Ryujin : bro, may assembly ng 1 or 2 pm. baka galit na si pres dahil hindi ka nagseseen.

 

Ryujin : may class ka pa ba? sinabi ko kay pres na low batt ka lang now, ganun T_T

 

"Kim." 

 

I immediately turned off my phone when I heard my surname from my prof's mouth, she's holding the index cards. I looked in front to see if she was pertaining to me, she gave the cue. Stood up from my seat, all eyes on me.

 

Palagi na lang.

 

"In this situation Kim, a portfolio has fifty percent of its funds invested in the first security and another fifty percent invested in the second security-- Are you listening?"

 

"Y-yes, ma'am..."

 

I heard a sigh came from her and looked at the paper again.

 

"Makinig. Security one has a standard deviation of six while Security two has 12 as its standard deviation." she stopped again while I was trying to mentally compute it.

 

Napatingin ako kay Aeri na sinusubukan din sagutan, I think she'll give me the answer if I need it. Our prof is thinking of choices, I think.

 

"The securities have a coefficient of correlation of point five. Choices; eighty-one, ninety, twenty-seven, and nine. Which of the following are closest to portfolio variance?"

 

Closest...

 

Portfolio variance...

 

"We have discussed this multiple times, alam kong mabilis na lang 'to sa inyo!" she said and gave me an eye.

 

"Give me the answer."

 

"Ma'am, sixty-three..?" I answered, not feeling confident with it. Nakita kong ngumiti ang prof ko.

 

"Are you aware that I gave you the choices, Kim?" she said with a low tone, I saw Aeri did a facepalm.

 

"Do you want me to repeat the question again?"

 

"No, ma'am."

 

"Then give the correct answer in the question given, I am not asking for the exact value, Miss Kim."

 

Inaalala ko ang tanong na binigay ng prof namin. I know it was asking about the closest value but the choices... That's what I forgot.

 

I looked at my blockmates, mouting words. Hindi ko naman maintindihan ang kanilang sinasabi. Our professor is giving me a stern look again.

 

"Sit down--"

 

"Ma'am, eighty-one, the first value." I answered, still feeling uneasy. Nakita ko siyang umiling.

 

I looked at her hand movements so I can tell what grade I got but she stopped writing, remembering something while looking at me. Handa na akong umupo nang biglang nagsalita siya.

 

"Glad you answered right, but that wasn't your question, iha." I slowly stood up again from my seat and fixed my clothes.

 

"Pambawi mo na rin."

 

Gusto ko na kumain.

 

"This is easy. Discuss the concept of "The Time Value of Money", how is it important and what is its usage in corporate finance." our professor said and checked her time.

 

Piece of cake.

 

"The Time Value of Money... This idea is among the most crucial financial principles." I breathed in and out before continuing.

 

"The money today is worth more than the money tomorrow." I said, recollecting information from what I learned from the past years.

 

"Continue." I gulped then continued as what she said.

 

"Because... money today can be utilized, invested in, or increased, that can be the case in some situations. Money earned today may result in interest, unrealized profits, or unrealized losses, a dollar earned now and a dollar earned a year from now are not equivalent."

 

"Why is it very crucial? This is because the time value of money plays such a large role in our financial decisions. Financial decisions including retirement planning, investment planning, and mortgage payments-- it is evident that the concept of time value of money is significant." 

 

I ended my answer with that word. I was surprised myself on how I delivered my explanation, kahit ang iba ay nagulat. Well, that question was not difficult, kailangan lang talaga ay alam mo ang sasabihin at hindi paulit-ulit.

 

"Precisely."

 

I sat down after hearing that word, parang gumaan bigla ang pakiramdam ko nang nakita ko itong satisfied sa sagot ko.

 

"For instance! One of the factors influencing how much interest you will pay when taking out a loan is the time value of money."

 

"The time worth of money has an impact on how much money you will need to set aside for... Let us say, retirement. It is a core principle of finance..." she said while fixing her stuff, my index card and her pen still in her hand.

 

"Thus, it is significant."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Alam mo, feeling ko uno grade mo kanina."

 

"No... I stuttered earlier, alam mo namang ayaw ni prof na ganoon." I said and Aeri mouthed her usual line, the 'whatever'

 

"I commend your effort earlier, Miss Kim." I heard Somi's whisper, I looked at her and smiled. "And, natuwa pa sa 'yo si miss."

 

"Sabi nga, be like her, lutang pero nakakasagot."

 

"She definitely didn't said the lutang part, Uchinaga." I warned her.

