Choices (Dear Jann Series 2)

Chapter 16: Destiny's Little Joke

I always pride myself as one of the most courageous person in our group. My friends felt like even if they placed me in an insane situation, I would constantly come up with something to make the situation a lot better. It was in fact a compliment and at the same time, it was teasing and annoying. Courageous as I could be, I don’t desire it at that very moment.

“Where are we going?” I stopped walking and turned to Markus with all my attention.

He gave me a charming smile. On any occasion, that sweet smile could have given me the butterflies in my tummy and I would be rolling in the cloud nine. But that moment, I wanted to wipe away that smile and slap him probably to wake him up. Why does it feel like this meant a lot to him and I don’t? Where did all my courage go when I needed it the most? I felt so vulnerable and feeble as I waited for his reply.

“Relax, Hon. We will go to my house and I will introduce you to my beloved family. Don’t worry, I am sure they will like you.” he said as he placed his loving arms around me as if assuring me that everything will be alright. I felt the exact opposite.

“Are you dead serious?! You should have told me about this before we left home. What am I supposed to tell them? What am I supposed to…” he carefully sealed my lips with his’ until my breathing relaxed.

His gentle kiss actually made me feel better. My breathing became relaxed as we parted lips. However, there was still a part of me that was genuinely worried. What if they don’t like me? What am I supposed to do? How would I start a lively conversation? OMG, it was driving me crazy!

“You will be fine, honey. I am sure they will like you. Don’t stress out.” he said genuinely trying to comfort me.

“But… I don’t know, Markus. Geez I never met any of my ex's parents before and I don't know what to do.” I told him, almost crying. He held me on the face and kissed me again.

“Honey, relax. I know you will be fine. I love you. Remember that.” he assured me and we started walking again.

This time, I felt like I was laboriously dragging my feet. We obviously walked slower. The journey to their house felt like forever. I was not enjoying it at all. He was telling me something, but my head was somewhere else. I didn’t understand a single thing that he said. I felt him squeeze my hand, and I looked at him.

“You’re so beautiful, hon. I can’t wait for my mom to meet you.” he said as he kissed the back of my hand.

“Does she know about me?” I asked with odd thoughts.

“Oh yes. I always tell them about you. Sometimes, I think they are pissed off because all I could talk to them about was you.” he said with soft chuckles as he fondly remembers something.

“Now you made me wonder what you have been telling them.” I said as I watched their building come into sight. We were close.

“Take it easy. Relax, everything will be fine, Jann.” he said lovingly.

“How could you be so sure?” I asked.

“I just know it. I love you.” he said with so much love in his kind eyes.

I know I should trust him but my heart was failing me. I don’t trust myself. What will I do if they don’t like me for him? What if they ask me to go away from Markus? There were so many “What if” in my head, it actually started hurting.

A few more minutes and we reached their place. My dear heart was pounding so hard inside my rib. I felt like it would break anytime. I know he noticed my hesitation in going, so he held my hand tighter to assure me that everything will be okay. I wanted to tell him I don't like the idea at all but at the same time, I was curious on how his parents looked. Mostly, I wanted to know what they think about me.

When I entered their building, I could see that there were curious people looking at our direction. Some of the kids even stopped playing and looked our way. I suddenly felt like all eyes were on me. I wasn’t new to the place because I always hung out there with Ruby and the rest of the gang. However, that very moment, I felt like everything was a new location and I was a stranger in the place.

“Why is everyone looking at me?” I asked Markus as I couldn't keep my mild curiosity.

“Maybe because it is their first time to see us together?” he answered and chuckled gleefully.

“It’s driving me crazy.” I said as I lowered my gaze to avoid all the eyes looking at me.

“Markus! Is it her?!” I heard a male voice shouting joyously.

I lifted my head and looked where the voice came from. It was coming from the other end of the building. I wasn’t sure who it was but I could see he was smiling nicely at us. I looked at Markus, and I saw him nodding in response to the other guy's question. I wanted to know who it was but didn’t bother to ask. I continued walking almost behind him.

I felt promptly relieved when we finally reached their house. He looked at me and held my hand tighter as he opened their door and guided me to their couch. I looked around unconsciously looking for some people. I could see there were floral plants in the corners. A very great sense of female touch in the house. We were seated on the couch facing their tv. At the left was the kitchen. I assume his mom was there because I could hear some movements from there. My heart started pounding again with the very thought that his mom was there. He sat beside me and kissed me on the cheeks.

