"KUMUSTA na ang school, anak?" my mom asked as she passed the platter of rice to me across from her. We were having our dinner, and as requested by my dad, she prepared menudo, Dad's favorite.
"Okay naman po, Ma," I answered. "Masaya naman po."
My dad looked unconvinced, though. He looked at me as if he was dissecting my very thoughts as he tried to delve deeper into my brain to extract the very truth of my real feelings about my new school. "'Nak, 'yong totoo?"
"Pa, opo. First day pa lang naman kaya wala pa ako masyadong kilala. Pero may mga mababait naman na students doon," I said hoping Dad would be convinced this time. "Nakasama ko po sila no'ng lunch time. Mukhang okay naman po sila."
Dad gave me a small smile and I keow what would come next after that. "Alex, pasensya na, ha, at lumipat na naman tayo. Hayaan mo. Sa susunod, 'di ko na kayo isasama kapag nadestino ako sa ibang lugar."
"Pa, okay lang talaga 'yon," I said giving Dad a warm smile. "Opo, nabigla ako na kailangan na naman natin lumipat, pero at least sama-sama tayo 'di ba?"
"Si Ate at Papa ang drama!" my eleven-year-old brother, Daniel, teased.
"Daniel, kumain ka na lang diyan. Ubusin mo ang kanin mo," Mom told Daniel, causing my little brother to pout.
Mealtimes at home were always the highlight of my day. I always felt happy whenever we get to eat together. And even though life at school may sometimes suck, I knew that when I get home, my family would always be there to cheer me up.
After dinner, I helped my mom clear the table and washed the dishes. Dad and Daniel probably went upstairs to watch a game of basketball or whatever sports they could catch on the TV. They both know that the downstairs TV was exclusively for Mom's use at this time of the night. You might think that Mom was into those soap operas at primetime. But Mom's a bit different. Sure, she liked watching variety shows, news, and some talk shows. But Mom was more into old flicks like Grease 1 and 2; throw in Clueless, too. Really, she thinks like a teenager sometimes. But I love my mom. She's a freelance writer who writes romance novels and she said she gets inspiration from watching those kinds of movies. I guess she influenced me in to watching those movies as well. And kids my age couldn't relate to my choice of movies. I mean, did they even have a clue about Grease?
Tonight, Mom wanted to watch Grease 1 and drool over John Travolta dancing and singing about Summer Lovin'. Dad saw what Mom put on the player, and he said, "Ma, ba't ba puro pangdayuhang pelikula yang pinapanood mo? Ba't 'di mo subukang panoorin 'yong mga palabas ni Loydie at Sarah? Maganda naman ang mga 'yon. At saka puwede bang panoorin 'yan ni Alex?"
"May parental guidance naman, Pa: ako. At Pa, nanonood din naman ako ng Filipino movies," my mom answered him with a smile. "Nakalimutan mo na ba na pinanood natin 'yong pelikula ni Sarah Geronimo at Coco Martin no'ng monthsary natin?"
Mom and Dad were the complete opposite: Mom was on the sweet and mushy side; Dad, however, was your typical male who had no romantic bone in his body. But they complimented each other, completed each other. They even celebrated monthsaries and anniversaries; or rather Dad consented to celebrate it with Mom since she was so into it. But I guess that was how Dad showed his affection for Mom. I love my parents and how they remained sweet and all. But really, do they have to get sweet and chummy in front of me?
"Eeew Ma! Maglalambingan ba kayo ni Papa o manonood tayo ng movie?" I asked when I caught Dad kissing Mom on the cheek.
Mom giggled like a teenager and said to Dad, "Umakyat ka na Pa at nagagalit na si Ate."
After Dad left, Mom pressed the play button and the movie started. As the movie progressed, the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds started dancing their moves while singing the lyrics of Summer Nights. I suddenly remembered the Pink Angels and the Blue Knights, and right before my eyes I couldn't help but imagine the Pink Angels wearing long skirts and skipping around while the Blue Knights wore black leather jackets looking like some old school gangster and busting their moves atop the bleachers. My snorts turned into chuckles as I continued my vivid imaginings. Then my chuckles turned into laughter as I realized how funny the Pink Angels and Blue Knights might look.
Mom gave me an alarmed look. "'Nak. 'Wag mo na lang kaya panoorin ito. Ito pala ang epekto sa 'yo ng mga lumang movies. Baka papagalitan ako ng papa mo."
I tried to suppress my chuckle, but really. It was that funny if you think about it.
TEACHER passed a piece of paper around. It's a Tuesday morning, and the Teacher was discussing with us the importance of joining a club. I looked at the list of clubs and orgs on the paper: 1. Pink Angel Society—I would avoid this one; 2. Science Enthusiasts—I might consider this one; 3. MATHlettes—skip, I was not good with numbers anyway; 3. Cooking Club for the Food Lovers (CCFL)—I couldn't even fry a decent egg. The list goes on and on, and at the bottom of the list was: 15. Purple Flower Book Club—I was sort of a bookworm so I might check that one out.
During the lunch break, I was surprised that Alicia planted her face in front of me and invited me to join her for lunch. I said yes. As I walked with her to the cafeteria, I couldn't help but notice Alicia's bright and sunny disposition. She was always happy, always smiling, and always friendly with everyone despite the scowl others kept throwing at her. She was a slender girl who had a small face with long hair that she often tied into pigtails.
After we bought our food, we settled on the table where we sat yesterday. It was only now I noticed that there was something off with our location. Our table was placed at the very far end, near the dumpster.
The rest of the girls from yesterday were already seated on the chair. I noticed Madie looking crestfallen. She was eyeing the bag of chips Robyn was holding. Robyn noticed Madie, and she said, "O Mads, ha, paalala lang. 'Yong braces mo baka magsitanggalan 'yang mga bakal sa ngipin mo 'pag kumain ka ng chips. 'Wag mo na kasi titigan ang Chippy ko."
