Family Short Story – That Moment…
Photo credit: mzacha from morguefile.com
People said, “When your heart is looking for a missing piece in your life, you have to search for it. You have to find it. No matter where it takes you.” But, what if you get tired of searching? Will you stop thinking ways on how to find the missing pieces in your heart?
In my case, I almost did. It happened years ago. It was during my elementary years. I was the eldest and the only son to my biological father. I have siblings and they were called my stepbrothers. My real mother is not married to my biological father, but he is married to my stepmother.
The day I found out that I am not a real son of my stepmother, I was tongue-tied. I was turning ten years old when she told me. Though, my stepmother was strict and noisy, her attitude was never hidden to me. I experienced beaten by her using a raffia broom. She even pinched my ear whenever I did something wrong or ignored her order.
My stepbrothers that time was two years and four years older from me. They bullied me. One time, when I tried to stop them from fighting each other, they just said, “Why do you care so much about us? You are not even my real brother. Just go away! We don’t want you here.”.
Those words were like small pebbles turned into a big stone thrown in front of me and hits my heart. I only want them to stop.
The same thing happens everyday. All household chores such as cooking rice, washing dishes and clothes, fetching water, and a lot of things at home were my daily routine. I almost give up and decided to run away from home. But, it never happens.
Why? Because of one letter I found written by my real mother. I found it in my father’s room while cleaning. The letter was hidden in his old Ferrari wallet. He must have had kept it in the past. The letter was addressed to me. It was written July 07, 1986.
Dear Romeo,
How are you my child? Today is July 07, year of the rat. It is the day you were born. The day where Papa and I were very glad to see you. Did you know how young are you now? You are two years old. And I know that you will never read this letter from me, right now. Why? Because your father hated me. He hates me of leaving you. He hated me for cheating him.
I am not writing about our relationship. I am writing about You, my dear son.
I am sorry if I left you. I am sorry if I was not there beside you. I am sorry because I was afraid of taking care of you.
My son, please don’t despise me. Never hate your father. Love your father as much he loves you and as much as I loved you, the day you were born. You are our precious gift from God. Without our strong faith and love for Him, you were not born.
Please forgive me of being immature and irresponsible to you and your father. I didn’t care much at all when I got pregnant with you. I even decided to abort you because I haven’t enjoyed the bitter and sweets of life. But, your father wants you to live. He promised me to take care of me until the day you were born. However, a year after and a few months before your birthday, I fell in love to someone. I had to leave and promise myself not to return even if it means forsaking you.
Though, I am leaving you forever, it doesn’t mean I have forgotten you. When you grow up, you should not follow me. You should not find me. But, if ever our paths crossed, I just want to ask your forgiveness.
You have a lot of rocks to conquer, rivers to cross, and mountains to climb. You need to keep a strong faith in God. Do not ever loosen your grip to Him. Call to Him. If your heart is heavy, pray to Him and He will ease the burden you are facing. Do not ever underestimate the power of love.
I am saying this because I want you to become a better person. A man to be proud of by me and your father.
Someday you’ll realize what these words are meant for you.
Take good care of yourself.
I love you, my son.
With love and care,
Your real mom (Angeline)
The day I found that letter, I was 15 years old. Now, I am 30 years old. It has been 15 years. I was supposed to end my life because of what I experienced from the past, but the letter written by my mother moved me to value life, to withstand amidst uncertainties, and never to forget God to be the center of my whole life.
Though, we never have ever really seen each other, nor crossed our paths, I am still thankful that she gave birth to me. To my loving father who passed away five years ago, I admired his strong will to reject my mother’s decision of aborting me. I will forever cherish him for what he did.
__END__
