From yaad to abroad: Wah Gwaan Korea?

Chapter 7

After thinking about what the group work could be and who the recommended persons were for the entire week, the girls steeled their nerves and decided that they would do their utmost best on the project. As if preparing to give their all, both girls headed out to school earlier than usual.

"Yo Shawty, mek wi give dis wi all, even if the persons who the professor recommended does not want to work with us," said Alexis.

"Yeah man, yuh done know."

After arriving without any delay, both girls entered the lecture room only to see the professor conversing with what seemed to be two tall male figures. Their backs were turned to the direction where the girls entered from, thus making the girls unable to see their faces.

"Oh, I wonder if those are the persons that sir recommended to us," said Alexis.

"Well, I guess we shall see. Mi jus' hope dem nuh stay like the other two ediat bwoy dem. Damn annoying, it just upset mi spirit every time dem come to mind," responded Shanice.

The professor looked ahead and saw that the girls had arrived. "You're here. Come and let me introduce you to the top students," said the professor. With his beckoning, Alexis and Shanice went over.

"These are Bu Min-Jun and Dang Suk-Chin. They are the best English speakers in the class and also the top students in the class," said the professor.

The boys then turned around. To the girls' surprise, they were the same boys they had been trying their best to avoid.

"Lord Jesus, tek the case and gimme the pillow. A test yah test mi don't, Jesus?" said Shanice as she turned around, looking at the ceiling.

"Oh wow....this is awkward," muttered Alexis as she turned around, shaking her head while looking down.

The boys, seeing this, looked at one another. It seemed like a perfect plan for Min-Jun and Suk-Chin, but it spelled disaster for Alexis and Shanice.

"Is everything okay, Ms. Scott and Ms. Campbell?" asked the professor.

"Professor, would it be possible to group with anyone else?" asked Alexis.

"It's possible for you to check, but I believe that everyone has already found their group," responded the professor.

"Then is it possible for me and her to work alone?" asked Shanice.

The professor responded by saying that four persons were required to carry out the project. With that, the professor told everyone to take their seats, as class was about to begin.
Obviously still displeased, both girls headed off to their seats, followed by the boys.

"I know we started off on the wrong foot, but please allow us to complete this assignment together", said Min-Jun.

"mhm," responded Alexis as she folded her lips, casted her eyes to the side and took her seat. Shanice scowled at both Min-Jun and Suk-Chin as they headed off to their seats.

"Lexy, mi nuh tink mi can do it enuh," said Shanice.

"Mi understand Shawty, but what can we do? Let's just grit our teeth and pull through this. We worked hard to be here, so wi cyaa mek notten stop wi now", said Alexis, steeling her will.

"Yeah mi know. Cho." Shanice kissed her teeth. "Why it did affi be dem? Mek none a dem piss mi off and see," she said.

The lecture went on for a bit before the professor recommended that everyone go to their groups.

"Alright, please meet with your respected group members, and then have someone come and pick a paper from this box. The paper will consist of the topic that the group will be presenting on," said the professor. With that said and done, all the students went to their different groups.

"Do you think that they have agreed to group with us? Should we go down there?" asked Suk-Chin as he looked at Min-Jun.

"Only one way to find out." Min-Jun stood to his feet.

Both Min-Jun and Suk-Chin headed towards the girls, taking the empty seats behind them.

"Hi Alexis, Shanice," said Min-Jun.

"Don't think because we are in the same group that makes us friends. We are here for work and work only," said Shanice as she looked them dead in the eyes.

Alexis just looked at them and folded her lips. "Well, we came here to work, so let's start."

"Is it me, or has it suddenly gotten cold in here?" whispered Suk-Chin to Min-Jun.

"If winter was this cold, we would all freeze to death," responded Min-Jun, looking tired.

Shanice kissed her teeth, then got up from her seat and headed towards the box.

"Such a rude girl," Suk-Chin thought to himself as he watched Shanice leave.

Shanice returned with a piece of paper in her hand, just to find Suk-Chin staring at her. "Weh yah look pan mi fah?" Shanice said with an annoyed look on her face.

"Shawty, just cool, nuh man," responded Alexis.

"What is she saying?" whispered Suk-Chin to Min-Jun.

"If yuh have somn fi seh, seh it to mi face," said Shanice.

"Shanice!" said Alexis while urging her to cool, so that they can start discussing the project. Shanice kissed her teeth and handed Alexis the paper.
"Establish a business that will be popular and profitable among young people," read Alexis from the instructions.

Everyone pondered for a while.

"Alright, that should be easy enough. First, we need to do a market research to see what's popular with persons our age," said Min-Jun.

"Alright everyone, let's end it here for today," said the professor, bringing the class to an end.

As the girls were about to leave, Min-Jun suggested that they have a further discussion the following day, as he and Suk-Chin have an engagement they must attend to. They agreed to meet at the location where the trees and the seats were. With that, the boys left the compound. Min-Jun felt a slight bit of victory as what he planned had gone well. Though he felt relieved, the girls felt disheartened.

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Author's note

Let me know if any translation is needed for the Jamaican Patois (Patwah).