When I was a Freshman

I was just a regular College student at Harvard University back then. I remember when I was just a Freshman and I wore glasses. I was awarded with “highest honors” in our prelims. My sight was getting worse as they we’re punching my face, over and over and over. I forgot how many punches did I had. There we’re five of them. No, maybe eight? Eight students were punching me like a punching bag at the corner of the street. Only two sidewalks until I go home but I didn’t make it. They suddenly kicked me in the face and the next thing I know, I am lying on the ground, powerless.

It sucks. Nobody cares to save me that time, all of the people were just looking. I can hear other’s ask “What’s going on” but they didn’t help me. Some are taking photos or videos of me being beaten like a pulp. If I could just speak a word, like one word, I will curse them all. But I remember what my mother always taught me. While they were kicking my stomach, I scream in pain. My body balled like a new born baby. I was shaking at that time. Tears running down my face, asking myself if this is it. I saw a reply in heaven in a form of shining jewelry. I saw my watch from my left hand. It’s five minutes ‘till six in the evening. My Mom will kill me if I got late in dinner. A small amount of strength rushed through my blood. Is that what they call adrenaline rush? I pushed the floor to the ground to help me stand up. I looked at the eye of one of the students and then I run as fast as I can.  

 “Kite Hamilton!” If Mom called my name like that, I’m in trouble.

Mom was cooking at the kitchen. I smell the delicious ramen that she cooks for us. She’s Asian while father’s American. Although I’m half Asian, I looked like my father. My Mom? She’s the best cook, I might say. I can’t look at her in the eye with all my bruises. I’m sure she’ll beat me worse than eight students who did this to me. I’m lucky enough to escape. I run like a cheetah in split second when I saw the time. She approached me, holding a cold towel.

“I told you to get home early. Why are you beaten?! Who did this to you, Kite! My God!”

“Aw, aw! Easy, Mom! At least I’m still alive.” She’s still harsh, pushing the cold towel against my bruises.

“Are they the same students who did this to you last time? Eight of them? We already reported them to the Principal Why didn’t they act on this? Are you ok, my Kite?” She’s really worried sick.

“Mom, don’t blame the Principal. I’m not the only student at Harvard with this kind of problem.” I tried to calm her.

“As I’ve said, I’m still alive. Don’t worry.” She embraced me while patting my back.

“Mom, when they started beating me up, I remember what you told me.”

She lets go of me and face me.

“You told me to never fight” She started tearing up. I couldn’t move a muscle. I just hugged her tight. I wish I could talk to father about this.

Father was actually well known in our town. He’s the owner of a remarkable University I don’t mind enrolling. In fact, I forgot the name of the University. That University steal my father from me. It happened during middle school. He was acknowledged as the new owner of the University since the previous owner died of heart attack. After that, he never had time with family. I wish that he could join us every dinner but he didn’t join us in any meal of the day. He just comes in late at night to our house. Once, I saw him at midnight, drinking wine. He always goes to work every five in the morning. I wonder if he ever sleeps. I ask Mom about this but she always told me that he’s very busy. I should try to be more independent, she said.

I grew more skeptical day by day. That’s when I decided to wait for him until midnight just to talk to him. I never talk to him since I was in middle school. He has to know what’s going on with his son during his freshman year at Harvard. I finish dinner with Mom, I alarmed my clock at exactly twelve midnight hoping I could talk with my father once again.

At last, it’s midnight. I was awakened by my alarm; I immediately wash my face and dress nice. Even sprayed a family perfume. My heart was pounding hard while going down the stairs. In the living room. I know he’s below me. Lights are on.

“I was waiting for you since forever, Kite” His husky voice made me chill.

He was just sitting there, wearing a suit. Well shaved. I know he is my father but something was off.

“I---I know you are busy, I get that” Why am I stuttering?

“I know that you’re mad at me for not spending some time with you and your mother since you were just a kid, Ahh--- since you’re in middle school”

He grabbed his wine from the table. I had a lot of question to ask. A lot.

“Did you have another family during daytime? Why did you want me to enroll in your own University? University of--? College University?” I said as I flick my fingers.

I can’t remember the name of the University.

“Hamilton University” My ears were not blessed. I blinked a couple of times, trying to digest what he just said.

“You named it after us? No, you named it after you! I don’t care. You didn’t answer my first question, Dad!” I was curious, really curious.

“You’re my only family. Don’t assume such thing, Kite.” He stood up.

“Well that’s a first, I mean, you calling me ‘Dad’”

 He was walking closer to my direction. I was walking backwards. I just don’t want him to invade my space. I’m still angry at him, at what he did, leaving us, prioritizing work over his own family.

“I know you had a lot of question. You’re College now, you’ve grown” He gets an empty glass and pour wine in it.

 “You’re allowed to drink now.” He gave it to me.

 “Drink this and you’ll find all the answer to your questions.”