Way Back into His Arms

Chapter 1

"For your pre - finals output, I want you to group yourselves into three. Make sure that you find the best partners since this will also be the same group that you'll be with for your final output which would cover 30% of your overall grade in this subject. A big factor that will determine if you will graduate this school year or not." the professor said.

Naramdaman ni Cristina ang matinding kaba dahil groupings na naman ang output nila tapos malaking parte pa ng grade ang nakasalalay. Konting tumbling na nga lang bago nya matapos ang kursong business administration, pahihirapan pa sya in terms of pakikisama sa possible groupmates nya. Aside from the fact na wala naman talaga syang mga kaibigan na automatic nyang maaaya sa gantong mga groupings, madalas pa syang nai- ininvite ng mga pabuhat nyang kaklase na talaga namang walang kakwenta - kwenta dahil halos o talagang hindi nag - aambag sa mga gawain.

"I'll give you the remaining 30 minutes to find your groupmates and to plan for your start - up business. You may leave the class after." sabi muli ng professor bago lumabas ng classroom.

Nagsimula nang gumulo ang kwarto dahil nagsipaglapitan na ang mga magkakaibigan na automatic magkakagrupo sa project nila. Pag gantong groupings, makikita mo talaga na halos lahat ay may kagrupo na kaya naman no choice ka na sa matitira dahil hindi ka naman makakasingit sa iba. Hinayaan na lang ni Cristina na magkagulo sa paligid nya dahil tiyak naman na mamaya, magsisimula nang mag - ikot ang mga wala pang kagroup.

Maya - maya pa, lumapit sa kanya si Abigail. "Hi, Cristina! May kagroup ka na ba?" Mabait netong sabi.

"Uh wala pa." Sagot naman ni Crisitina.

"Okay lang bang maging kagroup kita? Apat kasi kaming magkakaibigan kaya di kami kasya sa isang group." Tanong muli neto. Tumango at ngumiti naman ng tipid si Cristina. Minsan nya na kasing nakasama si Abi sa isang group work at alam nyang masipag ito kaya medyo relieved na din sya dahil alam nyang di sya gaanong mahihirapan. "Kaso kulang pa tayo ng isa. Ay wait, ako na bahala maghanap dyan ka lang." Hinayaan nya na lang na umalis si Abi para maghanap ng isa pang myembro. Friendly din naman kasi ito at sigurado, madali itong makakahanap. Makalipas ang ilang minuto, hila hila na nito si Lukas Sy.

"Ayan, we're complete! Now let's talk about our start - up business. I suggest we offer food like cookies? How about you, guys?" Panimula muli ni Abi. Habang nag - iisip si Cristina, napatingin ito kay Lukas na prenteng nakaupo at mukhang bored na. Napaisip tuloy sya kung pano ito napilit ni Abi na sumama sa kanila. Sabagay, ang alam naman nya ay willing makigrupo si Lukas kahit kanino basta ba ay tutulong lahat.

"I think that's too common. For sure most of the class will consider the food category. The competition for the sales might be tougher." Lukas said with his baritone voice.

"Well true. Actually di rin naman ako marunong magbake. Masaya lang talaga kumain ng cookies. If that's the case, do you have anything in mind? Ikaw ba Tina? Tina na lang ha. Ang haba ng Cristina e." Abi said.

"Siguro we can offer resin products? Maybe the one that uses UV light para mabilis lang ma - cure? We can focus on jewelry or keychains para personalized. But that's just a suggestion." Tina answered. Her voice was quite shaky as she talked because Lukas was staring at her. Plus she barely voices out what's in her mind.

"Oh, oo nga no. I've seen those on Tiktok. They're cute plus DIY pa. We'll have fun making it and at the same time, madaling makagather ng attention ng possible clients since its personalized." Abi agreed and so as Lukas with a nod. They planned other factors for their start - up business such as the materials and target designs for display.

"I'll checkout na the items that we found online ah? Yung mga kulang, maybe you guys can buy after our class? I just have a prior commitment so I can't come with you. For the expenses, let's just total and divide it before we start selling. What do you think?" Abi asked. Both Tina and Lukas nodded. "4:30 na pala. I have to go guys. Nasend ko naman na sa group chat the materials that you have to buy. Thank you and ingat." Abigail said as she stood up and went to her girl friends who are also about to leave the room.