At What Price (Completed)

XXX

"Capital is the tree while income is the fruit."

#AtWhatPrice30

The semester ended. We entered summer classes.

So, yeah. Walang bakasyon.

Thankfully, the load wasn't as excruciating as the previous semester and right now, I'm answering test banks.

Nag-aadvanced reading na ako para sa paparating na sem. Minsan naman ay sinasagutan ko iyong mga hindi ko nasagutan last sem. This is so that I could collect references. Para hindi ako bumili ng mamahaling reviewers kapag CPALE na.

My phone beeped. 

Margot: We'll almost there!

The only reason I could have a social life is because of my small circle of friends. Really, I don't think I could survive without them.

"Ma, parating na sila."

Medyo nataranta naman siya. "Hala, eto. Kumpleto na ba gamit mo?" May inabot syang tray.

"Yes, nay. I'll update you every time."

I checked the amount of things she wanted me to bring. Nag-toast sya ng sandwich, ang dami nga. Mayroon pang buko pie. I took my bags.

Aalis kami ngayon at magbabakasyon sa La Union. 3 days kami doon. May mga class kami pero yug schedule na kinuha namin ay iyong hindi masasagasaan yung classes namin.

A car beeped outside. Nailea waved and removed her sunglasses.

"Bakit naka-beach outfit ka na? Ang tagal pa ng byahe," sermon ko.

"Ikaw nga, may hawak hawak pang test bank." she sarcastically answered.

"Ulol. Makiki-review ka naman."

"Sakay na!" Margot, our designated driver, yelled. Si Nailea ang papalit pag napagod siya. Tibay eh, ayaw magdala ng driver ng mga 'to. 

"La Union, here we go!"

---

"Where are we?" My eye twitched, trying to cover the sunlight.

"Papasok ng ng TPLEx. Say bye to Pampanga." Margot said energetically. Nag-inat ako.

"Di kayo mags-switch?"

"Di ko nga alam eh. Wala pang stopover."

"Pag meron, ako na." Nailea answered in a sleepy voice. Nakapikit pa yung mata.

"You bitches slept on me. You don't do that to your driver!"

Nailea smirked, still with eyes closed.

"Be glad that I'm so understanding, assholes. Alam kong nag-aaral ka pa din sa gabi, Claudia and you probably stayed up watching Netflix." she glared at Nailea sa front mirror.

"Nito ko lang natapos 'yung Black Clover, kaya tinapos ko kagabi yung Trese." Umupo na siya ng maayos at maingay na humikab. 

"You're shivering, Claudia?" Margot smirked. Nandito kasi kami sa harap, si Nailea ang sa likod. Ako ang nasa passenger seat. 

"Nakakamatay lamig ng aircon mo." Inis na sabi ko. Lintik talaga, binabaan na niya yung lamig pero ang lakas talaga. Hindi ako sanay. Ngalay pa yung paa ko.

She just laughed at me, probably finding me cute.

My phone beeped and I opened to check it. May reply pala si Hadwin sa myday ko. Mirror selfie ko iyon na hindi kita ang mukha. Kinuha ko kanina nang mag-stopover kami sa Marilao para umihi at bumili ng breakfast sa Jollibee.

Hadwin: Pasalubong ah! :)

I typed my answer.

Claudia: Anong iuuwi ko, buhangin?

Hadwin: Hahaha. Sayo na yan :P

Claudia: Choosy ka

Hadwin: Peanut brittle?

Claudia: Hindi Baguio ang punta namin -_-

"Di daw tuloy yung class kay Mam Jerusha. Hehehe." Nailea annnounced. Mukhang nakuha niya sa GC. Nakuha niya ang atensiyon ko. 

"Last week naman na ng summer natin. If they do, they'd just formally end their class."

Natahimik sa kotse. We're probably all thinking about the same thing.

The incoming year... and who's eligible to enroll.

The department will once again eliminate underperformers and if you're name isn't posted... goodbye Accountancy.

"Hey," Margot tried to lighten the atmosphere. "That's we're going to elyu. We'll unwind and forget. Let's have fun, okay?"

Nailea grinned and a smile appeared on mine.

---

It's been more than 2 weeks since the summer classes ended.

Dahil may sembreak, nakahilata lang ako ngayon. I finished studying in the morning and I'll do another sesh mamaya. Magla-lunch na, kaya tinigilan ko muna.

My phone kept on buzzing. I answered the call without knowing who it is.

"Girl! Maligo ka! The names are posted!" si Nailea.

Binaba nito agad ang tawag. Ako naman ay nataranta.

I checked the clock. Tinansiya ko ang oras ng magiging byahe ko. Aabot ako sa tren.

---

"Grabe! Alas dos na, ba't ngayon ka lang?!" My ears got harassed by Nailea.

I glared at her. "Trapik sa jeep. Tinakbo ko na nga para makaabot sa tren."

Margot stood up from the bench. Dito kami sa lobby nagkita-kita.

"Tinignan nyo na?" I asked them. They both shook their heads, meaning they waited for me.

"Let's go then." 

Sa malayo pa lang, ang daming estudyanteng nakatingin sa bulletin boards. Dahil sanay na, we did our best to get in front.

Nang makita ko ang listahan ng mga estudyanteng pasado maging third year, I blanked.

"Claudia?" I heard Margot, with a worrying voice.

"Margot." My eyes watered and all feelings came crashing on me.

Tumakbo siya sa'kin at yumakap ng mahigpit.

"Third year na 'ko." My voice was hoarse. "Third year na tayo." I sobbed.

Nailea gasped. She double checked. "Oh my god!"

Margot sobbed with me. I cried in her arms. Tangina! We f-cking did it! Magiging CPA kami!

(A/N: Congrats! This is all you, Claudia. No Hadwin in the scene, because he has a separate journey. [Yes, they are part of each other's life but the girls weigh more in her life as of now] It is Margot and Nailea who she shared with all the pain of studying. They deserve this success, it is rightful that they celebrate it together. ❤️ Find supportive friends because they're not just an extra in your life, they are the drivers of your motivation. )