They often mention that the pressure primarily falls on the eldest child. However, nobody stands up for the youngest children who are compelled to comply with the family's wishes just to gain visibility.
Many individuals assert that having a wealthy family guarantees freedom from daily food concerns.
Nonetheless, I disagree with that notion. Wealth does not equate to a lack of problems. What if the family is involved in politics? Politicians harbor numerous secrets.
"1...2...3... smile!" We collectively smiled for the camera before the photographer captured the moment.
"Good shot. Perfect family talaga ang Poniente," puri ng camera men.
Ate Grapes took a seat next to Kuya Mark on the couch in our living room. She feels frustrated whenever people claim that our family is flawless.
Nakipag-ngitian si Mommy at Daddy sa camera men bago ito umalis. Taon-taon kaming nag-fa-family picture para laging makikita ng mga taong dadalaw dito na maayos kaming buong pamilya. Na masaya kami.
Pero sa likod ng kurtina ng pagpapanggap nandiyan ang kaliwa't-kanan na kasalanan ni Daddy.
In the quiet of the night, when everyone else is asleep, they start shouting at each other again.
"What's your excuse this time?! Our driver saw you with that woman! You're flirting with that young mayora!" Mommy yelled at Daddy.
I was in my room on the second floor while they were in the living room, but I could hear their raised voices and the sound of Mommy throwing figurines.
"She's new to politics, Grace! I was just helping her learn how to handle her role as mayora properly!" Daddy shouted back.
"So you help by flirting? Is that what you're saying?!" Mommy shouted again and again.
Mahina akong napatili nang makarinig ng malakas na sampal. Daddy physically hurt Mommy always. Kapag sobra-sobra na ang pananalita at ginagawa ni Mommy.
"Mom, Dad, can you please go to sleep? The maids are resting. Grapes and Aphle are asleep too," Kuya Mark said before I heard his footsteps heading to his room.
"Stop your womanizing already," Mommy insisted. "Think of our children. If people find out you're a cheater, do you think they'll still treat them the same way? No-they might bully Aphle at school. That's why we left that place in the first place-to get away from all that and give our three children a chance to pursue careers in politics, right?"
The place she mentioned was where I was born. Ate Grapes told me that after Mommy gave birth to me, we left that place right away to start a new life here.
We moved because people discovered that Daddy was having an affair with a married woman. As a result, he was removed from his position, and he chose to continue here what he had already started there.
I thought they had no plans of sending any of us back there. But I was wrong-one day, they suddenly insisted that I return to study there for senior high school. There are no reputable senior high schools here.
"You have to study there, Aphle. STEM, ABM, and ICT are the only strands offered at the main school. No HUMSS," Daddy said solemnly during lunch.
Kaka-graduate ko lang noong nakaraang araw at heto sila ni Mommy, pinaplano ang nalalapit kong pag-alis dito.
"Am I the only one going back there?" I asked calmly.
Mommy nodded. "Your siblings are here solely out of necessity. Your sister and brother will be candidates in the upcoming election."
"Mommy, hindi po ba ako pwedeng mag-ABM?" mahina kong tanong dahil natatakot akong masigawan niya kapag narinig iyon.
"What is it, Aphle?" she asked, but I refused to answer.
I want to pursue STEM-that's where my true passion lies. I dream of becoming a Nurse, but my parents want me to be a politician. They expect me to follow in their footsteps, and I feel pressured to comply.
When Ate Grapes tried to follow a different path, they physically abused her and banished her from the house for a month. I'm afraid of provoking Mommy and Daddy's wrath, so I avoid doing anything that might upset them.
After our meal, Mommy, Daddy, and Kuya Mark left the room, leaving Ate Grapes and me alone in the kitchen. The table remained uncleared; the servants stood by, waiting for instructions-too afraid to act without permission.
"What strand are you interested in?" Ate Grapes asked suddenly.
"I want to study STEM, Ate," mahina kong sagot.
"Why are you hesitant to pursue your passion?" she asked again.
"Mommy and Daddy will be upset. I'm afraid they'll treat me the way they treated you," I replied.
"But if it's something you truly want, it shouldn't hurt the people around you," she said gently.
"Then why didn't you do it? You were influenced by Mommy and Daddy too. You gave up on becoming a makeup artist because they didn't approve," I pointed out.
She sighed. "Hindi man sa ngayon pero naniniwala akong magiging make-up artist din ako balang-araw. Ikaw din. Malay mo, pagkatapos ng lahat nang ito, maging Nurse ka katulad ng gusto mo."
"Pero sa ngayon, sundin mo muna sina Mom and Dad kung natatakot ka."
I sat quietly as Ate walked out of the kitchen. I sighed, realizing I had no choice but to return to that place. What would our house look like now? Will I really be the only one living there? Will there at least be a maid to stay with me?
A month passed quickly, and the day came for me to head back there. My family drove me to the airport. At sixteen, I was old enough to fly alone.
"Be cautious there, Aphle. We're still not sure if the past chaos has been forgotten, so don't trust anyone-especially men. You know what they're capable of," Mommy warned.
"Mommy, can't Aphle study somewhere else? Maybe where we have relatives, so we'll be immediately informed if something happens," Ate Grapes suggested.
"That school is reputable. Your Daddy and I both studied there," Mommy replied, shutting down Ate's concern. Then she turned to me with a smile, wearing her usual façade. "If you ever experience bullying or run into trouble, you'll let us know right away, won't you, Aphle?"
I simply nodded, even though I'd never been bullied. In Junior High, I saw boys getting assaulted, but I never got the chance to step in-my friends always stopped me.
Sometimes I wondered if they were really my friends. None of them reached out to me after the school year ended. It felt like they only stayed close because they knew my dad held a position in our town.
"Always remember, Aphle, you must strive to be a top student, okay? That's the only way you can repay us," she said, still smiling.
Napatanong ako sa aking sarili. Kailan ba ako hindi naging top student? Simula noong kindergarten ako palagi akong nakakahakot ng mga award sa school dahil palagi akong binibilinan nina Mommy at Daddy na dapat palagi akong nasa itaas. Kahit ayaw ko naman.
I always reminded myself that was the only means for them to notice me. Despite being the youngest, they overlook me unless I have academic accomplishments.
Bumuntong hininga ako bago pumasok sa eroplano. I hope that place will be kind to me.
-iamlunamoon
BINABASA MO ANG
Forbidden Relationship (Forbidden Series #3) (Completed)
RomanceBeing the youngest daughter isn't really easy. That's how Aphle always feels but never expresses to anyone. Aphle Xierinah Poniente, the youngest daughter of the governor in their town. She is intelligent, obedient, innocent, reserved, generous, and...
