Dean is observing his students while moving about the room. They are busy writing on the answer sheet, and if they make a mistake, some of them are erasing it vigorously, and the paper could fall apart at any minute. On the other hand, others are just staring at the paper with crossed arms and a look that says, 'What's this?' while some children are trying to peek at their peers, and some students are conversing with their eyes. Dean would clear his throat when noticing all these moments.
With a smile, the teacher collected the students' written responses. Due to not finishing his paper, a student was on the verge of tears. Dean simply smiled as he knelt in front of the youngster. "It's alright, Mir." The teacher dries the boy's eyes. "It's only a little test," He said, noticing the kid was still crying.
"Mumma will be sad." The boy whispered, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. Dean smiled and said, "We'll have PTM next week. I'll talk with your mom, ok?" Dean tried to cheer the boy. The student sniffs, looking at Dean. "What is PTM?"
"PTM means Parents Teacher's Meeting," Dean informs, fixing all the papers together. "On this day, you'll come to school with your parent." The boy nods his head with an 'O' face.
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Roman waited in front of the school while leaning on his bike and checking his watch. A group of sheep-like children was hurrying out of the school as they awaited their ride home. Little legs are waddling toward their guardians while carrying bags on their shoulders. Roman was among the parents excitedly awaiting his son's arrival as he once more looked at his watch.
"Papa!" Ayan ran to his dad, and Roman quickly stooped and hugged his giggling son.
"How did your day go?" As he stood up, holding Ayan, Roman asked a question. Ayan catches his father off guard by wrapping his arms around his shoulder and kissing him on the cheek. As he sat on the bike, Ayan remarked, "It was very nice."
"May I know why this is happening?" Roman pointed at his cheek and asked a question. Ayan chuckles. "Teacher Dream mentioned that our parents love us the most in the world," Ayan clarified, giving himself a philosopher's nod. "So I should also adore my papa," He said again, nodding while crossing his tiny arms.
Roman chuckled while fixing the helmet strap on Ayan. "I look good," Ayan says, pushing his invisible shades over his nose bridge.
Roman raised his eyebrows. "You are getting highly influenced by Calder."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
It was Saturday morning, and Teacher Dream was sitting in his chair. He kept both the answer scripts and the transcripts of his students to himself. He placed his elbow on the table and gave the watch a quick inspection. His students' outcomes pleased him. It showed a significant improvement in several kids when he compared it to earlier results.
He had his hair nicely parted and was sporting his customary black button-up shirt. He will admit that he feels a little bit anxious about meeting the parents of his students. Additionally, as a new teacher, he may have different opinions on several matters, such as whether his lessons need improvement or whether homework is more for children.
He doesn't understand how he will start a conversation with those parents. He did ask for advice from his colleagues, getting a simple sentence: "Relax and speak about the child and the progress or weak points to be strengthened."
He quickly looks at the door being opened and a mother walking inside with her son. Dean beams a smile at his student and looks back at the parent while giving a smile. The mother smiled back, taking a seat in front of him, and the child smiled at his teacher while sitting next to his mom.
"Good morning, Teacher Dream." The student beams a smile. Dean smiled and said, "Good morning, Anile."
"This is his report card." Dean gives the transcript after searching through the name. He quickly opens a mentor book, where he needs to update data and get the parent's signature.
The mother scans the test results, examining her son's errors. Dean drew his mother's attention by saying, "He performed really well in math." She glances back at the transcript and nods in agreement as she notes the strong math grade and score.
"However, his general knowledge is poor." Seeing the lowest grades in comparison to other subjects, the mother spoke up. Dean cast a quick glance at the child before turning to face the mother. "He is performing similarly to others. Math is disliked by many. He performed amazingly in it. "Therefore, we must appreciate that." Dean clarified while his fingers were interlocked.
"Next time, we'll work harder in GK, ok?" Dean asked his student, who quickly nodded his head with determination. The mother looks at her son and then back at the teacher.
"Alright," She caressed her son's hair. "I trust him in your care." The mother smiled at Dean.
