Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Heartbreak

A deafening silence enveloped the next few seconds I waited for Sir Mendez's answer. I didn't have the courage to open my eyes and see Sir's reaction to what I said.

"Do you want something to drink or...?"

I was wide-eyed because of his question. I hear the skepticism here. I repeated what he said twice in my head to make sure if I heard correctly.

His brow furrowed as if he himself was confused by what was happening.

"Are you about to go home? it's already afternoon—"

"I wouldn't mind a glass of juice! I'm actually thirsty," I said quickly and maybe he will withdraw the invitation completely. I smiled widely. "Pineapple juice is my favorite!"

He nodded slowly and was now in his black cargo shorts. he turned his back on me and started walking towards what might be the kitchen. I willingly followed him.

It is unmistakable that a man owns her kitchen because of its paint color which is a mixture of gray and blue. It was also simple and minimalist like his living room.

I did not see the old man. Sir Mendez quietly placed the bag of pandesal on a round table and opened the door of his refrigerator. He brought out a jug of cold water.

"You should take a seat," he said without even looking at me. He took a sachet of pineapple juice. He has started the seasoning.

I tasted it and sat on the chair. I put my hands on his round table.

"M-Do you have someone in the apartment with you?" I will ask.

A few seconds passed before he answered.

"She's my family's househelp. She's only here every weekend to clean."

He put the pitcher of pineapple juice on the table and then took two glasses. He also took a plate.

"Because we almost ran him over the other day..." I said. "Because his cat jumped so...suddenly he crossed the middle of the road..." I stopped talking when it occurred to me that the old man might have told him what happened.

he nodded and poured juice into the glass. He handed it to me and I immediately accepted it. He put the pandesal on the plate. He took one and tasted it.

Instead of drinking the juice that was given, I waited for his reaction. He didn't wince or frown so I thought he liked the taste.

He finished one loaf and took another one. I secretly smiled and then took a sip of pineapple juice while stealing a glance at him.

"Is it delicious?" I said putting the glass on the table.

"Uh huh. I might finish it," he answered. "Do you sell this? Can I order for tomorrow?"

"I'll bake you again tomorrow when I get home from school!" I live said. "I'll deliver it here!"

He also poured juice into his glass and sat across from me.

"I don't want free. At least let me pay for it."

The light bulb in my brain lit up.

"I don't accept cash. But...can you treat me to dinner here at your house tomorrow?"

"Mother Celia won't be here tomorrow," he said and then drank the juice.

I frowned because I was confused by his statement. He must have noticed my confusion so he explained.

"You shouldn't go to a man's house alone."

"Why not? I'm your teacher..."

he sighed and stared at me intently.

"I'm still a man."

"Why? Do you expect me, Sir?" I asked innocently. Imitating what Hope might answer in situations like this.

He cursed softly and stood up.

"It's late. go home and maybe they are looking for you."

I snorted and struggled to stand up. We quietly left the kitchen. He took me to the gate. I just noticed that it was already dark.

"Do you have school tomorrow at your law school?" I asked before leaving the gate.

He nodded while staring outside as if looking for someone.

"The security here is tight. And there is also CCTV," I said while pointing to the post. I didn't even boast that the mansion was nearby.

"What time does your class end?" I mumbled.

"Nine in the evening."

"If that's the case, I'll bring you your pandesal, Sir."

He was stunned by his senses.

"You can't come to my house at night."

"Only when it's sunny? I'll just deliver the pandesal! I won't enter your house," I added because there was irritation on his face.

He gently pushed me out of the gate.

"I'll see you in class."

What he said stuck in my mind. I also wondered what was wrong with my question to him. but at least, my nagging has progressed because he finally noticed and I was able to talk to him in his kitchen. Thanks for the information given to me by his assistant, Mother Celia. and as a thank you, I thought I'd bake him cookies next Saturday.

"You said, what?!" Hope exclaimed when I told her about our conversation with Sir. the other students who were eating in the cafeteria also looked at us because he said it so loudly.

"If...he expects me," I really repeated.

He shook his head visibly and the disappointment in his appearance was obvious.

"You know, babe, I know that your status in life is no boyfriend since birth. That's why, why are you so innocent sometimes?!"

"What was wrong with what I said? I was only stating the truth," I insisted.

He pointed at me with the fork he was holding.

"I told you even when we were still in high school that you should have a boyfriend for experience. For you to be aware of what's really happening in the real world. Especially with boys!"

