Ch 2 – My Mistake

It has been almost two weeks since I met Prof. Antonio.

I have long realized my mistake.

It seems `mahal kita' is used to confession one's romantic love towards another.

I had already sent my disdain to the acquaintance who taught me those lines.

So far, I have made little progress with the professor whom I realized to be a disgusting, egocentric, bigoted, sociopath who has a deep hate for other people, particularly, alphas.

Yet I cannot help but feel respect for him.

It seems the only person he likes is his 10 year old niece named Meme. He has a picture of said niece in his wallet, his phone, and on his desk. He seems to have a makeshift room in the biggest work station in the laboratory. It is right next to the pantry, where he has a long couch where he sleeps in and a desk full of three feet high piles of case studies and half eaten instant ramen cups.

For the past 11 days, he has been ordering me around to make him coffee, bring him his lunch, and clean his work area.

I have been dying to read the folders stacked on his table ever since I arrived, regrettably though, Prof. Antonio does not seem to leave his room unless one of his assistants are in a life or death situation. He only stands up when he goes to the lavatory next door, and does not seem to have a house to go home to.

"Pedro, does the professor always sleep in the office?" I once asked.

"Yeah, he prefers to sleep here. He thinks it's a hustle to go home just to get back to work the nest morning, besides, he hardly sleeps anyway."

"How about taking a bath?"

Pedro laughed at my question.

"Can you not take his smell anymore?" he asked, "Come to think of it, an omega's nose is more sensitive compared to others. Though, I don't think he smells that' bad... yet... We have shower rooms here, but as the professor likes to say, 'if you don't smell, then no one should care...'"

Actually, it is not that I find his scent repulsive, I just want him to go home so that I can check the files on his desk.

"And how come I rarely see him work?" I asked again. "Most of the time, he's just playing games on his phone or staring at the photo of his niece until he falls asleep."

"Ah, bebe Meme?" again, Pedro laughs, "That's just how Sir Eric is, it helps him concentrate. You see, sir Eric had a brother complex. His big brother was an omega, and bebe Meme looks exactly like him."

"Had?"

"Yeah, his brother died a year after giving birth to Meme, still, he absolutely adores his niece, compared to his other niece and nephew who looks like their dad."

"You mean, the alpha mate?" I asked.

"Yup," he leans closer to whisper to me. "Actually, that person is the reason why he hates alphas so much."

"Oy, chismis `yan ha, baka mahuli kayo ni sir, sige kayo," (hey, stop gossiping, sir might hear you,) said Pilar who sat beside us in the central pantry.

"Well, everyone knows how much the professor hates his brother-in-law, anyway" said Pedro with a laugh, "doesn't he compare him to all the evil alpha scum on the face of the earth?"

"Haay... you do have a point there..." Pilar drank some coffee and gently touched my shoulder. "By the way, Dr. Abdel," she said, "We're going bar hopping since it's the weekend, why don't you join us?"

"No thank you, Pilar," I replied, "I am actually working on something on my own."

"Actually, my real name's Maureen Peralta," she corrected me, "Sir Eric just called me 'Pillar' since there used to be another employee named Jose who joined the same time I did. He called him`Pepe'. You know, in reference to the old elementary school book called 'Pepe and Pilar'?"

"I do not get it."

"Never mind," she sighs, "So, you're running your own experiment?" she looked at me with interest.

"Yes, I have set up a laboratory in my hotel room."

"Oh, can I come over to see it?" asked Pilar while gently rubbing my shoulder.

"I am sorry but the study is confidential." I took her hand and placed it on her lap. "I shall tell you about it as soon as I finish it."

I heard Pedro snort and looked his way.

"That's right, doc, it's almost 10 PM, you're working overtimea again! Are you coming in tomorrow even if it's a Saturday?" he asked.

"Perhaps not, I plan to look for a permanent place to stay. I don't have as much privacy in my hotel room, particularly when the chambermaids come to clean-up. I'm looking for an apartment I can rent where I can have a separate room to experiment in."

"Don't worry, I'll ask around for an apartment, too," said Pedro. "Well, we need to leave now," he picks up his coffee. "Take care, we'll see you on Monday."

I watched them walk away and decided to check on Prof. Antonio.

I saw him through the glass walls, staring at his niece's photo again with a steaming cup of my newly brewed coffee by his side. I knocked to catch his attention, then opened the door.

"Prof. Antonio, is there anything you want me to do before I leave?"

"Wala. Umalis ka na." (no. Go away.) He replied, not even taking his eyes off the photo.

I took my silver briefcase from the central pantry, and went on my way. I plan to stop by a good restaurant today for dinner, it is a Friday after all, and I'm in the mood to eat a proper meal tonight.

I went to the parking area to board my black Ferrari and went on my way. I chose a French restaurant. The food was exquisite, and as I was about to leave, I thought of all the instant noodle cups around the professor's table and decided to bring him something good to eat as well.

Perhaps, then, he would think better of me.

