June received an invitation from a principal at an elementary school where he then worked. He packed his things because he's going to stay there for three days. The principal asked for a favor. She needs June's help on how to improve the school teaching system. He didn't even inform May about the matter because she would definitely go with him. But May's radar seemed to be strong and it was obvious that he was leaving.
"Where are you going? I saw you take out a bag earlier," May whispered to June. Her husband is busy using the laptop and he hasn’t looked at her yet.
"I'm only going to have to work," June was forced to reply.
"Are you going to deliver vegetables? Is that far?" May asked. She leaned over June's seat and peered into her serious face.
"Can I come along? I'll help, promise!" smiling, she pleaded once hand-raised.
"I can't, it's still on the mountain. It's far away and you'll just get tired," June explained and glanced at May for a moment. He kept his eyes on his laptop. If he looked at May for a long time, he might just give up and drift with what she wants. He also planned to visit his former workplace even without invitation. He also plans to go there alone because he doesn't want more people to find out about his lies about his setup with May. That's good to avoid intrigue. And other teachers there also know Sasha's past. It's hard and maybe someone will talk about it and May will hear more about her late girlfriend.
"I won't complain, as long as I want to come along and that's what a wife should do, be with her husband," May insisted. She even blocked June's laptop screen with a handkerchief to distract him and so he would just look at her.
"Hush, I'm working. You'll be fine later," June said irritably. He pretended to be angry but he was thrilled again by his wife's attention. He didn't want to get used to May's behavior. As per Malou, May is very opposite to Vanessa. Vanessa Montefalco is independent, sporty, boyish and combative. While May Ybañez is modest and dependable to him. He sighed because May didn't listen to him. She still doesn’t remove the draped handkerchief on the laptop.
"Okay, I'll give you half an hour to pack. I'm leaving later."
"Really! Even if you don't allow me anymore, I already packed my belongings!" May's response was satisfied and she was overwhelmed when she hugged June.
"Thanks! Promise I won't complain!"
"Yes, don't strangle me," June complained because May's grip on him tightened because one of her arms was hooked around his neck.
"I'm sorry, I'm just excited," May replied like a child and let go of June's hug.
Within two hours, May and June also reached the remote village of Pinagpala. June decided to park the car in a hidden place because they were going to climb the mountain to reach the house of the principal Mrs. Crisanto. The school is also close to its house so when they can climb, there is no hassle.
"I told you, the place we're going to is far away," June gasped. He preferred to focus on the rough road as he held May's hand.
"I told you, didn't I? I won't complain," May assured. Even when the sun was up, she walked patiently. She could bear all the tiredness as long as June was with her.
"If you're alone you're miserable, you're sad while walking," May added.
"And at least I'm a man, I can handle myself. I'm more capable of being alone. So you really should just stay at home," June replied. He was so scratchy when he suddenly remembered a thing.
He took the watch he had hidden that belonged to May. That was the watch he was wearing when he found her unconscious. It was also the watch with gps that he promised Malou to wear to her boss.
"Here, wear this." He put the watch on May's wrist. It just smiled. "Your gift for me? It's nice."
"You always have to wear this huh? This watch is special," June ordered. He took his free seconds to glare at her. She's so pretty with that innocent smile.
‘Is Vanessa materialistic? Or it's like she just has superficial happiness.’
"It's special because the giver is also special," May replied. She looked closely at the watch, somehow it's so familiar with her but she didn't stress herself to think more about it. All she can think now is that June can help the Pinagpala community.
"Let's go." June's voice was serious. He scolded himself because May was making his heart beat faster again.
Hand in hand, they traversed the thicket. June just smiled as she finally looked at the flat road. They will be able to climb to the top in a little while. In a few moments they reached the rocky mountains to the house of Mrs. Crisanto. The heat didn't stop them from walking faster. Even if it takes a long walk, he knows it will be worth it. The trail wasn't difficult to take. The heat is just really tiring.
"There, just a little. We're close, are you tired?" June asked worriedly. He noticed that his wife's shoulder was drooping and also seemed to be burdened by the backpack strapped to his back.
"I'm okay, it's easy," May lied. He just keeps his promise to herself that she won’t complain. She is the one who wants everyone.
June was just shaken. To alleviate May's feeling, he took the backpack strapped to her back.
"Thank you," May said smiling and took June's hand again.
They finally arrived, too. June took a deep breath because she could see in the distance the two storey house of Mrs. Crisanto.
Mrs. Crisanto welcomed the couple June and May. She didn't even think that June would really fulfill his promise because he knew that he was busy managing the farm. He was also surprised to learn that June had married someone else, he also knew his bitter past with his girlfriend Sasha who, like June, also became a teacher at Pinagpala elementary school.
"Ma'am, thank you because you didn't gossip about Sasha. My wife doesn't know about it even though he hasn't lost his memory yet," June thanked the lady as they shared a simple dinner. May first fell asleep due to extreme fatigue.
"You only asked for a small favor compared to the favor I asked of you. I really want the school to improve. The promise made by the admin for us has been nailed down. If we don't act, there will still be no progress. the school. Sadly, education has always been left to the priority of the society we live in. They thought that the sacrifice of every teacher who endures the meager salary is very small," said Mrs. Crisanto.
"The false system in this country has always been obvious. Those in office just want to achieve their own ambitions. They still continue to show deceptive kindness. They will give you a hundred but you won't. They know that billions have been hidden in their containers. Do you know what hurts? They have always been a platform for the extension of education but they still continue with the intention of making the people ignorant." June's disclosure of his attitude was sincere.
He is also like Mrs. Crisanto who dreams high for the school where he first taught and where he learned to take the sworn profession to heart.
Here he came to his senses. He realized that not everyone was enjoying the privilege he had enjoyed while he was still a student.
The society where he lives is unfair especially for the poor and continues to be used as a tool by the selfish in an abusive society.
***
June and May are ready to go to Pinagpala elementary school. It was just walking distance from Mrs. Crisanto. The faculty members prepared a small party to welcome the couple.
"Ma'am, you don't have to prepare something like this for us. It's embarrassing," June said as she was overwhelmed by the total hospitality of the faculty members at the school.
"Don't think about it. It's embarrassing if we don't prepare anything, you are special guests here," said Ma'am Violy, one of the teachers there. June was also her co-worker back then.
"Your wife is beautiful," Ma'am Violy added and May smiled.
"That's why. She looks like an actress. They're June's thing. She's as beautiful as Sasha," added another co-teacher, Maam Zenaida.
"Sasha?" May asked in astonishment and turned her gaze to June. June was also stunned by the pancit.
"Sasha, that actress is also a singer. She's Ma'am Zenaida's idol. Sasha Padilla, she just remembers May." Mrs. Crisanto was quick to handle the situation. Ma'am Zenaida because she even mentioned June's ex-girlfriend. Because, Ma'am Zenaida is the only one she hasn't told not to mention anything in June's past while they are facing his wife.
"I don't know him. I don't remember anything," May explained with a laugh.
June suddenly sneezed. "Let's just eat because we still have a lot to do later."
Silence also prevailed over them as they partook of the small feast. After they ate, June first observed the teachers teaching in their respective classrooms. He took some important notes that had to do with his observations. May, on the other hand, enjoys taking pictures in every corner of the school. She also did not miss the scenario in the classrooms. The whole day passed and both the couple were tired but they still managed to bond with the young people.
Everyone is entertained by May, because she loves children and she loves to play with them. For June, that was probably May's softest spot as Vanessa. It was a single point in his heart.
He smiled secretly.