 

We are now lining in to our favorite stall sa canteen namin. Nasa gitna kami ng linya at mabilis naman ang service dito, but today feels different. I looked at the tall girl again as I recalled something.

 

"Hey Somi, about the research..." I started, looking at Aeri who's minding her business looking at the menu.

 

"Hmmm, yes?"

 

"Is it possible na tatlo tayo? Aeri would like to join us." I said and looked at Aeri, hoping that she'll say yes. 

 

"Oo naman, many of us has groups with three people on it so no problem! Malayo pa naman din." she said, I nodded and thanked her.

 

"Tsaka you know I'll say yes sa iyo."

 

I chuckled at her added response, "Talaga ba? But you know, I still need your confirmation since partner kita."

 

"Oh, really?"

 

"Ehem." Aeri grabbed both of our arms and pointed at the menu.

 

After picking a heavy lunch, we gave our respective payments. Good thing I immediately remembered Ryujin's texts earlier. Pakiramdam ko ay unti na lang ay tatanggalin na ako sa dance team namin dahil wala palagi ang presence ko.

 

They know everyone is busy for the upcoming competition, including our school since it is very important for us.

 

Me : Bro, my apologies. Nakita ko na 'yung messages ng GC and I'm on my way, 15 minutes?

 

Ryujin : sure bro, hindi pa naman kami nagsstart.

 

Ryujin : mukhang magtetext sayo si ate seul.

 

"Aeri, pa take-out na lang nung akin." I said.

 

I turned off my phone and excused myself for the meantime, baka kasi hindi ko maasikaso ang pagkain namin. I sat on our usual table and fetched for my phone again. Binuksan ko ang Messages, Ate Seulgi was really texting me.

 

Seul🐻: minjeong, hindi ako galit. (hindi yan galit)

 

Seul🐻: pero I hope that you'll comply, kahit simpleng pakita lang sa gc natin. nag-aalala kami ni Lisa sa 'yo.

 

Seul🐻: Last year na natin pareho ito, umayos ka.

 

Seul🐻 : baka magtaka ka bakit may center, may changes kasi sa plano. tsaka ko na sasabihin kapag makikita kita mamaya.

 

Seul🐻 : SV Hall.

 

"Nag take-out na lang din kami since hassle kapag bowl pa, babe." I heard Aeri's voice in front. I thanked them both.

 

"Kailangan ko umalis, hinahanap ako ng AUDEX." 

 

"Oh, so that's why Ate Seul is trying to message me too." pinakita ni Aeri ang messages, tumango na lamang ako. She even gave me a 'Lagot ka.' gesture. 

 

"P'wede ba kami manood?" Somi asked, napaisip ako. 

 

Siguro naman ay puwede? I mean we all represent the same school.

 

"Of course! Puwede 'yan, ako na nagsasabi." Aeri butted in before I could even speak, napailing ako habang si Somi ay natawa.

 

"Baka ma-fall kayo sa 'kin." I confidenly said, cringing at my own words.

 

Hinampas naman ni Aeri ang balikat ko, bigla tuloy siya naging conscious sa paligid. ako naman ay sanay na sa ginawa. Somi looked shocked at what I said, pinipigilan niya rin matawa.

 

"Yabang eh, liit naman." Aeri said, agad ko naman ito binawian at hinampas din ang braso niya.

 

Me : Noted on this one, sorry talaga.

 

Me : We're on our way. We, as in me, Aeri, and my blockmate Somi. They'll watch, okay lang po ba?

 

Seul 🐻 : oo, ingat.

 

Naglakad na kami palabas ng canteen, papuntang SV Hall. Many eyes are on us. Narinig ko pa ang mga usapan nila, I'm sure the girls beside me did too.

 

"Is that Somi with the two popular bestfriends?"

 

"Bago 'yon ah?"

 

"Baka kumakapit lang kina-"

 

"Girl, don't mind those people." Aeri whispered to Somi, I nodded as a response.

 

We can't refrain people from stating baseless allegations, I felt bad. We were trying to get to know each other better and now I can feel Somi getting awkward. 

 

I saw Aeri looked at the girls who gossiped earlier from my peripheral vision. She's conscious about her image yet she can give attitude, but me? Deretso tingin lamang dahil hindi ako sanay sa mga away.

 

And, it can be discussed.

 

"Annoying." Aeri chuckled at what she muttered. I'm very certain they heard it.

 

Their fault, not ours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Long time no see, Win." Ate Lisa greeted me with a cold stare. I accepted her hand and shook it slowly, getting nervous.

 

"Hoy, joke lang! Ikaw naman. Kasi eh, bagal mag-reply sa group chat, alam mo namang overthinker kami."

