Chapter Text
Shae: Uy, san ka na?
Anya became more agitated when Shae’s message popped on her screen. It was seven minutes past four, but she’s still in the IKOT jeep, few kilometers away from her 4 PM class in AS. There’s typically a 30-minute grace period for three-hour classes in UP, but it’s the first class for this subject and Anya doesn’t want to give off the wrong impression to her professor.
Pag sinuswerte ka nga naman.
Shae: Wala pa naman prof, teh.
Shae: Pero ang onti lang din ng students.
Shae: Lima lang sila dito.
Anya: Lapit na me, NIGS na
Shae: Gags, nag-ikot ka?
Shae: Kung naglakad ka nakarating ka na sana girl
Too late na yan Shae.
Anya scratched her head. She really could have walked but she was exhausted from her Physical Education class in CHK. Of course, CHK is in another universe from AS and arriving to class drenched in sweat after a fifteen-minute brisk walk is just gross. So she took the jeep.
Bakit kasi pinagsunod mo ang PE at ArtStud, Anya.
“Bayad po.”
Anya took the fare from the student beside her and passed it in front.
Only no one was taking it.
There were only six passengers in the jeep. One was beside the driver, two were near the entrance, one was beside her, and one student directly at the back of the driver. Said student should have passed the fare, but she wasn’t doing anything. Aba naman ang manners! Anya looked at the student closely. She was dressed in PE clothing like her, white shirt with maroon sleeves and maroon jersey shorts. She was clutching her backpack to her chest, one hand clinging at the overhead railing of the jeep to cradle her head.
Her head topped with flaming red hair and earphones.
Ah, tulog?
Anya had no choice but to scoot nearer to the driver. “Bayad daw po.” Anya announced rather loudly, which woke the girl up. She startled and frowned at Anya. Sorry naman.
The driver took the fare from Anya. And once the jeep arrived at her stop, Anya bolted and ran to class.
—
There are indeed only a few students in class. And all of them are girls.
When Anya arrived to class, a girl decked in pink immediately greeted her and introduced herself as Sunny, a second year BroadComm student. Sunny was then pulled aside by a girl named Jude who apologized to Anya about Sunny’s friendliness.
“Sorry teh di pa nakakainom ng gamot yan.” Another girl chimed in, who introduced herself as Macky. The three were clearly friends.
“We heard kasi from Shae that there’s another student pa.” Sunny said enthusiastically.
Shae, already seated at the front row, sheepishly waved at Anya. Anya settled on the seat beside Shae before turning around to speak to the three.
“Ah yes. I’m Anya by the way, taga Eduk ako. Same kami ni Shae.” Anya sat beside Shae. “Tayo lang ba? Papasok ba si Mam?”
“Di rin namin alam, wala pa namang 4:30.” said Shae. “Ang konti natin, ito na yata ang smallest class ever na napasukan ko.”
Anya glanced at the remaining two students. One was a girl with a ginger bob, and another dressed in oversized jersey shirt and ball cap. They weren’t talking to each other, but the girl in the ball cap was leaning on the ginger’s armchair, so Anya guessed that they might at least be acquaintances.
“Sayang, wag sana nila i-dissolve ‘tong class.” Anya silently commented.
“Ay oo sana wag.” Macky commented. “Balita ko minsan lang sila mag offer ng course na to eh.”
“Ay oo, inabangan talaga namin to ni Anya kasi mahilig siya sa Photography.” said Shae.
“Weh, ikaw sumama ka lang dito kasi ayaw mo na pumila eh.” Anya teased.
Sunny laughed. “Uy talaga ba? Kasi kami nila Jude at Macky nag-enlist lang din dito kasi low demand at walang pila.”
"Ay shet, same!" All five girls laughed.
Just then, the professor arrived. Ms. Perez is a middle-aged woman that exuded a warm personality. She was easy to smile, gentle and somewhat apologetic about the class turnout. She called the students one by one.
“Gabrielle Apuli.”
The girl with ginger hair raised her hand.
“Please tell us something about yourself and why you enlisted in Art Studies in Photography.”
“I’m Gabrielle Apuli, please call me Gab. Second year, Kasaysayan major. Nag-enlist po ako para sa class dahil alam ko pong makakadagdag yung knowledge na makukuha ko sa Art Stud in Photography sa major ko po.”
“Adrianna Quincy Arceta.”
