A Lie that Bounds Us

Episode 2: The Imperfect Daughter

“Babe are you sure this is a good idea?” Micheal asked for the tenth time as we checked into our hotel room. I know it will seem odd to my sister that I brought my boyfriend to the wedding without telling her. I'm sure she will understand.

“Yes baby. It's best we stay here.” I answered his question and gave him a quick kiss as he stood confused.

“How much does your parents hate you that they are not willing to welcome their long lost daughter?” He said behind my back.

“I told Marina not to tell them that I'm coming home.” I placed out our toiletries in the toilet cabinet

“So, it's like a surprise? Not a bad idea.”

I looked at him briefly and shook my head.

“I'm sure they'll be very surprised to see this evening for dinner.”

“Very much sugar. Now stop asking talking and help me unpack the bags.” I said.

I didn't want him pressing the topic more. We needed to prepare and go over to the house. First I'll be seeing my parents for a long time and I'm nervous about the outcome.

****

I stare at my reflection on the mirror again for the second time. What would be my reaction to my parents when I see them.

Do I hate them? I don't think so.

Am I excited to see them? A little perhaps.

Maybe they are too. Their little baby coming home after three years. I'm sure my mom would be so excited to see how much I have grown.

“If you keep staring at that mirror, you won't feel any more confident rather less because you're overthinking right now.” Micheal's whispered as he stood behind my back placing small dog kisses on my shoulder.

I sighed heavily. “I'm nervous babe. My parents are not really that predictable as you think every other common parents will react to their lost daughter.”

“Shhh.. he turned me around to make me face him, caressing my cheeks, he kissed me slowly and softly.

“I'm sure they are very eager to meet you my love.”

I smiled at his kind words. Although Michael has no deep knowledge how bad my parents are but for the little he knows, he doesn't judge them for it. He always tell me that one day I will realize that my parents really do miss me but are too ashamed to say it.

Funny and crazy but I believe it. I smiled.

“Thanks Baby. You're always the best” I gave him a tight hug.

“Let me order an Uber while you call your sister and tell her we're ready.” He said.

I dialed my sister's number on my phone. She picked up at the second ring.

“Hey Alyssa. Sup?”

“Just giving you the heads up that we're ready to leave now.” I said with a playful voice.

“Alyssa…something happened?” She said with hesitation.

I frowned. “What? They got into an accident?” I didn't know when I blurted out.

“Jesus Alyssa! Why would you think such?”

“I dunno. You tell me what happened?”

I saw Michael giving me a raised eyebrow. I shook my head in response.

“Mom and dad found out you're in town. They asked me and I confirmed it . You know I can't lie.”

“Yeah.” I rolled my eyes. The perfect daughter syndrome. “So what exactly is the problem now?”

“They said they don't want to have dinner with you.” She said it slowly.

“Oh..” I said as the words slowly processed in my head.

“I tried convincing them. But you know how they're. I'm sorry Ally. How about just dinner with me and you?”

I smiled at the nickname my sister just called me. It's been awhile I heard. Normally it was my dad who used to call me that.

“I don't think I'm in the mood for dinner again Marina. I should probably stay and rest. After all it has been a long flight. We're a little bit jetlagged.”

“We?” I heard the underlay curiosity tone.

I forgot I didn't tell my sister about inviting Michael to the wedding.

“Yeah. My boyfriend Michael and I.”

“Oh you didn't tell me you have a boyfriend Alyssa. Can I say hi to him?”

I passed the phone to Michael while gesturing the phone to him. He got the message and took it.

While they two talked, I couldn't help but wonder why my parents still hate me that much to cancel our family dinner because I would be present after a good three years.

Do they hate me that much. I felt a deep pang in my heart.

I didn't know when Michael hugged me.

“I'm sorry Alyssa. I really thought they would be like every normal common parents.”

I sniffed. “ It's alright. We're Still going to meet at the wedding surely.”

“Yeah.” if I could go back that easily I would leave immediately she hangs up but I can't.

“And I think it might not go too well there” I said with an eery feeling.

“How bad will it be?”

“On a scale of one to 10, “ I paused. “I think it will be an eleven.”

“Jesus. If your parents are that bad. I don't think I should follow you that wedding and make it worse with my presence.”

I smiled at his worried face and shook my head.

“Don't worry baby. I don't think I want to meet them anymore. We're going to avoid them by sitting at the back seats away from familiar eyes.”

“Oh wow…I wasn't expecting that though.” He gave me a raised eyebrow.

“We can probably make jokes to keep ourselves entertained during the wedding mass. You know the game of guess someone's life by looking at their outfits.” I said with all excitement.

I could read concern from his look but I just wanted to ignore the fact that I'm gradu

allyno longer my parent's child.

“If that would keep you positive..sure baby, anything to make you feel better.”