 

Phew.

 

"Sorry talaga ate, I'll make it up to you." I genuinely said, nakita ko namang ngumiti ito.

 

"Ako lang? We have many people here, Win." she said. Ryujin waved at me so I did the same.

 

I looked at our president's stance, naglalakad na ito papalapit sa amin. Aeri was chuckling from behind, maybe she's thinking that I look like a kid being scolded by two parents.

 

"Hindi nga ako galit." Ate Seulgi started with crossed arms, "Mas lalo akong magagalit kapag iisipin mong galit ako."

 

"I'm sorry..."

 

"It's fine pero dahil diyan, ikaw center sa intro ha." she said and talked to Ate Lisa.

 

What? She must be kidding.

 

I excused myself from my friends and told them to sit in one of our chairs. Agad naman akong pumunta kina Ate Seulgi dahil sa sinabi niya. Is that the final decision? They already did a meeting before me or...

 

Seulgi is mad.

 

"Hindi na po nagkaroon ng discussion?" I asked and she looked at me.

 

"Nagkaroon pero kami lang nina Chaeyeon ang nakapag-usap, I told you we will still discuss things right now."

 

She called everyone's attention and signalled them to sit in the floor right in front of her. I checked every person in the room, ang ibang mga kakilala ko dahil sa team ay tinanggal na siguro dahil karamihan sa mga nandito ay ang pumasa sa auditions.

 

"The opening ceremony will be held in September four, keep that in mind po." she started, everyone nodded. Hindi ko alam na malapit na pala.

 

"Wait, may schedule na po pala?" a member asked.

 

"Yes, hindi niyo ba nakita post ng page?" Seulgi asked, some checked their phones but  our president stopped them, "Mamaya na 'yan."

 

"How will we practice for our performance? Ilang araw na lang ang natitira." a new member raised her hand, I think she is a freshman.

 

"We're not included in the first semester guys, so I'm guessing next year pa tayo." she answered. "Which is always the case-"

 

"Tama! Palagi naman 'yon guys, ang kailangan natin ngayon ay suportahan ang mga Klasmeyts natin, lalo na sila Mark Lee, 'yung mga varsity diyan." Ate Lisa butted in, we all agreed. Dapat lang na magbigay suporta kami.

 

"Aray!" I heard Lisa shouted, hinampas pala ito ni Seulgi dahil bigla itong nagsalita nang hindi pa siya tapos.

 

I looked at Aeri because the word 'Mark' was mentioned, I want to see her reaction and yes, she was surprised with the name.

 

Very suspicious.

 

"I hope it won't be cancelled." One member said and stood up.

 

The meeting ended and some members bid their goodbyes. Ate Chaeyeon stated the plan they have discussed. Baka raw humanap sila ng choreographer kung posible ito upang maging maayos ang performance namin, aayusin na rin nila ang kantang gagamitin, we will be doing a streetdance. 

 

They want me to be in front in terms of blockings since 'I can dance well' daw. Pumayag ako dahil kaya ko naman ito ngunit sinabi ko rin na hindi p'wedeng ako lang ang laging nasa gitna ng sayaw dahil isang grupo kami.

 

"Ikaw na lang kaya sumayaw, bud?"

 

"Ate Lisa naman eh."

 

"Joke, akala mo naman papayag ako eh 'no."

 

"Ikaw nga nag-suggest."

 

"Hindi ka mabiro!"

 

Aeri and Somi were walking towards my direction, hawak na pala ni Aeri ang gamit ko. On the other hand, Somi was typing seriously on her phone.

 

"Paano nga kung ma-cancel, Win?" I heard a small familiar voice behind my back. 

 

"I don't know, Seul. But we will still practice, okay?" I answered her, she just nodded.

 

Seulgi gave Aeri a look, maybe telling her that we will talk for awhile. Agad namang tumango si Aeri at sinabing 'She is all yours!'. 

 

Pinamigay ba naman.

 

"You know, my parents wants me to play chess instead of you know... Itong pagsasayaw." she started, we went to the stage.

 

"Nasa pamilya ko na kasi 'yung board game na 'yon, at gusto nilang mamana ko rin."

 

That's hard. When parents force you on things that you won't enjoy or love doing in the future.

 

"Alam mo naman diba... Hindi nila pinanood last season natin, tapos natalo pa tayo edi mas na-bash ako ng pamilya ko..." she said and chuckled, I was just listening to her since I don't know what to reply.

 

"So yeah, in conclusion... I want to prove to our school, other students, and my family na kaya ko... Na kaya natin manalo while I'm the president her