Choices (Dear Jann Series 2)

Chapter 17: The Journey Starts

In any other circumstances, I would have been very happy seated next to Markus and just a few steps next to my big crush. However, that very moment was an exact opposite. It felt like there was a vast cloud between all of us and any moment, a storm will be disturbing our silence.

Towards the middle of the movie, we invariably heard some knocking on their front door. Markus stood up to check who it was. I saw him smile gently and gestured to me to go close to him. I stood up and went to the door. I was sure glad to instantly see a familiar face.

“Hey, it’s so good to see you here.” Ruby said excitedly when she saw me.

“Sure glad to see you.” I said and heaved an audible sigh.

“So, how was it going?” Ruby whispered.

“Terrible.” I answered back.

“Hon.” Markus said with a sad tone as he looked lonely at me.

“I’m sorry. I can’t help what I am feeling.” I whispered gently to him.

“What’s going on?” Ruby asked when she saw the look in my face.

“Nothing. It’s just me being paranoid.” I just replied for them to stop asking.

I saw how worried Markus looked at me and I felt bad for him. But I really felt terrible with all the words coming from his mom. Despite that, I don’t really hate his mom. Like what everyone says, you simply can not please everyone. It actually became a little challenge for me. I know I need to do what I can to get his mom’s approval of me. I simply wished I could do that, so she would change her impression of me.

“So how was the historic meeting?” asked Ruby when we were finally alone at the balcony.

“I am honestly torn between being glad and sad at the same time.” I answered as I gave her a shrug and heavy sigh.

“Why is that?” Ruby asked curiously.

“Well, first thing. I never expected he was the father of Markus? Of all people, him?” I said both smiling and still shocked of realizing the truth.

“His dad? What about his dad?” she asked as she became more confused with what I was telling her.

“His dad is… well… he is…” I couldn’t get myself to tell her who he was. 

I, myself, couldn’t believe that Markus’ dad was my ultimate and biggest crush. The person I always wanted to know his name. The person who made me jittery whenever our eyes met, at least that’s what I thought and felt. The world is so filled with people and yet our world is too small. Who could have thought that he is the father of the person I now love.

“He is what?” Markus joined our conversation.

“What?” I asked back which made both of them chuckle.

Markus came with our delicious snack and another person. He was tall, almost as tall as him. A typical tall, dark, and handsome kind of guy. He was lean, and I could see how he was staring at me. It in fact made me a little uncomfortable.

“Hon, I want you to meet my best friend. Marvin Bravo. Bro, this is Jann, the love of my life.” Markus politely introduced the two of us.

Marvin instantly gave a broad smile as he extended his hand. I took his hand in mine, and I could feel him grip my hand a bit tighter. I smiled back.

“Hello. Finally, it’s great to meet you. Markus had been telling a lot about you.” Marvin said with a lovely smile.

“Nice to meet you too. Now I wonder what he had been telling you about me.” I said and winked at Markus who started laughing gently.

My eyes went back to Marvin as I felt him tighten his grip again. For some reason, I felt like he wanted to convey something to me. It was not a feeling that I should worry. It was more of a relaxed feeling and if I could assume, I think he likes me more than what he was showing.

“Okay. Can I get my girl’s hand now? It’s been there a bit longer.” Markus said as he pulled my hand away from Marvin’s grip.

All of us laughed gaily with what he did. He can be such a jealous guy sometimes. We stayed longer there and chatted just about anything. I was sure glad they showed up. At least it lightened the mood that I was feeling after meeting Markus’ parents. Now I know how it felt being introduced to the parents of your boyfriend. I never knew it was going to be so complicated.

“Bro, mom is calling. She said, it’s time for lunch.” said a girl so familiar to me.

She was the same girl that I saw together with Markus’ dad before. I am certain with those long black hair and pretty eyes that I only noticed to be the same with Markus’.They are undeniably siblings.

“Hon, let’s go. Guys, see you later.” says Markus as he held my hand and led me back to their house and into the kitchen.

Everyone was already seated on the dinner table. Food was also ready to dig in. His mom had said a little prayer before she started serving his dad. They were so sweet. I wonder if I could ever serve Markus the way she does. I could see so much love in their eyes.

“So, Jann, tell me about your family.” asked Markus’ dad. 

It actually made me blush when he spoke to me. Damn this crazy heart of mine. I don’t really know which one was making me so nervous at that very moment. Meeting them or talking to my big crush. It was crazy.

“Hmmm, well I am the youngest in the family and I -“

“What is your religion again?” Markus’ mom cut me off talking. I looked at her and answered shyly.

“I am a Roman Catholic.”

“Tsk. You know what to do.” she said but meaningfully addressing it to Markus.

