Delight: Happiness, #1

By Moras Dela Paz

You think you know someone...

 

Serena and Eli have known each other for as long as they can remember. Their parents are good friends and all but that doesn't necessarily mean they have to get along as well. Serena always thought that being a basketball prodigy destined for the pros has made Eli obnoxious and she finds his inflated ego out of this world.

 

However, with failing grades hindering Eli's road into the pros, Serena helps him out of kindness and goodwill. Just kidding! Truth be told, she prefers to use her free time baking rather than endure Eli's unpleasant company. Until her parents "ask" her nicely to tutor Eli, the ever-obedient Serena, afraid of being a disappointment, reluctantly agrees.

 

As the two of them spend more and more time together, they learn that even if they've known each other their whole lives there are some things about the other that is just a delightful surprise.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Moras Dela Paz
• Release date: Apr 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386248118

Book preview

Serena, 10 years old.

When Serena woke up the morning of her tenth birthday, the first thing she did was run toward the kitchen. Once there, she carefully approached the refrigerator and in the gentlest manner she could, pulled the refrigerator door open. The sight of pastries greeted her.

Pretty.

She took in the colorful macarons and the beautiful strawberry shortcake and other varieties of pastry that made her mouth water.

Serena looked at the kitchen clock and saw that it was 7:00 am. She had woken up hours too early for her actual birthday party. She was having the kind of birthday party that didn’t involve lots of kids in it. After all, she had only made one true friend in school–Joy.

Serena told her Mama repeatedly that she’d rather have a tea party, with real tea and pastries with Joy rather than a party where they would invite kids she hardly cared about.

Seeing how strongly Serena felt about it, her Mama complied. Delighted that her parents let her have the birthday party that she wanted, Serena was on cloud nine. She didn’t know why she only thought of it now, the idea was genius!

This way, Eli didn’t have to come to her house. She didn’t like having him over because whenever he’s around, Serena’s day turned into a disaster.

He had managed to ruin every single birthday party she could remember with his antics but her 9th birthday was the last straw. She grimaced at the memory.

He isn’t even present and already he’s turning my mood sour. Well, he’s not going to ruin this one! Today is my birthday and he’s not allowed to rain on it. Serena thought smugly.

She focused her attention instead on the pastries in front of her and the sight immensely improved her mood. Everything looked so pretty and yummy that she resisted the urge to have a bite, not even a tiny one.  Not until the tea party, at least.

Anak, you might want to close the fridge. Serena quickly turned when she heard her Mama’s voice from across the room and with great reluctance, she did as she was told and closed the fridge door.

Good morning, Mama. Thank you for all these treats, she happily told her Mama.

Don’t forget to thank your Papa, he’s the one who bought them, Mama reminded her.

Okay, Serena promised.

On cue, her Papa came to the kitchen carrying her five-year-old brother Santi, dressed in a basketball jersey. She was around that age too when her Papa started dressing her up in basketball jerseys.

Then came the basketball camps. She shuddered at the thought. That was a nightmare– well it depended really. It wasn’t a total nightmare had Serena liked basketball in the first place but she never really cared for the sport.

I knew I heard someone running. I thought, who else it could be other than our very own excited birthday girl, he joked.

Serena giggled and smiled up at him. Thank you for the treats, Papa.

She had to look high up because her Papa towered over her. Much to Serena’s disappointment, she didn’t seem to have inherited her Papa’s tall frame. On the brighter side, she’s only 10 years old. She had eight more years to grow tall.

I have one more surprise for you. He smiled down at her. It’s underneath your bed. I bet you didn’t even notice.

Serena’s eyes grew big. She ran back to her room and found a box wrapped in pink paper with a yellow bow on it.

She quickly reached for the gift with her short arms and small hands and after a moment of admiring the wrapper, she tore it open as fast as she could. Inside was a doll. A mermaid doll!

Serena was not a fan of dolls. She liked picture books, trivia cards, and puzzles more. But this doll was a gift from her beloved Papa.

Do you like it? She heard her Papa ask from her doorway.

Yes! She ran to him and embraced his leg.

When you were still inside Mama’s tummy you kept kicking and kicking. I said you must be having fun swimming in there, we called you our very own little mermaid. When you were born, we decided to name you Serena. He patted her head.

At that moment Serena felt special. She might not be the basketball loving child Papa had always wanted but the way Papa told the story of how they named Serena made her all warm and fuzzy. She hugged her Papa’s leg with one hand and the doll on the other closer then decided.

