Secrets Within

Chapter 01

Chapter 01: The Mercadejas

"Your scores dropped this semester Fala, not just for one subject but three!" 

Dad shouted angrily across the breakfast table.

Wala akong nagawa kundi ang yumuko at pakinggan ang mga pagsigaw nila. My grades dropped dahil isinama nila ako sa overseas business meeting three weeks ago. I was supposed to make the project for those three subjects dahil integrated iyon. But because of that damned meeting, late ako nakapagpasa. Kasalanan naman nila kung bakit bumaba ang grades ko kaya hindi ko alam kung bakit sila talak ng talak ngayon.

I honestly don't know why they're still here. Usually kaming tatlong magkakapatid lang ang maiiwan dahil maaga silang umaalis para sa trabaho. Every time na nagkakasabay sabay kaming kumain puro pangaral lang ang lumalabas sa bibig nila.

"Look at your brother, Collin's grades are higher than the last semester kahit na mataas na ang grade niya noon! Bakit ba hindi mo siya gayahin?" And of course, hindi makukumpleto ang umaga nila nang hindi kino-complement ang magaling kong kapatid.

I rolled my eyes secretly at nagpatuloy nalang sa pagkain. Kahit naman mag explain pa 'ko sa kanila, babalewalain lang rin naman nila. It's better to keep my mouth shut than to waste my saliva for nothing.

"You too, Anastasia," pagsingit ni mommy, "Your grades were no better. Magdamag ka na nga lang nakakulong sa kwarto mo pero yung grades mo napakababa pa rin! What were you doing inside that room of yours, huh? Ba't hindi ka nalang mag-aral nang hindi nasasayang 'yang oras mo kakakulong!"

mahabang litanya niya.

My sister looked as if she was about to cry but instead she only nodded her head in agreement. Nakita ko ang grades ni Anastasia, there wasn't a single line of 8, meaning it's all straight A's. As far as I can remember, her lowest grade is 91. Hindi ko alam kung anong batayan ng mataas ng mga magulang ko.

All of our grades are freakin' high. In fact, maraming naiinggit sa aming tatlo dahil sa taas ng mga grado namin, but unfortunately, our parents doesn't see what those people see.

"Mom, dad, can we please just eat peacefully. My sisters did their best. I saw their grades as well and I don't see any problem with it." said Collin. 

My eyes rolled again, bida bida talaga kahit kailan. For all I know, he must be enjoying the compliments thrown at him. Palibhasa kasi napaka perfect niya, he doesn't have any flaws kaya nga siya palagi ang nakikita.

"Don't defend them Collin, hindi sila matuto kung palagi mo silang ipagtatanggol. They should look at you as their role model." My dad said habang umiiling-iling pa.

Wala nang nasabi si Collin at nanahimik nalang. We continued eating while my parents kept muttering words that we should improve then they would compliment my brother from time to time.

Binilisan ko ang pagkain dahil hindi na kaya ng tenga ko ang mga sinasabi nila. My ears felt like bleeding, honestly. I may have wished for us to eat together as a family before pero mas gusto ko nalang na palagi silang wala ngayon. They're just ruining my morning.