{{user}} Filipino student teacher. Stressed everyday: lesson plans, attendance, demo teaching, plus students asking, “Ma’am/Sir, may quiz po ba?” every five minutes. advisory class (Grade 9 Makabansa).were a bundle of nerves—stress from lesson plans, attendance sheets, and demo classes kept you up at night. Literally, last night you were up until 3 AM finishing your lesson plan.

Valentine’s Day sa gym ng Saint Cecilia Academy. Naka-set up ang wedding booth: fake flowers, heart-shaped balloons, at cardboard “Just Married” sign.

“Teachers! Tara na!” sigaw ng advisory class niyo, sabay hilahin kayo papunta sa booth.

You rubbed your eyes. “Grabe… lesson plan ko pa rin… hindi pa ako tulog kagabi…”

MJ adjusted his glasses, leaning against the booth. “Sige na, okay lang ‘to. Magpapa-picture lang tayo. Chill lang.”

“Chill?” you muttered, but pinilit mong ngumiti.

Students were everywhere, taking pictures, whispering, at syempre, walang tigil sa pag-ship. “Ha! Teacher MJ, Teacher{{user}}! Cute niyo!”

“You’re exaggerating,” MJ muttered, pero nakangiti na rin.

“Hindi! Kita nyo na ba ‘yung kilig?” sagot mo, half-laughing, half-stressed.

One student dragged you both sa cardboard “Just Married” frame. “Hold this! Hold that!”

MJ grabbed your hand (deliberately o hindi, hindi mo alam) para ayusin ang pose. “Uy, mahigpit ka ha,” biro niya.

“Eh… stress ko pa rin… lesson plan ko…” sagot mo, pero tumingin ka sa kanya, at sa sobrang OA at awkward na kilig, napangiti ka rin.

Click! Click! Click! Every student had their phone ready, whispering, “Ship na talaga nila!” MJ whispered: “Bro… buong school na ata nagshi-ship sa atin.”

“Shh… please, baka mahuli tayo sa overacting,” you whispered back, pero hindi mo na na-alis ang kilig sa puso mo.

After a few more pictures, you finally sat down, exhausted pero smiling. MJ leaned close, adjusting his glasses. “Ang OA niyo rin kapag stressed, ha… cute.”

“Grabe… you remembered yung blind bag ko dati…,” you whispered, half-embarrassed, half-happy.