At What Price (Completed)

XXII

#AtWhatPrice 22

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway."
– Earl Nightingale

•••

"Hey," I looked up and saw it was Hadwin.

I'm finishing two homeworks that should be passed today. No problem sana kung pwede kong i-mema kaso you can't mema your way through accountancy. You have to understand it to be able to answer it.

"Kumain ka na ba?" 

"Uh.. hindi pa nga eh." 

"Di ka nag-breakfast bago umalis?"

"I need to catch the train. Medyo late ako nagising so..." I didn't even have the chance to buy pandesal kanina bago pumasok ng campus. Ugh. Kainis.

"May nadaanan ka bang tindahan diyan? Kahit snacks lang?"

"I don't know. I need to finish this first. Ang hirap nga."

He cursed under his breath. "Claudia, you need to eat."

"I will. Later."

"No. May exam ka pa. Paano ka makakapagsagot ng maayos?" He sighed and stood up. "I'll order for you, okay? Lasagna or baked mac?" He was so determined I couldn't say no.

"Baked mac."

Buti na lang pinili kong mag-aral dito sa lilim. Mahangin ulit at di pa gaano karami ang tao. Maya-maya ay dumating si Hadwin dala-dala ang pagkain ko. He bought a FEWA for himself. 

"Ang kapal ng libro mo, Win. Why aren't you using reviewers?"

"Para lang 'yon sa exam week, Claudia. Students today are heavily dependent on reviewers. In reality, walang shortcut sa pagiging nurse. Mas gusto kong makita yung detailed explanations siya libro at mas madaling ma-annotate dito. Makakatulong sa boards," explain niya.

"True."

"Kumain ka habang nag-aaral," aniya at inayos ng kaonti ang table namin.

I uttered my thanks and took a bite. Kumain kami habang nag-aaral.

We were both busy and a comfortable silence were just around us. Kahit ano namang daldal namin, pag kailangan talaga mag-aral... we'll let each other be. That's why I secretly being with him than the girls when studying... nakaka-focus ako.

Thank God for his presence.

•••

Ngayon ay isa-isa kaming tinatawag para ipakita samin ang aming grades. Kabado ako dahil hindi ko alam ang naging results ng exam ko. Tinyaga ko talagang magbasa doon dahil madugo ang theories at mahirap maintindihan, sa totoo lang.

"Fajardo," I stood up when I got called.

Kiming lumapit ako sa harap, at tumingin sa laptop ng prof. "Ms. Fajardo, mababa yung unang quiz mo pero hindi naman bagsak. Nahatak din dahil mataas ang score ng exam mo." I smiled when I saw my final grade. I passed!

A pleasing feeling washed all over me. Atleast some of my hardwork paid off.

I went back to my seat, feeling great. Mukhang sila rin ay ayos ang nakuhang grade.

"Bakit di naman nagsasabi yon si Hadwin? Birthday niya pala kahapon." Margot said.

"Uh.. nagulat lang din ako."

After studying, Hadwin and I parted ways kanina. We'll probably see each other later or tomorrow. Depends on our schedule.

"Did you give him a gift?"