Arjay woke up early on a Thursday morning and realized that it is his first day at his new work. He prepared a white polo and a black slacks for his attire before going to the bathroom to take a bath.
When he was done, he put on his clothes and fixed his hair. He checked himself in front of the mirror. It’s good to put on a nice impression on his first day. With thin almond eyes, a nice aquiline nose ridge, a thin lips and an oval-shaped jawline, he doesn’t look bad himself.
He was busy checking himself in the mirror when someone knocked on his door.
“Son, are you awake? It’s already quarter to 7.”
It’s his mom. He fixed his satchel and went to the door and opened it.
“Well, look at you. You look so handsome.” His mom smiled and cupped his face.
“Handsome is too much, mom. I’d say good-looking.” He smiled back.
His mom clutched her arms on his elbow and they went down the stairs.
“Anyway, good luck on your first day, son. I know you’ll survive your first day.”
“I do hope so, mom.”
“Well, you look like a real teacher, son.” His father remarked when he saw him. “Ready on your first day? We have a vacancy in English now, actually, if you’d like to try. We weren’t able to hire a substitute teacher because it was a sudden maternity leave, but we also have office works if you don’t want to. Your choice.”
“I think I’ll take the English subject, dad.” He said.
“Great! I’ll tell Mrs. Valencia then. Let’s go? Let’s just grab some breakfast there.”
“But I cooked you some breakfast!” His mom protested.
“Then we’ll just pack a breakfast, mom.” he suggested.
“You wait for it then.” And his mom went to the kitchen.
“Since you are taking the English subject, I will just brief you. You will take over the Grade 8 class, too. It’s Mrs. Asuncion’s class and she’s on her maternity leave now so you will become the class’ adviser for two months.” His father said.
“I guess I can manage dad. They are 8th graders already. What can go wrong, right?” he asked.
“Oh, don’t worry much, son. The students there are good and they are well-behaved. So it’s not really much of a task.”
He nodded. It will not be a problem for him, then.
“Here you go. Eat your breakfast, okay? Love you both. Now go or you’ll be late.” His mom said.
“Yes, mom.” he replied. They both kissed the woman on the cheeks.
“Take care!” his mom called out before they go.
His father drove off and they went to the school. When he got off the car, all eyes were on him. It’s not really a surprise for him though. Well, everyone thought he’s going to be a priest but here he is, standing in a polo and a slacks, and going to be a grade 8 adviser. Besides, they will never understand. People just don’t, do they?
“Son, head to the Principal’s office. I’ll meet you there.” His father said.
He turned to look at his father. He nodded and went to the Principal’s office. When he reached the office, he saw Mrs. Valencia. He knows the woman because she’s also working in the church, together with his parents, during Sundays. He knocked. The woman looked up and when she saw him, she smiled at him. He smiled back.
“Come In, Arjay.” She called out. He entered the office. “Take your seat. So, you’re going to take over Mrs. Asuncion’s class? You’re father texted me a while ago.” She began.
“Yes, ma’am. I think I can manage them.” he said and smiled.
“Oh, I know you can. You are intelligent, besides, Mrs. Asuncion’s class is the most behaved class in the Junior High School department.” She smiled.
“I am lucky then, ma’am.”
“Well, I guess you are. So, there’s a spare table and chair in the faculty room, you just occupy it. That we’ll be your table for the rest of the school year. So you’re going to be the Grade 8’s adviser for 2 months until Mrs. Asuncion comes back from her maternity leave, after that, we’ll fixed you a new teaching schedule. Will that be alright with you?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then, just get Mrs’ Asuncion’s schedule, it’s posted in her table. Good luck on your first day, Sir Arjay.” The woman smiled.
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you ma’am. I’ll go ahead now ma’am.” He said.
The woman nodded. He went out of the office and went to the Faculty room.
As soon as he stepped inside the room, all eyes were on him again, but this time, they were all smiling... but as a person who’s fond of reading other people’s facial expression, he noticed that some of these people who are with him right now are confused, even bothered by his existence in that room, and some are probably judging him for leaving priesthood.
It’s a person’s nature to judge and he can’t do anything about it, can he?
“Good morning teachers.” He greeted them.
“Good morning, brother.” The eldest among the teachers greeted him back and went to him.
“Are you going to be the substitute teacher for ma’am Shella, then, brother?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am. I was told they weren’t able to hire a substitute for her, that’s why I volunteered. We don’t want our students to get left behind.” He remarked.
“That’s true, brother.” She said and nodded. “I’ll leave you now, Brother. I already have my class.” She smiled and left him alone.
He went to Mrs. Asuncion’s table and took a photo of the schedule. He grabbed the English book and white board marker. He went out of the faculty room and went to the Grade 8 classroom.
He peeped inside the room, and the class is really well-behaved. He went inside. The students looked at him, surprised, and after a few minutes, the well-behaved class started to become a buzzing bees. He smiled at the students.
“Good morning class. I am Ferdinand Altamira Jr. I will be your substitute adviser for 2 months. You probably know the reason why ma’am Shella is not around, right?” he asked.
“Yes sir.” They answered in chorus.
“Good. By the way, you can call me by my nickname, Arjay, so you won’t mistake me for my father. Any questions? But no personal questions, please.”
Somebody from the class raised a hand. Arjay called his attention.
“Any question mister…?” he asked him.
The student stood up.
“Pangan, sir. So you will be our English teacher then, sir?”
“Yes, definitely. By the way Mr. Pangan, are you somehow related to Ms. Diana Pangan?”
Janwill frowned. All his classmates turned to look at him.
“Y-yes sir… she’s my eldest sister… how did you know her, sir?” he asked.
“I knew her from somewhere. No other questions?” he diverted the topic.
Janwill took his seat and kept thinking why would their new teacher know his sister?
“Hey, Jan, how did sir Arjay knew your sister?” Carla, who’s seating beside him, asked him curiously.
“How should I know? It’s my first time seeing Sir Arjay, too.” He replied, irritated.
“If there are no more questions, kindly turn your books on page 194.” Arjay said and the students opened the book on the said page.
He opened the book and it was indeed his lucky day! The topic is all about the different types of argumentation.
He discussed the topic with the easiest way possible. He let the students enact a scenario about each argument and they enjoyed the activity. They are on the verge of enjoyment when the bell rang.
“Awwww~~~~” the students said in dismay.
“I guess that’s the warning. Anyway, we can still continue this tomorrow. Did you enjoy the activity?” he asked them.
“Yes sir!” the students responded gleefully.
“That’s great to hear. Kindly fixed your chairs now so we can end the class.” He said.
The students arranged the seats and stood straight.
“Goodbye, class.” He said.
“Goodbye, sir Arjay. Thank you for the knowledge and may your day be great.”
He went out of the room and went to his next class.