"I'll try my best," Dean replied, asking for her signature on the mentoring book.
The first pair of parents and child went back as another student ran towards his teacher with his father. Dean smiled and motioned for them to sit down as he searched for the student's report.
The conversation continued with many students, and he frequently received complaints about his pupils, including that they were rude and didn't listen to them. As he spoke to them with ease over time, he helped foster a sense of trust among the parents that their child was in good hands. Dean's confidence grew over time.
They have a feeling that Dean is a good teacher who will not only teach subjects. Also, teaching manners or believing in themselves. They are very pleased with the results, and even more so because of their children's beaming smiles, as seen by their teacher.
It was almost the end of the meeting; only 5 minutes were left. Dean counts the few transcripts left in his hands. He makes a note of the students who didn't visit today.
1)Angelina
2)Ay
"Teacher Dream." He looks up from the notebook and smiles at Ayan, waving his hand with a crescent smile. Dean looks down at the paper.
1) Angelina
2) ̶A̶y
He scratches and keeps the pen down. "Gold Afternoon." Ayan greets, showing his teeth while standing at the door. "Good afternoon, Ayan," Dean said with a chuckle, waiting for Ayan to take a seat in front of him.
"Uh?" Dean whispered, noticing the boy still standing there. "What happened?" He asked while standing up from his seat. Ayan just shook his head and peered outside as if waiting for someone.
Dean immediately guessed. "Papa! Here!" Ayan exclaims, jumping to gain his father's attention.
While holding his bike's keys in his pocket, Roman grinned at his son. The young man hastily dismounted his bike and sprinted towards the school, shouting that he was running late. He didn't wait for his father to park the bike.
Roman loved Ayan's enthusiasm for his teacher and the school in general. He needs to appropriately appreciate the teacher. When Roman intentionally gives the incorrect solution to a math problem, Ayan will start correcting him. His pronunciation will, however, soon improve. Ayan will likely eventually talk more fluently than his father.
"That's my Papa, Teacher Dream," Ayan says, pointing to the figure approaching them. Dean turns in the direction indicated by Ayan. His eyes lock with those of the other man.
Ayan's father quickly greeted Dean as he stood in front of him. "Hello," Roman greets, holding Ayan's hand and standing in front of Dean, who is holding the door edge and looking at the duo.
"Hello?" Roman spoke with confusion, glancing at his son and looking back at his teacher, when there was no reply from the other person and just looking at him. Roman nudged his son to talk, and the child got the signal.
"Teacher Dream!" The boy shouts, gaining the attention of passersby, and looks at them with raised eyebrows. Roman gave a forced smile.
"Oh...uh, yeah. Please come in." Dean blinks his eyes and turns around, walking back to his seat, however, with a worried eye.
He placed his palm on it and walked to the left side of the table. He could feel it trying to rip from his ribcage and wanted to go somewhere, as though it were waiting for this moment. Why are you beating so fast?
Dean sat on the chair, and somehow it felt as if he was in autopilot mode. He gave Ayan's report card and answer scripts to Roman with a blank face.
Roman glanced at his son and then back to the papers between his fingers. The way Ayan was speaking non-stop about his teacher was forcing Roman to have bleeding ears. However, the outcome was not what he thought.
The teacher Ayan was blabbering about doesn't match the personality sitting in front of him.
"Are you sure this is your teacher, Dream?" Roman whispers to his son behind the papers. Ayan narrowed his eyes at his father and looked back at his quiet teacher.
"Of course, he is my-" Roman held his son's mouth closed to keep him from speaking so loudly. The boy doesn't need a microphone to talk to a crowd.
Dean flinched at the voice and looked at his student. He doesn't know why his heart was beating so fast. He remembers drinking his medicines and eating fruits too. The doctor said he is recovering well and doesn't need to worry about anything.
However, why is his heart giving him a foreign feeling? He can't understand why he has the urge to cry his heart out. Why does he feel as though something is missing? If everything is going well in his life, why did he just...He quickly recovers from his thoughts.
