Nothing New

Chapter 1

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Chapter 1

Pressure. That's what you will feel if you are part of my family. I have always thought that I can do everything, I just need to be perfect. No mistakes. All the things I do need to be right ... no, it should be right.

My family isn't perfect. We fight too. We make mistakes But in the end we always end things with being understanding, we talk about it, and tell each other it's fine to fight and make mistakes. And I just didn't understand why I didn't get that trait of Ximenes.

I want it to be perfect. I want it done beautifully. I don't want errors, mistakes or whatsoever. I need everything to be perfect.

But Dad isn't pressuring me. Mom doesn't either. It's just me.

Being a Ximenes is both an honor and horror.

A Ximenes is always viewed as a family of outstanding businessmen and women the world. Honorable Lawyer, Doctor, Engineer, and Architects. It's nice to be seen by that. You'll get special treatment and you're always in favor of everything, just say that you are a Ximenes.

But ... Being a Ximenes is hard.

I am surrounded by successful people. Hardworking cousin's, aunt's, uncles. And the thought "you have to be like them" always comes.

Expectations from other people and even my whole family is there, even when they don't voice it out, the whole family knows it, that a Ximenes is and should be a family of Smart and Successful People ... but here I am, trying to reach that expectation in order for me to accept that I am indeed a Ximenes, I need to be perfect.

"Pravda!" I shouted as I went to the staircase and ran fast through where Pravda is.

"Tiffany, slow down." She told me while chuckling and walked towards me too.

I immediately hugged her when I reached her. She hugged me back. I missed Pravda.

Binitawan ko siya nang marinig ang mga yapak at tawanan pa ng ibang tao papasok ng aming bahay. Agad naman akong umayos ng tayo at hinawi ang buhok na nakaharang sa mukha.

"Tito Klein, Tita Viviana, Tiffany and Co! We're here!" I hear someone shouted, and we all knew who shouts loudly like that. It's Kuya Michael.

Agad na napuno ang sala namin nang makapasok na ang lahat ng aking nga pinsan kasama sila tito at tita. Napuno ng ingay ang kaninang bahay na tahimik. Nandito ang lahat ngayon dahil first weekend of the month. At kapag dunarating ang araw na iyon ay nakagawian nang magsama sama ang buong pamilya sa iisang bahay sa loob ng dalawang araw sa isang buwan, at yoon ay ang unang sabado at linggo ng buwan.

Agad na binatukan ni Daddy si Kuya Michael. "You're voice Michael, sobrang lakas abot hanggang labas." Wika ni Dad rito. Napatawa naman ang mga pinsan ko dahil napakamot ulo na lang si Kuya Michael.

Napangiti na lamang ako at naglakad palapit sa kanila. At nang makita kong buo ang mukha ni Kuya Michael ay bumusangot na lang ako.

"Hi po, Kuya Michael. And it's Tiffany Vie, Kuya, not Tiffany and Co" I softly said then pouted. He laughed and pinched my cheeks.

"Sus doon din naman galing pangalan mo, pwede na 'yon." He said and even laughed?! "Ako lang yata maayos pangalan sa buong pamilya natin eh. Michael Josiah" He emphasizes his name, then smirked and he laughed. Natigil na lamang ito sa pagtawa ng tadyakan siya ni Ate Dior.

"Manahimik ka na nga! Para kang baliw eh galing lang din naman sa Michael Kors pangalan mo." Ate Dior said and rolled her eyes. Natawa naman kami. Nag silalisan naman na ang mga matatanda at naiwan kaming mag pipinsan sa sala.