By Twin_Luna

[ SOMEONE’S POV ]
“WHAT?!”
Gulantang na tanging naibulalas ko pagkatapos kong marinig ang inilahad ni Auntie Jasmine, na gusto nitong mangyari na kailangan kong gawin.
“Hijo, this is the only chance for me to get close to the kid. And I want you to help me. Alam mo naman ang ginawang pagkukulang ng pinsan mo diba? At ang gusto ko ako ang pumuno o pupuno sa pagkukulang iyon, at sa kahit anong paraan gagawin ko mapunan lamang ang mga panahong hindi nagawang harapin at panindigan ng anak ko ang iniwan nyang responsibilidad sa mag-ina nya.”
Tila nagmamakaawa pang salaysay ng Ginang.
“A-are you sure about that, Tita? You knew from the start, it isn’t my real profession, so how can I—”
(Papaano ko nga ba gagampanan ang pagiging isang guro? Urgh!) *Sigh*
“Besides, I really don’t know how to handle kids. Okay, I like kids ’cause I always wanted to have one. But a dozen of them and more— Ghad! I don’t think I can make it.”
Hinilot-hilot ko ang aking sintido dahil naiimagine ko na ang aking sarili kung paano ako mangungunsumi sa mga batang magiging estudyante ko kung saka-sakali.
“Naroon na tayo, Hijo. I know that it isn’t your cup of tea bcoz you’re a successful business man. But in these kind of job you can still use your skills to handle the situation. And I’m really sure that I can still count on you, Hijo. So please, just this one. I’m begging you,”
Nakikiusap pang anya at hindi nakatakas sa aking paningin ang pagpatak ng butil ng luha sa mata nito. I inhaled again at marahas na napabuga ng hangin.
Naaawa ngunit naiiling na niyakap ko na lamang ito.
“’kay fine. I—*Sigh* I will see about it. Don’t worry Tita, I’ll do what I can do. I’ll try also, but hope so this will not going to be hard. (And hope I can make it)”
Pagpapagaan ko pa sa kalooban nito at hinimas-himas ko rin ang likod nito. I just can’t believe na ang magulang pa ang kailangang magdusa dahil sa kapalpakan at kapabayaang nagawa ng kanilang anak. *Sighed*
Maybe I’m still thankful bcoz I didn’t still tie a knot with someone. So I still enjoying my life to the fullest of being a single. But I’m still thinking about it, of having my own family in the right time. I shrugged my shoulder afterward.
(Fast forward…)
At sa napagkasunduan namin ni Auntie Jasmine. I just need to be a substitute teacher for the adviser of a grade 2 students in SouthVille Elem. And it’s a private school! So, the mother still can afford to enroll her child to one of the prestigious school here, eh? *Shrug*
Maybe Aunt’ Jasmine just over thinking and reacting too much. Dahil mukhang hindi naman naghihirap ang taong nagawang balewalain ng kanyang pinsan before the accident happened. *Sighed*
But maybe, Aunt’Jasmine just wanted to make it sure and make the move to get closed to the child she was saying. At hanga rin ako sa babaing ‘yon kahit hindi ko pa sya nakakaharap o nakikilala man lang. Bcoz she’s really brave and strong. Ni hindi nya man lang nagawang maghabol at ipaglaban ang karapatan nya, lalo na ng bata. Instead, sinalo nya ang lahat ng kahihiyan at sinolo ang napakabigat na responsibility to raise her child alone. What a wonderful woman!
Bcoz Aunt’ also told me that the woman was living alone dahil ulila na raw ito sa mga magulang at ni wala rin ito ni nakababatang kapatid man lang. So, how can she earned money to buy their needs and how did she support her child to get to a private school? That’s the things I want to discover myself. Let’s see… And tomorrow’s the starting of me being a teacher. Tss!
At the SouthVille Elem. School…
I am now heading to the office of the Dean/principal/the owner of the school to get my schedule and requirements for duty. See, he really lots of responsibilities here. *Iling, iling…*
And btw. He’s my Uncle Gary. The older brother of my Dad and Aunt’ Jasmine. At dahil maaga syang nabiyudo nagawa nya na lamang ituon ang halos lahat ng oras nya sa pagmamanage ng school na pag-aari nila at sa dalawa nyang anak na ngayon ay ang panganay nya naman ang kasalukuyang nagmamanage sa pagpapatakbo nang naiwan ng kanyang deceased wife na sariling business nito. And Tyrone is also my business partner, and yes I have shares to their company even I also managed my own business. At dahil nga sa kasunduan at napag-usapan namin ni Tita, kailangan ko talagang pagsabayin ang pagtatrabaho sa kompanya at sa pagiging substitute teacher. *Sighed*
Sana lang hindi pumuti ang mga buhok ko ng mas maaga nito.
