The Neglected

YOLO, you only live once that is what I always hear from people who take risks and are always looking for adventure… “sobrang worth it!!! Break free and you’ll never regret” as I scrolling through i********: saw a post with that caption of a picture of my friend, Anji skydiving in Bataan As I pressed heart on the photo I can hear myself saying “sana all” it garnered thousands of likes and her adventures somehow make her famous. “Melinda magalmusal ka na at aalis na ako huwag mong kalimutan i prepare ang baon ng pamangkin mo” My mother’s rants and orders are always earlier than my alarm. When my sister gave birth to Monica I was only 4. I got my “pamangkin” at a very young age because I am a menopausal baby and having a nephew who is an unika iha, the first apo of the family whose age is close to mine is terrible because I wasn’t given a spotlight since then… I grew up feeling neglected. I prepared egg sandwiches for breakfast and I packed their baon… This is my usual morning busy in the kitchen with only a little time to prepare for myself to go to school… Monica is supposedly old enough to help me but she doesn’t really do any household chores so she will just be burdensome if I asked her to help me because she doesn’t know what to do, She’ll just break my routine like when I made her help me doing laundry It took us 4 hours to finish it and the laundry smells, “ano ba yan ang dami pang bula oh pogain mo naman ng maayos ”… I argued “eh ang hirap kaya ang bigat bigat ng mga ito eh” said by Monica “Karamihan laya ng labahin sayo ngayon alam mo na!” I answered “Okay na yan! Dami mo pang sinasabi eh, kuda ka ng kuda!” I am always stunned by the way she talks back to me when we’re hdidisagreeingr usage of words seems that she doesn’t respect me. At first, I got so angry that I shouted BOBO at her, but she always shouted back with many hurtful words and curses. My family always heard what she’s saying and I tried to talk to them about it but they always say to get over it so I guess I became used to it. When we’re finished breakfast it’s time to prepare for ourselves, Monica is a typical student who is in her 2nd year of junior high a teenager put on makeup and a skirt above her knee exposing her thigh, unbuttoned neckline she wants to project a b***h vibe that is what it is like to me. “ hayy naku kabataan nga naman” I’m just 19 but I talk like 40. Monica is a beautiful girl who is always following the trend, I can see that the way she dresses and her changing hairstyles. From ash gray, highlight copper brown, red, and the latest is a short straight sleek style like android 18 in dragon balls. She’s a Leo, free-spirited, and always craving attention. While I, an old soul and transitioning into finding my fashion style, I only have three hairstyles bun, ponytail, and straight loose hanging hair, and put on a clean makeup look. I want myself to look smart and presentable and as a woman who is unappreciated at home, school is where I appease my craving for attention. I excel academically and I was known for it. “Bell ringing” “Ms. Melinda go on stage and prepare to speak the announcements about the school fair” “Gagawin natin ang proposals ninyo” “Got it ma’am Sally” Ma’am Sally is our school’s principal. “And… one more thing CHS is going over here next Monday since the HSUnion conference will be held here next month, they will be our accomplice host, and as a Student’s council president I want you to be prepared,” said our principal. I gasped when I heard this, Aside from the pressure of being an SC president, I have to prepare for my introductory speech and above all CHS is where Monica studies. “What is, it Ms.Melinda? That gasped…” “Ohhh nothing ma’am, medyo kinabahan lang po ako” “I am expecting you to be your smartest, most presentable looking on that event, you know that the SC presidents are also a reflection of the schools and you don’t have a choice but to take the pressure” “I know ma’am...” speaking in a low tone. “I believe in you Ms. Melinda based on your performance as an SC president I’m confident you’ll make it, at huwag kang magalala andito naman ako para alalayan ka.” I calmed down after hearing that “Thank you, ma’am, I will impress them I promise.” “That’s the spirit, Melinda, go ahead at magannounce ka na.” “Good morning, as our annual school fair is approaching. I will announce the approved run of events proposal. There will be four groups to play sports and activities. The groups are named from the first discovered elements… water, fire, earth, and air” the designation of groups to each student will be posted on the bulletin board tomorrow rest assured that grouping is done randomly, that’s it, for now, you may go to your class thank you” After I announce I paused a bit and let out a sigh then suddenly I felt the tapping hands on my shoulder as his warm breath touches my nape I was a little shocked when I look back and saw Daniel, the student council’s vice president.