Mother's Daughter, Daughter's Home

Chapter 5: The Name of the Past

Years passed peacefully under Manuel’s care. The pain of the past slowly faded away, replaced by laughter and love. Little Elara grew into a smart and pretty young girl. She had her mother’s eyes and her father Manuel’s kind heart.

But Elara was different. While her brother had the last name Santos, inherited from Manuel, Elara carried the name Dizon—the name of her biological father, Rico.

"Elara Dizon," the teacher would call during attendance.

"Elara Santos," the teacher would call for her brother.

It was a small difference, but it was enough to cause trouble.

In school, children could be cruel. They noticed the different surnames. They heard stories from their parents about Lina’s past.

"Hey, Elara!" a boy shouted during recess one day. "Why is your name different? Why are you Dizon while your brother is Santos?"

Elara stopped eating. She looked at the boy, confused.

"Because... because that is my name," she answered softly.

"No!" another girl laughed loudly. "I know the truth! You are not really Manuel's daughter! Your real father was a bad man! He left your mother! You are an illegitimate child!"

The words hit Elara like stones.

"Shut up! Don't say that!" Elara shouted, her eyes filling with tears.

"It's true! It's true!" they chanted. "You don't belong here! You have your father's name!"

Elara ran home crying. She hugged her mother tightly.

"Mother! Why are they bullying me? Why is my name Dizon? Why is brother's name different? Am I not part of this family?"

Lina’s heart broke hearing her daughter’s pain. She wiped Elara’s tears and kissed her forehead.

"No, anak. You are my daughter. You are precious. The name is just a word. It doesn't change who you are."

(Elara’s POV)

But why? Elara thought sadly. Why do I have to carry a name that people hate? Why can't I be like brother? I want to be Elara Santos too.

One evening, the question came again. The family was sitting together after dinner. Manuel was playing with the boy, and Lina was sewing clothes. The atmosphere was warm and happy.

Elara looked at her mother, then at her father Manuel. She took a deep breath and asked the question that had been weighing on her heart for so long.

"Papa... Mama..." Elara called softly.

"Yes, anak? What is it?" Manuel smiled at her.

"Why?" Elara asked, her voice trembling. "Why is my surname different? Why am I Dizon while you are Santos and brother is Santos? Am I... am I not your real child?"

The room went silent. The question was so innocent, but so painful.

Manuel stopped smiling. He looked at Elara with eyes full of love. He sat down and pulled her close to his lap.

"Elara, look at me," Manuel said gently. "Do you feel loved?"

"Yes, Papa," Elara nodded. "You love me. You buy me food, you send me to school."

"Do I ever treat you differently from your brother?" Manuel asked.

"No, Papa. You love us both the same."

"Then that is all that matters," Manuel said firmly. "The name is just a label. You carry the name Dizon because it is the name of the man who gave you life. But I am the one who raises you. I am the one who protects you. In my heart, you are my daughter. Nothing will change that."

But Elara was still sad. She looked at her mother.

"Mother, I want to change my name. I want to be Elara Santos. I don't want to be Dizon anymore. People bully me because of that name."

Lina sighed deeply. She held her daughter’s hand.

"Anak," Lina explained softly. "Your Papa Manuel allowed you to keep that name because he respects your history. He is not ashamed of you. He wants you to be proud that you survived."

(Lina’s POV)

I know it is hard for you, my child, Lina thought sadly. But that name is proof of how strong you are. You came from a bad place, but you became a good person.

"I don't want it!" Elara cried, throwing a small tantrum out of frustration. "I hate that name! I hate my real father! Why did he leave us? Why did he hurt us?"

Manuel hugged her tightly to stop her crying.

"Shhh... don't hate, anak. It is not good to hate. Your biological father made mistakes. He was weak and foolish. But because of him, you exist. And you are the greatest blessing in our lives."

Manuel kissed her cheek. "You keep that name, Elara. Show them that even with the name Dizon, you can become successful. You can become good. Let your success be the revenge against those who bullied us."

Elara wiped her tears. She looked at her Papa’s sincere face.

"Okay, Papa," she whispered. "I will be strong. I will make you proud. I will show them that Elara Dizon is better than them."

"That is my girl!" Manuel smiled proudly.

But deep inside, the pain remained. Elara promised herself that she would study hard. She would become someone important. So that one day, no one would dare look down on her name again.

Life continued. Elara grew up into a beautiful teenager. She was very intelligent and always top of the class. But the shadow of her past never truly left.

She saw how hard her mother worked. She saw how Papa Manuel aged because of too much work. She knew she had to repay them.

"I will finish school," Elara vowed silently. "I will find a good job. I will take care of Mama and Papa. And I will never, ever let a man hurt me like how Mama was hurt."

But fate is strange. Just when everything seemed peaceful, a new storm was coming. A storm that would test Elara’s heart and her strength, just like her mother before her.