Chapter 3: Photography Club
Ang sarap din palang maglakad tuwing umaga. The cold breeze in the morning is quite enjoyable. It's my first time doing this. Ofcourse, I wouldn't wake up early if it weren't for Jian. Binulabog ba naman ako kanina, tsk. Pinapasok pa kasi ni Mama sa bahay eh. I'm probably still asleep by now.
"Okay ka na ngayon?" I look at him and sight.
"Do I have a choice?" I said and sight.
"Besides, wala namang tao na umaaming hindi sila okay."
"Wag ka ng mag-alala, nandito naman ako... para lagi kang patawanin." He said at inakbayan ako.
"With your corny jokes? No thanks." Saad ko at pinalo ang kamay niya, dahilan para makabitaw siya sa pagkaka-akbay sa akin.
"Natatawa ka rin naman minsan" He said at ginulo ang buhok ko. Ang hilig niya talaga manggulo ng buhok pero kapag 'yung kanya ang gagalawin ko'y ayaw na ayaw, pfft.
"Minsan." I said and frown. I look at him with a glare but he keeps on smiling.
"Marzia... I heard na di ka na raw tumatanggap ng requests? Bigla ka na lang daw tumigil, pati mga customer mo minemessage na rin ako." He said and pout. "Natatawa nga ako eh, 'yung iba ginagawa 'yong paraan para makachat ako."
"Wow ha, ang gwapo mo!" I said but he just laughed. "Uhm no, tumatanggap pa rin naman ako kaso pakonti-konti lang. Medyo nakakatamad kasi, ang boring."
I'll be working with Felix for 7 hours starting today, and accepting more request will be just exhausting. Atsaka labis-labis na ang sweldo ko kay Mrs. Trono kesa sa araw-araw kong pagtatrabaho. This is a big time opportunity anyway. Kaya di ko na kailangan pang pagtuunan ng pansin ang ibang bagay.
"You can always come by to our house or I'll go to yours instead if you want para matulungan kita." I look at him and I started to stare at his blooming face.
Kutis babae talaga ang peg.
"Atsaka wala ka na ring choice kapag nasa harap na ako ng bahay niyo." He said and laugh.
"Kung wala lang si Mama kanina hindi ka makakapasok sa bahay, tsk! Tama na 'yung pangbubulabog mo sakin kaninang umaga Jian! Ayoko na makita 'yang mukha mo--I mean your fucking hideous mask! Ang sarap pa naman matulog."
Agang-aga lakas ng trip eh. Ginulat ba naman ako with his Halloween Mask. Syempre nagulat ako, at the same time natakot. Walang-wala pa naman ako sa wisyo kanina.
"Ayyyy ganun ba? Tara balik tayo, tulog ka ulit" Sabi niya at tumawa na naman.
"Wala na! Gising na nga diba." Sabi ko with an irritated tone. Agang-aga talaga eh, anggaling mang-bwisit.
"Gusto mo rin naman akong kasama hehe" He said and smiles at me again.
"A big NO" I said and he pouts. "Akala mo naman cute ka, ew!" Bigla niya namang pinisil ang pisngi ko, ay hayop.
Part of me, saying yes na gusto ko naman talaga siya kasama. Eh no choice din naman ako, wala akong ibang malalapitan kundi siya. Siya lang naman ang tanging taong kilala ko na kinaya lahat ng pag-uugali ko. Pero mas swerte parin talaga siya sakin, ma'y kaibigan siyang professional Photographer at Photoshopper hayst. Pano ba yan?
"Nanggigigil ako sayo! Mukha kang siopao lalo na noon HAHAHA" Hanggang ngayon ay pinipisil niya parin ang pisngi ko. Kahit anong gawin kong pagpupumiglas ay hindi talaga siya makabitaw.
"Hayop ka" Sabi ko at umirap.
"Sayang nga lang, pumayat ka na. Wala na akong unan HUHU" He said and pinch my forearm. Sira-ulo ka Jian. I still remember those childhood moments kung saan ginagawa niyang unan ang braso ko. Pfft, mukha naman siyang kawayan noon.