“Mom, please. Can we just eat now? I don’t want to talk about it. I will talk to her about it soon.” Markus answered sounding defeated.

“I didn’t say anything. Just dig in.” his mom replied.

I looked at Markus, and I could see that he was not really happy with what was happening. It was more like he was angry about something but trying so hard to keep his fierce temper. I took a deep breath and held his hand under the table. He looked at me and I smiled at him. He gave me a small smile and started serving me.

Despite the tense between his mom and us, I still managed to enjoy the food that was served to us. I love the attention that Markus was giving me at that very moment. I felt so special being served by the person I loved the most. The meal came out to be a pleasant one. I was so thankful because Markus’ siblings were very accommodating. 

With just a few moments with them, I got so attached to Kathy. Among all his siblings, I find her to be the sweetest and the most entertaining. After lunch time, all we did was play and chit chat. She asked me so many questions. I didn’t know where the questions were coming from. I didn’t mind it because it kept me pre-occupied the whole time.

"Jann, can you come here for a moment? Kathy, go to your room and take a nap." says Markus' mom.

My dear heart started pounding so hard when I heard his mom. I looked around hoping to find Markus, but he was nowhere. I forced a smile to his mom and joined her.

We promptly went to their living room. She gestured to me to sit on the couch, and she sat too on the opposite side. My hands started to sweat as my heart still raced. I could feel she was looking at me, but I did everything to avoid her gaze. I felt like I wanted to faint. Where the hell is Markus anyway?

"Look, Jann. I only wish good things for my dear children. I am sure you will comprehend what I am saying soon if you will have your own family." she wisely started saying.

For some reason, I smiled secretly when she mentioned "a family." I would love to have a family with Markus. Ah, what a pleasant event.

"I sincerely apologize if I was rude a while back. I wasn't really expecting you. Markus mentioned about you but I didn't expect that he would introduce you so soon. I was not prepared. Then I learned that you are a Catholic. I know, you know very well the issue between our religions." she lengthily continued.

Poof! Gone was my fantasy of having a family with Markus. Just when you thought that you finally found someone, stuff came up to ruin it.

"I know that you are aware of what I am talking about. Both Markus and you are so young to understand it, but I am hoping that you will try. I was young like you, and falling in love with Rey was the most wonderful feeling I had. I was just like you." she stated.

I looked at her, and I could see that there was a small smile on her face as she recalls her childhood. It made me smile.

"I had to make big adjustments when we started dating. That includes, converting to his religion. Times were tougher back then. It was harder." she paused and looked at me.

"Do you love my son?" she asked with so much concern in her eyes.

"I do. Like you said, we may be young, but I know that I never felt this way before to any other guy." I answered bravely to her. She smiled and took a deep breath before speaking again.

"Very well. I wish both of you happiness. Be strong for each other. Not everyday is heaven." she said and walked towards the kitchen.

I was left there staring wonderingly in her direction. I had mixed emotions, and thoughts were running all over my head. I didn't know which one I should focus on. It was actually starting to give me a headache. Just like a proper cue, Markus walked in with a bright smile.

"There you are. I was looking for you." he declared as he walked and sat beside me. He placed his arms around me and landed a kiss on my cheeks. I smiled with his passionate gesture.

"Is everything okay? You look pale." he said.

"I'm just tired." I answered and held his face.

Such a lovely face. I know I will never get tired of looking at that face.The face that I wanted to see before I sleep and after I wake up. My gaze landed on his lips as my thumb brushed it carefully. He smiled as he moved closer to kiss me. It was a very gentle kiss as he kisses every corner of my lips. His kiss grew deeper as he pulled me closer to him. My hands curled behind his neck as his hands coiled on my hips. The sweet taste of his lips was making me intoxicated, but I didn't want it to stop. I just wanted to kiss him forever.

Our kiss was interrupted by a knock on their door. We parted and giggled after seeing each other's reaction. We were both flushed, and I could see he didn't like the interruption. Nevertheless, he stood up and gently opened the door.

A guy in his 30's came in and greeted Markus. I bet he was known to the family by the way he addresses Markus.

"Wow, Markus, look at you. You've grown a lot since the last time I was here." he said as he inspects Markus' appearance.

"Silly, we were just together last Thursday." Markus answered and they both laughed. They walked towards me as Markus smiled and took my hand.

"Edward, meet my girlfriend, Jann. Hon, he is Edward, one of our church members. He's here for my sisters' prayer meeting." Markus said.

I extended my hand, and Edward took and gently shook it.

"Wow, really? Lucky guy." he said and all of us laughed. He seems to be a nice guy.

"You can join us if you want. It won't take long. Before you know it, it is over, and you can go back to Markus." he said and winked at me.

I smiled and looked at Markus. He smiled back. What could go wrong in a prayer meeting?