When We Happened

Chapter 40: Meet the Parents (pt.1)

Chapter 40

Meet the Parents

We were parked a few houses away from my childhood home the day before the House of Red show. We're here to bring their invites and to finally visit them, after not visiting them for months.

I am terrified of the reception we will get.

"Your hands are so cold," Storm chuckled as he clutched both of my hands. He took my hands close to his mouth and blew hot air on them, trying to get them to warm up. "Are you okay?"

Feeling my heart racing, I know I have no reason to lie to him. Matutulungan niya pa akong kumalma, maybe. "Kinakabahan ako, sobra," I admitted to him.

"Why?" he asked, his eyes worried for me. Well, maybe for himself too. "They know me. I practically grew up at your house," he said, trying to reassure me once again.

I took a deep, studying breath. "First boyfriend, first time to introduce said boyfriend to parents, Storm," I reminded him how monumental this was for me. Like our first date. "You're not just my childhood best friend anymore. Plus, I think I haven't seen them in 6 months."

"That long?"

I winced at his disappointed tone. "Yup," I admitted. "I'm the worst daughter ever."

"Is Tito still not talking to you?"

Flashing him with a sad smile, I tried to soften the blow. "Silang dalawa ni Mama, no. They hate my new career. They think I'm throwing away my life by not continuing my tennis career. As if I have a say in it!"

Storm shook his head, the disappointment on his face still evident. Para kanino? Para ba sa akin or sa parents ko? I don't know. Maybe both.

"They have to know that if you could, you would trade anything to go back to tennis and play at your level before."

"Ewan ko ba, tingin yata nila sila lang ang nasasaktan o nanghihinayang sa sport at career na minahal ko ng sobra. They didn't know I fucking cried every night when the Olympic games happened this year."

"We'll get through today," he said, touching my face, his thumb brushing the tears that were threatening to fall. "If they're rude to you, we'll leave right away."

Our lips met and mine smiled against his. "Thanks for coming with me."

"It's no big deal, baby," he murmured before kissing me again.

I pulled away from him, now smiling. "Let's visit your mom after?"

Matagal ko na rin hindi nakikita ang mom ni Storm. Hindi ko alam kung alam na niya ang tungkol sa amin ni Storm, or kung kinukwento ba ako at all ni Storm sa mom niya. But she's one of my mother-figures. I have to visit her too to check in on her and tell her what has been happening with my life right now and my new relationship with her son.

"Okay." He flashed me a wide smile. "Thanks, baby."

***

Our genuine smiles disappeared as soon as we got inside my childhood home. Paanong hindi maaalis ang ngiti sa mukha namin, kung simangot at masasakit na salita kaagad ang salubong sa akin ng tatay ko?

"Oh, naisipan mo pa palang umuwi dito," sabi nito sa akin matapos kaming papasukin ni mama. Nakaupo ito sa sofa at nakababad sa harapan ng TV, nanonood ng action movies sa paborito niyang cable channel. "Naalala mo pang may mga magulang ka?"

Hinarangan siya ni mama at bigla itong yumakap sa akin. "Asher! Welcome home, anak! Bakit hindi mo sinabi na dadalaw ka ngayon, edi sana napaghandaan namin ni papa mo."