The 'Perfect' Daughter

“Mum, my…my uniform is ripped,” I whispered meekly. She doesn’t turn.

“Are you sure? I don’t think that’s possible, Selena,” she replied dismissively. I turned, about to go back to my room, careful not to make any noise, when my brother walked in. He smelled like sunshine and the field, bringing the sunlight into the house. His posture said it all: he owned the room. Meanwhile, I was just the background—the curtain, the wallpaper.

“Mum, can I get a new soccer ball? This one’s a bit old, considering we just bought it last month,” he announced, dangling the ball between his fingers. She immediately leaned forward, as if he’d just solved a puzzle. The whole house seemed to revolve around him. I was the eldest, yet in moments like this, I felt like I had to shrink, fold my wants into neat little packets and shelve them.

“Hey sis. Haven’t gotten them to agree yet, eh?” he smirked. I ignored him and closed the door behind me.

I should love my family… so why did it feel like they only cared when I broke? When I wasn’t on time? When my report card arrived like a verdict? Enough. Pretending I was fine—pretending to be the perfect daughter—had ended. I grabbed an overnight bag and stormed down the stairs.

“Selena! Time to eat!”

“You better get back here and explain yourself, young lady!”

I ignored them. My chest tightened, fists clenched. Pretend. Breathe. Keep walking. Aunt Lily’s house. That’s where I’m going.

Ringing the doorbell, I rubbed my wrists nervously. What if she didn’t let me go in? What if she called my parents and brought me home? My worries immediately dissipated once I saw her.

“My dear! It’s been so long since I saw you! Come in, come in,” she quickly ushered me in.

After putting my bag down, I sat down with her on her couch. She had prepared tea for the both of us.

“What’s wrong? I know you didn’t come because you missed me,” she clasped her hands together and waited for me to talk.

“It’s just…things haven’t been too good at home lately,” I started, and started telling her everything that had happened the past few days.

After I had finished, she frowned. “Selena, listen to me. Your mother loves you. She really does. It’s just…been hard for her lately. Trust me on this. She’s my sister. She might not show it, but she loves you both. The thing is, she’s been busy lately. Things have been…difficult.”

I nodded, still sceptical.

She must have seen the look on my face because Aunt Lily sighed and said, “Trust me on this. I can’t tell you without giving away something that is hers to tell, but she loves you and your brother both the same. I still remember when you were three, she would sing lullabies and read stories for you. She would hum for you until you fell asleep. I saw it with my own eyes. She loved you then. And she still loves you now, in her own way. I’m not saying she should act more biased to your brother, but she loves you both with her whole heart.”

I was saved from answering her because my phone started vibrating with an incoming call. Excusing myself to take it, I was surprised to see a call from mum. What if she wanted to persuade me to go back home? I wasn’t ready for it. But before I could overthink it further, I answered the call.

“But the thing is, John, I can’t exactly split myself in two, can I? I can’t look after Selena and Jae at the same time. Jae is…he hasn’t been doing well lately. He hasn’t been eating much, doesn’t talk as much anymore. I’m worried about him. And Selena…I know I should give her more attention, but how can I do that when Jae probably needs more attention than her? She does her work, pays attention in class and does fairly well in school. Meanwhile, Jae is the opposite of her. He keeps failing his classes, and he dozes off in school. Soccer is the only thing that seems to keep him happy. Plus—” the call was cut off.

I stood there in shock, unable to believe it. Stumbling back into the living room, I sat down on the couch, phone still in hand. Aunt Lily was still sitting in the same spot I had left her. When she saw the expression on my face, she poured me another cup of tea. Though the tea in question was probably cold by now.

The next morning, sunlight slipped through the curtains, landing on the folded blanket Aunt Lily had left on the chair. It was time to go back home. Bidding goodbye to Aunt Lily, I made the journey home. How am I supposed to react to the new information I have? How would Mum react?

The house was quiet when I unlocked the door. My brother’s soccer shoes were still by the entrance, muddy as ever. Mum was in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove. For a moment, she didn’t notice me. Then she turned, eyes widening just slightly.

“You’re back,” she said simply.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

Silence stretched between us — not cold, just uncertain. The smell of soup drifted through the air, faintly sweet. She reached into the drawer, took out a bowl, and ladled some in.

“You should eat,” she murmured.

I sat down at the table. The soup was warm. My uniform lay folded neatly on the chair beside me — the rip sewn shut, the stitches uneven but careful.

Maybe love wasn’t loud. Maybe it was just quiet… and late.