Chapter 3

...Chapter 3: The Weight of Responsibility...

Selene, now 11 years old and in Grade 6, was nearing the final stretch of her childhood. The carefree days of her early years were slowly fading away, replaced by the weight of growing responsibilities and expectations.

One morning, the peacefulness of her sleep was shattered by a loud, familiar voice.

"Selene!"

The voice cut through the silence like a whip. Selene groggily opened her eyes, still tangled in the warmth of her blankets. "You lazy peasant! Wake up and get yourself ready already!"

It was Mariette, her older sister, who had always been the more acted like a disciplined one, even though in reality she really just had a bad attitude towards the relationship with her siblings. Selene, still half asleep, stretched and let out a quiet groan. She rubbed her eyes, the remnants of sleep still clinging to her.

"Ugh... you lazy brat, we’re gonna be late because you move like a snail!" Mariette scolded her again, her voice sharp and impatient.

Selene sighed, frustrated but too tired to argue. *Absolutely, my day is ruined again*, she thought, feeling a twinge of annoyance at the familiar routine.

Without saying a word, Selene dragged herself out of bed and silently began getting ready. Mariette was right—every morning, it was the same chaotic rush. Yet, despite the early morning stress, Selene never pushed back, knowing full well that her sister's words, though harsh, were a reminder of the responsibilities she had to shoulder.

The cycle continued day after day—Selene always getting up late, rushing through her morning routine, and always feeling as if she was chasing the clock. But one day, something inside her clicked. A realization, subtle yet powerful, spread through her mind like a spark catching fire.

*I need to change.*

It wasn’t something she had planned, but there it was, clear as day. And from that moment forward, Selene made the decision to take control of her mornings, to not let them slip away in frustration. Slowly, she adapted—changing her routine, becoming more disciplined, more focused. What once felt like a burden, became a habit, and then a part of who she was. The lazy, careless girl who once lingered in bed now stood tall as a responsible, hardworking student.

By the time her elementary school graduation arrived, Selene’s transformation was complete. The shy, scattered girl had blossomed into a determined young woman, someone who embraced her responsibilities with grace. And the culmination of her hard work paid off when she was named the valedictorian of her class. The pride in her parents’ eyes was undeniable as they draped a medal around her neck. But as the applause echoed in her ears and the warm congratulations flowed, something lingered—a feeling that gnawed at her heart.

*What was it?*

*Despite my achievement, something felt... empty.*

Selene couldn't quite place it. It wasn’t a sense of regret, nor was it dissatisfaction with her accomplishments. It was as if the applause was for something greater than just the accolades themselves. Something deeper, something she had yet to fully understand.

As the years passed and Selene moved on to junior high, the challenges only grew. The pressure to succeed intensified, and with it came the lessons of adolescence—the awkwardness of discovering who she was, the struggles of fitting in, and the increasing weight of responsibilities both at school and at home.

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By the time Selene reached Grade 10, she had become a far cry from the girl who once hesitated at every turn. Now, she stood as a quiet yet resilient young adult, someone who had learned to balance her academics, household duties, and the unspoken duties of being the oldest sibling.

One morning, the weight of responsibility shifted once again.

"Sofiale!" Selene’s voice rang through the quiet house, firm but tired. "Wake up, we're going to be late!"

Her younger sister, Sofiale, groaned from beneath the covers, her words muffled but clear. "Hmmm... it's too early..."

Selene stood beside her sister’s bed, arms crossed, tapping her foot. "I said wake up!" she repeated, trying her best not to sound frustrated. "I’m almost ready, and you’re still lying there like a log!"

"So what?" Sofiale muttered, the blanket pulled tightly over her head, not at all moved by Selene’s urgency.

"Geez, get up already," Selene sighed in exasperation. "Mom’s gonna scold you, well not only you but, if we’re late again, okay? Just listen to me for once!"

"Who cares about you?" Sofiale retorted, her voice sharp, though half-hearted.

Selene flinched, feeling the sting of her sister’s words, but she didn’t let it show. She simply turned and walked away, knowing there was no point in fighting it.

Her younger sister’s bad temper was nothing new, and Selene had long since accepted that she would often carry the weight of their sibling relationship. She had learned to shoulder the burden of responsibility, even when it felt like she was the only one doing so.

Walking into the living room, Selene found her little brother waiting by the door, his backpack already slung over his shoulder, ready to go. Despite everything, Selene smiled softly at him.

"Come on, let’s go," she said, her voice calm but tired.

"How about sister Sofiale, Sister? Isn't she coming with us?" Her little brother Albert asked.

She sighed and responded, "don't mind her."

And as they stepped outside, the cool morning air greeted her like an old friend. The weight of responsibility was heavy, but it was hers to bear. She couldn’t change the way things were, but she could continue to do her best—every day, no matter the circumstances.

Sofiale would learn, in time. For now, Selene would keep pushing forward, just as she always had.

To be continued...

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