Black Lily University
A University I never imagined entering. A University that is full of students, really?
I can not stop groaning because of it.
And also Black Lily is an odd name for a University. I mentally shooked my head because I know who thinks the name of it.
Black Lily is one of the most populous universities. One of the University who handle a lot of students with a foolish mindset, a behavior that is not acceptable, and students who are born with gold in their mouth.
Most especially students who are so-called spoiled brats.
But not all students are like that, well maybe because this University doesn't give any shit with their 'kaartehan'. So this University teaches a lot of a lesson, and punishment, and make everyone be a role model and not just a student who plays around.
After all hindi naman lahat ay negatibo because some students are still conscious of their academics. They are all doing well and their intelligence is enough to handle everything, well of course not everything.
Everyone can fail even such perfectionist.
But yeah, what am I doing here at this University anyway? What am I doing inside this hella University?
—
"C'mon Tala! This is a good opportunity for you. To become a professor at our University. After all, we want to have a great professor!" Galaxy beamed at me. Galaxy Meyer, my friend.
My trusted friend keeps appearing in my office and pushing me into this.
"You knew that I am not a Professor, Galaxy," I answered her monotoned. She just rolled her eyes at me. Which is understandable. She never got intimidated by my attitude or coldness.
She just sit in front of me and rolled her eyes big time.
Such a sweetheart.
"But you're a genius. And I know It's a thrill for you! Sabi rin sa akin ni Mike that you are feeling bored right now." I sighed. Of course, I always am.
I am always uninterested despite being a genius. It is not my fault anymore if I get bored easily after enjoying a job for a year or a month.
"C'mon, Tala. Just accept it." I looked away as I stare at the wall in front.
Why does she keep asking me to be a professor? I don't even know how to be a teacher. I am fine complementing or describing students as 'stupid'.
"Pag iisipan ko muna Galaxy." She smiled at saka nagpaalam na muna because she has things to do.
Mabuti naman and I can rest with my peace.
—
I never imagined teaching students. Students that are full of themselves. Hard-headed, impulsive, and dumb. The word stupid won't ever skip because some are like that. What a waste of time, right? Intelligent pero ang iba ay ang lalaki ng ulo.
In the end, I still accept the offer. 'Coz I'm bored being bored. I hate doing nothing so I still accept the offer and challenge myself again.
Well, I'll make sure that this is a favor then. May utang sa akin si Galaxy.
I enter my car at the huge gate and parked it in the parking lot. I step out and got my things.
I feel presentable naman with my clothes. I choose a white top, gray blazers, and ankle-length white skinnies. I even wear my 5-inch gray high heels.
I found my way into the long hallway. I am amazed by the style and greeny surroundings. I stop and stare at all the building.
I also saw some students stop in their tracks and stare at me wondering who I am at the same time with amazement.
I wear my poker face and decided to find my way to the President's office. The President of this school naman ang kailangan ko.
Students are weird, right? It's not appropriate staring a professor while walking with those kinds of stares.
Such a bad habit of them.
Luckily, Galaxy gave me a little map of this University so I easily find the President's office.
I knocked on the door three times. Hearing faint footsteps until the door opens— "Galaxy." I facepalm. Siya ang nag bukas ng pinto. "What are you doing here?" Her smile got bigger which makes me roll my eyes.
"To say good luck?" Pagkapasok ko ng office, I saw Mrs. Gonzaga sitting with her all glory in her chair.
"You can text me about it, Gal. You're wasting your time."
"Miss Liandro." I shake my hands with Mrs. Ella Gonzaga ng malapitan ko siya. She's Galaxy's aunt which is why Galaxy can be here whatever she wants kahit wala naman siyang importanteng gagawin. "Make yourself presentable in this University. Sorry about Galaxy that keeps bothering you, ija."
