Fruit Ninja

Fruit Ninja(Janne Villaflor) It is already quarter to ten in the morning and Paul just arrived while our class starts at exactly nine. The professor does not really mind whether his students attend their classes or not so Paul was just ignored. Besides, it’s not the first time this happened. It’s an almost every Calculus time routine that Paul will come in late and then sit beside me and take a look at the board for about ten seconds to see what he missed then pull out his phone. I’m guessing that he was already able to understand the lesson in that short time because I see him playing Fruit Ninja again and I wish that I also have the luxury of time to do so but I can’t afford to miss thirty seconds of focus on the board. But oh no - I just lost it. Where are we now? God, I hope can get back on track. I take a glance on Paul again and why is he still playing? Well for him, not being attentive in class is no big deal because he thinks it is easy for him to cope with the lessons since he is very good in Calculus and I know he really is. Whenever he sees that I don’t understand the lesson, he suddenly writes down the solutions on my scratch paper and also, he always gets a higher score in his quizzes than mine. One time I asked him, “How do you do that? You always come here late and just play but you get high grades?” then he answered me, “Maybe I just have a gift.”

Sometimes I wonder if Paul is really here to learn or just prove himself. I can see that he really believes in his capabilities but is he really a student? He does not listen to the teacher and what is his point of still attending the class fifteen minutes before it ends? Why did he even enter college, anyway? Not that I’m jealous of him but I just also want that kind of gift because to attain those high scores in tests, I have to give the course a lot of time, ergo sacrificing many hours of sleep, just to find out that it is still not enough to reach his score. I never even saw any eye bags or pimples in Paul’s face. Maybe he is always able to complete those eight hours of sleep. No wonder why he comes to school late. I take a look at him again and he’s still playing Fruit Ninja. “Mr. Paul Jenner. Since you look like you already understand the lesson, kindly help your classmates by answering the problem on the board.” Our professor looks a little irritated because of Paul’s rude behavior but it took Paul about ten seconds to figure out how he will solve the problem and so he did, but the professor did not have a change of emotion. Paul just returned to his seat, giggling. Good for him he’s gifted. I wasn’t able to get back to the lesson anymore for my focus was already on Paul. How will I cope up? What is it about him that makes him easy to get by? Right, he’s gifted. I almost forgot. What if I ask Paul for a tutoring session? I do need help in this course. I don’t think anything is wrong with that and it can be another room for him to prove himself. So the bell rang and the professor dismissed us and Paul was in a hurry to leave but I knew I had to stop him for my favor.

“Hey Paul…” I’m actually a little shy to ask this Calculus saint but he is already waiting for me to continue. “Since you understand Calculus very well, I was wondering if you could tutor me some time.”

“Well, I can only give you an advice. Just love Calculus and it will love you back.” Then he went.

I was able to understand that if I wanted a high score, I should not waste time so I must start as early as possible. I should go to the library now and look for Calculus books. I can imagine how Paul would answer the test so relaxed and I also want that. So I started to read the books and master every page. I acquainted myself with the different kind of problems so I won’t have a hard time answering them if they have been encountered. Day by day, I felt that I’m getting better at the course, and that it is starting to love me back. Next time, I will also be able to play Fruit Ninja in class. Paul and I will both get to relax in class and giggle after the professor would call our attention.

It’s 11:00 am and I’m already at school for the Calculus exam even though it will start at noon. My mind is at peace and worry-free because I’m confident enough that I will be able to solve most of the problems to be given later. I should play Fruit Ninja while waiting for the exam to start. I wonder where Paul is. Is he also this relaxed today? Maybe he will come in late again then be the first one to finish the test. Surprisingly, he passed by me walking slowly and looking restless. I wanted to call him but I thought he didn’t want anyone bothering him so I just continued playing with my phone.

“Are you ready for the exam?” I did not see that coming. It was Paul’s voice pointing at me.

“Yes, of course. What happened to you?”

“I got drunk last night. A friend hosted a party. Man, I don’t know anything.”

“So how are you going to answer the test?”

“I can do that. I have a gift, right?”

I felt afraid for Paul because if I were in his place, I’d go crazy or simply have a nervous breakdown right now because of my great chance of failing. Lucky for him, he has a gift and he won’t have a hard time understanding the problems. I sat behind him so we can get the same kind of test and I got excited knowing that I can answer the test comfortably like he does. As the paper arrived on my desk, I started playing on the problems and enjoying solving them. It felt so nice that everything I studied about helped me in the parts of the exam and so I finished the test early. Paul looks like he’s having a hard time answering the test. Have I just underestimated the test? I probably made careless mistakes, missed out something, or I just lacked thinking through it. While reviewing my answers, I saw Paul crumple his paper and throw it away. He pulled his hair with his two hands and took a deep breath. Most of our classmates got distracted. Paul just picked up his paper and opened it, rubbed it against the wall so it would flatten, gave it to the teacher immediately and finally left the room.

Today is the judgment day. We would be informed whether we would pass the subject or not and also get our scores in the final examinations. I joined my classmates that were lined-up to meet our professor and I felt cold. Will I be able to get a high score like Paul’s? What will happen to him after the incomprehensible act that happened during the exam? My turn came and the teacher congratulated me for I was the highest in our class and I thanked him for that. I didn’t hesitate to ask him about Paul, anyway. I’m not sure if it was a good or bad thing that our professor was comfortable telling me that he had failed the exam. He openly told me that he was surprised on his results since he also believed in his capabilities. I’m happy that I reached my goal but knowing that the person who gave me the great advice failed, I really don’t know how to react. I chose to love Calculus and it did love me back, but what happened to him? I wish he was here so I could thank him for boosting me up but I think I should just play Fruit Ninja, instead.