I got back to my work place and I just couldn't stop thinking about my encounter with Tia earlier that day.
'Would I ever meet her again', 'How do I track her down'. I had no hint of where to find her. The only thing she left behind was an orange. How do I find her with that?
Just as I was getting deeper in my thoughts, my alarm went off. I looked at the clock and it was quarter to five. I stood up and made my way to class 3.
The noise from the classroom was deafening. Papers flying everywhere, tables and chairs repositioned in disorderly manner, pupils gathered in twos, threes at different corners of the classroom room. It took them a few seconds to notice my presence and they quickly came to order.
My presence in the classroom seemed confusing. The pupils looked at each other like they were searching for answers.
'I know you are all confused and surprised to see me here, instead of Miss Smith, your home room teacher. She had a family emergency, so I'll be standing in for her today.'
The pupils looked more relaxed after hearing this, and the atmosphere became more welcoming.
'It's almost closing time, and your parents will be here to pick you up at any time from now.' I said with a smile on my face.
'You all know the rule. Once the bell rings, you pack your school bags and lunch bags, stay in your seats and wait for your parents or guardians to come for you. Is that clear?'
A resounding 'yes' echoed across the room.
'Also, make sure to submit your drawings to me as you go. Remember I said you all have to submit by closing time today.'
'Okay sir!' They chorused.
The bell rang at five pm sharp. Parents began troping in. Hugs and kisses flying everywhere. It was such a heartwarming sight, but I was never going to fall for it. I'm never having kids, I love my freedom.
'Bye Mr Cruz.' One of the pupils waved at me. I was about to wave right back when I looked up. I instantly stood up from my chair and then I froze. The room, the noise, the laughter — it all blurred into silence. There she was. Tia. The woman I thought I'd lost to the chaos of the mall, now standing a few feet from me with two children at her side.
The look on her face tells me how surprised she was to see me too. Her face turned red, her eyes blinked continuously. I was shocked too, or should I say excited? I looked at the two kids and I saw the striking resemblance.
'Wow!' I mouthed. I walked up to her and before I could say anything, her daughter interrupted.
'Mom, this is our new art teacher, Mr Cruz. He draws really well.' I looked at Mollie and smiled. 'Thank you for the compliment missy.' I said in a soft tone.
'Lovely meeting you here,' I said to Tia. 'You left in a hurry this afternoon and I thought I was never going to meet you again.'
'Yeah, I… I.. hmm.. I was..' She stuttered.
'You don't have to explain yourself.' I cut in. 'I just hope you're not offended.'
'Offended? Why would I be?'
By this time, her kids already left us alone to go play with other pupils, and now, I could talk freely.
'You know.. Some people might have found my compliment to be offensive. I just wanted to make sure that you didn't.'
'No, it's fine.' She said, 'I didn't know you worked here, this is my first time seeing you here.' She continued, and now she spoke freely.
'I just started,' I said, 'infact, this is my first job as a teacher.' She opened her eyes wide, looking at me with a surprise.
'I could have asked what you were doing before this, but I'd hate to be invasive, so..'
'Invasive?' I interrupted. 'No, please! I'd love to tell you all about me.' As her eyes met with mine, she gave me a shallow, beaming smile. I could feel my heart pounding faster.
'Friends?' I quickly stretched out my hand, not thinking about getting rejected. I craved that same warmth I felt earlier.
'Friends.' She slid her palm into mine after a brief hesitation.
She made her way to the door and called out for her kids. 'Mollie, Finley, let's get going.' They both ran to her and waved me goodbye as they stepped out.
All through the day, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Although I had proposed friendship, my body wanted more. My heart skipped a beat anytime I imagined her face. I was mesmerized.
I was about to leave for my house when I suddenly remembered that I didn't get her number. 'Fuck!' I screamed. Everyone looked at me. 'Nothing, nothing..' I said with embarrassment.
Suddenly, it crossed my mind. I had access to the pupils' records. I quickly switched on my computer and searched for her children's records.
There it was! I stared at the digits glowing on my screen, her number, her link to me. My chest tightened with triumph.. And something else. Guilt. But I shoved it aside. For the first time in many years, I wanted something so badly it scared me, and I wasn't going to let her slip away again.
I quickly input the number in my phone and saved it. I closed the file, switched off the computer and headed straight home. It was my first day of teaching and I've never been happier.