CLASS WITH A MISFIT: Along with the Beauties

Session 17

-MOVING THE CHESS PIECE-

CHARRE

"Eh ano naman ngayon kung malamangan natin ang ibang classes? It still won't change the fact that we're still Class E, right?" Napasimangot na si Frije habang naglalakad kami sa pathway ng school.

"Maybe," I stated then continued, "But it will change the fact that Class E made a history of beating the other classes if we'll outtake them."

Right, never had ever in the school history that Class E beats the other classes in the ranking system. And never had ever before does someone decrypted how the class assessment truly works.

"Oh well, dito na muna ako, Charre. Thanks for accompanying me." We both stopped in front of the entrance of our grand female dormitory building.

"Ikaw ba, hindi ka pa ba talaga magpapahinga? 'Ya know, nakaka-drain kaya ang buong week nang may daily quizzes na hindi man lang natin nalalaman ang resulta. Alam mo, 'yong confidence level mo nalang talaga makakapagsabi kung pasado ka o hindi, pero sana 'wag masyadong confident, HAHA." Her face was painted with concern despite the chuckle, a genuine one as I could feel. Napansin ko na rin ang pagod sa kaniyang maamong mukha.

"'Yon nga eh. Hays." I smiled at her but on a downturned arch, "Hindi na muna. May kailangan pa akong puntahan."

Other else, kailangan gawin.

"Magpahinga ka nalang, Frije. Just don't worry about me."

"Sure ka? Alam mo naman, may mga naiinis pa rin sa'yo diyan sa tabi-tabi."

"Yeah, I'm sure. And about your concern, masasanay lang din naman ang mga 'yang nakikita ako dito sa loob ng campus pagdating ng panahon." Napangiti naman siya ulit at doo'y naramdaman ko nang nakumbinse ko na siyang hayaan na ako't 'wag nang ipag-alala pa.

"Okay, sige. Be safe, and just call me if may mam-prank na naman sa'yo or if you need help."

"Sige."

There, we waved goodbye.

Nang nakita ko na siyang pumasok ay binuksan ko na ulit ang screen ng cellphone ko.

'PHP193,783.00,' basa ko sa nakasaad na natitirang amount sa school bank account ko.

"PHP6,217.00 na pala ang nagastos ko sa nakaraang dalawang linggo sa loob ng paaralang 'to," mahinag sabi ko sa sarili. 'Not to mention the additional coins I earned through points.'

If each trimester has a total of 12-13 weeks of classes, at nakakagasto ako ng approximately PHP3,250 in every week, then it means sa isang trimester ay makakagastos ako ng approximately PHP42,250.

'Tsk, ang dollars naman kasi ng living expenses dito kahit pagkain at kakaunting school needs lang ang gagastusan, at kahit free na ang dorm.'

May approximately PHP157,750 pa naman akong matitira sa katapusan ng klase, but I have to live it up for the following trimesters for me to survive. That's lotsa maths ha.

"The PHP200,000 is only given at the first trimester of your schooling here. Because... you have to work for your allowance during the next consecutive trimesters."

I remember that one from Ms. Mari. Napakuyom ako ng kamao sa iisiping ngayon pa lang, kahit dalawang linggo pa nga lang ay marami na'ng mga hindi inaasahang bagay ang nangyari, what more at the end of trimester.

For that matter, even earning extra coins is a difficult job to do.

Who knows, we might live a life of a 'broke' in the next trimester, lalo na't nasa pinakahuling seksyon pa kami?