Like any 12-year-old, Angel likes to read various posts on social media. Some she finds funny. Others, interesting or informative. But sometimes she is bothered because some posts make her doubt, still others leave her confused. She wonders if all of them are true.
“Not everything you read on the Internet is true,” says Angel’s mother. “There are posers and trolls. So, it’s everyone’s job to find out the truth.”
While the quest for the truth is as important as truth itself, Angel can’t deny that some truths are harder to accept than others. Like when her father left them for another woman. This truth really broke her mother’s heart, making her more impatient and irascible, choosing to work longer hours in the office, to keep her mind occupied.
Another truth is that Angel hates school and would rather draw, play games or listen to her K-pop playlist.
Angel loves manga and anime and this inspires her to draw. She wanted to become an animator or a programmer someday. Playing games on the computer is also something she enjoys because even in the comforts of home, she can play virtually with her friends.
Lastly, listening to K-pop music really makes her day. Together with her friends, she is a follower of a popular K-pop group. Her playlist includes the group’s songs, and her bedroom is adorned with the group’s posters. She also collects K-pop merchandise like mugs, shirts, pillows, and other items and follows the group’s fan page to get the latest updates.
Sadly, her lack of interest in school has become more and more noticeable. Oftentimes in class, her teacher always calls her attention back to the lesson.
“Angel, are you listening? Can you read the first paragraph?”
“Oh, yes. Ma’am. First paragraph on p. 16?”
“No, we’re on page 17 already. Please read the first paragraph.”
“Oh, ok. Sorry.”
She hears a few chuckles from her classmates. She would sigh and wonder how many minutes more is it before the bell rings. But no matter, one song in her playlist can easily drive away all the bad thoughts and negative feelings of the day.
For so long, Angel and her friends have been waiting for a concert of their favorite K-pop group. When at last, the group announced that they would be coming to the Philippines to do a concert, Angel and her friends are ecstatic.
“Guys, I found a website that sells concert tickets at a discounted price. We can finally watch the concert!” says her friend.
“Oh, that’s great! Finally! Yehey!” Angel exclaims while trying to hide her anxiety.
Like her friends, Angel wants so much to watch the concert. But unlike them, she wonders if she could afford to buy those concert tickets. Even at a discount, the ticket prices are still too expensive. Her savings aren’t enough. But she wouldn’t dare admit the awful truth to her friends.
Oftentimes, she asks herself: How long can I keep on ignoring the truth?
Should she tell her mother that she is having a hard time focusing on her lessons because all she wants to do is draw and play games? What if she fails her subjects? What will her mother say? Will she be grounded or punished in another way?
Should she tell her friends that she can’t go to the concert because she can’t afford to buy those tickets? What will they think of her? Will she be left out of her friends’ conversations or maybe be left out of the group for good?
One morning, Angel is asked to go to the Guidance Counselor’s office. Shocked and afraid, she wonders what she has done wrong.
The Guidance Counselor, known for her gentleness and kindness welcomes Angel into her office.
“Good morning, Angel. Come and have a seat,” the kind and gentle lady says.
“Good morning, Ma’am,” Angel greets back.
“You may be wondering why I asked to see you. It is because your teachers have noticed how you seem to be thinking about other things in class rather than focusing on your lessons.”
Angel looked down at her shoes, feeling low.
The kind and gentle lady continued, “Is there something bothering you? Is there any way I can help?”
Angel turns silent for a few moments before saying, “I’ll be honest, Ma’am, I don’t see how science, math, English or any non-art subjects can help me become an animator or a computer programmer. I know in my heart that to draw and play games are all I ever want to do.”
The kind and gentle lady smiles at Angel and replies, “That’s a valid observation. But some things aren’t what they seem at first glance.”
Angel wonders what the lady means, creating a confused look on her face.
The lady continues,” Like in computer games, if you want to become an animator or a computer programmer, you have to complete all the levels in order to reach your goal. You start with the easy level which gets a bit difficult as you progress to the next level. When you reach the end, you achieve something like a prize or a reward. Like a game, school is a process we need to gp through for us to get to where we want to go later in life. Who knows, you might even discover something new or decide on a different path later on.”
Angel was silent but she wasn’t looking down at her shoes anymore. She was looking intently at the kind and gentle lady and listening to all that she was saying. School may be difficult and uninteresting but it has become clear to her that it is necessary to get to the next level until she reaches her goal. The kind and gentle lady has spoken the truth.
For the first time, Angel didn’t feel doubtful or confused anymore. She resolves that difficult as it may seem, telling her mother and her friends about what she really feels is the right thing to do.
As soon as she gets home from school, Angel tells her mother about her difficulty in focusing on her lessons and what the Guidance Counselor has said. Initially, her mother is quiet and later on realizes her shortcomings.
“Angel, I’m so sorry I focused too much on my pain. I thought I could forget easily by making myself busy at work. But I didn’t realize that I was neglecting you. Let me make it up to you. You can count on me to help you with your lessons.”
The next day in school, Angel talks to her friends about the concert tickets. It takes a while before she is able to say that she can’t afford them. Her friends are silent at first, unable to find the appropriate words. Then it turns out her friends can’t afford the ticket either. They thank Angel for her courage. They resolve they won’t watch the concert at this time since they can always catch other concerts in the future.
With the truth out, Angel feels relieved. There are no more worries or anxiety that come with wondering, “Should I tell them or not?’’ or ‘What if they find out?’’
For Angel, lies like fake news, can create doubt, anxiety, and confusion while the truth has an entirely opposite effect – illuminating amid the darkness and creating peace that lasts not just for a moment.
