It was 10 years ago when the happy family of Tristan became a house that cannot be called home. Tristan was a happy, friendly and achiever boy. He grew up filled with tender love, strict discipline and compassion to people. Tristan never thought that something horrible in his family would happen that shaken his very own being. An event that he hated his parents all this time because of what he found. The exact reason and heartbreaking truth from the letter he received.
“Mom, when will Dad go down? It has been 20 minutes and I'll be late for school!” I told mom in a panicked voice. She just looked at me and smiled. This morning I noticed that Dad didn't eat breakfast with us. It was something unusual because typically he was the one who cooked and prepared our meals. Yet, when I was about to check his room. The door opened and I hid at the back of our stairs to scare him.
“Boo! Gotcha! You will not surprise me, my little boy. Come on, you'll be late to school!” dad said.
“I was waiting for you like forever. What took you so long dad? Oh, what is that?” I noticed blackish purple in his lower lips. It wasn't there last night. I didn't bother to ask him anymore since I am gonna be late at school.
My dad drove me to school in 20 minutes. To study in this private school is not my preference at all. It was my mother who pushed and enrolled me here. I didn't lack friends because it was in my nature. As usual, Mr. Lorenzo was speaking nonchalantly without anyone listening to him.
Mr. Lorenzo was discussing something and he said “Family is the most important part of the society. Without family, you are all not here because you will not be made. Families must have a father, a mother and kids.” It was a general knowledge that we all know, but in that moment there was a heaviness in my heart. A heaviness I haven't felt before.
Finally, the long class schedule ended today. I didn't wait for my classmates since usually their parents will pick them up. I was waiting for my dad to come and pick me. Yet, he has no sign of coming. I checked the time in my wristwatch. “It's 5:55pm already! Where's dad right now? I have no phone with me.”
I waited until 6:30 pm, and dad didn't show up. The janitor walked past me, but she went back at me and asked.
“Kiddo, where's your parents? It's late now. The school will close at 7pm” she asked me straightforwardly.
“I don't know. My dad supposedly picked me up, but he didn't show up. I can't go home, I have no money with me.” I was speaking with a shaking voice.
“Get up! I'll ride you home. Just tell me your address and let's find out why your dad didn't show up.”
I went with the janitor and hopped on her motorcycle. She was an amazing driver. She drove faster than dad and I bet she would win over my dad if they car raced. When we reached our home, I saw our house without lights. This can't be happening. Mom was supposedly at home and preparing my dinner. Yet, there's no sign of her inside.
“Kiddo, are you sure this is your house? There's no one here. The doors are locked and I looked inside the window. Your dad and mom weren't inside.”
“Yes, I am sure this is our home. I don't know where they went. Thank you for driving me home. I'll wait for them here. You can leave.”
“Alright! Don't go far kiddo. It's not safe for you to stroll around alone. Okay? Promise me?”
“Yeah! Thanks!"
I sat down in one of our chairs in the garden. My mind was bugging with what Mr. Lorenzo told us earlier in class. “Family? What family? Where are they now? They left me alone and without even telling me.” When I stood up to stretch my body because my legs were already stiff.
I checked our front door if it's open, but of course it was locked. I checked my mom's pot's to see if there's a hidden key. I was surprised that I didn't see a key, but a letter. I opened the letter and read it carefully.
“Dear Tristan,
You might read this because you are already home. Perhaps you are thinking why your dad didn't pick you up at school. It was hard for me to say this in a letter, but I have to. Your dad is not your biological father. He already went home with his original family. I am not your biological mother either. We raised you like a son, and we decided to leave you now. You are a strong boy. You will survive. Mrs. El would be the one who will take care of you now. She is a good person. We left you a box in the attic. Don't open it until you are ready to find us. We love you, Tristan.
-Mom.”
I burst into tears and I was speechless. All this time, they faked everything. Everything I am, and everything I was. “What a great show mom and dad. This is the last time I will ever call you that.” I was about to leave when someone honked at a car. A beautiful woman appeared.
“Hi! You must be Tristan. I am Elaine, or you can call me aunt El.”
“Oh yes, I'm Tristan.” I turned back and wiped my tears. Then, I smiled at her and said, “Nice meeting you aunt El.”
This time, I wouldn't love or trust anyone, but myself. What my fake parents did to me shattered my entire being and put a large wound that made me what I am. “Sorry aunt El, I don't think your presence is welcome here. I don't need you in my life. I will survive on my own. Just leave me alone.” Then I turned back and closed the door. Bang.