I ordered some Confit de canard and a bottle of white wine, together with four different kinds of cheeses. I went back to the laboratory to give Prof. Antonio the food, when lo and behold! I saw him, actually on his feet – working!

He was standing behind an electron microscope and typing on his laptop! He was so engrossed in his study, that he didn't notice as I stood behind him, watching his every move.

They were fluid and precise. Fast and calculated. Not a movement was wasted. And the more I watched him, the more I felt respect for him. I was still staring at him as he worked, my face against the thick glass wall, when the professor turned around and was surprised to see me.

Okay, surprise was an understatement.

He was so shocked that be backed up on the electron microscope, knocked down three test tubes, and dropped a pile of research paper on the floor.

Then he started cursing at me.

"Puuutang ina!!! Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito hindot ka?!?!" (son of a bitch! What thte fuck are you doing here)

"I brought you some dinner."

I calmly showed him the paper bag I was carrying.

"Ayoko ng dinner!!! Putcha!!!" (I don't want dinner! Bitch!) he looked at the mess around him. "Putang-inang kaputang-inahan nitong putang inang `to!!!" (bitching bitchiness of this bitch!) and starts stomping around.

I placed the paper bag down on a nearby counter and entered the room with a broom.

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito?! Pinapasok ba kita?!" (what are you doing here? Did I tell you to enter?)

"No," I replied, "but stomping on broken glass will not get rid of it."

"Ba't ka ba kasi biglang lumitaw?!" (just why did you suddenly appear out of nowhere) he shouted at me again. "Binabasa mo ba ang ginagawa ko?! Balak mo'ng kopyahin ang research ko, ano? Sinasabi ko na nga ba't may dahilan kung ba't bigla ka'ng lumitaw dito, eh!" (where you rerading what I was doing? Are you planning to copy my research? I knew you were up to something when you suddenly appeared!)

"Is that the reason why you have been doing your best to keep me away from your work?" I asked him.

"Obvious ba? Dumating ka kung kailan patapos ko na ang first stage ng experimentation ko! Lagi mo ako'ng binabantayan! Pilit mo'ng binabasa ang mga sinusulat ko, pati `yung mga walang `wentang report ng mga alipores ko sa mesa, ang sama ng tingin mo!" (isn't it obvious? You suddenly came when I was about to finish the first stage of my experimentation! You're always watching me! You're trying to read all my writings, even the useless reports of my minions on my desk!)

'Walang wentang reports'? (useless reports?)

Is he talking about the folders stacked on his desk?

"No, I am not after your experiment," I tried to pacify him. "Please calm down, I can smell your fear."

Prof. Antonio did not calm down, in fact, his body started to quiver and release more fear pheromones as he stared at me with bulging eyes.

"I-isa ka'ng spy, ano?! Sino nagpadala sa `yo?! T-terorista ka, `no?! Mula sa isang anti-omega group?!" (you're a spy, aren't you? Who sent you? Are you a terrorist? From an anti omega group?)

"I am not any of those. I told you, I am just a fellow scientist."

I stepped forward.

He stepped back and is now against the glass wall.

"I'm warning you! Puro cameras ang lugar na `to! Nakikita nila ang lahat nang ginagawa mo!" (this place is full of cameras! They can see everything you're doing!)

I looked at the camera in our work station. Sure enough, the light was blinking. I smiled and waved at it.

"Aha! May sinesenyasan ka, no?! Sinong nginingiwian mo?! Padala ka ng Alpha Division, ano?! Balak n'yo nanamang i-sabotahe ang gawa ko!!!" (Aha! You just sent secret signal, didn't you? Who are you sneering at? Did the alpha division send you? You're planning to sabotage my work again?!)

Now, he held a granulated cylinder and pointed it at me, his hand shaking.

"Mas nanaisin ko pa'ng masira ang gawa ko kesa makuha n'yo ito!" (I'd much rather destroy my work than let you take them!)

"No, wait!"

I tried to stop him, but he was already smashing the rest of the test tubes before I could grab him.

He is taller than me, but his arm felt so thin beneath his lab coat, I felt that I could easily snap it in half. He stared at me, his eyes, like that of a cornered animal, and started to scream.

"Saklolo! Inaatake ako! May terorista rito! Saklolo!" (help! He's attaking me! There's a terrorist here! Help!) there was genuine fear in his voice.

"I am not going to hurt you," I assured him, but I was afraid he would hurt himself with the smashed piece of glass he held, so I didn't let his arm go, I touched his neck with my other hand instead.

He shivered.

I merely wanted to calm him down. I Passed a special type of pheromone as I touched him, a pheromone that could help lower his heartbeat and even his breathing.

"A-anong..." (w-what...) he gasped as his breath normalized, "Anong ginawa mo...?" (what did you do...?)

"I am just calming you down."

"Ang tinatanong ko, eh, kung ano ang ginawa mo!" (I asked you what you did?!) he repeated.

