A Memory To Be Photographed

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

''School President.''

 I was about to open the door of my room when I heard my mom talk.

"What in the world happened Cami? Your adviser called today!" she said with emphasis.

I look at her. I saw the disappointment on her face. Despite how difficult it was, I took a breath and lifted my head to face her.

"It was nothing mama, I swear it was an accident."

"Anong wala lang? you caused the entire school to panic Cami and you're telling me it's nothing?" the annoyance is clearly visible in her voice.

I shut my eyes tightly not wanting to face the consequences I'm about to face tonight.

"At dinamay mo pa talaga si Ivan sa kalokohan mo! He's mother is furious! I felt humiliated nong tinawagan niya ako kanina."

I was about to open my mouth to say something, but then I realized it wasn't worth it. Besides, I already wasted half of my energy today by overthinking and worrying—I can't take any more mental crap.

"Do you know how disappointed your father will be pag nalaman niya to?"

"Please mama it's not a big deal, and don't worry it won't affect my grades." Sabi ko sa kanya.

Alam ko naman na takot lang siya matanggal ako sa honors. But what can I say? I was her golden child, and she had high hopes for me.

"It won't affect your grades? Are you kidding me right now Cami, akala mo ba hindi ko alam na ang punishment mo ay mag participate sa theater for 3 weeks?"

I look at her with shock. She knows about it too? I'm doomed.

"Alam mo naman kung bakit kita pinatigil sa theater plays mo noon diba? It won't do you any good." She said with authority etched in her voice.

I know damn well what she meant by that.

In my junior high school days, I often participated in theater activities and plays. I wrote the script, I acted, and I directed it. I won't deny that it was one of the happiest moments of my life. I truly enjoyed what I was doing, but eventually it affected my grades since I became too busy to even study for our exams.

Dumating na sa point na pinahinto ako ni mama. Kahit labag sa loob ko sinunod ko ito. I just told myself that it's for my own good. Lahat ng gusto ni mama sinusunod ko even though I felt that I had no control over my own life. Alam ko na ito lang ang pambawi ko dahil sa mga disappointment at sakit ng loob na binigay sakanya ni kuya.

I love my brother, but I can't help but sometimes blame him for all of the things and ambitions that I have to sacrifice just to satisfy and fulfill my parents' expectations.

I nodded at her tiredly.

"Yes mama, I know and I understand."

She was about to say something again but I turned my back and entered my room.

Binagsak ko ang katawan ko sa kama. Not even bothering na mag palit pa ng pambahay na damit.

Pinikit ko ang mga mata ko. I'm so tired. Hindi ko alam kung saan ba talaga ako pagod sa buhay ko ba or sa school? I sighed.

I heard my phone vibrating. I checked it. It's meena, she's calling. Umupo ako at inayos ang buhok. I pressed the green button.

"Hey!" she said with her familiar jolly tone. Meena was our best friend. We became close when we were in grade 11.

"Hello!" I said trying to sound jolly. 

After an hour of talking to Meena I finally got the courage na tumayo sa higaan para mag half bath. I did my skincare and went to sleep after a long exhausting day.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm. I groaned in protest, not wanting to get up.

I grabbed my phone to check what time it is. "9:42 am, February 3, 2023." I saw some messages from my friends. I decided not to check it, planning to sleep again.

Until I heard a knock on my door with a familiar annoying voice. It was my brother.

"Hey, asshole, get up and eat something! You didn't eat anything last night! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

I know that our mother asked him to do this, but he can be overdramatic.

"Mamaya na! maaga pa naman e!" I answered him.

"Bahala ka nga kakainin ko na tong sushi at nuggets mo! Sayang may ice coffee pa naman akong uwi." Pang uuto niya saakin.

And of course uto-uto ako. I quickly got up and opened my door. Not even bothering to greet my brother a good morning.

I heard him chuckle.

I was listening to our subject teacher lectures when it was interrupted by a knock.

I watched our teacher talk to that person. Suddenly she called my name.

"Ms. Cami Sulovia, the SSG president wants to talk to you."

I left my seat nervously. "What did I do this time?" I muttered.

I look at Ivan who's behind me looking confused.

Noong Nakita ko kung sino ang nag hahanap saakin ay muntik na akong matumba.

It's the guy yesterday!

He's looking at me intensely, almost not wanting to break our eye contact. He's the SSG president? Fuck ang gwapo niya talaga.

He cleared his throat. "So, ikaw ba yung new member sa theater club?"

"I-um y-yes it's me." Lumunok ako. What was that, Cami? Why the hell are you stuttering?

Do you want him to think that you're affected by his gaze and presence?

I was arguing and questioning my feeling when he suddenly spoke.

"Are you ok miss? Are you unwell?" he asked. Shit kahit yung boses niya ang gwapo!

"No, I'm fine." I said while shaking my head trying to ease the awkwardness.

"I am Avran Fegurson and I'm the one in charge of the theater club." 

"We need your presence in the theater club right away because we're kind of short on members, so I'm trying to excuse you from your class." He said calmly.

I swallowed. He's talking like I'm some kind of school equipment that he can borrow easily.