“You’ll be fine, honey. I love you.” he said lovingly, it made me smile. 

I was about to reply when we both heard voices coming from their kitchen. We looked at their direction, and we saw both his parents. By the very sight of them, I felt like my tongue was cut off and a pail of ice was poured on my head. Destiny must be joking me! Joking me terribly!

“Hon, I want you to meet my parents. Mom, dad, this is Jann. My lovely girlfriend!” Markus said proudly as he smiled from ear to ear.

“Hello. Great to meet both of you.” I said and smiled nervously as I looked at both of them.

“Oh finally, we met you. Markus couldn't stop talking about you. You look so pretty, my dear.” his dad said as he smiled gently.

There was no doubt that Markus got his sweet smile from his dad. Their remarkable resemblance was obvious. I love to hear his compliment, however; my heart was pounding so hard. I couldn't believe I was standing in front of my biggest crush! Yes! He was my big crush that I never got to know his name. Who knew he was the father of my boyfriend? I didn’t know which was making my heart pound so hard. Is it being introduced to his parents or knowing that my big crush was Markus’ father? It was insane and I felt like I wanted to vanish that very moment. I wanted to meet him but not this way. It was all a big surprise!

“I think I have seen you before. I just don’t remember where.” Markus’ dad said as he was thinking where we could have met.

I am your stalker. I always stay by the waiting shed during Thursdays and Sundays just to see you pass by. I wanted so much to talk to you.

Wait! What was I thinking? Is that my brain responding to him? Damn heart and head. Damn destiny for causing this to happen. How could they be related? Butterflies started flying inside my tummy. Was it for Markus’ dad? Now I am so confused.

“I don’t really know. Probably in Nia’s debut?” I lied just to end the conversation.

“Probably. But I am sure, I have seen you before. Anyways, it is great meeting you. Markus, you better take care of her.” he said as he looked at Markus and went to sit next to the television.

Damn, why does he look so hot? Wait, what?! Are you seriously thinking that way towards your boyfriend’s dad? OMG, what is going on with me? I just couldn’t help it. Come on, my friends knew he was my big crush and I was stalking him for as long as I could remember. Then this? Who could have known they were related? Geez, too many questions and insane emotions.

“Are you okay?” I heard Markus asked. I looked at him and nodded.

“Mom.” Markus wisely said.

We both looked at her smiling. However, she just walked past us and went to sit beside his dad. I felt Markus pressed my hand, and I looked at him. I smiled at him and took a deep breath before sitting back to the couch.

“Let me be frank at this point. I don’t know how you two met and what my son saw in you. I don’t like you for him.” she said to me bluntly.

Did I hear glass broke? I didn’t know words could hurt so bad as if getting a slap on the face. She was so honest to say she doesn’t like me. I knew a lot of people didn't like me but hearing it from the mother of my boyfriend felt like daggers. I didn’t know how to react. I forced a smile as I looked at Markus.

“Mom..” Markus looked at her confused.

“I am just telling the truth, Markus. I heard she was older than you. She will be off to college and before you know it, she will have other boyfriends other than you.” she said nonstop.

Wow. I was just left speechless with what she said. How could she judge me like that, and it was only our first meeting? She hasn't even given me the chance to show the real me and what I truly felt for her son. I found it so unfair. I felt my tears starting to burn under my eyelids. Markus held my hand tighter as if trying to tell me to hold my tears in.

“Mom, please. Jann is not what you think she is.” Markus peacefully protested to her but she just gave an eye roll.

“It is better she already knows what I think about her as early as possible.” she instantly added.

“Jo, stop it. Just let the two enjoy what they have. It’s too early to place your judgments.” Markus' dad intercepted.

The tension between the three of us was fast escalating, and I was sure glad that his dad joined in the conversation to avoid any trouble. That very moment, I just wanted to run away from all of them. It hurts so bad.

“Okay. I’m sorry, Jann. This is me. You wanted to meet us, then you should deal with it.” she said and I just nodded.

Nobody spoke for the next few minutes. We just joined his dad watching, but I couldn’t understand a single thing that we were watching. All the time, Markus was just squeezing my hand. The tears under my eyes are ready to roll any moment, but I was doing all I could to stop it from flowing. No, I can’t show them how weak I am. His mom was right. I wanted Markus then I would have to deal with them however they treat me. It was all in the package.