Be the First

35 : Someone Great

STELLA's POV
( Three Years Ago )

"What kind of grades are these?" Napayuko kaagad ako pagkaabot ko kay Daddy ng report card. "Tignan mo. Math, 76. Science, 77. History, 80. English--Oh heavens! English is 79? Are you fucking kidding me?"

"I'm s-sorry, Dad--"

"I'm wasting my money on you, kid! You're worthless! You are going to be a disgrace to this family and my name! Bakit hindi mawala 'yang purol ng utak mo, ha? Sayang ang bayad ko sa tutors mo kung palaging palakol ang ipapakita mong grades sa akin! Dahil ba sa kakalaro mo 'yan?"

Mabilis na kinuha ni Daddy ang hawak kong stuffed toy. "Stop it!" Sigaw ni Mommy sa kanya nang pumasok siya sa kwarto. "You're scaring her, David!"

"If I have to scare the shit out of her to get her to perform better, then I might as well do it!" Tinulak niya si Mommy at saka ko lang naramdaman ang mahigpit na hawak ni Daddy sa braso ko.

Sobrang natatakot ako kay Daddy. Nanginginig ang buong katawan ko at nanlalamig ako kapag tinitignan ko siya. Please, stop this. I'm sorry.

"I promise to do better, Dad. I promise!"

"You are not going to carry my name when you grow up, Stella. Pero hindi ibig sabihin ay papahiyain mo na ako dahil sa mga basura mong grades! 'Wag mong dumihan ang pangalang Velasquez, kid. I need better results next time! Do you understand?"

"Y-yes, Dad. I p-promise I'm doing my best." Napakagat ako ng labi ko sa sakit nang may dumampi sa pisngi ko. Sunod na narinig ko ang sigaw at iyak ni Mommy. At dahil doon, nasampal rin siya ni Dad.

"Well it's not enough, Stella! I need more improvement!"

I WAS DROWNING in my own tears when I woke up. It was the same chill running down my spine as I recalled what happened. Dad beat me up so bad that night at hindi ko makakalimutan 'yon.

I let out a heavy sigh. Now's not a time to cry. Kailangang maaga akong makapasok. Tumayo na ako para magasikaso kaagad. It's my first day in the new school I was transferred to.

Dad wanted me to do better, kaya nilipat niya ako sa Brighton Academy. Isa ito sa mga private prestigious schools in the country.

Being in a new school feels like a second chance. I'm going to do better. I will show Dad what I can really do.

Hindi naman talaga ako matalino. What I lack in the brains department, I make it up for any performances I have to do. Pero sa huling school na pinasukan ko, talagang hindi ko kayang makipagsabayan dahil puro utak ang ginagamit doon at walang gaanong extra-curricular activities.

Laking pasasalamat ko nang malipat ako sa Brighton pagtungtong ko ng Grade Six. Mom said it was a school with lots of opportunities.

"Sure ka na sa clubs mo?" Winona asked me, ang pinakaunang kaibigan na nakilala ko. She was the coolest girl in the class dahil palaban siya at pakiramdam ko, safe ako palagi sa tabi niya.

"Yes. I will audition for Cheer Dance." Tinignan ko ang form niya sa Music Club at nalungkot bigla. It means I won't get to be with her. Magkakahiwalay kami. "Ikaw? Sure ka na sa Music Club?"