The Guy I met on Omegle

Chapter 2: Status check

"CONGRATULATIONS, JOAN! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!" they shouted, surprising and delighting me at the same time. The ones shouting were my relatives. They didn't even inform me that there's a surprise happening here in Green Mustard. But it wouldn't be a surprise anymore if I knew, right? (Asking her self)

Suddenly, someone held my waist. "Surprise!" Mom exclaimed.

I couldn't help but feel thrilled. I gasped uncontrollably. I was overwhelmed with tears, unable to contain the craziness of my family. (Deep inside, extremely touched)

"Thank you" came from the depths of my heart as an expression of gratitude to her. I never expected my family to surprise me. It's not that I underestimate their creativity and ability to keep secrets from me, even though I almost caught them earlier. But you know, it truly warms my heart, and I can't help but say "aww" at the simple yet meaningful and genuine surprise they prepared.

"Congratulations, my grandchild," my Grandma greeted me and kissed my cheek. I smiled back. "Thank you, Grandma. I never thought that at your age, you would agree to surprise me," I joked.

Well, what can I say? I was born with a habit of teasing everyone around me. I guess it's in my blood. (chuckles)

She looked at me as if she couldn't explain whether she was annoyed, amused, or just turning my words into a joke. "Before you tease me..." she reached something behind her.

She took out a bag that has a small box inside. "Is that for me?" I asked, even though it was obvious that it was indeed for me.

She nodded. "Yes, that's for you. I even used my pension just to buy that gift." I was surprised by what she said.

She did just what?! I didn't know if I should be happy because she used her pension just to buy me a gift. On one hand, it feels like I'm so loved by my Lola. But on the other hand, if you really think about what she said, it feels like there's a different meaning behind it, like she's trying to make me feel guilty. It's as if it's my fault that she spent her pension just to buy me a gift. Impressive.

"LUH!"

"Just kidding, I really saved up for that gift for you. The truth is, I've wanted to buy that for a long time, but I wanted to give it to you on this special day," she explained with a smile.

If earlier I was delighted to tease her, now I was annoyed because I wanted to burst into tears of gratitude tonight. So many blessings I've received.

"Lola, really..." I grumbled and approached her, hugging her.

In my embrace, I felt her gentle stroking on my back, a sign of her comforting me. "Ssshhh, it's your special day today. Don't cry," she reminded me.

How can I not cry when earlier at the hall, I was already crying so much because of my parents' cringe-worthy moments. And now my Lola is acting like Elon Musk with her gift. I looked at it closely. After observing it for a few seconds, I covered my mouth in astonishment.

"Are you serious? 50 carats of gold?" I exclaimed, utterly surprised. She just... my grandma gave me a 50-carat gold necklace. I can't imagine how expensive it is. It is even my first time to have that kind of carat. (Bursting into tears)

Lola nodded, which I couldn't believe.

"You seem really surprised by Lola's gift, even though you know how she is with giving gifts," Joshua, my cousin from my mother's side, said with a laugh.

I furrowed my brow at what he said. "You... you're ruining my moment," I retorted.

I know that Lola Ising is known for being extravagant with her gifts, but this was just too much to be considered as a gift. It's fine with me if it's just a simple congratulations, but carats, that's a whole different story for me, honestly. I will wear it every single day, definitely will. (Excited)

Joshua and I locked eyes, and in those few seconds of staring at each other, it felt like there was an electric current between us. "Hold on, that's enough. Let's go to the table and start," our older cousin Kuya Eugene intervened.

"Right," Joshua replied and walked towards the table.

When we're complete, Tita Jenang held the microphone and talk. "Of course, before we eat, I want to acknowledge the presence of the Lord so that we can express our gratitude, right?" and we all bowed our heads to pray.

Yeah, in every celebration or any gatherings in our family, we use to acknowledge the presence of almighty God before eating. Sign of respect, and being grateful for everything.

"We thank you, Lord, for the beautiful life you have loaned us. For the things you have bestowed upon us, and for r the blessings we are experiencing. Lord, we are grateful for everything, and may in our small calling of your name, we glorify you. In the name of your son, Jesus, we are yours... Amen."

And we landed eyes on Joshua in response to his enthusiastic applause. "Let's eat!" he exclaimed.

We all looked at him. "What's the problem with what I said?" he asked, confused.

"Oh... Joshua, just a moment, we have a simple program or activity before we eat. But if everyone is hungry, is it okay if..."

Tita Jenang pointed at me and said, "We'll invite Joan first to give a message." She's my aunt on my mother's side, but I prefer to call her Tita. Actually, her name is Genalyn, but we call her Jenang.

I was surprised by what she said, but I felt obligated to give a message because of the wonderful surprise they had prepared for me. I walked towards the front where everyone was. Tita Jenang handed me the microphone and whispered, "By the way, congratulations," before going back to her seat.

