Masked Affliction (Manileño Series #2)

Chapter 5

Masked Affliction

Offended

We had our club hopping for two days where we had to choose which club we'll be in. Dalawa ang pipiliin namin, ang isa ay para sa academic club at ang isa ay para sa creative club.

Few had to choose for the creative side, nahihirapan pa dahil wala namang skills sa area na iyon at more on academics lang. Athletes need not to worry about choosing because they were already in sports club so as the journalists who were in actibo writing.

I planned on joining the arts club where my potential lies.

Nagsusulat pa man lang ako ng pangalan ay excited na ako. We were making line outside the art room before the old club member decided to let us in.

Naroroon ang teacher na major in arts and designing sa club para mag-hold sa club orientation. The speaker was telling us what the club is all about and to be qualified of the club. Hindi pa pala basta-bastang makakapasok dahil mamayang hapon ay may qualifications kung papasa ka sa club.

Napag-alaman ko ring ang President ng club ay College na ngayon at wala na sa club. They had to appoint new club officers. By the thought of it, I became more delighted. I am already regaled by what the club could offer me wisdom. I wanted to be part of the officers to advance.

I joined English club for the academic. I knew English club would be less hassle. There will be more on readings and few acting for tales. May isang activity raw kasi rito sa school na kailangan ang English club para sa isang stageplay. I heard there's no theatrical club because the English club is present. Hindi rin naman naglalabas masyado nang ganoong presentations ang CHSC.

We had our lunch just inside the Campus. I already brought viand and rice with me for lunch. Mabuti naman dahil ayaw ko nang isipin pa ang lasa ng pagkain sa labas ng Campus. The expensive ones probably taste better than what I bought but I couldn't afford it. Magdadala na lang talaga ako ng ulam at kanin. Mabuti at inagahan na ngayon ang pagbukas ng karinderya.

Ena and Athelia just bought their lunch at the cafeteria. Pumwesto na kaagad kami sa mesang napili. They left me for a while to line up.

The students were just wearing casual attire and not in their uniform. This is not an ordinary day where classes goes on so they can wear anything they want.

I've seen those rich students in the campus in their complete uniform, that doesn't set much boundaries to me but now that I had seen them wearing their casual attire in school, I suddenly had an image of lines of them and me. Like it was forbidden to touch them. At nakakainis dahil naiinggit din pala ako sa kanila kahit gaano ko iyon itanggi.

I guess they were just so lucky in life.

"Kamusta ang club hopping? Saang club kayo?"

"Book lovers club at History."

"Hindi na ako magtataka." Natatawang sambit ko nang mauna pang sumagot si Ena na parang sobrang interesante para sa amin ang desisyon. It's not new to us. Alam ko ring History ang mapipili nito dahil mahina siya sa subject na iyan. She wasn't on the same club with me in academic choices so I had the clue.

"Business club at Book lovers!"

Natigilan ako sa pagkain at naubo pa nang bahagya sa naisagot ni Athelia. Ena handed me wet wipes, tinanggap ko iyon at pinunasan ang bibig at kamay.

"Sinundan niya ako sa Book lovers club. Istorbo sa pagbabasa." Umirap si Ena.

"Huhulaan ko... nasa Business club iyong crush mo?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. She clasped her hands and nodded at me dreamily.