After Her Last Straw (Dream Series #1)

Chapter 3

"Aphra, your father has always been boastful about you being the best in your class. I could not tell, however, that I did not expect you to land on the second spot. Your father was always the second one as well. Hindi nalalamangan ang isang de Lopezes, just like you."

That was the only time when I felt so grateful that Papa's presence was nowhere to be seen every recognition day.

De Lopezes? Was that Sulivan's father? So we've been competing against them all along?

The thirst to prove myself has became really worst. Hindi na ako kumakain at natutulog sa tamang oras at hindi na ako lumalabas sa bahay tuwing weekends. I deprived myself of having the life of a normal teenager. It was okay, though, dahil lahat ng paghihirap ko ay nagbunga.

I graduated as a class valedictorian of our batch. The defeated look on Tita Yvona's face was more precious than the medal I got. I felt happy when I gave my valedictory speech. Si Papa na lang talaga ang kulang at magiging sobrang saya ko na siguro sa araw na iyon.

I just felt a sudden sadness while watching those other students who were accompanied by their parents on stage, followed by a little bit of sadness when after the graduation ceremony, there's no one who would took some pictures of me and there's no one whom I could consider a friend who would drag me to pose in front of a camera.

Mag-isa akong pumunta sa school, mag-isa akong umakyat sa stage, at mag-isa akong umuwi.

But sadness was just short-lived because as soon as I got home, it was replaced by so much happiness. Papa was standing near the door while holding three balloons and a tiny cake.

That image was the most lovely image I've ever seen.

"Pasensya na anak. Ito lang ang kayang ibigay ni Papa. Alam mo namang natanggal ako sa trabaho last week," maluha-luha niyang sabi.

Tears were streaming down my face when I hugged him. I whispered how much I love him and how much that surprise meant to me.

Kahit na tatlong plain balloons lang ang meron, kahit na maliit lang ang cake, kahit na konti lang ang pagkain, sobrang saya ko pa rin dahil naroon si Papa sa pinaka-espesyal kong araw. That was the most memorable and happiest moment of my life.

It has been my hobby to replay that moment over and over again. Gustong-gusto ko na ulit maka-graduate. Gusto ko nang maranasan ulit ang pagkakaroon ng simpleng handa kasama ang pinaka-minamahal ko sa buhay.

"I don't know what's running into his mind," pumiyok ang boses ni Tita Victoria, bringing me into reality once again. "Ayaw niyang tinatapakan ang pagkatao niya pero sa ginagawa niya, mas lalo niya hinahayaang tapakan siya ng ibang tao."

"I.." tangka kong pagsasalita pero kahit anong pilit ko ay walang salitang lumalabas sa bibig ko.

"Aphra, all I want is to help you. I don't want to see you suffering like this. Living in this..." tiningnan ni Tita Victoria ang sira na naming bakod at pagkatapos ay ang bahay naming walang kakulay-kulay, ibang-iba sa bahay ng iba pang mga Pantorilla. "... place."

The look on her face while looking at our house created a pang in my chest. That's when I found my voice.

"I understand and appreciate your concern, Tita, but I don't actually mind living in this kind of place," I smiled sincerely. "This is the image of home for me."

Dito na ako lumaki. Dito ako inalagaan ni Papa. Dito ko nabuo ang pagkatao ko. Maliit man pero nandito ang buhay ko.

She looked at me with horror. "This isn't a place for you two. You deserved something better, much better than this," she shook her head to show some disapproval to my response.