"Charm, ano to? You got 89 at your grade?! At Math pa?"
"D-Dad—"
"Cut your damn excuses Charmaine! Ayokong marinig. Alam mo namang ayokong ayoko kang makakuha ng below 90 na grade. Pero ano ginawa mo?!"
I stepped back and Dad took of his belt at pinalo niya ito sa akin. I looked at my Mommy but she doesn't seems to care at all. I bit my lip and my Dad hit me using his belt. When he hit me at my arm, nag-iwan ito ng marka. Pulang-pula. That's when my Mommy gasps. My Dad stops hitting me and stared at my arm.
Napaupo ako at kinapa ang braso ko, may marka ito at inangat ko ang t-shirt ko, and I saw my skin full of red marks— it's because of the belt. I kept on crying, my Mom supposed to touch me pero tumayo ako.
"Charm, where you going?"
I kept on walking until I reached our backyard. It's raining. I closed my eyes while touching the red marks left on my arm. I bit my lip when I felt that I can't breathe properly.
I looked at Mommy and Daddy talking. I walked at the kitchen and drink some water. Suddenly, my breathing was finally normal. Napaupo ako sa kitchen counter and closed my eyes.
--
I smiled sweetly when I remember it's Saturday, maaabutan ko pa sina Mommy and Daddy. Pagkababa ko ay nakita ko silang kumakain.
I was about to give them my grades because there's no below 90 and I got 99 on English! I'm so excited. Ano kaya magiging reaction ni Daddy? He'll be proud of me kaya?
"Mommy? Daddy? I have something to show you."
When they saw the paper, hinatak ito ni Daddy, his eyebrows frowned and looked at me. Ibinigay niya sa akin ulit ito pabalik and he tool a deep sigh. I bit my lower lip and looked at my Mom, she looked at my grades and finallyc she smiled.
"Darling, you did a very good job—"
"No. You got 95 on Math? Really Charm? When I'm at your age, hindi ko pinapalagpas ang grade ko sa 95. Maine, let's go. Were late."
Mommy kissed my forehead and tapped it. I smile and I nodded. She look so worried. I took a deep breath and umakyat na lang sa room ko. Since alam ko naman na hindi ako magaling. My Dad never treated me like his own daughter, he's a perfectionist. He wants everything to be perfect.
--
I woke-up. I touched my head because the pain is killing me. I reached out the glass of water near beside me and I drink it. Humiga muna ako saglit and umiyak sa sakit ng ulo. I don't know kung ano ang nangyayari sa akin.
"Charmaine!"
Napabalikwas ako when I heard my Dad shout at dali-dali akong bumaba. I saw him looked at me. He's angry again, I nibble my lower lip as he stares at me. My Mom tried to calm my Dad but no, matigas pa din si Daddy and I know na galit siya.
"Ano tong nabalitaan ko na nag-audition ka sa Journalist Contest but hindi ka natanggap?"
"D-Daddy—"
"Shut-up! Ano bang pinag gagawa mo sa school?! You're not doing great! Hindi palaging top 5 ka! I want you to be the best."
"R-Richard, tama na."
"No Maine, I want our child to be the best."
My hands are shaking as I looked at my Parents. My Mom is trying her best to make my Dad calm pero wala paring saysay. I'm doing the best I can be to make them proud especially him. But I know that my best isn't enough to make him happy.
"D-Dad, I...I'm trying to be the best, pero alam ko naman na hanggang doon lang ang kaya ko diba?"
"No! Charmaine, I want you to be at the top, like I used to be when I was at your age!"
"P...Pero Dad! Ikaw ang laging top 1 noon pero alam mo namang hindi ko na kaya. I'm doing my best, halos hindi na ako matulog just to study. Pero Dad, am I not smart enough—"
"No! Top 5 isn't smart enough for me, young lady."
I took a deep breath, matagal na akong nagtitimpi sa kanya. I know that I'm not that smart pero I'm doing my best, halos magsunog na ako ng kilay. Halos hindi na ako matulog. Pero bakit ganun? Bobo parin ba ako sa tingin niya?
"Dad, halos lahat ginagawa ko para maging proud ka lang sa akin! Halos mamatay-matay na ako sa pag-aaral and to compete with my classmates just to make you happy! Pero alam ko naman na lahat ng efforts ko parang wala lang sayo! Dad, I'm only 12 not your personal robot na kayang gawin lahat! Dad, I'm just a kid."
"At sumasagot ka na sa akin? Wala ka na talagang respeto!"
"R-Richard, no—"
*PAAAAAAAAAAAK*
I caresses my cheek, it turns red at bumakat ang kamay niya sa pisngi ko. I stepped back and he was about to touch me but tinulak ko siya. I saw my Mom, her tear slowly falls off in her eyes. I shook my head, I was never been the best for him, parang ang bobo-bobo ko na. It's not my fault kung hanggang doon lang ang nakakaya ko.
"C-Charmaine—"
*blank*