I’m going to treasure it for life.

As soon as the clock struck three, Serena phoned Joy, her best friend in the whole wide world. She told Joy that she would personally come and get her best friend for their afternoon tea party.

They lived in the same village and both had been going to each other’s houses since the tender age of six. Serena brought her mermaid doll along, clutching it against her so people could see it as she headed for Joy’s house.

When she reached her destination, she stood on the tips of her toes and rang the doorbell. She waited for Joy to come out so they could be on their way.

Well, well, well, what do we have here?

That voice. Serena would recognize it anywhere but she refused to turn and acknowledge the owner’s presence.

Eli.

Who’s she? A friend of yours? Joey, Eli’s sidekick, asked.

Although all went to the same school, Eli and Joey were in regular classes while Serena and Joy belonged to the star section.

Seeing as there were eight classes in their batch with 30 plus students per section, it was hard to keep track of everyone and it wasn’t a surprise that Joey had no idea who Serena was.

Then again, hardly anyone outside her class ever noticed Serena. She was a quiet child who liked to keep to herself.

No! As if I’d be friends with a girl. Eli was indignant.

Joey studied Serena until familiarity hit him. Wait a minute, I know you! You’re the girl who threw a tantrum last summer during basketball camp.

And here Serena was trying to forget that embarrassing summer but the rest of the world constantly reminded her of it.

What’s that you’re holding? Eli asked.

None of your business. Serena tried to hide the doll behind her but he approached and got a good look.

A mermaid, huh? Is that because your name means mermaid? Eli noted the glittery fish tail. Well, I think you’re no mermaid. You’re more like a pufferfish.

What’s a pufferfish? Joey inquired.

That fish that blows up. Eli explained then mimicked the way the pufferfish blew up.

Serena read about them once from the set of trivia cards about marine life that her Mama got her. They inflated themselves to avoid being eaten by other predators in the ocean. And when they did, they became big and round and some were spikey.

Emotion swelled in her chest and she teared up at their words. She tried to suppress what she felt but it still showed in her face.

You’re right! She does look like a pufferfish, being chubby and all. Joey observed.

Aha! Eli clapped his hands mischievously and his face lit up as though a brilliant idea dawned on him. Pufferfish... chubby... we can call her puffy!

Puffy! Puffy! Puffy! The boys chanted like a bunch of idiots.

Serena wanted to shout that there was nothing wrong with being chubby but they kept teasing her. She felt a burning ache in her chest, her tummy rumbled and she fought the urge to vomit.

Leave her alone! Joy shouted as she came running from through the gate. She tried to shield Serena from the boys’ taunts.

When they didn’t stop, Joy scooped up mud from the ground and threw it at both Eli and Joey until they ran away.

Joy muddied her pretty pink dress and Serena knew Tita Annie would get mad about it but instead of worrying, Joy took one good look at her and smiled.

Are you okay? Joy asked.

Yup. Thank you, Joy.

Let’s go before my Mom sees us, she’ll be so mad if she sees me all muddy... Oh no! What will your Mom say?

Don’t worry about it, so long as we wash our hands before we eat.

At Serena’s assurance Joy smiled once more and at that moment Serena knew they would be best friends forever.

As they went on their way Serena felt happy that she had a friend like Joy but she knew the teasing was far from over. She looked back at the direction Eli and Joey ran off to and knew Eli would be back. It was inevitable, their parents had dinners together. She had to face the fact that Eli would torment her for as long as she lived.

Serena, 17 years old.

Joy, I’m gonna go get something to eat. Do you want anything? Serena stood from the bench near the school gate where they both usually ate/studied during lunch break or hung out after school.

No, thanks. Joy did not bother looking up from her notebook.

You sure?

Yeah. Joy smiled. Not really hungry. I’ll just make up for it and have a big dinner at your place later.

Okay then. Serena headed for the cafeteria.

Once there, she looked at the snack options and was sorely disappointed. Since school was done for the day, the choices were limited to sandwiches and candy bars.

In the end, she decided to get a pathetic excuse for a sandwich, two chocolate bars and a juice drink.

She was about to pay for her food when someone tapped her shoulder.

She turned around and saw it was Nat, a classmate of theirs. They didn’t mix in the same circles, though. Nat’s a social butterfly and could get along with anyone and everyone but Serena’s not really the chit chat type.