"Nothing. Just a calming trick," I replied.

"A calming trick?" his heartbeat is starting to rise again. "Alam ko ang trick na `yan! Alam ko `yan!" (I know that calming trick! I know exacly what it is!)

He dropped the broken cylinder which shattered to the ground and grabbed my hands. It was then that I noticed how clammy his skin was.

"Isa ka rin, `di ba?" (you're one of them, aren't you?) he said, grinning like a mad man. "Isa ka rin! Ang tagal ko nang naghahanap ng ibang katulad n'yo!" (You're one of them! I've been searching for your kind for so long!)

"Professor, you are feverish and also dehydrated, I suggest you go to the infirmary."

"`Wag mo'ng ibahin ang usapan!" (don't change the subject!) he snapped at me.

"When was the last time you slept or had a decent meal?" I asked.

"Parang makakatulog ako habang nandito ka't binabantayan ang resesarch ko!" (as if I could sleep comfortably while you're here, lurking over me and my work!) he laughed, "Pero ngayon alam ko na kung ano ka! Pinadala ka ba nila rito?! Balak nanaman ba nila ako'ng kunin at gamitin?!" (but now I know what you are! Did they send you? Arer they planning to exploit me again?!)

Hmm... interesting.

I stared at him to make some sense of his words.

"Hindi na `uy! `Di na `ko magpapagago sa inyo! `Di na ko papayag! Magkakamatayan muna tayo!" (Never! I won't let you use me again! Over my dead body!)

"Sir Eric, ayos lang po ba kayo rito?" (Sir Eric, are you okay in here?)

We both turned around and saw two guards checking in on us.

"Tamang-tama!" (just in time!) said the professor who pushed me to a side, "Nakahuli ako ng espiya! Hulihin n'yo ang taong `yan!" (I just caught a spy! Go ahead and cuff him!)

The two guards looked at each other, then looked at me. I simply shrugged at them.

"Akala mo makukuha mo ang notes ko?" (did you think you could steal my notes?) he continued as he turned back to face me. "Ha! Wala ka'ng makukuha! Nandito lahat sila!" (you won't get anything! They're all right here!) he tapped his right temple. "Wala ka'ng makukuha sa akin, maliban na lang kung marunong ka'ng magbasa ng utak!" (you won't get anything outta me, unless you can read minds!)

He then freezes.

"Marunong ka ba'ng magbasa ng utak?!" (can you read minds?!) he asked me. "Marunong ka, ano?! P'wes, `di mo mababasa ang nasa utak ko! Wa-wala-wala-wala-wala-wala-wala!!!" (you can, can you? Well you can't read my mind! Nada-nada-nada!) he chanted out loud while covering his ears.

"Ano po bang nangyari rito?" (can you tell us what's happening here?) the guards asked me instead while Prof. Antonio squats on the ground with his eyes tightly shut.

"The professor is feverish, he is currently unstable and requires medical attention."

"Sabi ko sa `yo napa-praning lang si Sir Eric, eh," (I told you, Prof. Eric is just being his weird self again,) the other guard told his companion.

"Eh, buti na rin pumunta tayo, malay mo masaksak n'ya si Dr. Abdel!" (well, it's much better to come check things out, then let him hurt Dr. Abdel) the other said.

"Pasensya na, Doc, ganyan talaga si sir `pag nasosobrahan sa trabaho, kaya nga walang nakakatagal na personal assistant d'yan, eh," (beg your pardon, Doc, Sir Eric usually end up like this whenever he overworks himself) they told me.

"Buti po nakaya n'yo s'yang pigilan kanina nang nag-wawala s'ya." (good thing you were able to calm him earlier while he was going hysterical)

"Yes, I am quite used to my subjects having tantrums."

They stared at me and laughed nervously.

"Dadalhin na lang po namin si sir sa clinic sa baba." (we'll take him to the clinic)

"Okay, I shall go with you."

They went closer to the professor and tapped his shoulder.

"Hinuli n'yo na ba s'ya?" (did you arrest him?)

"Opo sir, halika, dalhin ka namin sa clinic..." (yes, sir, why don't you come with us to the clinic?)

"`Wag n'yo s'yang iiwan dito mag-isa!" (don't leave him here on his own!)

"Opo sir, isasama rin namin si doc." (yes sir, we'll take Doc with us)

So, we made our way down one floor to the nearest clinic where they gave him a bag of dextrose and a shot to calm him down. He kept mumbling as he lay on the bed. Utter nonsense, I thought at first, until I recognized the complicated DNA sequences of an adolescent omega.

I left him there right after he fell asleep and went back to the laboratory where the broken test tubes were left untouched. It was the professor's strict order, after all, that the cleaning crew were banned from the whole floor, after they accidentally `cleaned' an experiment he was working on while he was on a coffee break.

I tried to salvage what little was left of his specimens and looked at them under the electron microscope.

Again, I find new and unparalleled respect for Prof. Eric Antonio.