“Wazzup, Uncle? Btw, I’m here to get my schedule and to know the information about her,”
Pambungad ko pagkapasok sa opisina nito.
“Oh Hijo. Hmm… Is really Jasmine need to do these?”
Paniniguro nya pa habang inaayos ang suot niyang eye glasses.
“Well… What can you say Uncle? *Shrug* you know Tita, she’ll do anything to get what she wants but not in a selfish way, I know,”
I sighed again.
“Hmm, maybe Jasmine just wanted to have closure with what happened and she just want to meet the kid, I guess.”
“Yes, Uncle. That’s why I’m here.”
Pagkikibit balikat ko pang muli.
“Oh, about that. You know, I didn’t still can’t believe that one of the students here in my school is my grandniece!”
“And you also won’t believe it, Hijo. You know that every year we’re looking for the student who’ll get accelerated, will have the full scholarship in this school, right? And I’m so proud bcoz the only one got it is no other than your niece!”
Napapalatak pang pagbibida nito na tila hindi parin makapaniwala. Wala sa loob na napahugot naman ako ng aking hininga. Dahil hindi ko rin napigilang humanga rito. Wow, just wow! That kid is really something, at hindi na kataka-taka na isa nga talaga syang Luxewell. That’s our family name. And yes, nasa lahi namin ang sobrang katalinuhan. But I doubt it kung nakuha ba talaga iyon ng magaling kong pinsan at nagawa nya ang walang kwentang bagay na iyon. *Sighed*
Naipilig ko na lang din ang aking ulo.
(Fast forward…)
And now I’m here in front of the doorway of the classroom, which would be my second office for the meantime. And now is the time that I’ll gonna introduce myself to my so called students. And I also already talked to the real adviser of them and he also warned me about his students. That I might have my self composure and most of all… I must be ready at kailangan na kailangan ko raw nang mahabang pasensya. So, dapat na ba akong magback-out?
Fine! But I really have to do this! For my Auntie. *Inhale/exhale*
Inayos ko rin saglit ang suot-suot kong salamin to make me look formal and very professional, dahil hindi ako maaaring magmukhang bad boy but instead becoming a really decent looking guy. Napasimangot tuloy ako nang wala sa oras. Nabahiran na tuloy ang signature looked ko. But I’ll make sure that I’m still a heart captured looking guy and yes not only on the eyes. *Wink*
And when I already open the door. Sumalubong sa akin ang sobrang ingay at nagkakagulong mga estudyante o mga bata na akala mo’y naglalako lamang sa divisorya at nakikipag-agawan sa mga paninda.
“Hoy, akin yan— no this is mine!”
“Hey, what are you doing to my notebook?! Give it back!”
“Huwahh..! Jj punch me, huhuhuh… Mommy!”
“Ay ano ba yan, hwag ka ngang magulo!”
“Blehh, akin na’to.”
“No, that’s mine! Give it back, isusumbong kita—”
“WHATTHEF*CK!”
Salubong ang kilay na tanging naibulalas ko at hindi ko pa naiwasang mapapikit lalo nang may tumama pa sa noo kong crumpled paper. As in what the h*ck?! Is this really a higher section of a grade 2 pupils? I know naroon na tayo that they’re just a kids. But— Jezz! Hindi ba naturuan ng magandang asal ang mga ito ng kanilang mga magulang sa bahay at parang mga dagang nakawala sa hawla kung umasta at kumilos ang mga ito? Wala sa loob na napatampal ako sa aking noo.
At napansin ko namang sandaling tumahimik ang mga ito at tumigil sa kani-kanilang ginagawa at nakatuon na ang paningin sa akin ng iba kahit nasa iba parin ang pansin ng mga tila nag-aaway na mga bata.
Ngunit marahil hindi inaasahan ng mga ito ang pagdating ko o lalo na siguro sa pagsigaw ko’t pagmumura. My bad.
“S-sino po kayo?”
Pagtatanong pa ng isang nerd na batang babae.
“What is the f*ct?”
Segunda naman ng isang medyo chubby na batang lalaki. Napahugot naman ako ng aking hininga dahil sa narinig. *Gulp*
“Ah— uhm, nothing. By the way kids, listen! I am now your new teacher for the meantime bcoz your former teacher won’t come until he get well soon. Bcoz he’s sick right now. So, I hope we can make it and do this together.”
(Ang pagkakasakit kuno raw ni Mr. Adviser ang kailangan...

kong gawing dahilan para mapaniwala ang mga bata sa pagkakaroon nila ng bagong magtuturo para sa kanila.)
