Chocolates and Beer

XIII

Bro, wake up.' I felt a weight on my bed and a pair of hands pushing me to wake up.

'Hmmm? Jin, when did you come back?'

'An hour ago. Ah, it’s so messy here. It’s a turn-off to Jean.'

'As if! She loves me so much.' And I love her so much too. 'Wait, Jin?' what did he say? Messy?

'Yes?' I raised my hand. Pointed from left to right and Jin followed. 'How many?'

'Four.'

'This?' closing my fist.

'A rock? Or a zero. I Dunno.'

'Jin?'

'What?'

'Can you really see me?'

'Yes, surprise!'

'Oh, God. Thank you. I’m so happy, Jin. I love you, okay? You know that, right?'

'Of course. I love you, too.' I am so happy. I'm always hopeful that he will see you again, but this is a huge surprise. A blessing.

'I want to go outside,' he said after we broke the hug.

'Not yet, Jin.' My mother said. I didn't even realize she was standing at my bedroom door.

'But Mom.' Jin protested.

'It’s dangerous outside,' Mom said. Her words are firm and with authority. I honestly understand. We almost lost him once. Although he lost his sight, it's better than losing his life.

'But Mom. My life has been school and home only. I want to look around. I’m 18.' Jin is being persistent. I feel for him but I'm also worried. And who would dare bend the words of the queen? Definitely not me.

'When I say no, it means no.' Mom is not shaking even with these puppy eyes.

'Bro?' Jin turned to me for support. But I can't. Sorry brother.

'If Mom says no, then no. I’m also worried.'

'Not you too,' he said in defeat. 'I want to go to Jean.' Oh no, bro. Don’t mention her in front of Mom.

'Who’s this Jean?' Mom inquired. It would be trouble if she became more curious.

'Jacob’s girlfriend.' Ah, Jin really can't shut his mouth.

'You have a girlfriend? And you did not bring her here?' Well, I can't, Mom. I don't know how. What if you remember her?

'Well, we’ve just started dating.'

'They’ve been dating for quite a while now.' Jin, you need to shut up for real.

'Jin, quiet.'

'Bring her here. Or are you not serious about her? Just like all the girls you’ve dated before?'

'Of course not, I’ll marry her.' Of course, I want to marry her, but I should not have said that. Jin and mom were both shocked as this was the first time I had ever said things like this. 'But not too soon. We’ve just started. She might reject me if I proposed now,' I continued. Still trying to feed more information to Mom's curiosity.

'Oh my God, this is the very first time I’ve heard you say this. And with that serious tone and face. I really have to meet her. I’ll train her in how to be a proper wife.' Oh no, mission failed.

'Mom, you’re overreacting. You’ll scare her.'

'I agree.' Jin supported me on this one.

'Whatever, just bring her here.' This mom of mine is really stubborn sometimes. Jin might've got it from her.

'Mom, not now. Okay? She's busy. Don't disturb her.'

'Jin, do you know where she lives?'

'I do,' Jin cheerfully said.

'Mom. Jin.' I feel helpless. I really can't win this combo.

'Then bring her here. Or I’ll go there. You choose.'

'Fine.' I surrendered. There's no point in arguing with mom. At the end, she'll do anything to get what she wants.

I sent a message immediately to Jean after they left my room. Fortunately, she doesn't mind. But what am I going to do? I hope nothing bad happens. I went out to pick Jean up from her house to have dinner at home. I tried to focus on driving and just prayed to God that everything would go out well at this dinner. I got to her house at 4 pm, and she's already done. I don't know if I should be jealous or what. She surely makes herself pretty today. I've always admired her beauty and my eyes only saw her, but this is the first time that I saw her in a dress. Good thing it's for dinner with Mom. If it's for a different reason, I might go crazy. She was standing in front of the door waring that pink dress. A hue that's closer to the color of a rose and gold, mixed together. She looks classy and cute at the same time. Of course, I would never miss the chance to compliment her and make her beautiful appearance known. I snatched a kiss and whispered in her ears.

'You look beautiful in that dress, but for some reason, I want to take it off you and see what's behind.' Her cheeks blushed and gently tapped my cheeks. A few more kisses before we go out. I'm close to losing my sanity. I really can't resist her.

'Jean.' Jin came running to Jean even before we managed to come inside the house.

'Jin, careful.' She said worriedly. I smiled at their interaction. It feels nice that the two people closest to my heart get along.

'You’re pretty. But pink doesn’t suit you.' This boy. What a tease!

'Jin?' Jean asked. Confused.

'Yes?' Jean raised her hand, pointing from left to right. Deja vu.

'How many is this?' she asked.

'Four,' Jin answered.

'And this?' She raised her fist.

'Aah, Jacob asked the same thing. I Dunno. A rock or a zero?'

'It's because we're the same brother. Jean and I are one.' Jacob teased.

'Jin! Can you really see me?'

'Yes.'

'Oh God, thank you.'

'Finally, I can see you.' Jin eyes got teary and she hugged Jean.' I can't be jealous of my own brother, right?

'I hope you’re not disappointed,' Jean said.

'Why would I? You’re pretty.' Yes, she's pretty. The prettiest.

'There’s really nothing wrong with your eyes?' Jin just laughed at his future sister-in-law and hugged her again.

'Jean.' Mom called from the kitchen and quickly went to Jean. 'Hi, Jean. Nice to meet you.'

'Hi, nice to meet you too, ma’am.'

'Nah, call me Mom or Mama or Mommy. Whichever you prefer.'

'Huh?'

'You look familiar. Have we met before?' The words my mom uttered put my heart on a roller coaster.

'I don’t think we did.'

'No, I saw you. In my dreams, you are the mother of my grandkids.' Whoa! What a relief. I thought she would say something that could ruin my life. I'm glad she hasn't noticed yet. Or had Mom forgotten already?

'Haha. So, Jacob got that from you.'

'Does he use cheesy lines for you, too?'

'Yes.'

'But you really look familiar.' She looked at Jean some more and that gave me the signal to separate them. I can't let her remember.

'Mom, stop now. It's 6 already. Jean needs to eat.'

'I'm not hungry yet,' Jean said.

'No, you've been busy in the shop. I doubt you ate your lunch.' Her silence made me sure that I was right.

'Alright, alright. Let’s go Jean. 'I’ve cooked delicious food for you,' Mom finally said.

'Oh, thank you, ma'am.'

'Mom, okay? Call me Mom.'

'Hmmm, okay. Mom.'