I twirled the fork holding the pasta that had just been eaten.

"Why didn't you answer me for the experience," I heard a voice say from behind. I didn't have to look back to find out who it came from.

"Oh, where's your girlfriend?" Hope teased Jok.

Jok just grinned at him and then sat down next to him.

"We're just friends."

Hope felt helpless while turning to me again.

"JC can't really answer you either because you won't pass his Mommy's standards."

"My jojowain is not JC's Mommy, ah," Jok answered calmly.

I'm almost sick of what I'm eating. Hope laughed out loud. And because the two were eating together again, our lunch break was filled with teasing.

Despite what happened last night, Sir Mendez treated me normally in class. I couldn't get rid of the secret smile on my lips while thinking about our conversation. I felt so light from the beginning to the end of our class.

I can't lose the excitement I feel while going home. I plan to bake pandesal again to deliver to Sir's apartment. He still has classes in law school so I still have time.

After changing my clothes, I went straight and bothered myself in the kitchen. the things to be used are ready because I told Manang ahead of time for this. I made a dozen perfect pandesals. Compared to the previous one that I just put in the bag, I put it in a tupperware. I also pasted a sticky note that I wrote a message on.

I was able to leave the mansion freely because Mommy and Papa went out of town for a prospective client. They said that they will stay there for three days because Papa will make another friend. I was especially happy and Mommy couldn't watch my behavior too much.

I ate dinner before going to Sir's house because according to him, his class would end at nine o'clock. The wind was cold so I put on a jacket. The night is not too dark because there are many lampposts on the road.

the corner of my lips lifted because I saw that the light in his apartment was on. He must have come home.

Carrying the tupperware, I headed to his gate. I was about to press the doorbell button but I stopped when I saw the door open. it spat at Sir, who clearly hadn't changed his clothes yet because he was wearing a black button down shirt and khaki pants.

He attended me immediately and opened the door of his gate.

"Good evening, Sir," I opened with a glance at his house.

he extended his hand so I quickly handed him the tupperware.

"Don't change the container," I instructed.

His eyes narrowed as he stared hard at the sticker I stuck on the lid of the tupperware.

"How much do I owe you for this?"

"Dinner!" I insisted. "This Saturday... when Mother Celia can visit the apartment."

"Good night, Miss Villarejas," he said and closed the gate door.

Even though I was inspired and busy for Sir Mendez, I did not forget my responsibility to study. We have a report this coming Friday on the subject of Public Governance where Sir Mendez is the teacher. I made thorough preparations.

In the following days I did the same. I deliver pandesal to him. it was no mistake, but not once did he let me enter his house again. I didn't sulk because I knew he was just standing by what he said. Until Thursday night came.

"What dish do you want?" he asked suddenly when I reached him with a paper bag full of pandesal.

My lips parted as I stared at him. Couldn't believe what he heard.

"I will send Manang Celia to go shopping tomorrow. So... what do you want to eat?"

my mouth opened and closed like a fish. He repeated this for a few seconds until he finally managed to say something.

"I like chicken curry!" I said hoarsely. Trying to adjust himself so that the excitement is not too obvious.

"Alright. Eight pm, sharp. don't be late," he warned and then closed the gate for me.

With no place to be happy, I jumped up and down as I walked home from the mansion. I thought I would have fun all week long, but it turned out not to be especially when Friday came.

It's four in the afternoon and my group is the last to report. we are four members in front and behind us is our powerpoint presentation. Sir was standing on the far side with his arms crossed watching and observing us.

It's true what they say that not everyone will be happy with the success you will achieve.

At first, our group's report was good. The pace is good probably due to patient and thorough preparation. while Hope was speaking about her part in our report about the Democracy and Wealth topic, the leader of the other group suddenly interjected.

"Do we also get wealth from marrying rich men?"

The whole class laughed. I thought our classmate Jana was just joking. by the way, my hunch is different. I noticed the critical look he was giving me.

"What? I'm just saying that some people weren't actually born rich in this country," he openly looked at me, "some were just born as a cheap actress and just prey on rich men."

"Where is this going, Miss Arta?" Sir Mendez's cold voice from behind.

"Yes, Miss Arta! Or maybe you're peeing again," added Hope, who was also irritated.

