NORTON

What the hell? Uncle's just laughing at me?! I am waiting for his daughter to get home yet he's just cackling there? It's ten in the evening! Did he really think his daughter is safe out there?! Ugh, Jesus Christ.

"Norton, just give up. She won't be coming home tonight, she's with her boyfriend."

I secretly scorn my feelings out. So many questions are piling up inside my brain but I couldn't let it out. I don't want to say something that's against their will.

"They were together since then, kid. Before you met your cousin, she's already with Mikhail. You can't blame me for that."

I just scratch my head out of frustration. Why is his mindset like this? Not only him, but also the people inside this house. Do they have a sense of obligation to return the favour owed to that Mikhail?! If it's money, then I could hand them some of my savings. They terribly trust that guy. But I couldn't speak for I haven't met him.

"Come inside now, you're going to have mosquito bites here."

"I'll wait for her, Uncle. Don't worry about me," adamantly refusing his offer. Uncle Ben just smiled at me.

I came from the province. Since my mother died from an illness way back when I was in high school, Uncle Ben, my mom's brother, offered me to stay with him here in the Metro. I couldn't refuse back then. I neither had part time jobs nor money to finance myself.

Uncle Ben is a supportive father and a loving husband. I somehow get jealous but because he adopted me when I needed somebody makes me set aside that jealousness. I already pronounced them as my family. Older than Callie, I obliged myself to take good care of Uncle Ben's daughter as a sign of gratitude.

I don't know if something happened back then. I haven't seen his boyfriend, yet I don't like him already for my cousin. They won't reach her.

I tried to call her but she's not picking up. That booger is always making me worried. And I don't like what's happening now, like a bird that has been set free from a cage.

"Hello?" Oh! She's the one calling me now. The urge to scratch my temple as I'm starting to get annoyed, Callie.

(Norton? Why?)

"'Why?'?! It's already ten in the evening then you're asking me why?! Booger! Go home now! Or should I fetch you?"

(I'm already at the compound's gate, idiot. I couldn't pick up your call because I was in the jeepney. Okay! I'm done explaining my side. You may now fetch me. They lock the gate, hehe..)

Take a deep breath, Norton. You can pinch her cheeks once you see her.

As a crimp, I hurriedly went to the gate to open it for her. What the hell?! Why the hell is she limping?! There's so many hickeys on her neck! And she's smiling sheepishly! AH! My god! I'm close to screaming!

"I'm hungry, Tonton.."

"What?! Your boyfriend didn't prepare you a meal?! Tsk! You know what? Let's just eat outside—"

"You'll treat me?!"

"Idiot! We'll buy separately! Aay!"

I brought her to a nearby Burger Shop. She's not hungry, she's starving. Dude— Callie's on her third burger!

"I thought you ate each other? Why are you starving?"

She coughed— she literally coughed the chewed burger on my face! "Norton?!" And she has the guts to get mad at me?! To be shocked because of what I told her? Have I done nothing right here?

"What? I just told you what I was thinking. What do you want me to say, I'll praise your boyfriend for the hickeys he left? Did he even walk you to the terminal?"

The eyes of the burger shop crew will be gone out of its socket because of the tissue I continuously pulling out of its box. Hehe, I paid for it too. Don't look at me like that or I'll gouge your eyes myself.

"I'm an adult now, Tonton. I already have a stable job as a professor and besides, I'm with Sir Mikhail for too many years to count. It's just that, I couldn't remember him because of the accident before. But pieces of memories with him are getting back at me. Promise, he won't let me down."

I really notice her in the classroom while waiting for our professor. If you'll gonna observe the surrounding, all of them have circle of friends to deal with. Callie's the only one with a gloomy aura, alone in the corner. It's like, it's okay for her to be invisible.

"Norton! Hey! Computer shop! Dota, dude!"

"Bastard! We have a quiz tomorrow. I'll pass!"

Without talking, I continuously observe her behavior and eventually tried to talk to her. Giving an above average test result, making her the leader of our group in the lab, encouraging her to recite or present. Before I knew, she standout. Like a gem finally getting a spotlight.

"Really? How did you know he's your boyfriend? Huh? You told me you're getting some pieces of memories back."

It was intriguing, about what happened before I met her. I didn't know they wanted to harm her inside the campus premise. I thought revenge is just a plot for a primetime series, not until Uncle Ben explained to me that incident. But not completely, I guess.

"To his house. I have my belongings there. One of the rooms I occupied back then, all of my first-year handouts, sticky notes, pens. He intentionally covered my belongings with a large white cloth without changing its place. He knew I will come back."

The atmosphere between us suddenly glooms as she lethargically speaks. I know things were hard when they found out Callie's been in coma for a week or two. Now, I have no reason to oppose her happy moments with him. If she's happy, I should support my cousin.

"Are you happy now?" I'll just give her an indulgence and from that, I see the way her lips curled up just to smile ear to ear. She's genuinely happy now. There's nothing I could wish for.

