Connection

Chapter 7

As their drive gets closer and closer to home, Hael’s heart pounds harder and harder. Her father’s car is well-conditioned but she could feel herself sweating at her back. It even came to a point where she clutched her uniform in uneasiness and nervousness. Aga, who’s maneuvering the wheel, did not fail to notice that her daughter seemed to be bothered.

“Babe, you okay?” he asked. Hael nodded, but it was actually otherwise. And it wasn’t very much concealed so Aga became more concerned. “Tell me what’s the matter, anak?”

In a very soft, almost whispered voice, Hael answered, “Mommy.”

“What’s with Mommy?’’

“She’ll be mad at me.” she answered while playing with the couple of medals around her neck.

“Why would Mommy be mad at you? Hael is good. She got medals. She’s the second honor of her section.”

“That’s actually the problem, Dad.” the young girl sounded like an adult trapped in a kid’s body at that moment. “She’ll be mad at me because I only got the second rank. She said that I must strive hard to get the rank one. She told me I should always be the first honor, but I am clearly not. Mommy will be disappointed because I failed her.”

Aga knew that his estranged wife was an intelligent woman— she’s probably the most intelligent woman he knows. She’s academically perfect and she aims to instill that perfection to her students, much more, to her own daughter. But he couldn’t believe he’d be hearing this kind of thing as early as this. How can she give that much pressure to a nine-year-old child? Learning should still be enjoyable for Hael and pressuring her on that level is like taking away a part of his daughter’s childhood.

He’ll make sure to talk to Lea about it. As the father, he won’t allow anyone to make his daughter feel bad for being at rank two when it is something worth celebrating.

“Baby, cheer up. You did very well; you worked hard for that. It doesn’t matter what rank you have or if you have anything at all. What’s important is the lessons you have learned while in the process. Unlike these medals and these certificates, your knowledge cannot be stolen from you. You are smart, Hael, and I know Mommy is still proud of you.”

But the daughter wasn’t moved, not because Aga’s words weren’t inspiring enough; it’s just that she knows her mother better. She bowed her head as she played with her fingers and whispered, “But you don’t know Mommy.”

As much as Aga wanted to take his daughter in so he’d no longer worry, he had to drop her already at their house because Lea was waiting for her. He was only tasked to attend the five-hour recognition ceremony of Hael at school; the rest of this day no longer concerns him.

“Bye, baby! Congratulations again! Daddy is very, very proud of you, okay?"

Hael hugged him tightly and since she was still small, she only reached her Dad’s waist so Aga thought of carrying her, “Thank you for showing up, Daddy.”

“Of course. I will leave anything just to be with you, anak. I love you, my princess!”

The gate of Salonga’s (formerly Muhlach’s) home opened, revealing Cristy. Aga put down Hael, ready to send her inside, “Hi, Nay! Isasauli ko na ho ‘tong batang ‘to.” he jested the truth. It has always been like that— all the time he has with his daughter is just borrowed.

The older lady could only smile bitterly at that. She knew personally that things weren’t supposed to be like this for him nor for Hael.

“Bye, Daddy! I love you!”