"Eh, ba't mo pa kasi kinakain 'yan sa harapan ko," Madie asked.
I did not hear the rest of the conversation because Alicia faced me and asked, "May club ka na bang sasalihan?"
I shook my head. "Wala pa. Pinag-iisipan ko pa alin ang sasalihan ko."
"Sa Purple Flower Book Club ka na lang sumali," Joey offered.
"Oo, para kasama mo kami," Madie added.
I turned to face Alicia. "Members pala kayo ng club na iyon?"
"Hindi lang members," Alicia said. "Kami ang nagsimula at nag-organize ng club na iyon."
I gave them all a sincere smile. "Ang galling, ah. Marami ba kayong members? Ano ang requirements para makasali sa club?"
I noticed Robyn's face fell. "Lima lang kami. Anim na kapag sasali ka."
"Robyn!" Alicia exclaimed. "Hindi dapat ganyan manghikayat ng prospect. At saka marami tayo, 'no. 'Di ba nga ang turo ni Teacher sa Filipino: Isahan, Dalawahan, Maramihan. So ibig sabihin ang lima ay maramihan na!"
I chuckled at Alicia's explanation. She had a point, though. "Paano ako magsi-sign up?"
"Pasok ka na," Alicia assured me. "Malakas ka sa akin, eh."
"Siya kasi ang President at co-founder ng club," Joey explained.
"Sino ang co-founder na isa?" I asked.
"Wala siya rito ngayon, 'yong panglimang miyembro," Madie said. "Pero makikilala mo rin siya sa club meeting sa Friday."
They were telling me their usual club activities when a group of girls strutted beside our table. One of the girls made a fake cough and said "Nerd Club" causing the rest of her companions to snicker. Robyn suddenly stood up and gave the girls a threatening glare. "May problema kayo? Gusto n'yo ba ng away? Libre lang para sa inyo."
The girls all smirked at our group before they left. Madie was pulling Robyn's hand to sit down. Alicia stuck her tongue out at the retreating back of the mean girls. Joey eyed the girls angrily.
When Robyn was finally seated, Alicia tried to calm her down. "O, Robyn, 'wag mo idaan sa pagiging war freak mo ang lahat. Make love, not war lang tayo."
"Alicia, hindi porke't maraming akong angsts sa buhay war freak na ako agad. Hindi ba puwedeng mainitin lang talaga ang ulo ko?" Robyn retorted.
"Sabi mo, eh," Alicia muttered with a shrug.
I asked anyone willing to answer what it was all about. Madie, the levelheaded among the group, explained. "Medyo bad vibes kasi kami lalo na 'yong club namin sa ibang students. Kaya tinutukso kaming nerd at alam mo na. Porke't mahilig sa books, nerd na agad."
"Pero bakit naman napaka-extreme nila kung mamintas? Parang pang movie lang 'yang mga ganyang eksensa at pambu-bully," I said thinking a particular movie about teenage cliques.
"Itanong mo kay Ms. President," Joey answered while jerking her chin towards Alicia.
I turned to Alicia and waited for her to answer. She just gave me a sheepish smile and shrugged. "May past kami ni Bianca. Kaya gumaganti ata. Eh, kung sino ang kaaway ng Pink Angels ay kaaway na rin ng halos lahat dito sa campus."
I grimaced at what I heard. Really, it was so childish of that Bianca. "Parang isip bata naman 'yong dahilan nila. Mga anak mayaman naman siguro sila. Ba't 'di sila sa mga exclusive school mag-aral at doon na rin maghasik ng lagim?"
"Isa ang mama ni Francheska sa mga miyembro ng board ng school, at co-owner at co-founder kasi ng St. Bernadette Academy ang family niya. Since best friend ni Francheska si Bianca at magkakaibigan din ang parents nila, kaya heto tayo, nakikisalamuha sa dalawang anghel," Alicia explained. "Ang ibang nasa Pink Angels naman, siguro kasi sa likod lang mng school 'yong malaking subdivision at lahat sila doon nakatira. Kaya siguro dito na sila in-enroll ng mga parents nila para siguro mabantayan na sa school sila papasok at hindi sa mall."
"Kaya pansin mo na random ang pag-section sa atin? Wala tayong mga first section at second section? Kasi gano'n kalakas si Bianca at Francheska. Gusto kasi nila na sa iisang section lang sila," Joey added.
"Puwede ba 'yon?" I asked.
"Ang mga nagagawa ng pera, ano pa nga ba?" Robyn said.
It was unfair if the reason for random sectioning was to give way to the whims of those brats. "Isumbong kaya natin sa DepEd?" I suggested.
The girls merely laughed at my suggestion. And I wasn't making a joke.
"Alex, minsan talaga parang ang tanda mo kung mag-isip o kumilos," Alicia said.
I gave them a shrug and smiled sheepishly. What could I say? Even my mom told me the same thing.
"Kaya Alex, warning lang. Once sumali ka sa book club naming, alam mo na ang destiny mo," Madie said solemnly.
I ponder on that thought for a moment. I might get caught with the warfare between the Purple Flower book club and with the rest of the Pinskters. But these girls beside me now were the nicest people I had ever met when I thought school here would be such a drag. And I certainly wouldn't care if they'd call me a nerd I was already called as such since the day I stepped inside St. Bernadette Academy. So, I made a life-altering decision: "Sasali ako sa book club ninyo," I stated firmly.
The four girls gave me grateful smile.
And they officially declared me the sixth Purple Flower member.
#TheNerdClubAlexis
#AlexisAndTheBet