felt a bit bad and ignorant for not knowing.
“But why is he not practicing in a hospital? Ad ended up in this…community college?”
“I do not know the whole story, but he might have gone into an accident that’s why he got crippled.” Dana then added, “Everyone here both admires and is intimidated by him. So we are surprised how a student managed to make him talk. He never ne spares a glance at any of us.”
Days pass by peacefully, except that on one fine morning, Mr. Venesian walked into my class with his usual wheelchair, and bodyguards outside, and announced, “i will be your substitute teacher for this subject as Ms. Jennifer is on maternity leave..”
I gaped in shock. No way, why does he is always pushed on me?
He taught. and he teaches well, I have to give it to him. He was professional too.
“Ms. Uy, stay after class.’
I nodded.
‘Did I do good?” He asked.
“Oh? About what sir?”
“Teaching, you taught a lot, didn’t you?”
‘yes.”
“Good. I practiced for it the last few days..”
But I can’t help but look at him.He has a lot of good titles. The word renowned doctor a a young age..published research articles online with 2 million subscribers on his blog, published his med books, and so much more that I couldn’t keep track of, yet he remained humble.
and associating himself to me…i wonder why…
“You don’t have o think about my opinion, sir. You are doing good.”
“Oh? but asking you like this would be me improve my teaching style knowing that you learned a lot will be beneficial for your other students too.”
“but you can ask other students.”
“C’mon, they're not like you I know you would give the truth and you are the only friend here.”
I blinked, friend When Did this big-time dean and doctor consider me a s friend? And he is too attractive that everyone wants to befriend him. They are just intimidated…
“uhm sir, isn't it a bit….too much? you’re the dean, and having a student as your friend is not a good idea.”
“Then consider. me your prof when you are in class, t my friend when not In class.”
I nodded. He looked the time, “Oh, look a time. I am afraid i am making you late again. i’ll see you tomorrow.”
He was about to go when suddenly, his hands stopped.
“Uhm..Ziara? Could you please help me get my medicine?”
i paused. “where?”’
“to my bag.”
i did as he ordered, gave him my water bottle as he drank his medicine.
“what’s happening?” I panicked a bit.
“Oh, I just forgot to take my medicine for this.” He said, motioning to his foot, “i am glad you are there to help me. i guess I have o thank you again.” He chuckled.
I blinked, wondering why he is taking it lightly. His feet were hurting and he forgot to take his meds? Damn, that must have given him shock as i know some cases like that….
“Don’ forget to drink you meds then, sir.” i reminded him, “i’ll get going then.”
“Wait, that feels like I am that old to you. I’m only 3 years older than you. Call me Rameo when we are alone. Or Jace.”
I blinked, “Really?” He’s just three years older and he got many accomplishments….
“Yes, why are you that surprised? Do I look that old to you?” He asked, glancing at the mirror nearby and inspecting his reflection. He had formed a beared on his chin so he sighed. “Damn yes, I really look old.”
I just chuckled, and with that, I walked away, not realizing the hell that I just entered myself into.