"Okay, fine! Let's say, Miss Villarejas, for example. her mother was just an actress but thanks to her rich stepdad, she was able to make ends meet. Although her stepdad is old enough to be his grandfather."

"That's enough!" Our teacher's cold voice echoed.

I stiffened in my stance and could barely feel my knee. I've heard a lot of comments about my family's origins but this is probably the first face-to-face mention of it.

Hope held my arm for support and I knew she could feel my whole body shaking.

"Take a seat. your group is done," continued Sir Mendez. I didn't even look at his appearance for a reaction to what happened because of my weakness.

With Hope's help, I had the strength to get back on the chair. The silence in the whole class doubled over what happened. after the remaining minute the class was also dismissed. I quickly left the room.

I got a text from Hope when I was in the car on the way home. He asks if I'm okay. I typed a reply and said my true feelings. that I was hurt by what happened and annoyed with Jana.

When I arrived at the mansion, I only received his reply to my last chat message.

Hope: I will repay you, babe

I ignored it and entered the house. I didn't go to Sir Mendez's apartment first. I'm ashamed of what happened so I can't face him yet.

I decided to go to bed early. Even though I tried different positions to lie down just to fall asleep, I still didn't get sleepy. I remembered what happened in class earlier.

I got up again and peeked at Pepe on his bed tray. I just put a small mattress on it to make him comfortable. I was surprised to see that he was still awake.

"Have you been bullied too, Pe?" I whispered while caressing his little wing. "What kind of chick are you? why don't you seem to be growing up?"

And of course, I still haven't received an answer from him.

"I'm only in my first year of college and everyone knows the story about my family, so why do I still get hurt every time they belittle me?" I vented my anger at Pepe.

"You know I was teased in high school because my mommy was not good at acting. Then her roles were always fake." I let out a deep sigh. "The issue only got worse when he met Papa."

I lay down again and covered myself with a blanket. Waiting to be pulled by sleepiness.

I didn't want to go to school the next day, I just thought it wasn't right to give up on my studies. When I do that, everyone will just think I'm affecting their allegations.

Wearing a navy ruffled tied up skater dress with white sneakers, I went to school. Even on Saturday we have school in the morning because of the PE subject.

Before getting out of the car, I received a message from Hope.

I'm absent today because Mom and Dad fought again. I have avenged you. I put a rat in bitchesa's locker!

I read his chat twice. My heart beat twice when I understood what he did. I quickly got out of the car and ran to the locker area. It's really Hope! I think he will escalate the issue, eh.

Seeing the crying Jana gave me goosebumps. He was in front of his locker which was currently being cleaned by a janitor. it was like the world stopped when I saw Sir Mendez next to him. His gaze sharpened when he caught a glimpse of me.

"Faculty room. Now," he said coldly that I knew meant for me.

With heavy steps I followed the two of them entering the faculty room. other teachers were also there and were busy preparing for their respective classes. We went straight to Sir Mendez's table. None of the three of us sat down. Sir Mendez was standing while Jana was watching us intently in front of him.

"I am interfering right now because when you had your conflict yesterday I was your teacher," he began and then focused his gaze on me. "Miss Villarejas, were you aware that there's a rat inside Miss Arta's locker?"

I swallowed and bowed slightly. could not bear the seeming accusation that his eyes showed. I closed my eyes tightly when I remembered Hope's chat just before.

"Yes, Sir," I said honestly, "but it""

"How old are you to pull that kind of trick? Thirteen? Fifteen?"he cut coldly, "For pete's sake, you're already a second year college student! You're so immature."

My lips trembled and it felt like he was slapping me with every word he uttered. due to being busy in understanding my own feelings, I didn't follow what he said next. I realized that I could no longer understand and feel the overflowing emotions.

I hesitated to just nod. I didn't cry. why would I let myself cry in front of him again when I know the whole truth myself? Why should I show him even this last weakness of mine?

I was beside myself when I left the faculty room. I was dumbfounded just remembering the robot-like apology I made to Jana earlier in front of the man I admired. A flood of realizations poured out of my life in recent weeks. I'm stupid. How did I end up like this? how did i get so desperate just for my ultimate crush?

Why did I allow myself to show emotion and weakness to the same person? Maybe Mommy's advice to me was right. I should have kept my ace. that's why from now on I will forget about him. I will never drive him crazy again. I would consider this experience as my first heartbreak. I might be hurt earlier but I definitely learn today. And tomorrow, I will be wiser.