Strings of Destiny
Written by: Kate Chiu
Edited by: Hairong Liu
My eyes watered as my father slammed the table with my biology test scrambled up in their fists. He screamed and shouted at me, spitting out words. Saliva flew through the air and landed on my face. Tick, tock, tick, tock. Time was already passing by as I stood at the end of the dining table.
My father stared into my soul. “Because of you, your mother and I had to immigrate across the globe to allow you to live a comfortable life, investing time and money in you, only to get this?”
He pointed at my tear-stained paper, as I tried to hold back my tears. “What a disgrace.” My father holds his head in his hands, before swatting me away like a mere fly. My mother couldn’t do anything but look from afar from the dining table. Tears welled in my eyes, almost pouring down like a river. Even though I did extremely well in my academics since primary school, my straight A’s, and my awards were never enough for my dad.
I gazed down at the floor, wandering back to my room, closing my door. I buried my head in my pillow, as my tears came flooding down my face. How did I mess it up? How did it happen again? Why can’t I do anything right? Hearing footsteps, I lept up, trying to wipe away my snot to look at least presentable. My mother looked a slight glance at me, giving me a warm smile.
She came into a room and whispered in my ear, “I will support you no matter what.” before walking away.
The demands of society and the unrelenting quest for success overwhelmed my father. He continuously encouraged me to pursue a profession in health teaching because they thought that happiness and success were equivalent. Despite my “extraordinary” talents, I couldn't help but sense an opening at the core of my being.
Soon on the very next day of school, I found myself staring at the music band sign-ups in the middle of the school hallway. Though I would love to join the band and maybe one day become a band singer, I knew my father would never let me. I continued walking down the halls and soon found myself thinking about it again.
Since I was little, I have always been inspired by the fascinating pop stars who perform on stage while dancing and singing. My eyes would be filled with amazement and excitement throughout their enthralling performances, making me want to join their careers too. My father, on the other hand, had other expectations for me and would push me to only concentrate on my schoolwork, soon becoming a successful doctor.
Upon returning home from school, I was ignored by my father. Unfazed, I made my way back to my room while carrying a pamphlet with the band sign-ups that I had grabbed earlier. I pinned it to my wall, a constant reminder of my unfulfilled passion. Despite doing exceptionally well in my academics, I had an emptiness that yearned to be loaded up by the power of music. My imagination was jammed up with melodies and lyrics that begged to be freed out of my mind. However, the pressure of my father’s expectations had held me back, casting a shadow on my dreams.
Years passed, and I finally came to the end of my decision. I had to choose between going down a different path to join a small rock band, as the lead singer to follow my dreams, or becoming a smart and successful doctor. After all these years of being under pressure by my father, I finally had the chance the escape his crushing expectations.
I could avoid the approaching reality of becoming the doctor my father has always wanted me to be if I followed my passion and became the lead singer of a small rock band. It would provide me the opportunity to realize the dreams I've treasured since I was a youngster, allowing me the freedom to express myself and enjoy life without restrictions. However, there remains uncertainty about the outcome. What if this dream is a complete failure, wiping out years of hard work? What if I don't find success? The mere thought of disappointing my supportive mother weighs heavily on my mind.
However, if I followed my father's advice and worked hard to become a good doctor, not only would I be able to save lives but also give my parents a great deal of pleasure. It would be proof that the time and money they spent on my upbringing were worthwhile. Could this path offer a simpler life, with a stable job providing for my family's needs indefinitely? Would it truly make my parents happy and give them a sense of fulfilment? Could I become their greatest success and lead them to a happy ending?
Which choice should I pick? Should I become my parents' greatest accomplishment, secure a reliable career, and experience success? Or should I follow my direction and stay clear of my father's long-held desire for me to succeed as a doctor? What option should I pick? Which option should I take if I want to live happily ever after?