Money and Beauty

Some students now have their head bobbing to and forth as if nobody controls them right now; like the small waves rocking through the sea during a breezy day. Yet in the front row seat, a jet black-haired student has her head steady, her full attention on the podium where the professor stands. Her brain, taking on everything the woman said, and her right hand, writing fast on the notebook. Her fingers are already aching but she ignored them. Just a few minutes left only before the class ends. Just a bit longer and --- Almost instantaneously, the students wake from their slumber and pack away their things. They are now on the way towards the door, when the Prof. Maria Diang exclaimed on her unusual loud voice, "Exams on the next meeting. The contents are what I have discussed today." Maybe she is already exasperated of the attitude of the class, that they have effectively shown her that her lessons are a boredom for them, a matter of disinterest. She expected that the students would mirror her exasperation and would complain loudly. But no. The students look at each other as if passing a secret message. Some shrug their shoulders, some smile a little, while few even giggled loud enough for Prof. Diang to hear. Her face registered bewilderment. Her eyes, clouded by confusion, follow the exiting students. 'How on earth--- what happened---why are they laughing? At me!? Does an exam mean nothing!?' she seethes on her mind. 'Just wait till they saw their flunking grades and we'll see each other for another semester.' On the day of the examination, only the sound of pens writing on the test booklet can be heard. This sleeping class that skips almost the whole lecture seems to have the mastery of the topic last meeting. Once or twice, she can see some of them to smile at the test she prepared with quite difficult level that she thinks only appropriate to teach the class a few lessons. Before the end of the class, almost all of the class have passed their booklets and are long gone. She peeks at their answer, and almost cuss audibly. Their answers are almost perfect. They made a few mistakes but not enough to have a red mark. Full of questions, she robotically received the last booklet and stared blankly at the girl with long jet-black hair leaving the room. "Are those smart-ass really smart?" Her soft voice echoed in the large lecture room. The last student stopped on her tracks and turn towards the bewildered woman. "Maybe Ma'am. Well, have a good day." She then closed the door. " But maybe not so much as I am." She opened her laptop and went to see the new emails she received. "Your notes are really helpful. Thanks." "Oldie Diang must be so confused. Haha. Serves that old maid right." "How can you know everything? Wow!" "Thanks :)" "Next time again." "Wanna hang out tonight? As thanks?" "Why did I only know about this this semester? I so need you every class!" "The best! Thanks M." She smiled and gave a small laugh. She then typed a message for the whole class. Reminder on Payment: P300 (5.85 USD). Please wire it on the account below. Next time, I expect the payment BEFORE I give the STONE---the test reviewer and notes. You already know the reliability of the STONE. "Done." "Already done it." Wired it just now." "Done." "Got it." Her phone vibrates for most of the evening. 'The money transaction is flowing real nice,' she thought before sleeping.