|
Standing in the balcony with the voices inside the house, I feel emptiness within me. The SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) Election has just finished and I lost by a vote, just one vote. I accept my defeat but it’s hard to accept the traitor who turned her back on me, my family and friends.
She made me believe that she would definitely vote for me. She made everyone trust her and believe in her. We all trusted her. She turned her back on us and I was not the only one who felt the pain.
Before the election, my opponent for the position of SK Chairman in my barangay used a lot of “black propaganda” methods. She spread lies about my mother, spread rumors intended on destroying me, my friends, relatives and my family’s reputation. Even her own mother supported her. She did not even try to stop her, though what she was doing was morally and ethically wrong. It was supposed to be just a game. But she, intent on winning, took it way too seriously and went as far as using black propaganda.
I kept silent and watched them spread their bad influence to the innocent people. As a guy, I did not want to get revenge on her by spreading rumors also or by physically hitting her because that is wrong. Though I was angry, I still respected her being a girl and so I kept quiet as time went by.
I watched my relatives; family and friends talk about politics and our opposition’s actions. Sometimes, I join the conversation to share my thoughts and to bring out the anger with all the lies spreading about me and my family, most especially my mother. Every night, there would be people coming over our house, telling of the latest rumors spread by my opponent and her family and then discussing them with my mother and other relatives.
I would go to my room and just lie down in the bed. I lock the door and close my eyes. The silence, with the darkness in the room gives me comfort and a place of solace. In it, no one could penetrate my mind as I think of things not politically related.
Reality comes back to me. I’m still standing in the balcony.
I feel cold so I walk towards the house. The people inside look at me as I walk through the door. My mother, friends and relatives shake my hand and hug me. All of them tell me that I have a better road ahead of my life, rather than joining in the game of politics. Standing amidst the crowd, I became the center of attraction. I did not know what to do. I just said, “Salamat ken dakau amin,” as I calmly went to sit.
Relatives and friends were all talking of the betrayal that happened and I didn’t join in. As their angry voices echoed in my ear, I realized that trust is hard to earn, yet so easy to break. I’ve been betrayed once in the past. The feeling was awful.
I was amazed how the election flipped my world upside down. Before the election, I had plans and fixed decisions to take in my life. I had plans. One was that I was focused on enrolling at Benguet State University for college. But now I am again confused, most especially with my college life. I do not know where to go, what school to attend to and what course to take.
I gained enemies from the election and that was not surprising. Sometimes, enemies make one’s life exciting. Enemies give problems and to crush those problems give satisfaction. However, I for one do not want enemies.
The whole SK Election and everything surrounding it was a ride full of ups and downs, with downs the more often. It was a rollercoaster ride that ended with a feeling of loneliness. But life does not end here, this is just another experience in life. It’s an experience that I can learn upon. Standing up after my thoughts and realizations, I felt refreshed. I let go of all the bad feelings I had. I thanked God for giving me a blessing and happiness in the form of a person. I thanked everyone in the house for their support.
|
