Present
by Louie Marcelo
June 16, 2010
The summer spell is finally over, for I can already smell the June drizzle. Oh boy! Goodbye computer games, and hello homework!
I always have mixed emotions about first day of classes, or school as it is. I am excited to meet my old and new classmates. On the other hand, I am anxious to meet our teachers.
As our homeroom adviser checks our attendance, I noticed something. It seems that Pedro is absent. Well, he might just be sick due to first day jitter.
The days went by, and every “Present!” of my classmate I heard except for Pedro. Apparently, he won’t be coming anymore.
One rainy day, on my way home, I saw Pedro. He was there in the pavements, peddling banana fritters made by her mom. At that instant, I felt the hard slap of reality. While there are those that have been blessed, there are more than haven’t been fortunate.
It is another day at school. My name is called for attendance, and with vigor I shouted, “Present!”.
Photo taken at Sitio T’nuos, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Philippines