Nat who, at the beginning of the year, informed the class that her name was short for Natsuki. It meant rare summer in Japanese. She’s half Filipino and half Japanese but other than that, Serena didn’t know much else.

She waited for Nat to state her business, noticing how beautiful her classmate was. She was one of those girls who managed to look effortlessly chic: slender, with a small face, and tall for an eleventh grader. She could be a model. At a little over five feet tall and with her chubby stature, Serena looked like a hobbit beside Nat’s elfin figure.

Hi, Serena. Nat greeted with enthusiasm after what seemed like a lengthy debate whether to speak or not.

Hey, Nat. Serena greeted back. What can I do for you?

I... I know this is out of the blue but I need help with the last lesson. I’m having difficulty keeping up, she explained.

Sure, Serena answered. She was studying anyway. Why don’t we do it while I’m waiting for my sundo?

Really? Nat exclaimed, unable to believe that asking was all it took.

Yeah, Joy and I were just studying near the school gate. You could join us if you like.

I would love to. Let me take care of your bill for you, Nat offered.

You don’t need to do that. Serena declined.

It’s the least I could do. Nat quickly took out her wallet and gave the lady over the counter some money.

She thanked Nat, and together they headed for the benches where she left Joy studying. Joy didn’t notice Nat at once until they were seated.

Oh! Hey, Nat. Joy greeted.

Hey, Joy. I asked Serena here for some help. I hope you don’t mind me sharing the table.

Of course not. Please, feel free. Joy motioned Nat to sit at the free seat.

Nat took out her textbook and notebook, and handed them over. Serena looked through the problematic lesson and immediately found the wrong answers.

You used the wrong formula. She pointed out and gave the correct answer.

Nat, however, looked more confused than ever. Joy felt the need to tell Serena why that was so.

Serena, you have to explain how you got the answer. Don’t just give her the answer. Give her a step by step explanation on how to get there.

She never had trouble answering math problems. She’d look once and figured it out right away.

So, this is how the minds of other people work, she thought. Serena followed Joy’s suggestion and explained the problem and solution to Nat in fine detail.

It took longer than what she was used to but who knew teaching was exhausting? The three of them studied for the next hour until Serena received a text message from her Papa saying that he and Santi were close by.

Papa’s here, she announced.

Your sundo? Nat asked.

Yeah. What about you, Nat? Joy asked.

Don’t worry about me. I live close by. I could go home anytime but there’s no one at home yet so I usually wait for my Tita to pick me up. Nat supplied.

But it didn’t feel right to Serena to just leave her and judging by Nat’s answer, she didn’t want to be alone at home which was why she’d rather stay in the school grounds.

Why don’t you wait for your Tita at my place instead? Serena offered. My house isn’t very far from here either.

I couldn’t impose, Nat shyly whispered.

You wouldn’t be imposing. My family’s having a small dinner celebration and my Mama said I could invite friends over.

Her mother did say that but Serena figured she would only expect Joy. Joy was Serena’s only friend, not counting the family friend who her parents wanted her to get along well with. By friend Serena meant Eli. The guy she knew she would never see the last of, no matter how hard she pretended otherwise.

As much as Serena wanted to never see him again, that wasn’t going to happen. Their fathers had been friends since men’s university days, both star players for their school and then went on to become the legendary point guard and power forward duo who retired numbers in their respected teams. Both were immortalized in the history of Philippine professional basketball.

Eli had been riding the coattails of his father’s success and it didn’t help how other people placed him on a pedestal. Case in point was when they were kids. Little boys wanted to be friends with him because his Dad was famous. As he grew older, girls wanted to be friends with him too because he became good at playing ball.

It was then that she witnessed how Eli acted nicer to other girls. He could do it, he just preferred not to be that way with her. He loved to annoy her any way he could, but the thing that annoyed her the most was back when she used to go to the same school as he, he’d greet her with Hey, Puffy when he saw her in the hallways instead of saying just Hi like a normal person would.

Curious schoolmates had asked why he greeted her that way but she had perfected the let’s-pretend-I-didn’t-hear-the-question smile before walking away.

If it were up to her, she’d rather pretend they had nothing to do with each other. Matter of fact, she would go the extra mile and act as if he didn’t exist, but Eli had his ways of tormenting her with his presence.

Life got a little better when she transferred schools for senior high. Serena decided to transfer with Joy and both were accepted to a senior high that specialized in Math and Science.

It was a challenge to get in this school and Serena would have been perfectly content with their old