"I am not bothering her, tita ha. I am just helping her and want to give her good luck. You know, she's so walang patience sa mga matitigas ang ulo—"
"Just like you, Galaxy." I rebutted. I saw her pout. How come Jirin falls in love with this woman? And oh, Jirin is her Fiancée.
"Ang sakit mo sa heart! Gusto mo ba ilibot kita here sa buong University—"
"No. I can handle myself, Galaxy." I cut her off. Nagiging madaldal na naman siya.
"Fine!" She groans. "Aalis na lang ako kasi may hinatid lang naman ako kay Tita. See you around Tala! Babyee~"
I mentally glared at the door once she closed it. Sabi niya she's here to say good luck and now she's here dahil may inihatid lang? Is she freaking serious?
Ilang beses ko ba kailangan kontrolin ang sarili ko not to punch her sometimes?
"Matigas talaga ang ulo niya, Tala. Hindi ka pa ba nasasanay sa kaniya?" Mrs. Gonzaga shook her head. Sanay ako pero nakakairita pa rin. "By the way, this is your schedule. Your first class is on the second floor of the Aurum Building and that's the College of Business and Management."
Aurum Building of the College of Business and Management, ha? Interesting.
"Let me punch Galaxy one of these days, Mrs. Gonzaga." She chuckles.
I looked at my schedule after I get it from her. Busy schedule, I guess. Acceptable time.
"Sure. Do you know where your office is?" I shooked my head.
"Sa First Floor lang din ng Aurum Building. May office kasi doon na hindi na nagagamit so Galaxy fix that. Left, last door. Tabi ng Admin office and office ng mga professor." May kinuha siya sa ilalim ng table niya and it's a key. "Sorry I wasn't able to show you your office on my own. May meeting pa akong pupuntahan, ija. This is your key."
"Thank you, Mrs. Gonzaga. No worries." I already know where the Aurum Building is. Like I said a while ago, it seems there's a color code in the building.
"God, I'm glad that you accept the offer, Tala." Mrs. Gonzaga smiled at me as I nodded my head. Why not? If her niece keeps nagging my rest day, sinong hindi mapapaoo?
"I feel so bored, tita. I maybe have a profession but I am still bored. This may help siguro kahit we both know na napilitan lang ako." I may sound bitter but she just chuckled.
What's wrong if I'm bored? Wala namang nakakaexcite. All is boredom.
"Your boredom is sucks but I know you can do it. Go now, and start your class. Please don't be bored and lastly don't throw a book in your class, got it?" I'm about to think of that. Bawal na ba ang gawin 'yon kahit sobrang tigas ng ulo ng mga magiging klase ko?
I bid goodbye to Mrs. Gonzaga and didn't complain.
I started my way to the Aurum Building. This Building has building signage or a signal that says 'Aurum Building and below that is the College of Business and Management. May mga nadaan pa akong dalawang building na gano'n din before the Aurum one.
I sighed mentally before entering and finding my office.
I'll go to my office first to drop off some things. I'm glad that Galaxy chooses my own office for me. I still don't want to share an office with anyone. She knows me so well. 'Coz if she's not going to do this then I back out.
Kahit magmakaawa pa siya ulit.
I am going to teach Major in Marketing Management, easy. Hoping that my students will be good inside the classroom. I will create rules that they need to obey and if not, a little punishment won't hurt, right?
I am Tala Liandro, bored of being an investigator and working with the government. Government sucks and everyone knows about it. I trained well and I quit being in the army. I don't know basta I'm getting bored. Wala na kasing bago, paulit-ulit lang and nakakasawa na.
And I know my boredom let me teach students. I become a Professor well not yet dahil wala pa akong license. That's easy.
Malayong malayo sa itsura ko ang maging isang Professor.
I heard my phone ring and I looked at it by opening it. A disturbance.
I saw Galaxy Meyer texted me. See, she's disturbing me again. Parang kakaalis lang niya ng University and now she's texting me again.
"Good luck to your students Miss Liandro! Hope they won't pee in their pants for getting scared of you! See you later!"
