Chapter 6: Awkward Presence

Dan POV

I cannot believe that I'm late for today's ALA period. My teacher extended his discussion for a few minutes. I wish they posted the club room assignment for the computer club. Maybe it's located somewhere on the 3rd floor. I ran towards the canteen and bought tasty snacks. I haven't eaten breakfast and I only ate a little for lunch. I kept my snacks into my bag and immediately dashed to the hallways.

I had to squeeze myself through the crowd so that I could see the listed club room assignments properly. I'm confused, why isn't my chosen club listed here? Did they take down the computer club this year?

I passed each room while peeking through the window at every doorstep. Still nothing. It seems like everyone has started with their orientation. The teachers get startled whenever I glance at them from the outside of the door's window pane. Some of them even asked me if I was one of their club members. I shook my head and continued searching for my designated club.

Feeling a bit tired as I reached the last room of the second floor. The rooms of the second floor were left. If my designated club isn't in one of those rooms then I won't have any clubs for each year.

I wind up at the last of this floor and pound on the thought of whether I should enter or not. I crossed my fingers and knocked on the door. I opened the door and saw the introductory page seen on the television. Free and Open Software System club, a.k.a FOSS club which is seems like a computer club. No wonder I couldn't find it, it's been renamed.

I lowered my head out as I closed the door. "Good afternoon sir. I'm sorry for being late. I got a bit lost because the room assignment wasn't posted on the bulletin board."

My teacher replied, "It's alright. Better late than never."

I caught the sight of Vi seating at the near end of the classroom. I decided to sit beside her. I couldn't help but glance at her. I thought that she was going to stay in the chorale but why did she decide to change clubs this year? Could this be my chance to renew our broken friendship?

"Dan?"

"Yes?"

She hesitated, "Don't mind me. I just thought that you wouldn't be in this club."

"Oh okay."

I tried to listen to our orientation yet I had to battle against the questions that I wanted to ask her.

She might be wondering why I changed clubs this year. To be honest, I wanted to avoid my ex-girlfriend as much as possible. I don't want to reminisce about those moments which still have sentimental value to me. I wanted to detach myself from the past and focus on the goals I neglected before.

I loved her so much that it became too painful for me to bear seeing her with another person a week after our break-up. I can't avoid her presence for too long. I want to live and forget. I want to find my own happiness. I wish I could move on but I couldn't.

I tapped on her shoulder and lend her some snacks which I bought a while ago. I looked away so that I won't blush in front of her. She took some chips and nibbled on it.

"Thank you Dan."

"You're welcome Vi."

Everyone was quiet all throughout. It felt awkward during the whole orientation. Neither of us dared to start a conversation due to the teacher's evident strictness while emphasizing important points in front of us. After the teacher dismissed us, everyone started leaving the room including Vi.

***

My phone beeped many times just as I exited the school gate. I took out my phone to look at my notifications. It's the landlady again. "Good evening Daniel Roberts, I want to remind you about the payment for the rent due this month. If you won't pay before the end of the month, I will kick you all out from my apartment without any mercy."

She has already been tough on me and my sister since the time I arrived. Even though she always looks at me with a stern look on her face I know that she still has a soft side in her heart. I fastened my footsteps and crossed the sidewalks. I hope there isn't any traffic today because I need to come home early. I promised my mommy that we will video chat through messenger today. We only speak with each other only once per month.

As I arrived, I placed down my bag and went towards my room. I switched on my laptop and signed into my account. I clicked on the video chat icon and waited for a stable connection.

My mommy looked so tired. I wish that I could run more errands so that she doesn't need to work so hard for me and my lola.

My mommy spoke with a bit of strain in her voice. "Hi son. How are you and your sister?"

I looked at her with concern. "We are okay. My sister is still as healthy as usual. I'm doing much better in school than before."

"That is a good thing son. I promise that I will visit very soon. I'll also bring goodies for all of you. I hope that you'll like them. Is your grandmother still watching over you? How is she?"

"Of course. I'm thankful that she's keeping company with me. She makes it easier living here. How about you mommy? How is living in the USA?"

"It feels great. It's difficult being an OFW, you have to speak fluent English most of the time. It might make my nose bleed."

I giggled with her sarcastic tone. "Of course mommy. They are all Americans after all. "

She smiled, "I know I've said this several times but I missed you so much san. I wanted to bring you to the States but you didn't want to."

"Mommy, I would rather study here in the Philippines than study in the States so that I can help you somehow. My school gives me my monthly allowance so that I can still help pay all of our debt. I promise that after I graduate college and save up money so that I can finally meet you in person and provide us with a more comfortable home. I'll even do extra gigs if I have to."

"But son, you don't have to do so much for me. I'm fine, really. Just take care of yourself, alright? Don't break your promise. I will be waiting for you."

"I will never break my promise mom. Sige mommy, I got to go, goodbye mommy."

"Goodbye Daniel. I love you."

"Love you more mommy!"

As I ended the chat, my grandma grabbed my hand and played with it. "Dan! How are you? You look as haggard as always." Grandma blurted out, my most trusted friend around here.

She always turns my frown into a smile, no matter how lost, how tired I've been in school. I wish that we were both striving for our dreams but certain circumstances disabled her to doing. It is difficult to accept harsh reality but I'll do everything so that I can show her that life isn't cruel.

She told me the hardships she went through from poverty since childhood. She helped my mother get a stable job before going to the States. Yet, a threatening disease came through. My mother and father fought about my grandma's treatment. We all knew that it is an incurable disease in the white blood cells and that a miracle should happen so that she could be saved. My mother loved my grandma so much and she felt the need to repay back all of the love she received. Fights worsened over time. Thus, this led to my parents' annulment.

I wished that a miracle might happen. I wish that everything will be okay in the end. I wish that there is still kindness in this world.

Grandma held on my hand. "How is Vi? Is she okay now?"

I shook my head, "I honestly don't know grandma. I'm afraid she hasn't forgiven me yet."

I wanted to be close friends with Vi but why is it so hard for me to remove the awkward silence engulfing us at every encounter?