"Hayop ka talaga. Tumigil ka na o baka gusto mong baliin ko 'yang katawan mo. Kawayan ka pa naman"
"Do you mean these abs and muscles?" He said and flex his muscles at his forearms. I looked at his muscles and I can say that malaki talaga ang naging improvement niya.
From a malnurish kid to someone decent, HAHA.
"Nandidiri ako sayo" I said and looked away. Mas binilisan ko ring maglakad. My innocent eyes, geez.
"Uyyy wait lang! Cute na masungit! Cute na sobrang sungit na maldita! HAHAHA" Sabi niya habang hinahabol ako.
"Masaya ka na niyan?"
"Syempre, naiinis ka eh. Joke lang, baka di mo na naman ako pansinin maghapon." He said with a sad tone and I just ignored him.
I always give him a silent treatment whenever I get too annoyed by him. It is also my tool to have more free foods, so it is pretty much favoured to me.
"Basta mamaya ha, tagpuin mo ko sa meeting place natin." Hayst, ma'y balak na naman siguro siyang maggala. Basta ako sama lang ng sama sa kanya, game na game rin naman ako eh.
"Oo na!"
Finally, after the long conversation we reached the School. This is the first time I enjoyed walking with a human. My definition of human is somewhat close to me. Yeah, I can be weird sometimes.
Pumasok na kami sa loob ng School at kitang-kita ko kung pano nagulat si Mang Kulas ng makita niya ako. Nginitian ko na lamang siya. Naks naman, It's my first time to be this fucking early.
"Yowww Jian!" Tina said and hold tight to Jian's forearm.
Meet Tina Santos, I dont really know her much but she is one of Jian's close friends and Felix's former girlfriend and the President of our Class which makes her my classmate. And I've worked for her once na isang bagay na pinagsisihan ko. Woah, why didn't I notice that?
Kung friends nga lang ba sila? Grabe kung makakapit, parang tuko.
Isa kang malanding tuko. I mean malaki*
"Hey Tina" Jian said and smiles.
"Wassup Marzia!" Says Tina. I was about to look at her to somehow greet her when Spencer wave his palm to me. Great timing Spencer, I want to ignore that girl really bad.
"Hi Marzia" Spencer said and greets me with a smile.
"Hello" I said and forced a smile. This smile is because of a favor, nothing much.
"Sabay na tayo sa third floor, ma'y iaabot lang din akong gamit sa pinsan
ko." He said and I nodded.
Hindi naman kasi nandito ang room nina Spencer sa building na 'to kundi sa kabila pa. Magkaklase kasi sila ni Felix together with Stacey. Pinaghiwalay kasi ang 1st Year at 2nd Year SHS. 1st Year palang ako at 2nd Year SHS naman sila.
"Una na ako Marzia! Bye." I heard a shout from Jian but I just ignored it.
He is way busy with Tina anyway. And I don't want to make conflicts with that girl. Halata naman sa kanya na ma'y gusto siya kay Jian at baka masapok ko lang 'yon kapag kinompronta ako kung ma'y gusto ako kay Jian o wala. Many girls does that to me dahil ma'y gusto sila kay Jian.
Guess what? I'm revealing one of Jian's stupid hobbies para layuan nila ako. Ayaw daw nilang marinig 'yon at natu-turn off daw sila.
'Pake ko ba' I thought.
Pfft, di naman gwapo ang mokong na 'yon. Bulag lang siguro 'yung mga babae or maybe ginayuma ni Jian. Well, nothing is impossible anyway when it comes to love. People tends to do everything for it.
"By the way, I gave your laptop to Marco, Thanks" I said.
"No problem, nabigay na ba sayo ni Marco ang laptop mo?" He asked and I just nod.
"Marzia... I want to ask you something"
"Go ahead"
"Can you be my partner in the Photography Club?" Nabigla naman ako sa nasabi niya. Wait what? Kelan pa nagkameron? Kung meron man, ako na sana ang President non.
