Amidst The Vying Psyches

Kabanata 33

Serenity Hiraya

It was hard. Pakiramdam ko ay nagsimula akong ulit. I thought I was already fine but the pain resurfaced after he broke up with me.

Because of that, I chose to drown myself in studying. I want to read and review my lessons until I cannot think of anything else. Before, the least thing I wanted was for the senior high school years to end; but now, it has become my wish.

"What do you think is the number one characteristic to be a successful entrepreneur?" Our teacher scanned the classroom to look for someone who would answer his question.

I immediately raised my hand to recite.

Bago pa ako tawagin ay narinig namin ang sigaw ni MJ mula sa likod.

"Passionate raw po sabi ni Alvarez!"

Pati ang ibang kaklase ko ay napalingon sa kanila. Hawak na ngayon ni Steven ang batok ni MJ na para bang pinipigilan pa itong magsalita.

"You got something to say?"

"No po, sir. Nang titrip lang po siya." Si Steven ang sumagot.

Bumitiw ang tingin sa kanya ni sir bago ako tawagin.

"Yes, Ms. Añasco?"

"Being a risk-taker is the number one characteristic of a successful entrepreneur. With that being said, I believe that being able to know when to take risks is the most crucial part especially if you're a beginner entrepreneur. Kailangan natin matuto mag-take risk kasi if not, hindi ma-memeet 'yung visions..." I paused. "Tama rin naman po 'yung pagiging passionate but I feel like it'll be useless if a person does not know how to take risks."

"Correct!" Masayang sabi ni Sir na ikinangiti ko.

Akala ko ay satisfied na siya sa sagot ko pero nagulat ako nang tumawag siya ng tao sa likod.

"Yes, Alvarez? What's your opinion?"

"I'd like to disagree with Añasco's answer, respectfully, Sir. In my perspective, the number one characteristic of a successful entrepreneur is being passionate. Let's make this simple, are you willing to take a risk on something you don't love? Syempre hindi, kasi you will feel like it's useless. Pero, kung passionate ka at mahal mo ang ginagawa mo, walang pag-aalinlangan kang mag-take risk," he retorted.

"What if hindi ka nga risk-taker or you don't possess that kind of character? Like what I've said, useless din 'yung pagiging passionate mo kung hindi mo kayang mag-take risk." Hindi ko na napigilang hindi sumagot dahil hindi pa rin naman ako nakakaupo.

He scoffed. "No one is afraid of taking risks if you're passionate about it and you love what you're doing. Kapag mahal mo, hindi mo agad susukuan at susugal ka, 'di ba?"

Natahimik ako. Hindi ko tuloy alam ang isasagot pabalik kaya umupo ako at humarap sa board.

"Entrepreneurship pa rin ba pinag-uusapan niyo o iba na?" Malakas na sabi ni Jas bago tumingin kay sir. "Sa susunod nga sir, huwag mo tatawagin sa recitation 'yang dalawang 'yan kasi nagsisimula na naman silang hindi magpatalo sa isa't isa."

Pagkatapos ng Entrep subject namin ay naging tahimik na ulit ako. Naging talkative lang ako ulit nang dumating ang lunch time.

"Saan kayo mag-college?" Tanong ni Jasmine sa amin habang kumakain kami.

Nagkibit-balikat si Violet. "Ewan. Kung saan siguro makapasa, doon na lang. Pero, gusto ko sana sa green school."

"Huy, same!" Napatayo pa si Jasmine. "Anong kukunin mo sa college?"

"Hmm... siguro engineering student na malaki ang biceps," ngumisi si Violet. "Pwede rin archi student ang kunin ko sa college."

"Gaga!" Umirap sa kanya si Jas bago ito humalakhak. "Same pala."