Chapter 2: The Headteacher

It has been a few months already when Divina's encounter with the mysterious pianist had happened. And because of all her disappointments of seeing, hearing him rather, she eventually had moved on over him. She had decided to focus her attention on teaching her kids. Due to her busy working routine at school, it had also somehow eased the pain in her heart that Alfredo brought to her a year ago. Sometimes her painful memories with Alfredo no longer bug her mind… except when she is alone again. One day, because she was running hastily, she bumped into Mr. Marco Salvador… the school's headteacher. Mr. Salvador isn't that old yet, but his strict personality and aura seem to add years to his real age. He doesn't look ugly but he is unlike those handsome men you see in the movies, white-skinned and seemed to be sculpted into perfection. At first sight, you know Mr. Salvador is a native, his olive skin color gave it away immediately. He is not that tall but he is of average height, undeniably different from his former lover, Alfredo. Divina frowned when her unfaithful lover had crossed her mind again. 'My apologies Mr. Salvador.", Divina said, unintentionally sneered at him without realizing it… she was actually thinking about Alfredo, that thought made her sneer. "Early in the morning yet you're already frowning. You're ruining this beautiful day.", Mr. Salvador commented on Divina's behavior. Divina was embarrassed, she never expected that their headteacher would scold her, and it was all because of Alfredo. "I didn't do it on purpose, Mr. Salvador. There are just… some things that bothered my mind. It has nothing to do with me accidentally bumping you. I apologize.", Divina humbled herself as she stared directly into Mr.Salvador's eyes. She saw how Mr. Salvador had scrutinized her entirety with his furrowed brow. It was so obvious that Mr. Salvador is not feeling her. He still doesn't trust her. Actually, Mr. Salvador smiles a lot but only to those he trusted or those who have worked with him for a long time already. He might wear a smiling face but when it comes to working, he is indeed strict. And being unfortunate, Divina being a newly-hired teacher now made a mistake towards him. 'Okay, you may go now.", Mr. Salvador replied. Divina sighed in relief as she saw Mr. Salvador walking away from her too with a subtle smile on his face. The school tends to have faculty meetings a lot of times every month. They talk about how to improve the quality of their teaching at school. Most of the time, Divina is just silent, would constantly nod in agreement with the majority. After all, she is the new one and it seems like she has "no say" against the experts already. However, recently Mr. Salvador had been asking her opinion about the tasks of being a good teacher. Sometimes, Divina thought if Mr. Salvador had been keeping his hatred towards her. He became like this ever since she had accidentally bumped unto him, and now he constantly bugs her with many questions. But then every time she opens up her ideas in the faculty, he would purposely question her ideas, finding any loopholes about it as if he was arguing with her. In the end, he slaps her with the reality that this is just what a new teacher could only do. '… what do you think, Ms. Aljuego?", Mr. Salvador, attacking her in the faculty meeting once again. "Divina, Mr. Salvador is asking about your opinion.", the co-teacher beside Divina whispered unto her. This brought Divina back into reality. She just stared coldly at Mr. Salvador while the man smiles at her as if he was already celebrating his victory of embarrassing her in front of the faculty once again. "For me… it is undeniably vital to have a meeting about how we are able to improve our system in teaching. It is just right… however, I also believe that what the children learn at school, they will bring it with them when they grow up, and until they get old. I think it is good not just to invest in teaching them academically but also to plant the seeds of good manners and values. So that when they grow up, they will become responsible citizens with an intention of serving or contributing good deeds for our country. Isn't it much more of an honor if our school is able to produce these kinds of students, law-abiding and responsible instead of a smart kid but cancer in the society?", Divina answered. She saw how other teachers, even the veteran ones had nodded their heads in agreement with her except Mr. Salvador who just listen to her intently, not even making an effort to look at her. Mr. Salvador fell silent for a few moments until many of the co-teachers had begun buzzing their own opinions as well towards their seatmates. Have I said something wrong again?, Divina thought worriedly while still looking at Mr. Salvador and she was surprised when he finally went to stare back at her as well. She was so nervous and it feels like she was about to choke with her own saliva. Is he going to embarrass me in front of the faculty again?, Divina thought nervously when suddenly Mr. Salvador showed his subtle smile. She couldn't explain how happy and relieved she was when she saw his simple smile and it was contagious, she smiled back at him too. Everybody knows what Mr. Salvador's smile means. It means that he is already accepting and trusting Divina now, she is no longer a neophyte, she had become a true teacher. 'Congratulations Divina! You are now one of Mr. Salvador's trusted teachers. No wonder why he has been cranky towards you recently.", it was Maria, Divina's close friend from her hometown. 'Yeah, I know… so this is how it feels like when you are being recognized as one of them.", Divina smiled happily. "How about me? When will I become one of you too.", Maria said dreamily. "Don't worry, Maria. Just get your heart ready. I really thought Mr. Salvador will fire me because of his grumpiness.", Divina said. "I'm not grumpy at all.", Mr. Salvador answered behind them. Both Maria and Divina were in shock, their faces were red, and felt embarrassed because of what they were talking about him behind his back. "Mr. Salva---', Divina tried to explain but was now even more shocked to see Mr. Salvador laughing. She never saw him laughing so happily like that, just like his smile, his laugh is even more contagious. "Next time never talk about someone behind their backs, especially here in the middle of the pathway where I could hear you clearly.", Mr. Salvado smiled as if treating what had just happened is no big deal for him. He even waved at them goodbye before leaving both women behind. "Maria! It was so embarrassing! Why didn't you tell me Mr. Salvador was there.", Divina complained and pinch her friend's side in a joking manner. "Divina, I didn't know too! Mr. Salvador is too small to see! Hahaha!", Maria laughed. "Hey, he is not stout! Mr. Salvador is just of average height for the natives.", Divina defended. 'Are you defending him just in case he could still hear us? And yes, he is indeed stout compared to your Alfredo.", Maria continued laughing and stopped when Divina fell silent, she realized she touched her friend's pain in her heart. "I… I'm sorry Divina.", Maria said. Divina just slowly nodded as she remembers her unfaithful lover again. 'Don't worry Divina… it seems like Mr. Salvador is not taking your words to his heart. I remember the senior teachers talking about him being a good sport and a joker.", Maria added as if trying to change back the topic at the same time wanted to console her friend. "Well, I hope so because it was really embarrassing.", Divina just answered. Days had gone by into months and Divina felt real contentment. Everyone was being nice to her and Mr. Salvador even jokes with them too. The pay is also satisfying and she could send sufficient money to her mother while taking care of her own expenses as well. There is nothing more she could ask for. It was very peaceful, her life had become too quiet as well, sometimes the silence had become deafening. Her life lost its colors, her actions are numbered with her usual routine and what to expect tomorrow is the same she does today. It's as if her life is controlled on a loop… but she is not complaining. She doesn't want anything to change at all… all she wanted is to hear the comforting melody she heard that day at the coffee shop. I want to feel that kind of peace that brought me contentment at that time… I want to hear that simple melody. I wish I could hear that pianist again., Divina thought. 'Oh… I'm such down on one's luck…", Divina sadly blabbered while sighing when she thought of that peaceful music from that mysterious pianist. "You're down on one's luck? Why", it was Mr. Salvador who was already standing behind her. Divina almost skipped a beat in shock.