Imperfect Me

I come from a very subtle family. I don't receive much appreciation for my accomplishments, nor do I face significant punishment for my failures. Mainly, my dad never made a big deal out of my successes or failures. When I achieved good grades in exams, he would simply say "good," without any grand celebration or acknowledgment. Likewise, if I failed, he would calmly reassure me, saying, "It's fine, you'll have another chance next time." On the other hand, my mom's reaction was different. If I did well, she would congratulate me, but if I failed, she wouldn't hesitate to discipline me. I was an average student until my first year of graduation. However, when I failed in my second year, it hit me hard. From that moment on, I vowed to never fail again. Now, having completed my post-graduation with the highest grades in my class, I shared the news with my dad. His response was the usual "good." However, a few days later, while I was at my ...