Parallel Lines

Josua Miclat was a kid who craved for awards. He was kid who wanted to make his
parents proud. He was a kid who only wanted small things in life. But why has life seemed to
disagree. He was a consistent honor student in his elementary days. He would always join
competitions at his school especially the math ones. He would always ace these competitions
and would always be the representative for division levels.
He was in sixth grade practicing for their graduation. He was so happy that his high
school life would soon start. But then, when the call of awards came, he was shattered. The
award "Best in Math" was not given to him. He was shocked because he thought he was the
one to get that award. He ought to be. After that day he came home and cried and cried. He
asked himself, "Was my efforts not enough?". That night, he didn't tell his father that he wasn't
able to get the awards. He knew he would be devastated to hear it. He kept it from him till the
graduation day came. When he finallly found out, he said "okay lang nak, may high school ka pa
man". He cried to him and promised to himself that he will receive that award in my high school
year.
Fast forward to 7th grade. He wasn't able to receive honors. He was not the smartest in
mathematics in their classroom. He felt the heaviness of how different elementary in high school
is. It was until third grading that he had received his honors. But he wasn't satisfied. 8th grade
came. He showed everyone what he was capable of. He was the 5th honor in our class during
the first quarter and got the highest marks in their mathematics. He was proud of himself that he
was able to start living up to his promise. But, the pandemic came. That's when everything
turned around for him. Fast forward to 10th grade. Awarding of honors came. He was happy
because he was able to reach with high honors and Ma'am Cherry Ann, their mathematics
teacher, told us that he was able to achieve the highest grade in mathematics she has ever
given. He was so proud of himself that time and was expecting that he would be able to receive
the best in math award. But still, disappointments were around the corner. The teachers decided
not to give those "best in" awards as it was "childish".
It broke his heart that his promise to himself was broken in an instant. He cried because
he was starting to lose hope on himself. But no, he told himself that, there still a chance in his
SHS. He took his card and good moral from their registrar and brought it home. He told his
father, "pang, malakat ko". He answered, "diin?". He told him, "sa national pang". "Mano ka to?"
He answered straight forward. He realized and understood what he meant. So he stopped. He
enrolled in MUHS as a HUMSS students.
There and then he realized that maybe mathematics is something that's just not for him.
He was give three chances and failed at each and everyone of those. Maybe him and math are
parallel lines. They were never meant to intersect. But, that helped him open his eyes. Now, he's
a HUMSS student. He is able to perform well on our subjects, and he is still with high honors.