It's been often said that as children of our parents, we will always be that little kid in their eyes. Maybe the same can be said in reverse, how I always think of my parents as the providers of comfort, warmth and finance in the house. From young, they are that authoritative pair, chastising you for moments of going astray, till the point that as disciplinarians of the house, how can they ever be wrong? It has become so ingrained in my mind, that as figures of authority in the house, I will not naturally stand up against them.

Of course there have been times I went against their will and stood up against them, mainly because the motivation was for my personal welfare. There have been a few times that I informed my parents on my decision to travel, only after I have bought the tickets. So it was not a case of discussion but updating them of my plans. Perhaps the most significant occasion when I stood my ground and held on to my belief was when I told my parents I do not want to follow them under Buddhism and be a free-thinker. It took me a long time and loads of courage before I eventually bring up this matter. A lot of resistance and persistence was met but because I have thought it through for a long time even before coming to a decision to tell them, I did not waver.

It's time I change my perspective of seeing my parents as strict figures in the house, especially after what happened last night. I believe it left a scar in my mind, as well as my heart. They are not always right, for they are only human. It's time to understand that I am 25, capable of knowing right from wrong, have the power to stop things from happening, and even as a child in the eyes of my parents, I am also an adult in this house. I hope that whatever my younger brother had witnessed happening last night, he has the wisdom and maturity to fall to the right side of thoughts and opinions.