“So, please get back to your sits and be seated. And I will introduce myself to all of you now, and then you kids must introduce yourselves too. Do you understand?”
*Cricket sounds…*
“Ehem! Do I make myself clear?!”
Pag-uulit ko pa nang wala man lang ni-isang sumagot at tanging nakatanga lamang ang mga ito. At mukhang mahihirapan nga akong paamuin ang mga bulinggit na ito. Sana lang magawa kong tumagal dahil umpisa pa lang parang gusto ko nang mag-give up kaagad.
“Yes, Teacher! *Chuckled*”
Sagot pa ng isa sa mga bata at nagawa pa nitong humagikhik. At nang tingnan ko ito, agad nagliwanag ang aking mukha at wala sa oras na napangiti ako na tila pinawi ng pagtawa nito ang inis na panandalian kong naramdaman. (She’s really cute—no scratch that, she’s really a pretty girl!) maybe, she’s really the one…
“Oh hello there, sweetie! What’s your name? Can you introduce yourself first? You can just stand up there.”
At agad naman itong tumayo at masayang ipinakilala ang kanyang sarili.
“Hello po, my name is Shianna Marie Lopez and I’m just six years old. And just call me Shia na lang po for short. *Chuckled* and that’s all, thank you!”
At nagawa pa nitong magvow bago muling umupo and she’s really joyful. And I’m kinda amaze bcoz she’s really has the accent na akala mo’y lumaki sya sa ibang bansa. Maybe her Mom really taught her. And she’s only six but she’s now a grade 2 student? Just wow. Totoo nga pala talaga ang sinabi ni Uncle about this kid. *Sighed*
Nakapanghihinayang lang talaga at hindi man lang iyon nagawang masaksihan ng ugok kong pinsan. Sa malamang kapag nalaman nya ang tungkol sa batang ‘to ay talagang magsisisi na sya at magdadalawang isip. Pero may kasabihan ngang; let bygone be bygone at ang tanging magagawa mo na lang ay itama ang pagkakamaling iyong nagawa kahit hindi mo na magawang makapagsimulang muli at maibalik sa dati ang lahat. You really can’t get back to the past ika nga.
“Oh, what a beautiful name like the owner. *Wink*”
At nagawa na naman nitong mapahagikhik dahil sa pagkindat ko rito. Lol.
“Btw, I am Jemerson Luxewell. But from now on you can call me Sir or teacher Jerson. That’s okay with you kids?”
“Y-yes teacher!/yes Sir!”
They all said in unison. At mabuti naman nagawa naring magkasundo ng mga ito at nagsiupo na sa kani-kanilang mga upuan at tumigil narin yung iba sa pambubully ng mga classmates nila at hindi narin umiiyak ang iba na mukhang nabully talaga. Dahil pupungas-pungas na lamang ang mga itong nakatuon ang paningin sa akin at tila naintriga at nacurios rin sa magiging new teacher nila. Hmmm.
“And one more thing kids. Sana lang wala na akong makikita o maaabutan pang may nag-aaway o nambubully ng classmate nya. Are we clear?!”
Kunwa’y istrikto ko pang saad bago pasadahan ng tingin ang mukha ng mga ito isa-isa hindi para pagbantaan ang mga ito kundi para mamemorize ko rin nang tuluyan ang mga magiging estudyante ko.
“O-opo!/Yes po Sir/teacher!”
They exclaimed. At mukhang magagalang naman pala kahit papaano. I think so?
At pagkatapos magpakilala isa-isa ng mga ito ay agad na akong nagsimulang magdiscuss sa kanilang magiging lessons for today. Maybe it’s just a piece of pie. Para lang din naman akong bumalik sa pagiging elementary eh, so maybe I can do this.
(Fast forward…)
At nang mga sumunod na araw ay parang nasasanay narin ako kahit mahirap talagang ihandle, lalo na kung nagtatrantums ang mga bata. Isa lang talaga sa mga naging students ko ang may katigasan ang ulo at ayaw sumunod. At iyon ay ang batang lalaking mahilig mambully ng kapwa nya lalo na ng mga batang babae. Bakla siguro ang isang ‘to kaya ganun. *Shrugged*
Puros babaing kaklase nya kasi ang madalas nyang awayin porket hindi sya kayang labanan. Tss! Whatajerk.
