To Begin Again (It Girls Series #1)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Beatrix Hayle

"My, I've changed my mind, I want to attend the moving up ball..." Sabi ko kay mommy habang magkasama kami ngayong dalawa sa garden. She's spraying something on her precious plants.

Mommy really loves her garden, she never failed to take care of it kaya nga ang ganda-ganda dito. It's calming and relaxing, the vibe is literally a new breath of fresh air.

My dad never let my mom do the household chores kaya ito lang ang kanyang madalas na mapagka-abalahan sa bahay.

I somehow don't understand why kasi kapag nasa bahay ako ng mga Ponce de Leons I can see tita Helen cooking and cleaning sometimes kahit na malaki ang bahay at marami silang katulong but still tita Helen is doing the household chores.

At kahit kailan ay hindi pa na-stress si mommy. Wala pa akong natatandaan na sinigawan niya ako o di kaya'y sinermonan katulad ng ginagawa ni tita Helen kay Colton madalas... Isa pa, bilin din sa akin ni Daddy na h'wag kong bibigyan ng stress si Mommy and who am I to argue with that? Lahat ibinibigay nila sa'kin.

Natigilan siya sa pag spray at nilingon ako ng may mga ngiti sa mga labi. "Really?"

Tumango ako at malamlam siyang nginitian.

"Then I'll talk to Ritch San Jose for your prom dress... May napili ka na bang design?"

Umiling ako. I haven't searched for prom dresses on Pinterest yet. Basta naisip ko lang kagabi na mag a-attend na ako ng moving up ball...

"Okay, maghanap ka na ng gusto mo dahil malapit na ang ball niyo... Let's also go to your Derma to see if Dr. Ocampo can do something before the night of your moving up ball comes..."

Nadismaya ako sa aking narinig. Ayan na naman kami kay Dr. Ocampo. Sawang-sawa na ako, wala namang nangyayari... I already given up, can't they do the same and accept me for who I am? This is me, I'm ugly but happy.

"How about we don't, my?" Lakas loob kong sabi. Natigilan naman siya at napaawang ang kanyang bibig ngunit walang kahit anong salita ang lumabas mula doon.

Bumuntong hininga ako.

"My, we don't have to go to Dr. Ocampos's clinic anymore... It's no use. I know it's disappointing to have a walking acne for a daughter but this is who I am..." I explained, softly. I've never raised a voice at my mom and I'm not planning to do so in the future.

Binitawan niya ang spray bottle na hawak niya at humakbang papalapit sa akin, she pulled a chair to sit in front of me as she looks at me worriedly and sadly.

"No, Jess... Don't think of that, I'm not disappointed to have you as my daughter. You are the best gift that God has given me... I-I just want you to feel beautiful on the night of your moving up ball. I just want you to be happy." Paliwanag niya sa akin.

I gave her a sad smile. "Mommy, I don't have to be beautiful just to be happy. Yes, my face is abundantly flowing with acne. My skin complexion is not as white as the girls in my school and I'm happy with it because these are my flaws and I have learned to embrace them..."

"Oh, Jessie..." She spread her arms inviting me for an embrace and I gladly accepted her invitation.

"I'm so sorry if you feel pressured... Hindi ko naisip na bata ka pa. You're just sixteen and yet I'm stressing you to maintain those skin care routine. You know what, you're right, sweetheart... The key to happiness is to embrace ones flaws."

"Hmm..." Tumango ako habang malawak na nakangiti at dinadama ang init ng mga yakap ni mommy sa'kin.

At least, it's all clear to me. I just hope we all have a parent just like my mom because nowadays, it's sad to know that there are some mothers that instead of empowering and understanding their children ay sila pa iyong nagda-down sa mga anak nila.