Hello, Kenzo

Unwanted Blessings

The cold wind cut through the layers of my clothing, causing a shiver to run down my spine. I pulled my blanket tighter around me, trying to prevent myself from chilling. The moment I stepped out, the wind seemed to get colder; however, my sweat would not stop trickling down my back.

"Hey, relax! I'll be with you every step of the way," Kenzo reassured me, sensing my unease. Despite his comforting words, I couldn't shake off the feeling of discomfort as the contrasting sensations of cold wind and warm sweat continued to battle within me.

"As much as I wanted to, but you know nothing about my family! Especially my mom!" I tightened my grip on Kenzo's hand, trying to find solace in his presence. The thought of facing my family's judgment and criticism made my heart race with anxiety. I knew that no matter how much Kenzo tried to support me, he couldn't fully understand the complexities of my family dynamics.

As we trudged through the concrete pavement to the empty café, my breath became shallow and rapid. I tried to steady myself, reminding myself that I had made the decision to introduce Kenzo and face whatever circumstances arose. But the fear of their disapproval and the weight of their expectations felt suffocating.

"I know it will be painful, but we have to expect that! I am not in any way appropriate for you now, but I will work on it!" Kenzo squeezed my hand reassuringly, silently acknowledging the turmoil I was going through. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the inevitable confrontation that awaited us at the cafe.

We stopped at the door, both of us feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. "Here we go!" I heaved before pushing open the door, the familiar creak echoing in my ears. As we entered the café, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned towards us. The atmosphere inside was heavy with tension, and I could feel the weight of their judgment immediately, but I knew that facing this head-on was the only way to find closure and move forward.

My heart pounded in my chest as I walked towards my family, their disapproving stares burning into me. But as I looked over at Kenzo, his unwavering support gave me the strength to face whatever came our way.

"Mom!" I called out, my voice trembling slightly. "Dad."

My other relatives stood by the kitchen counter to give us some space; their expressions were a mix of curiosity and concern. I took a deep breath, gathered my courage, and began to speak. "I know you may not understand or agree with my decision," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "But Kenzo and I have thought long and hard about this, and we believe it's the right path for us."

"Sit down first," my father calmly responded, gesturing towards the empty chairs at the dining table.

I nodded, and Kenzo pulled the chair for me. As I sat down, my mother's disappointed eyes met mine, and she rolled her eyes, trying to control her tears from falling.

"Dad, Mom, a lot has been happening and news is surfacing everywhere. I know this may not be what you expected or wanted for me, but Kenzo and I love each other. We've been through so much together, and we're ready to face anything that comes our way. I hope you can find it in your hearts to accept us." I felt Kenzo's hand tremble a bit, but I knew he was trying his best to calm down for me.

Their silence hung in the air, and for a moment, I feared the worst. My mom's stern expression turned furious, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Del Mundo." Kenzo bowed slightly, his voice steady and calm. "I understand that you may have reservations about our relationship, but I want you to know that I love your daughter with all my heart, and I will do everything in my power to make her happy. I hope that in time, you will see the strength of our bond and come to accept our love." As Kenzo finished speaking, a flicker of uncertainty passed across Dad's face.

"Reservations, you say? We don't want you for Stella!" My mom interjected, her voice filled with anger. "You're not good enough for our daughter. She deserves someone better, someone who can provide for her and give her the life she deserves." Kenzo's heart sank as he listened to her words.

"We talked about being calm! Knock it off," Dad said sternly, trying to diffuse the tension in the room. "Let's hear him out and understand his intentions before making any judgments."

Kenzo had anticipated their disapproval, but he had hoped that they would at least give him a chance. Despite the rejection, he remained determined to prove himself to my parents and show them that his love for me was genuine by kneeling down, his head humbly bowed, and expressing his sincere commitment to our relationship. The room fell silent at Kenzo's gesture. They were all shocked, as well as me.

My breath caught in a deep gasp, as I had already caught up on why Kenzo did this.

"Stella, what is this again?" Mom's tears were rolling down her cheeks as she hugged Vri.

"I'm sorry we were impulsive. I'm sorry that we hurt you, but I would like to formally let you know that I will stand by her side and be a responsible father for our future child," Kenzo said, lowering his head more in a sign of remorse. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, leaving us all speechless.

"What?" Mom's voice quivered with a mix of shock and disbelief. Her eyes widened as she struggled to comprehend the magnitude of Kenzo's confession. The room fell into a deeper, eerie silence, broken only by the sound of our collective breaths as we grappled with the unexpected turn of events. "Oh god! I can't! Stella! This can't be happening again! No!" Mom's voice trembled with anguish as she called out my name, her words laced with desperation. Tears welled up in her eyes, cascading down her cheeks as she clung to the hope that this nightmare was just a cruel illusion.

I felt my heart sink, the weight of the situation pressing down on me like a suffocating force.

"Just calm down." Father held Mom's hand while silently wiping his tears as he started crying.

Seeing my parents in such a state of emotional distress was unbearable; it was beyond devastating. I promised them that I'd never break their hearts again, but I failed.

I failed so much!

I squeezed Kenzo's hand out of fear and nervousness while crying because I didn't expect it. "Hey! Why did you say that?" I yelled at Kenzo.

"Kenzo, you're still very young." My father barely managed to speak through his tears. "Has anyone in your family know about this? Are you aware that Stella has already had a child with someone else? This is serious. Having responsibility is not something you can try and leave when you fail."

"Yes, I know, but I can't leave Stella and face this alone." Kenzo bowed even more.

"I told you this would happen! I told you! Haw, dare you do this to us? The shame of being in a relationship with a young man, let alone having a child out of wedlock, will tarnish our family's reputation once again. We have worked so hard to build a respectable name in our community." My mother's voice trembled with disappointment, anger, and despise. "You need to think about the consequences of your actions and how they will affect not only yourself but everyone around you. You haven't learned. You never learned!" Mom wailed. "Tell me, are the rumors true about aborting?"

My heart crumpled with her words. "No! But based on your voice, I don't think my reasons would matter because you already made a choice to judge me. That is painful, but I'll accept it."

"Shut up! Liar! Oh god! Your friend who was a doctor already fled the country, leaving his parents but a letter that he tried to convince you but you were desperate to eliminate the child. And now, this? Why don't you just kill it again?"

"MOM!" I cried. "That's too much!"

"Stella!" Kenzo scolded angrily. "Do not raise your voice to your mother. We deserve to be hated!"

"What the? You shut up!" I cried, throwing him a slap.

"We will not lose this child anymore. We're just having a hard time, but I won't leave Stella behind." Kenzo didn't care about my slaps and tweaks while he pleaded with my parents.

Dad stood up and helped Kenzo up from the floor. "Dad, what are you doing?" I asked, my voice filled with confusion. He looked at me with a mix of sadness and resignation in his eyes.

"Stella, your mother and I have made mistakes too; we are not perfect. We won't let history repeat itself. We will protect you and my grandchild no matter what." His voice was still muffled with his tears, but he tried his best to shake Kenzo's hand. "Take her home and let her rest. Feed her what she wants and stay by her side when she is having the worst mood swings."

"Dad," I cried out, my voice filled with gratitude and relief. "Thank you, thank you so much for understanding." Tears streamed down my face as I hugged my father tightly, feeling the weight of his love and support.

"Oh no!" Mom darted off her chair and carried Vri out of our sight.

"Thank you so much, sir!" Kenzo let out his soft sobs, as I knew he was also afraid.

"No, thank you for being brave for my daughter. So, while we were waiting, I prepared some foods she might crave," Dad said, gesturing for Kenzo to follow him.