"Thank you," I replied, but with no sound. I held the microphone and said, "Hello, hello" as a test. It's difficult, I might keep talking in front, and then it turns out the microphone isn't working, so it would be a waste, right? I don't want to waste my saliva. It's too precious.

I looked at them. "First of all..." I smiled unexpectedly. They were all looking at me. I have no problem speaking in front of many people because I'm used to it. After all, I'm a teacher, and speaking in front of everyone is part of my job. But it's different when your family is in front of you, listening to you personally.

I let out a nervous laugh. I might make a mistake or not be able to think clearly about what I want to say. Oh, it would be embarrassing.

"T-thank you for coming tonight, even though I know it's already late for dinner," and everyone laughed because of what I said. Oh, shoot! Did I ruin the ambiance or something? Why did they laugh? (Confused)

"It's alright, dear, as long as it's for you," my Lola said, and her words touched me. So, it's not that I said something to make them laugh, it's just they know that I'm feeling nervous right now.

And Lola, (smiled) she's supportive. Whenever Lola speaks, it feels like she can do anything for me, and she would do anything for me. Lola's girl I guess.

I chuckled softly. "I didn't expect such a grand surprise from all of you. I wholeheartedly thank each and every one of you. I can't..." and at this point, I started to become emotional.

Just crap. I practice not to cry, I even let myself blink for many times just not to make my tears fall easily, but here I am, letting my tears fall in front of my family. (Emotional)

"Sorry, I just really didn't anticipate that I would be surprised with something like this after my graduation in the hall. I... you know, the word 'thank you' isn't enough to surpass this huge and beautiful set-ups, but thank you very, very much to all of you. I won't forget this day. I will cherish it as a beautiful memory we all shared. This achievement I attained is for all of us." 99 percent sniffle with 1 percent message.

Everyone applauded when I finished my simple yet heartfelt message.

"Here it is, Joan, thank you also for your beautiful message to us. But, you don't have to feel pressured to say something to us in return. You deserve all of this, Joan. And we know that. Okay? So just smile. Now that we're done praying and hearing Joan's message..." Tita Jenang looked at us with joy.

"What are we all waiting for... let's eat," and everyone started eating while I struggled to hold back my tears.

"Go ahead and eat," Mama handed me a plate with food and rice.

It turns out she had already prepared it for me earlier. She's always ready at any time, any occasion, or anywhere, to serve me as if I were a child. "Thank you," I said with a slight tremor in my voice.

It's just difficult to fight back the emotions, especially after this evening. I will be leaving them for a few weeks or maybe more than a month if luck isn't on my side.I don't want to leave them, I want to be with them, specially with my Mom. But, sad thing is... I have to.

After a couple of minutes, we started eating while others begins to drink alcohols. Every time I looked around, I could see the joy and happiness in the faces of the people I love the most. They were all enjoying their meal. Meanwhile, the other men in our family were at another table, drinking like there's no tomorrow. You know, for them, alcohol is life. They go all out when it comes to drinking. It's as if there's no tomorrow. It's like Saragoza thing that every man in our family holds.

"Joan, can I ask you something?" Lola Bing sat beside me. She is Lola Ising's sister. I adjusted my seat to have a proper conversation. "What is it?" I replied and took a bite of my food.

"Oh, that's just life, you need to be multitasking. 'How old are you again? Just curious,' she said to me.

Hmm, her question to me was so random, but I asked, "I'm twenty-three. Why do you ask?"

As we were talking, Grandma Ising, Tita Jenang, and Grandma Sibya suddenly approached us. "What are you talking about?" they asked, sitting down on the chairs while enjoying their ice cream as dessert.

Look at these three, they're like the Powerpuff Girls popping up. "Nothing, I was just asking how old Joan is," she said, looking at each other and laughing.

What's going on? I'm the only one who didn't laugh because of what happened. Is there some gossip that I'm not updated on? "What's going on? Why are you all laughing?" I asked awkwardly.

They stopped laughing and face me. "Well, Joan, here's the thing. You said earlier that you're twenty-three, and we were just curious," she explained softly.

"Curious about what?"

"Of course, now that you've finished your studies. You have a job, and not just any job, and I'm sure you've saved enough, so..."

What is she trying to say? Is she going to ask some money, ask for my birthday foods or errands, or what? I don't have any idea. I'm definitely confused right now.

"So?"

"Do you have a boyfriend, dear?" Grandma Sibya suddenly asked me, and I choked on my drink. I coughed excessively, feeling like all the blood rushed to my head from the shock.

"What happened?" Mama exclaimed, quickly handing me a glass of water. I took it and drank. "Take it easy when drinking," she said, gently patting my back.