"There is?" I asked. Ofcourse there is! Tatanungin ba naman niya ako kung wala diba? Alam niya siguro 'yon dahil isa siya sa mga Student Council ng School.
"Yes, the announcement will be held today and I just want to make sure that you'll be partnered with me." He then looked at me and I did as well. "I want to learn more things from you. Besides, I had seen your photographs before and I can say that you are truly a professional."
I learned from the best, Thanks Dad.
"Fine, count me in" I said and he smiled widely. I want to crash those noobs really bad.
"Anyways, where did you get the lessons from?" He said and looks at me, he really seems to be curious about it.
"M-my Dad"
Thanks Dad for always teaching me how to capture the true essence of a beautiful picture.
_________
We have our Home Room today so I guess they will be announcing the events coming up.
"Silence everyone! We have an announcement to make!" Says the President of the Class, who's name is Tina. Now, everyone focuses their attention to Tina.
"We all know na malapit na muli ang pagbubukas ng mga Club, kaya naman as a good news ay mayroong nadagdag na Clubs" She said and everyone seems to be excited about it except me. Well, someone already spoiled me about it, no need to be surprised.
"I'm happy to announce that Photography Club and Draw Club will be open starting tomorrow!" Many gasp about it and I was shock about the Draw Club too.
"At dahil isa tayo sa Highest Section, kukuha ang SC President ng atleast 2 representatives from our Class to compete para sa magiging President ng dalawang club. And as for the other positions kasama ang second to fourth section sa botohan." Tina added.
Laging kailangan na sa Highest Section magmumula ang President ng bawat Club. So 'yung ibang President na sa ibang Club ay bawal na makipag-compete pati na rin ang ibang officers.
"Maghanap na rin kayo ng pair dahil maraming activities ang dalawang Club na nagrerequire ng partner." Says the Vice President, which is Caryll Mendoza.
So that's why Spencer insists me to be his partner. Noong una akala ko nagbibiro siya, wala pa naman akong nakikitang Club na nagrerequire ng partner until now except sa dalawang Club na ito.
"So kung sino man ang interesado sa inyo ay magpasa lamang ng 1/4 rito sa harapan with the Club position you want." She said at bumalik na siya sa kinauupuan niya, which is sa tabi ko. Samantalang nananatili si Tina sa harapan.
Halos lahat ay kumuha ng 1/4 at nagsimula ng magsulat. Everyone in our Class has an interest in Photography and Drawing kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung ang halos lahat sa amin ay gustong magkaposisyon sa Club.
And as for me... I'm quite interested in running as the President of the Photography Club. No doubt that Tina will soon crash me if I did.
I looked at Caryll and she was about to write the 'President' position under her name when Tina spoke.
"Take note: If you're interested in being the President of Photography Club, you'll have to compete against me."
Caryll is very much the person I know who is more likely to win against Tina but I think na magba-back out siya. She erased the 'President' position and replace it with a lower one.
Hindi ko na kailangan magtaka kung bakit pinalitan ni Caryll 'yon. Tina is the worst competitor ever. And I've seen how she does her dirty work to win every position she likes. Tina, you disgust me.
Caryll raises her hand for a question at pinatayo siya ni Tina. "Pero Tina, hindi ba't ikaw na rin ang President ng Performing Arts Club? Isn't it unfair na kakandidato ka pa bilang President ng Photography Club? You're violating the rules!"
Sa dinami-rami niya ng posisyon sa school ay kumakandidato pa siya sa iba. What a pathetic bitch, anong gusto niya? sa kanya lahat ng position? Sabagay, madali na lang 'yon para sa kanya, she is a teacher's pet after all at close DAW sila ng Principal. Ano naman kaya ang nakita ng Principal sa kanya?
"I was replaced by someone already, it was a suggestion from Mrs. Vergara. Mas makabubuti daw kung sa Photography Club ako magiging President dahil bago pa ang Club na ito and she needs someone who can handle it very carefully dahil imo-monitor pa nila ang Photography Club kung ipagpapatuloy pa next year." Tina said and Caryll didnt seemed satisfied at all, even I weren't.
