At What Price (Completed)

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#AtWhatPrice 1

"Sometimes it's hard to keep your dream alive."

•••

It's a brand new semester again.

"I'll give you five minutes. Write your profile information with a 1 by 1 picture on the index card," the professor instructed us.

I gulped. Isa ito sa mga kilalang propesor dito sa university. She looks really nice and caring. Pero kahit na ganun, she must be one of those profs who really treats students well but doesn't blink at all when failing students.

I sighed. Pag college ka na, di ka talaga pwedeng maging kampante.

I decided to fill in my student details. Pang-ilan na ba 'tong index card na pinasa today? And why am I creating my ticket to hell?

Nakakaasar tong index cards na 'to e. Sa raffle at giveaways, di ako napipili. Pero bakit pag recitation, napipili ako?

I looked at what I wrote down once more.

Name: Claudia Helene L. Fajardo

Year & Section: BS Accountancy 2-1

Contact Number: 09xxxxxxx

Email: claudiahelene@gmail.com

"Claudia, asan na iyo? Ipasa ko na." Margot, my closest classmate, said.

She turned it in along with my other classmates. I can hear her laugh across the room. Unlike me, she's a social butterfly. I really don't know why she enrolled in a state university. Imbis na magkaroon siya ng awra ng mga taga-LaSalle or Ateneo, she totally looks like a normal human being.

She returned to her seat and our prof started to introduce herself. Goodness, I want to sleep. Buti na lang first day ngayon at puro introduction segment tuwing first day. Sana lang mahaba pa yung adjusting period para nakapag-aral pa ako.

The prof went on about her credentials. Kung gaano na siya katagal nagtuturo, kung sino ang mga naging kliyente niya at kung saang government agencies siya nagtrabaho. I heard she's a great teacher. Sana lang. Paano yung prof namin last sem, sobrang nakaka-pressure. She'll just leave bulks of activities and would not explain the topics. Tapos ang random pa. One time, nasa tren ako tapos nagpost ng activity. Kahit hindi naman niya sched, wala kang magagawa kundi gawin. Palibhasa alam niyang gahol ang mga estudyante sa points.

"Second year na kayo, I'm sure you're all of tired of this but we'll do it anyway." I want to laugh sarcastically. Ito na naman. "Introduce yourself isa-isa. Also state the reason why you chose Accountancy."

I'm so not in the mood. Kahit naman naging kaklase ko na sila, my social anxiety will never go away.

"Oh goodness." Side comment ni Margot. "It's not like we have it all figured out."

I didn't comment. F-cking true.

Why did I choose Accountancy?

I do not have a solid reason. I didn't even fathom I will end up with this course.

Does that not make me valid?

Pero syempre, pag sinabi ko yun, parang wina-walang bahala ko lang yung course. I ain't even a great student. I mean, I was, but ever since I stepped to college, that greatness faded away. I was now just another dust in the galaxy.

To be honest, ayoko pa rin sa course na 'to... but I have come so far... I don't think I'm allowed to give up.

Sa gilid ko, naghahanda na si Margot magsalita. Siya na sunod. Tapos ako. Hays.