The Pain Of Daffodils

Chapter 5

Ilang araw na din ang lumipas at Lunes na naman.

Dahil walang pasok sa nakaraang dalawang araw, nagdesisyon sila Mommy na isama kaming magkakapatid for the out of town business conference. Unfortunately, the first week of school has been a heavy load for me so I wasn’t able to come. There are things that I need to do sa club. Mabuti pa si Sean, nakasama. Palibhasa, wala silang ganito kadaming gawain. My older brother wasn’t able to come with them, too.

Last week, a lot really happened.

We were asked to choose clubs to join in. They said that it’s ‘not obligatory’, BUT everyone who will not join will be asked to perform a ‘community social responsibility’.

‘Di naman kami napilitan sumali.

Hindi talaga.

There are different clubs to choose from. Isa ako sa mga nahirapang mamili ng club na sasalihan. I am one of those unfortunate people that has no particular talent. Like, average lang sa lahat.

So, I tried to enumerate the clubs and thought of what would fit me. Syempre, ayoko naman sayangin ang isang taon sa club na hindi ako mag-e-enjoy. Ayokong tumulala lang sa meetings, kung sakali man.

Dance Club? Ano namang sasayawin ko sa audition? Turn Up ng Kaachi?

Music Club? Uhh, well I can play Piano… Tiles?

Art Club? Marunong naman akong mag-drawing kahit papa’no. I can draw fish, house, a tree, and a human.

I thought of other clubs.

Gardening, Cooking, Handicrafts, Technical…

I smiled when I thought of a club that would suit me.. I guess?

Shaine was excited beside me as I passed my registration form for the club that I’m joining.

“Serenity Herrera..” the officer recited what’s on my form.

“So, you think you’re suited to be an… antagonist. Really?” Tiningnan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa at nginitian. I think she somehow agree.

Back in Manila, my friends and schoolmates teased me because of my maldita face.

My high cheekbones and arched brows caused that.

May sinulat siyang kung ano sa form ko pagkatapos ay nag-angat ng tingin sa amin at ngumiti. “Balik nalang bukas, may meeting for the new members and for the upcoming activities.”

Nagpasalamat kami sa officer saka tumalikod.

“Nice! May friend akong artista!” Natatawang sambit ng kaibigan.

Tumawa rin ako at sumabay sa biro, “Ako naman may kaibigang singer!”

Napasimangot siya sa asar ko at naunang maglakad. Natatawa naman akong sumunod.

Bago magpunta sa Theater Club, nauna muna naming puntahan ang Music Club kung saan sumali si Shaine. Or must I say.. napilitan.

Sa HE niya sana balak sumali para relax lang daw at walang gagawin.

Unfortunately for her, I accidentally discovered that she has a nice voice. Hiniram ko kasi ang phone niya dahil nakitext, nang napunta ako sa recordings.

Pinilit ko siyang sa Music sumali para hindi masayang ang kanyang talent. Natagalan pa nga kami sa pagpipilitan. Mabuti na lang at sumali si Leo sa pagpilit.

“You have a nice voice. You should nurture it..” aniya nang huminto sa tapat namin. Matapos niya itong sabihin, umalis na siya.

Namula si Shaine sa hiya dahil sa sinabi ng kaklase.