And one time habang nagdidiscuss ako ay hindi ko talaga napigilang hindi mapuno dahil nanaman sa pambubully ni Jj short for John Carljay lalo na nung si Shianna na ang binubully nito. Kaya ang nangyari napagsalitaan ko ito ng hindi maganda at hindi ko rin naiwasang mapamurang muli. Lalo na nang magawa nitong paiyakin ang pamangkin ko. And yes, I already accepted that she’s really my niece bcoz she’s still a Luxewell. We also have the same circle of blood dahil pinsang buo ko si Zian na kanyang biological father. And I don’t think she knows about her real father, or maybe yes? If you can see her, she’s really a jolly kid na para bang walang pinoproblema o ni katiting na kakulangan sa kanyang pagkatao. And maybe bcoz she’s a kid? Kids don’t bother kung ano man ang kulang sa kanila dahil madali lamang nila iyong mauunawaan lalo na pagdating sa problema ng pamilya.
But when I talk to her and comfort her for the first time…
Maybe, I got it wrong. *Sighed*
[ Flashback… ]
“Teacher, you know what? I really wanted to have a daddy. *Sniffed* But my Mom don’t want me to meet my daddy bcoz she said, daddy leaved us and never cared about us pa raw po. So, I’m really sad bcoz I will never really meet my real daddy. *Sniffing*”
I wiped her tears away from her cheeks and cumb her hair using my hands gently.
“Why is that so? Or maybe bcoz your Mom was just hurt bcoz of what your own dad did. Besides, it’s really hard for your Mom to handle the situation and I know that your Mom loves you so much. And she just wanted what’s best for you bcoz I know she also feel bad bcoz you can’t be with your Dad. So, try to understand your Mom, Sweetie. At malay natin baka one of this days you’ll finally meet your own father. So, be patient okay? Bcoz you’re still a little, you really can’t get the situation until you finally grown up.”
Mahabang salaysay ko pa rito na puno ng pangaral.
*Sniffed*
“B-but I— sshhh… stop crying now. You’ll never look pretty na sige ka,”
Kunwa’y pananakot ko pa rito but she just pouting her lips and it looks so cute!
“Fine, I will never cried again but in one condition.”
*Crossed arms*
“Huh, w-what is it Sweetie?”
“Can you be my Daddy? And can I call you Doddy?”
Excited pang anya habang nakasalikop ang mga palad while she’s sitting on my lap. Huh? Ano raw?
*Frowned*
“What are you saying Sweetie? You know that it’s not easy, and I can’t be your daddy just for an instant. Why, you want your Mom to get mad, do you?”
Jezz! Ano na lang kaya ang iisipin ni Tita kung mangyari ang bagay na gustong mangyari ng batang ‘to? But of course! She’ll think na nagawa kong sulutin ang mag-ina ng anak niya. H*ck! I am still in my right mind but… *Gulped* besides I didn’t still meet the mother, so let’s see…
“Well, instead of becoming your daddy. What about being your boyfriend? You know, I’m kinda handsome and you’re so pretty, so we’re perfect for each other.”
Pagbibiro ko pa habang pinagtataas-baba ang aking mga kilay. Pero parang gusto kong matawa dahil sa naging reaksyon nito. And she just grimaced while pouting her lips. Lol
“Hmp! That’s eww teacher! Look, you are so old while I’m so young and little, so na-uh!”
At nagawa pa akong irapan nito pagkatapos iyong sabihin at pinagsalikop ang mga braso na muling sumimangot at masama ang tingin sa akin. What the?!
She’s really like a grown up woman when it comes talking to someone. Bahagya kong naipilig ang aking ulo at ako naman ang kunwa’y sumimangot rito.
“Okay, what about having a first kiss. Who’s your first kiss, Sweetheart?”
*Puppy eyes*
I know I’m kind of a jerk and stupid for asking a little girl like that but I just can’t help it dahil natutuwa rin akong makita ang nagiging reaksyon nito sa tuwing naaasar sya sa akin.
“Uhm…”
Tila nag-iisip pa ito habang nakahawak sa kanyang baba, and I’m so amuse looking at her like that.
“Why teacher? Ang naalala ko lang po si Momma at Mama2. Momma kissed me on the lips everytime I’m going to sleep or go to school, while Mama2 only on my cheeks if she went home came from the province. So, I couldn’t figure out who is my first kiss,”
Mahabang paglalahad pa nito nang may kalituhang mababakas sa kanyang mukha sa huli niyang sinabi.
“W-ho’s Mama2 you’re saying Sweetie?”
Kunot noong pagtatanong ko pa rito and don’t tell me, she’s having a two mother?! Tss! What am I thinking?
“She’s my lola2! I call her that way bcoz she’s mom’s only Lola.”
Napapalatak pang sagot nito. But I thought she’s… Siguro nga kulang yung ibinigay na information ni Tita Jasmine and she also didn’t know na may kamag-anak pa palang natira ang babae. *Sighed*
And I felt relieved bcoz of the idea.
[End of flashback…]
End of Chapter 3 (Part 1)…