Anya raised her hand and smiled at everyone. “Hi I’m Adrianna Arceta, please call me Anya. Second year Eduk student, I’m majoring in secondary education, minor in Art Studies. This is my first Art Stud class po and I’m looking forward for more Art Studies elective in the coming semesters.”
“Sasha Mae Catacutan.”
Anya smiled at Shae. “Please call me Shae, like Anya, second year Eduk na nagm-minor in Art Stud. Dalawa naman po ang Art Stud classes ko this sem but I’m excited for this class since it’s focused in photography.”
“Maria Kristina Ricalde.”
“Hello, Macky for short. I’m from Mass Comm, BA Broadcast Communication. So malapit po talaga yung photography sa major ko at sa aking puso.” The class laughed.
“Judith Claire Robles.”
“Jude. Like Macky I’m from BC. I enlisted because I used to compete in schools press conferences before for photojournalism.”
Oh wow. Bigatin pala tong si Jude. Anya thought.
“Leila Sandra Alyana Sevilleja.”
Sunny giggled before speaking. What a cute girl! “Hi, sorry medyo mahaba po ang aking name but you can call me Sunny, or Sunday. I’m friends with Jude and Macky so you can guess I’m also from BC. I have loved photography since I was a kid so I enlisted.”
Akala ko sasabihin niya na dahil sa walang pila kaya siya nag-enlist. Anya smiled.
“Nica Camille Vergara.”
The girl with the ball cap raised her hand. “Cams na lang po, Kasaysayan second year. Nag-enlist po ako dahil makakadagdag yung skill ng suri sa sining ng mga larawan para sa major ko. Tsaka wala po kasing pila sa enlistment kaya nag-enlist nako.”
Ah. There it is.
The whole class chuckled. The teacher smiled at Cams. “Okay lastly, she just enlisted a while ago before class. Miranda Julianna Lim.”
“Present.”
Anya’s eyes grew wide as she turned to the back of the class. Shit, hindi man lang namin namalayan na may pumasok sa room! The girl was seated alone at the back row of the class near the door. But when Anya took a closer look, she was more surprised to learn it was the red hair girl from the jeep.
It also seemed like the other girls were equally surprised with her sudden appearance, since they all bore the same shocked expressions when they turned to see the person who spoke.
“Mia. Second year, Pol Sci.” The girl spoke in a bored tone, with an obvious posh accent. She’s now wearing a black hoodie with her maroon jersey shorts, and her earphones nestled around her neck. “I enlisted to take photographs.”
“Welcome to AS 121, Mia. And welcome rin to everyone, I’ll definitely learn all your names since walo lang naman kayo. Truthfully, I’m also here to ask if anyone will un-enlist from this class. I was notified that they might dissolve this class since hindi tayo umabot sa 15 na students, but if all of you eight will really stick with this class, then I’ll make a plea to the Dean to let this class continue.”
The girls looked at each other.
Anya would definitely have to stick with the subject since she’s going to minor in Art Studies. But deep down, Anya felt a tug in her heart. There’s something about this class.
“I’ll stick with this class.”
For the second time that day, all the girls turned to look at their new classmate, Mia, who spoke in a low tone.
Anya smiled. Yeah, she’ll stick with this class too.
“Ako rin po Mam.” Anya raised her hand. Soon enough, everyone was enthusiastically agreeing.
“Thanks class. I’ll make sure you’ll enjoy this semester.”
—
For the rest of the class, the professor discussed the class syllabus and requirements.
Since it’s only the first class for the semester, the teacher promised to dismiss earlier than 7 PM. By 5:30 PM, Ms. Perez dismissed the class with a reminder:
“Pumili na rin kayo ng class beadle. Konti lang naman kayo so it won’t be much work. Just someone I can communicate with directly for other announcements.”
In the end, the responsibility fell on Anya. Is it because I’m an Eduk Major?
“Gawa na lang tayong gc guys. Lahat ba naka-iPhone? Mag iMessage na lang tayo?” said Anya once the professor left. But everyone was busy fixing their things so no one responded.
No one except.
“Here.” Mia left a piece of paper and a pen on Anya’s desk. The girl swiftly turned around and left the classroom without another word.
“Anong meron dun?” Shae asked beside Anya. Anya just shrugged and looked at the paper.
On it was a list of all their names, with Mia’s name at the bottom with her number beside it.
Anya looked at the door where Mia had long left. Anya had to smile. Smart girl.