Dear The Real Singapore,
"During my childhood I would always get beaten up and yelled at by my parents, and it did not stop until I was primary 6.
"The only reason they stopped was because they wanted better PSLE results.
"My parents were smart, they only beat me in places my uniform would hide so my bruises couldn't be seen. Despite that, I still went to school with a smile as I had 3 friends who I really really relied on.
"Even though they did not know what was happening at home, they knew something was not right and would always do things to make me smile.
"Reaching secondary school, the beatings from my parents stopped. However, it was now my elder brother's turn.
"He would occasionally beat me with furniture or rip some of the books I had.
"My parents did not do a thing, instead they scolded me for allowing my brother to do those things and when I did retaliate, I was beaten by them.
"I also lost all contact with my three friends and that only added to my misery.
"Furthermore I was dumped by a girl I was in love with for five years, which didn't really help my case. I slumped into depression but I never had any medication as my parents did not want to spend the extra money.
"Time flew by and a lot of things happened, now that I'm in TP I hope I would not have to suffer as much as before.
"My depression comes and goes but I'm always smiling.
"Even when I'm really hurt, I only cry at home, when my parents aren't around or sleeping because if they catch me crying, I'll be beaten again."