"Uh, I apologize." Dean apologized and quickly opened the mentor's book to get Roman's signature. He gave Ayan a pen with the book and smiled at him.
"Ayan did fantastic in the exams," Dean said, somehow holding the strange feeling within his heart and resuming his teacher's posture.
Roman nodded his head while signing the book. "I know, my son is very smart." Dean smiled and nodded while looking at Ayan, who was watching his marks with curious eyes.
"Inherited from his mom," Roman said while glancing at Ayan and patting his head.
"Okay," Dean whispers with a nod. His chest felt heavy this time. The uneasiness visited him again. This time, he felt unable to see Ayan clearly. He blinks his eyes while inhaling deeply. His body feels light, as though if he tried to stand, he would fall on the floor.
Dean inhales again to finish this meeting and to go home to sleep for many hours. Probably it's because of tiredness or, most probably, because of sleepless nights.
"Is Ayan doing well in his studies and curriculum?" Roman asked, unaware of the situation.
"Ye-yeah, he is a bright student. He does all the work with determination. Furthermore, he has creative skills; he understands the tasks and uses his style to mold them better." Dean replied while holding the handrest tightly.
He is trying his best not to ruin this first meeting with his pupil, or else this incident will add to his regrets in life.
Roman smiled with a nod. Since everything looks fine. He took this note with him when he left. He looks at his son and says, "Let's go, champ."
Ayan nods his head and looks back at his teacher. "Bye, teacher!" Ayan waves at his teacher with a bright smile.
Dean forced himself to smile back and say, "Bye." Roman thanked him, and they stepped out of the room.
Dean gasped while holding his chest tightly. He pressed his forehead on the table while shortly inhaling. He closed his eyes, trying to remain calm and hoping not to stress, as that would cause trouble in his heart.
"I need to get my medicine," Dean said as he stood up and walked towards the door. He carefully walked into the hallway, and many parents immediately noticed him.
"Are you ok, sir?" One parent asked as he noticed Dean sweating and walking with wobbling legs.
"Ye-yeah, I'm fine. Ju-just dizzy." Dean replied and continued walking. The teacher's room is on the other side. He needs to take a right and then a left turn. It would probably take a minute or two. However, Dean feels he will never get there.
"Sir, you should sit down." another parent said while looking at him with worried eyes.
"Yes, I agree." Another parent quickly takes a water bottle from her son's school bag. "Please drink some water."
"I'll rest in the office," Dean said as he turned to leave. The parents couldn't say anything more. They felt as though Dean didn't need their help. You can't force someone to accept your help.
Dean continued walking and took the right turn. Now, the actual trouble began as he saw everything spinning. His body feels even lighter. His heart was beating faster as he clenched his shirt while leaning against the wall.
"What happened?" Dean heard a distant voice and something warm on his shoulder. He didn't have the power to open his eyes and see.
"So-sorry for the trouble. Ta-take me to of-office." Dean whispered, feeling his eyes brimming with tears.
"Alright, try walking." Dean walked a few steps and couldn't continue anymore.
"Sorry," Dean murmurs and bites his lower lip, trying to keep his tears at bay as his head throbs with pain. Suddenly, he is feeling so helpless.
"Shh," the same man said, and he felt himself lifted into the air. Dean couldn't protest as he let his head rest on the shoulder.
Dean tried to open his eyes, looking at the face with blurry eyes. He closed it again. His heart kept thumping against his ribs. His palm fists his own shirt while inhaling deeply.
"Sir, Teacher Dean is unwell. Probably fatigue."
Dean felt the movements of the muscles against his cheek. The panting of the male on his arms. He felt the man place him on a chair. "This is my bag, medicine."Dean held the man's arm.
"Sir, where is his bag?" He felt another figure sitting on his other side.
"Dean?" Dean guessed that it must be Daniel.
"Call the ambulance and also inform his family." He knows this voice belongs to the principal.
"Here," he said, feeling a pill on his lips, followed by a water bottle.
"Careful," The man again spoke while the bottle was tilted carefully. Dean gulped the medicine.