HER CHOICE

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“How do you feel being the best graduating student of your set?"

" Well, I can say that I feel elated that my hard work paid off at last. I remember when I was admitted into this department, I cried so much at night all alone, but now, I'm glad I made it to the end.”

“How were you able to survive those challenging nights?”

“That's quite a long story, I had so many obstacles, I didn't have so many friends which made it harder, but I survived on my own.”

"Wow, Miss Gloria, I can say you are a strong woman. Do you have any words of advice to the younger ones?”

"I just have to say your dreams are valid, no matter what you dream of achieving, when you put your heart to it, you will surely make it.”

Slowly, tears of joy streamed down her face, she quickly wiped it off as she gives a smile to everyone greeting her. Gloria, who had just delivered a beautiful speech as the best graduating student of her class stood close to the podium beautifully dressed in her graduation gown. She holds a bouquet of flowers in her hands. She beamed with a smile as she gave the interviewer her rapt attention who was about rounding off the interview with her. As the journalist walked away she looked around the crowd to see if her parents had arrived. The graduation ceremony had just ended. They had to drive five hours to her school for the graduation.

“They never cared so much about me anyway." Gloria mumbled while she tried to hold back the stream of tears running down her cheeks. Again she wiped them off with an handkerchief but she realized that she couldn't hold it back any longer. Gloria walked abruptly to the restroom where she let it all out.

Gloria studied architecture, against her parents' wishes. Her parents wanted her to study Medicine so she could be the youngest doctor in their family. About five years ago, Gloria finished high school with an excellent result, which made her parents proud of her.

“With these excellent results, you can gain a scholarship to any medical school of your choice." Her dad said with a smile.

“Medicine? Dad, what do you mean?"

“It is time for you to carry on with the legacy of our family, like your mum and I."

“No, I don't want to become a doctor."

“What are you trying to say in essence? What's all these good grades for?

"You have always been proud of your dad and I, aren't you?” Gloria’s mother added.

"Yes, I am but I never said I wanted to become like you.”

"Okay then what do you want to study? Physiotherapy?”

"I want to study architecture?” Gloria said slowly.

“What? What did I just hear you say?

"Dad, you know how much I love buildings and all sorts besides, you never knew how much I freaked out in the sight of blood.”

"You will get used to blood, if that's it."

"No dad, I never see myself becoming a doctor.”

"That's because you have never thought about it.”

"I don't want to, you never bother to ask me what my dream was.”

“How will you survive on your own, I don't know anyone in that field. You think college is an easy road to walk through?"

It took Gloria three months to finally convince her parents to study medicine. However, his father never fully support her.

"Anything you do now is for yourself, it's out of my hands.”

That was the last thing her father said to her before she got a fully funded scholarship a month later to study her dream course. Her mother would not allow her child to feel devastated so she always visit her and sometimes make a call. Gloria was scared of her father so she never returned home until two years after. When she returned home, her relationship with her dad remained as it was even after she showed her dad her good results. Gloria was scared of how much her father had hated her because of her decision, she didn't know the right thing to do but her mother would always encourage her to ‘brace up’ and continue to be the best she can be. Two months ago, Gloria came out with the best result in her department. She was excited and happy to share the good news with her parents. Her father finally decided to make it to her graduation ceremony.

Gloria's phone vibrates in her pocket that made her jerk a little. She realized she was already lost in thought.

“Hey! mum."
“My dear, where are you? We are at the venue already."
“I'm on my way, I will join you soon."

With a mixed feeling of joy and bitterness, Gloria made her way back to the hall. She saw her parents from a distance, waiting to see her. Her mother caught a sight of her.

“Oh my God! Look at my beautiful sweet heart."
“Mummy!"
“I'm so sorry my dear, we had a bit of a situation on her way, I can't believe I missed my daughter’s graduation."
“Mum, do you want to cry? But you are here now, aren't you?
"Come, come, let's take a photograph.”

Gloria’s father remained mute as he watches her daughter beaming with a smile.
"Hey, Dad.” Gloria called gently."
“I will go get a photographer." Gloria’s mother said. She thought they needed a little space to talk.
“Errm…congratulations, I'm proud of you.”
"Thanks Dad. Wait, did you just say you are proud of me?”
Keeping his face on the ground, he continues, “I'm sorry, Gloria. I was not the best dad you dreamt of, I was fixed on looking for the next carrier of our family's legacy that I lost track of my duties and promise to make you happy.”

"No dad, don't say that.”

"I know how much hurt I have caused you. But, when I looked at you from a distance in your graduation gown, I realized I had missed it for the past five years. You did well on your own. I'm sorry I belittled your potential and ability, I never knew you could……”

"No dad,” Gloria broke down in tears as she hugs her father tightly."

Gloria’s mother watched them from a distance, a drop of tear escaped from her eyes. It's been five years but she was happy that her family is back together.