The Queen's Stars (Sandejas Legacy Special Book)

Kabanata 1

The Queen's Stars

Kabanata 1

Bata pa lang kami ay iminulat na kami ni Dad na mahalaga hindi lamang ang kalusugang pisikal, pati na rin ang kalusugang mental.

Mental health is something people tends to take lightly these days. Sasabihin nila, pa-tweetums lang. I heard once na hindi naman daw 'yan dapat seryosohin kasi inarte lang daw iyon ng tao but it wasn't for me. Never. Mental health problems are not kaartehan.

Kaya hindi ko rin masisisi na ngayon, mas maraming nagtatago ng nadarama nila. Mas maraming nagsisikreto ng pinagdadaanan. Impossible raw na ma-depress dahil masayahin at malakas. Kaya ayon, walang nasasabihan kaya ang bigat ay nagpapatong-patong at ang akala ng lahat na malakas at hindi natitibag na pundasyon ay mauuwi sa pag-guho.

"Dad, why did you become a Psychiatrist before? Kayo ni Kuya Deion?" I asked my father when I got into his office one night.

"Hmm?" he glanced my way and smiled.

His black eyes twinkled when he saw my interested face and nodded.

"I actually don't know, princess. My family did not want me to be like this actually." He answered me. "They wanted me to become a surgeon, or a medical doctor."

"Really?" I asked in amazement. "Eh, bakit hindi po ikaw nag-gano'n? Ayos lang ba kina Lola?"

Doon na tumayo si Dad mula sa swivel chair niya. He reached for me when he sat on the sofa and I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Of course, ayaw nila." He answered, "I was pressured too before, my princess. So, I did everything just to please them."

"Pero sabi mo po noon we shouldn't really do that, right?" I asked him, "that we shouldn't change ourselves for other people?"

"Yes, Queen." He nodded, "but you see, anak, nobody is perfect. Noong bata pa tayo, ako, inaantay ko ang approval ng pamilya ko kasi naisip ko na magiging masaya ako na hindi ko na napansing hindi na ako 'yon, na nasasaktan ko na ang Mommy mo."

"And?"

"That's when I realized my happiness shouldn't come entirely from their approval of me but the acceptance I should have for myself."

My heart thumped, feeling lighter while hearing those words from him.

"I lost myself, the same time I lost your mother but I regained it. Not just because fate decided to let our paths crossed again but also, because I accepted the fact that I am not perfect. That it isn't possible to please everyone. That I could never be my siblings because I am entirely just me and I accept it."

"So, you pursued more in Psych?" I inquired.

"Yes, I learned to love my profession. I like it whenever I helped patients out and it is an achievement for me." He smiled, "and that's where I get to know your Mom."

The door suddenly opened, a happy gasp left my lips when I saw my niece and nephews running inside the office.

"Papa Thornie! Tita Queen!" they exclaimed, making me giggle.

Hinagkan ko silang isa't-isa, niyakap at nakipaglaro muna akong saglit.

Timothy Braxton is a lively kid now, anak ni Ate Scira at Kuya Tintin. Good thing, he got Kuya Warren's smiling face but of course, there are times na nagsusungit kagaya ng Ate. He's with his siblings, Kia and Irvin.

"Naku, ang mga batang ito ang kukulit!" reklamo ni Ate nang pumasok sila sa study at naabutan ang mga bat ana nagkakagulo.

Si Tonton ay nakikipaglaro sa mga pinsan kasama si Irvin samantalang si Kia at ang isa ko pang pamangkin na babae ay kalaro ni Dad sa may sofa. Nakaupo sa hita niya ang dalawang apo at nakikipagkulitan.