章 12: Chapter 12
"Wait a sec," Gabril said as he pulled his mother aside to explain that Teresa was also a member of the Olympic study group.
His mother nodded, understanding what Gabril was conveying. Gabril returned and headed to their study room, noticing that Teresa seemed uncomfortable with the situation.
Gabril gently held Teresa's hand, trying to calm her down so she wouldn't feel shy or worried.
They started their study session; their teacher had given them several modules to work on. They all worked on the modules and shared explanations with each other if anyone had trouble solving the problems.
The family maid, who was also Teresa's mother, came in bringing some food and snacks. Teresa was about to stand up to help her mother, but Gabril stopped her, allowing Teresa's mother to serve the food.
"Thank you, ma'am," Gabril said to the maid.
Teresa felt very uneasy seeing her mother working, especially serving her. She felt guilty at that moment; her face showed a hint of sadness. Gabril noticed this and handed her a book, asking how to solve the problem.
"How do I solve this? I still don't get it," Gabril asked Teresa.
"Oh, here," Teresa explained in detail, using her own method that was easier to understand. Within the study group, Teresa often ended up teaching her friends.
"Wow, that's genius! How did you think of such a simple solution?" Amel asked, seeking Teresa's help with the problem. "You definitely have to teach us all."
"I can't believe you're so smart, Teresa, you might even beat Kenzo."
Teresa smiled modestly, the compliments making her even more shy. "Oh, it's nothing," Teresa replied humbly.
Their study group was very supportive of each other; everyone helped out, and there was no individualism. Teresa was happy to be studying with them.
A few hours passed, and as the day grew darker, they finally finished the problems and prepared for the evaluation tomorrow.
Gabril's mother knocked on the door and opened it, saying, "Kids, don't leave yet, have dinner first," with a warm smile.
"Okay, Auntie," the group replied.
Teresa looked uneasy hearing that. They all left and headed to the dining table, which was filled with various dishes. Teresa slowed her steps and hesitated to sit in her employer's chair.
"Come on, Teresa," Gabril urged. "It's okay, really."
Reluctantly, Teresa sat in the chair with her friends and Gabril's mother. They all seemed to enjoy the food on the table.
"This is delicious, Auntie," Amel said to Gabril's mother.
"Eat as much as you like," Gabril's mother replied.
Teresa watched as her mother poured water into the glasses that had been set, feeling uncomfortable seeing her mother serving her. Her mother smiled at Teresa as if to say, "It's okay."
Teresa noticed that Gabril's mother was observing her, as their eyes met and locked for a moment.
"Who's taking you home, Teresa? Why don't you come with me?" Amel asked.
"Huh?" Teresa was confused about how to respond.
"No need, Teresa. Let Gabril take you home, dear. He picked you up earlier, after all, and we wouldn't want to trouble your parents," Gabril's mother said.
Teresa grew even more anxious hearing that. She wasn't ashamed to admit that she was the daughter of the maid, but the situation felt different now.
After dinner, the four of them left the house, and Gabril drove Joan and Amel to his car.
"Let's go," Gabril invited.
"I'm sorry if I caused any trouble earlier," Teresa said to Gabril.
"What are you talking about? You didn't cause any trouble."
Gabril and Teresa walked together towards Teresa's house, with Gabril escorting her all the way home.
"Teresa, I hope we can get closer. See you tomorrow," Gabril said as he headed back to the big house.
...
Teresa sighed and then entered the house. She noticed Kenzo's jacket lying haphazardly on the floor. She picked up the jacket and decided to wash it that night.
"Are you done, Teresa? What are you doing washing clothes this late?" Teresa's mother asked as she finished her chores and saw Teresa doing laundry.
"It's okay, Mom. This is my friend's, and I need to return it tomorrow," Teresa replied as she hung the jacket outside to dry.
Teresa approached her mother and suddenly hugged her, apologizing for not being able to help her earlier.
"It's okay, dear. You just need to study. Besides, at that moment, you were a friend of Master Gabril," her mother said.
"I'm really not ashamed, Mom, I promise," Teresa insisted.
"I know, dear. Don't worry about it. It's late now, let's get some sleep; you have school tomorrow."
Teresa smiled, then laid down on the thin mattress in their home, sleeping next to her mother while tears streamed down her face. It was almost a nightly routine for her to cry herself to sleep.
...
The sky was already bright when Teresa got ready for school that morning. She grabbed her bag and walked out of the house to say goodbye to her mother.
"Mom, I'm heading out," Teresa said as she approached her mother, who was washing her employer's clothes, before leaving for school.
"Alright, dear, have a good day," her mother replied, handing her a green bill.
Teresa left the big house and saw Gabril just coming out of his home. She quickly hid to avoid him. Instead of heading toward his car, Teresa saw Gabril walking toward her house. Seeing this opportunity, Teresa dashed out of the house to avoid Gabril.
"Phew, that was close," Teresa muttered as she walked toward the street. Along the way, she heard the sound of a familiar motorcycle. Turning her head, she saw Kenzo passing by on his bike.
"Ken—" Teresa started to greet him but held back, knowing that Kenzo probably wouldn't respond. She continued walking to the bus stop and waited for the bus to arrive.
Teresa boarded the bus and headed to her school. She noticed how crowded and jammed the streets were that morning, with many students going to school and people heading to work.
The bus moved slowly due to the traffic, causing Teresa to be late for school. When she got off the bus, she saw several students running toward the school gate as the start time was fast approaching.
Teresa joined in the run, but as she reached the school gate, the security guard was just about to close it. With all her might, Teresa sprinted towards the gate, but unfortunately, she didn't make it in time, and the gate was already shut.
Teresa and the other late students were asked to line up in front of the gate to have their tardiness recorded as a demerit point. In addition, they were made to run laps on the field for five minutes.
"Hah…"
Teresa ran along with the others, feeling her stomach cramp that morning after five laps. Fortunately, she managed to complete the run, grabbed her bag, and walked slowly, clutching her lower abdomen.
Teresa walked slowly by herself, trying to catch her breath.
"Ow…" Teresa suddenly felt a sharp pain in her stomach, and her head started to spin. Her vision blurred, and she suddenly collapsed in the hallway.
"Teresa!" a male voice called out.
********
Teresa's body was lifted by someone, and she faintly saw the person before her vision went completely dark, and she lost consciousness.
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