first love

"Mei, aren't you going to go out? It's Easter Sunday, common let's go out", said Cheela. She is her roommate and also a teacher.

"I have something to finish for Monday", she said while her fingers are still on the keyboard of her laptop. She literally has so many things to do. She is the research coordinator of the college and she is expected to submit all the proposals for this academic year.

"Are you serious? You have been in front of your laptop for 4 days now. Wait", Cheela said and counted her fingers..."5 days already, aren't you tired?", she asked with disbelief and pity to her friend.

Mei is tired? yes, she is tired. Deadline? No. She is 100% ready with the proposals. But...

"Mei, what's wrong?" Cheela knew her very well, she knew there is something else why Mei is burying herself into work.

"If you are talking about the proposals, I know it's already done after our faculty meeting last Wednesday. If it's your lesson, I know that you are already ahead of time", she said which made Mei look at her, puzzled.

"I saw your online classroom, you are three lessons ahead of time. I know, right? You assigned me as a co-teacher", Cheela explained, rolled her eyes, and smiled. Mei is so hardworking and one thing that she always tells her is, do advance work as much as she can. Although she is doing her best to do so, she can't, there are just so many distractions especially when she gets hold of her cellphone.

Mei shook her head and looked at the screen of her laptop. She is indeed preparing for the midterm exam which is not due until next month. One thing that she likes to do is do things ahead of time. But right now, there is one particular reason why she buried herself with work. It's because of Jay.

"Is it because of Jay?", Cheela asked as if she was able to read her mind.

"When are you going to tell me, huh? Are we keeping secrets already?"

Mei suddenly cried. She can't take it anymore. It has been a week since she and Jay had an argument. It was supposed to be a petty argument but it seems like Jay is punishing her. He has not called or apologized for the past days.

Jay is also a teacher and they work in the same university but he is with the Engineering College while Mei is in the Technical Education College. They have been together for 2 years now and every time they have an argument, even if it is Jay's fault, Mei is always the first to apologize and make amends.

Cheela gave her a hug and rubbed her back to let her know that she is there for Mei. They have been friends forever. She and Mei went to the same elementary together, went to the same high school and the same university. They are already like sisters. They support each other. They took the same course but Mei took Electronics as her specialization while Cheela took garments and fashion designing. They were so lucky to be employed in the same university where they graduated from. They are also in the same college.

"What happened?", Cheela asked when Mei stopped crying. She stood up and went to the couch. Cheela followed and squatted in front of her.

"We had an argument and he has not called since then", Mei said sadly and she is on the verge of crying again.

Cheela felt pity for her friend. She knew that jay is not good for Mei. She has told Mei so many times already to break up with him and find someone else who deserves her but she will not listen. She is head over heels in love with Jay. As the saying goes, love is blind. Jay is Mei's first boyfriend. he is good-looking and genius. At 16, Jay graduated college and he is the first in the university to have graduated at such a young age. At age 17, he was already teaching in a private university and have garnered awards in the teaching field. He has taken his master's degree at Harvard University on a scholarship granted by their local government.

Jay came from a poor family, with his mom and a younger brother. After he finished his master's degree, he was admitted to a government high school as part of his scholarship agreement. he was able to support his mom and a younger brother who is already working in a telecommunications company. After 5 years of working at the government high school, he was able to buy himself a car and a decent apartment for his mom and his younger brother. He became quite famous in the neighborhood as he is a member of different civic organizations. He has a pleasing personality, easy to go with, and has a great sense of humor. He is 27 years old now, very successful in his chosen career, and is currently working on his dissertation for his Ph.D. degree.

Mei and Jay met 2 years ago in Taiwan. They both attended a research convention at Tatung University. On the last day of the convention, every participating school and university were requested to share their talents.

"Mei, you will represent our university since you are talented in singing", Dr. Castro, the university chancellor, sid to Mei.

"Ma'am?", Mei wanted to decline but she can't decline. She is the chancellor, she simply can't decline the chancellor's order.

"Yes, Miss Mei, go!" she was edged on by her colleagues. She did not have a choice but to go to the control room to inform them of the music she will be singing. When she came back to their table, she froze. She saw the most handsome guy she had seen so far. He was talking to their chancellor and they are laughing. She was mesmerized by how he smiles, showing two perfect sets of teeth, a pair of dimples, and rosy lips.