Galaxy is being Galaxy. A well-known singer and artist in the world of industry. Artista pero kung umasta ay parang bata. She already knows that so I don't need to say it in front of her face.
I also have a name but I keep myself more private and such. I hate attention, but it seems like students here can't get their eyes on me.
Oh, when I become conceited like Galaxy? Kasasama ko 'to sa kaniya kaya nahawa na rin ako.
Kung hindi ako pinilit nang pinilit ni Galaxy, hindi ako papayag. It just sucks when my mother tries to convince me the way Galaxy tried. I didn't know that Galaxy dropped the thing on my mother. She uses my last alas kaya pati si Mom ay tinulungan siyang kumbinsihin ako. Pinagtutulungan nila akong dalawa.
Some of this day, I'm gonna kill her.
My mom wants me to be an educator when I was young. I am just interested in thrills, challenges, and complicated things. She didn't say anything and let me have the life I want. Kahit na mas takot pa siya sa buhay ko kaysa sa akin na halos harangin ko na ang lahat ng kapahamakan.
And here's the dream she wants for me and here I am in the University.
A Professor.
Lucky, her dream comes true because of Galaxy.
I stop walking when I found the office they are talking about. I have my surname in front.
Opened it is in awe as I'm nodding my head in satisfaction with the design of my office. It smells great and coffee.
Nakabawi na si Galaxy.
I look around for a minute before fixing my things. Kinuha ko lang ang laptop ko at ballpen before getting out and locking my office.
I sighed again, hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses na. Labag talaga sa loob kong narito ako sa eskwelahan na 'to.
Some students are looking at me awkwardly, maybe because of the way I look at them. Some are looking away and giving way.
Good then.
I didn't use the elevator para makapunta ng second floor. I use stairs for an exercise na rin.
I hate students' attention and the way they stare at me. It's unrespectable.
I touch my throat as I feel thirsty when I reach the second floor, so I enter the Cafeteria na nadaanan ko. Some students are here and eating their breakfast because they cannot eat inside their own houses.
Kulang na lang gawin nilang bahay ito.
I didn't know na may cafeteria dito sa second floor. Kasi ang alam ko may nadaanan akong malaking cafeteria between the two buildings before the Aurum Building.
Some students are reading inside this cafeteria. There are also a group of students na medyo maingay habang kumakain. Some are just sitting on the corner and eating silently. Some have a world that's not minding the noise pollution and human beings.
But then,
A girl intrigues me.
She's with her friends, I think.
Her action and the way her eyes move. It's something that it's so alarming for me. It is so alarming that suddenly a worries spread on my system like what the hell is this?
I stare at her intently.
She may be smiling and laughing, yes but I can't sense the genuine in their amber eyes. Her eyes are telling something more that is hiding in her wall. She looks chill but I can sense her uneasy movement. Her body says uncomfortable and I feel trouble.
But why?
"Mare, tignan mo si Alexandria. Ang ganda niya talaga 'no?" I heard some students talking behind my back.
After I paid for my water bottle. Tumalikod na rin ako at naharap sa dalawang babaeng nakatingin sa babaeng kanina lang ay tinitignan ko.
They were both startled when they meet my eyes.
"Sorry, Miss." I gave the way to them because it is their turn to buy. What is it?
Tsismis first?
I look at the girl once again.
She's Alexandria like what they say.
I am about to look away when I saw another group of students who were staring intently at this Alexandria group.
There is something in their eyes and I can say, they are maybe students but I smell something else.
I mentally shooked my head. Like, ano naman ba itong napapansin ko and why do I care about those weird students? I should think about my class and not something that is not even important. I don't even know them. Hindi dapat ako mabahala.
Going back to my subject, I already study last night. There's no problem with that naman. Kung may mga magiging problema ako ay ang mga estudyante ko 'yon.
Maybe, this year will be fun at all and not a headache.
Because if yes, I'll burn them on my own.