Back To The Iron Fist

Imagine being raised by overly strict and dominant parents. They will impose rules, they will tell you it's for your own good. They will punish you if you don't obey. As a result, you will turn out as a disciplined person. 

But deep inside, you wanted to scream because even if you could see the intentions of your parents, you can also see that they are taking advantage of their power. You’re not allowed to give opinion or voice out your thoughts. The only thing that they care about is for the rules to be followed. They provide you everything and reward you a little gift for being obedient but you know you deserve more than that. You want to be treated with respect. For them, you’re just a son/daughter and they’re your parents, you owe them everything. 

Then one day, you couldn’t take it anymore so you decided to rebel and they kick you out of the house. But being on her own won’t be easy for a child who was shielded all her life. You finally have the freedom but you don’t know what to do with it. You don’t know how to start again. And because you hated the way your parents treated you, you think that everyone who gives rules limits your freedom. You want to do things your own way. You only want the rules that benefit you. You think that those who want to help you have interior motives. 

Then you find your life is in chaos. When no one can save you, you decided that life is better when you have your parents with you, giving you rules, imposing discipline because back then, life was easier. You start glorifying them and hate those who criticize their parenting technique. You think that your parents are your only salvation. But you’re wrong. You don’t need to be brainwashed by people who wanted to control you. You have your own mind. You can discipline yourself.

Sa Isang Iglap

Parang kailan lang nang ipinangako natin sa isa’t-isa na walang susuko kahit anong problemang dumating. Kahit pa hindi ako gusto ng mga kaibigan mo at pinagbawalan akong manligaw ng tatay mo. Hindi ako sumuko dahil naniniwala akong kapag mahal mo ang isang tao, ipaglalaban mo. Hindi rin naging hadlang ang ating mga pangarap para ipakita kung gaano natin kamahal ang isa’t-isa. Kahit pa magkaiba na tayo ng pinapasukang paaralan dahil lumipat na kayo ng bahay. Tinitipid ko ang baon ko para makapunta sa Bulacan kahit sa Malabon pa kami nakatira. Hindi ako naniniwala sa long distance love affair noon pero nagbago ‘yon nang makilala kita. Mas gugustuhin ko pang magkahiwalay tayo pero nagmamahalan  kaysa maging masaya sa piling ng iba. Kahit mga bata pa tayo at alam kong marami pa tayong makikilalang iba, alam kong hindi na ako makakahanap pa ng katulad mo at ipinangako kong mag-aaral akong mabuti para sa kinabukasan nating dalawa.

Pero sa isang iglap ay biglang naglaho ang mga pangarap na iyon. Iyon lang ba ang halaga sa’yo ng pinagsamahan natin? Ganoon lang ba ako kadaling iwan? Dahil lang sa hindi tayo pareho ng kandidatong sinusuportahan ay tila nabalewala ang lahat ng pinagsamahan natin. Pareho naman tayong hindi botante. Pare-pareho lang kayo ng mga kaibigan kong nagalit sa akin at kinalimutan ang pagkakaibigan namin dahil hindi matanggap na hindi ko kayang suportahan ang kandidatong gusto nila. Pareho kayo ng kandidato mong baluktot mag-isip. Sana lang maging masaya ka sa desisyon mo. Siya nga pala, nanalo kandidato ko.