Due to my excessive panic, Mama even gave me air to breathe. She fanned me intensely to provide enough air for me to breathe properly. I looked at her and I saw how panic drains her.

Because of what happened, it immediately caught everyone's attention, so my family members gathered around us, including our drinking relatives, who had stopped their merry singing.

"Did she eat too much?"

"What if you give her mouth-to-mouth?"

"Let's turn up the air conditioning to give her more air."

Those were just a few of the things my relatives were saying. Some were genuinely concerned about me, while others were just being silly. You probably already know who that is, right? None other than Joshua. Even in a serious situation, he never be, never would be.

I took a deep breath to calm myself and those around me. But honestly, I didn't expect that question. I wasn't prepared for it because, if you think about it, they had no reason to ask me so abruptly. That was just too random to ask, especially in this kind of occasion. And, I'm just 23, why would I have boyfriend, right?

"Are you okay now?" Mama asked with concern. I nodded in response.

Then, Mom gave an angry look to the three of them because of what happened. "What happened? Why did she suddenly choke like that?"

And as expected, the three elderly ladies didn't say a word. Aunt Jenang, on the other hand, spoke up. "Lola Sibya asked if Joan already has a boyfriend, and because of the shock, she choked," she explained while looking directly at Mama.

The three elders stood up for theirselves. "Julie, we didn't know that Joan would choke. We were just asking, that's all," Lola Ising tried to reason with Mama.

Well, even though Mama is Lola Ising's daughter, she was still upset because of what happened to me. But they're not at fault. I just overreacted to the question, that's all.

Mom is going to say something again. Maybe words that could hurt Lola but I stopped her. "It's alright, Mama. I'm okay. Let's all eat again." I reassured everyone. "But did she swallow properly? Can you breathe comfortably now?" Papa double-checked on my condition.

You might be wondering why my parents are so overprotective of me. I'll tell you, it's because I'm their only child. I'm their precious daughter, and they treat me like a treasure they never want to lose. That's how all parents are with their children, but my parents take it to the extreme, like 99 percent extreme.

"It's okay, Dad. Calm down and go back to your table. Your friends are already waiting for you," I said. "Are you serious? Just tell me if there's a problem, if you can't breathe or..."

I stood up from my seat and faced him. I held both his shoulders and said, "Dad, I'm okay. I'm breathing fine, so go back there. Please." it irritates me how they are overprotective on me. I'm 23, yet they still treat me like their baby. I'm not a baby anymore. I'm an adult.

Sometimes I get annoyed by their protectiveness, but I can't blame them. Since I haven't experienced being a parent yet, maybe I'm exaggerating their actions, but I think I'll become the same kind of parent when I have children because I don't want them to get hurt or feel anything unpleasant in the future like how parenting works on my parents situation.

When everything calmed down, I sat back in my chair and faced my nosy, I mean, my relatives. I took a deep breath before answering the question that almost gave me a heart attack earlier. It would be a great conversation if they'll know the answer that clears their minds. I just hope after answering this question, it will be the last. No more question about it. I'm traumatized.

I inhaled, exhaled. "In response to your question earlier, Grandma Sibya, my answer is... none."

"None? Are you serious, dear? None at all?" she couldn't believe my response.

I nodded to confirm what I said. "I don't have a boyfriend, a partner, a lover, or anyone who could be considered my companion in life."

I almost forgot that she's an elder. I need to show some respect but one more deary question, I don't think I can handle my self anymore.

"If you don't have a boyfriend, maybe someone is just courting you." They exchanged glances. "Yes, maybe someone is just courting you. He probably hasn't been answered yet. That's right, dear. Observe him carefully before giving an answer," they agreed with Grandma Bing's statement.

I massaged my temples because of what my grandmothers were saying to me. I told them everything already. I even clarified, but different ideas still entered their minds.

How do I tell them that there's no one, that I really don't have a suitor, and most importantly, I don't have a boyfriend? (I'm in trouble)

"Grandma, no. You're mistaken. You misunderstood. I don't have a suitor, and most importantly, I don't have a boyfriend. I haven't been thinking about what you're suggesting," I said, disappointed with my remarks.

"Child, is it really true?" Mama asked me with a sad tone. I slowly nodded and looked down. I didn't want to see their disappointed faces because I know what they're getting at. They want me to have a husband and my own family.

Even though Mama didn't say it to me, I know she also wants to have grandchildren from me. She's getting older too, so while it's still early, she wants to have a grandchild to take care of, just like how she takes care of me. But how will that happen if I really don't have a boyfriend.

"It's fine. Besides, you're too young for that. Just focus first on what you want and all the dreams that you'd love to achieve." she said with an endearing tone.

I looked at her and sighed. What on earth I did to have a Mom like her.