"How about the Draw Club? Did Mrs. Vergara replaced someone from other clubs as well to handle it very carefully kasi imo-imonitor pa nila ito kung ipagpapatuloy pa next year?" Caryll said. She is really against Tina.
"Hindi, dahil ma'y napili na siyang kandidato para sa Draw Club. And it is someone who owns a Facebook Page na sumikat noon. Mrs. Vergara sees a lot of potential to that student." Tina answered.
Someone who owns a Facebook Page before?
"So, are you saying that extras na lang ang ibang kandidato dahil ma'y napili na si Mrs. Vergara na maghahandle ng very carefully sa Clubs? Isn't it a little bit unfair dahil ang ibang students like you is already favoured by our Principal unlike sa ibang kandidato na hindi? Will the Principal still insist the students she picked to handle the Club? Kapag ganon lang din Tina, wala ng kwenta ang botohan. " Caryll said at inirapan siya ni Tina.
Natatawa na lang ako dahil this is the most entertaining fight I ever witness with someone messing up with Tina.
"It's not, dahil magiging patas ang botohan!" Tina said. Woah, coming from a mouth of a blimp? Really, this is hilarious!
"And excuse me, are you saying that walang potential ang ibang students from this Section other than you na kinailangan pang i-replace para kumandidato na naman bilang President ng Photography Club?"
"No because----" Magsasalita pa lamang si Tina nang unahan siya ni Caryll.
Sa totoo lang, Caryll really do have a point. She wants to caught Tina off-handed. Siya 'yung klaseng tao na masarap sapakin sa room eh, noh?
"Someone besides you knows how to handle the Club carefully, unless you really did persuade the Principal. Well, hindi ko na pala kailangang magtaka. I just wasted time kung alam ko namang wala akong makakapitan, hayst it is really unfair." She added and finally sat down.
Nakita ko namang nagdilim ang paningin ni Tina kay Caryll. She really did a great job pissing off Tina. Lumalabas na rin ang tunay na kulay niya.
"The papers please!" Tina said and they passed their papers infront.
I looked at my desk and saw a 1/4 sheet of paper. I saw a 'President' written on it. I notice that this must be Caryll's hand writing. I glimps at her and I saw her looking at me. She gave me a smile at lumapit sa akin.
"If someone has to run against Tina, it's you Marzia." She said. I'm quite surprised with Caryll.
I write down my name and pass it forward. I've been waiting for this Club for so long. And I'm looking forward to winning. But something tells me that this is not going to be easy.
Nakita ko naman kung paano nag-iba ang expresyon ng mukha ni Tina nang matanggap niya ang papel ko. I just find it weird when she smirked.
"I want you all to look forward to your upcoming opponents in the election." Tina said. "For the Drawing Club, there are 3 President representatives: Chris, Mika and Krizel. For the other positions, tsaka na namin sasabihin kasabay na ng Second Section."
"Lastly, for the Photography Club, there are 2 representatives: It's you against me, Marzia Cruz." She said and looks at me fiercely.
Mukhang maraming nabigla sa pagsali ko ah. Bawal? Sa sobrang tagal kong nananahimik dito maybe it's time na magpasiklab naman ako kahit minsan lang.
If you have an opportunity to follow your passion, steal it!
"Well, Goodluck to you!" She said sarcastically.
"Don't you want a taste of defeat from someone like me?" I said and look up to her.
"You're just the Class Valedictorian Marzia, nothing more. It has nothing to do with fame for you to Win." She said and I glared at her.
She is the leader of the school's Cheerleading Squad. No to mention, she is also the typical High School Sweatheart which makes her popular.
Akala niya siguro that this election is all about Fame. What's the sense of making use of your brain, genius?
Let me slap you the fact that 'Talent has everything to do with this Club'
Nabigla naman ang lahat ng makita ang mga SC Officers na pumasok sa classroom. What are they doing here?
"Maligayang Araw!"
____________