"Of course! It's hard to think everyday if you've lost something. And that something is someone I really cherished," I can't help myself but to mess her hair up.

"Alright, I'll pay for your bill."

"Do you have a fever? For real?! Then can I order another one--"

"No! God! Please, no! Stop eating now!"

I have decided now.

Monday morning, I woke up early to prepare breakfast for them. Callie's schedule for today is an afternoon class, and I have decided not to tell her what I'm about to do.

"Why are you like that, Kuya Ton? Do you have something else to do?"

"Yeah! I'll go to the university. Eat your breakfast! Tell them I got some stuffs to deal with, okay?" I said while taking off the apron.

It's okay, I know Kevin would not tell them exactly what I said. He's my accomplice whenever it's for her sister. He knows exactly what I'm thinking, despite being a fifteen-year-old kid.

"Good morning, Sir! Where are we headed to?"

"Oh, to the College of MLS. I saw their post about having a vacancy?"

I showed the guard the screenshot about the program of the university having one vacancy of professor. I think they need an instructor for Microbiology since it's a crucial subject for third year students. I'm probably qualified, having excellent transcript of records and research certificates. Hehe, I hope I got this one.

"The left of quadrangle, just take the stairs up to the third floor of MTL building. MLS Dean's room is located there, Sir. Good luck!"

"Thank you!"

Whoo. This is it. I have to pass this walk-in interview. I need to protect Callie. I won't let that incident happen again. This time, I'll be by her side.

All of the students are slacking side by side, staring at me with their brows narrowed. I dress just fine, I wear jeans with black shirt tacked in. Is this outfit not counted for job hunting?

"Hello!", I lean downward to a sulking girl. Ah, she's just reading her handouts. "Where is the College Dean room?"

"T-Turn right from here.."

"Okay. Thanks."

Alright, we’re here Norton. There's no turning back. Don't stutter, smile your ass out. Shit. Why did I choose this outfit again?! Will I ever get this job with this beggar look?!

After three consecutive knocks, somebody opened the door for me. Oh, god. The room will be a den for rats if they don't clean this mess up. It's unpleasing to the eyes of newcomers. But of course, I won't say a thing. Hehe, hold your tongue. Stop being judgmental for a while.

"Good morning. I'm Norton Benedicto. I want to apply as one of your instructors, Dean."

And that's what I planned. A slap from Callie will definitely come flying to my face, but at least I know I could provide her the protection aside from her boyfriend's— whom I don't trust.

"You know what, I think I've already seen a record like this. If I'm not mistaken, huh?"

"Yes, Dean! Actually, one of your instructor here, Calliope Ponciano, she's my cousin. We went to the same university as undergrad students. We both took the same masters back then. She was also my classmate from sophomore year up to our masterals."

He's making a face. A satisfied one. Well, perceptions are subjective to get based on. Nonetheless, I like the reaction on his face. Looks like he's impressed. Whaa. Thank god.

"Wow! Both of you are overqualified for this job, to be honest. No, wait. The three of you, actually. Sir Valderama's also a heavy contender," Valderama? Who's that? Somebody's lining up with us?

"Anyway, you also excelled in Research? That's a great background, Mr. Benedicto. I could get you as a panel for their research. That's right!"

"Actually Dean, both of our dissertations were featured abroad, especially in Singapore and Japan. We received certificates of excellency and some trophies just from quiz bees and dissertations during our Masteral years."

Yeah, that was the aftermath of Callie's head injury-- the addition of brain cells. Damn. I was struggling to keep pace with her since she didn't look like she's giving her best. It's her normal pace. And Callie's a competitive one.

"Since the kids already had a week of not having an instructor, can you please start today? I'll just follow up your labcoat next week. Ma'am Shereen is currently in maternity leave and I bet she's gonna resign after giving birth. But if you have something else to deal with, it's okay. Start next week if you want--"

"I'll start today, hehe. Can I get my schedule, Dean? And what time is the start of their class?"

While walking on the hallway of fourth floor, I saw someone that's suspiciously smiling at me. Hell? He's waving at me. Who the hell is this guy?

"Hey! You're looking for your cousin?"

Oh, fuck. I get it. He's Callie's boyfriend, I suppose. How did he know about me? It's my first time talking to him, and seeing him now-- meh. I want to slap his face damn much. He made my cousin walk like a cripple and I had to help her put foundation on her neck just to cover those hickeys. This douche. Tch.

"Nope. I'm looking for my room."

"Room? Why? For what?"

His judgmental look-- I bet he's thinking about me being a returning student. That preceding look on his face.. I badly wanted to punch some slack on it.

"I'll teach my students their respective subject," there's a hint of unexpectedness replacing his previous reaction. Did Callie tell him I'm just a lazy bum?! She didn't even mention my achievements?! That's unfair!

"I see. What room will it be.. let's see on your schedule."

Huh?! The audacity to grab my paper?! I can't help it but to scoff. Had there no students in this hallway, I'd give him an uppercut. But because we're officially professional now, let's just giggle and smile, Norton.