The Big Test
817 Words
The day finally came for Tobi to meet my brothers.
I was more nervous than I had ever been in my life. I told him to come over on a Saturday afternoon when my parents would be out visiting family friends. I thought it would be easier that way fewer eyes, fewer lectures.
When Tobi arrived, I met him at the gate. He looked so handsome, but clearly scared.
"Are you ready?" I asked, trying to sound brave even though my own heart was pounding.
He swallowed hard. "Honestly… no. But let's go."
We stepped inside, and I led him to the living room where David and Daniel were waiting. They sat like two principal judges, arms folded, eyes sharp.
When they saw Tobi, they both stood up at the same time, making him jump a little.
"Good afternoon, sirs," Tobi greeted quickly, bowing slightly.
David raised an eyebrow. "Sirs? Are we your uncles? Sit down, young man."
Tobi obeyed immediately, sitting so stiffly he looked like he might c***k.
Daniel leaned forward first. "So… you’re the famous Tobi we’ve been hearing about."
Tobi nodded nervously. "Yes… sir."
David chuckled darkly. "So you finally charmed our sister, eh? You must think you're smart."
Tobi opened his mouth but no words came out.
Daniel raised a hand. "Relax, we won’t bite. But… we have some rules for you. In fact 1,001 rules."
Tobi’s eyes widened. "Ehn? 1,001?"
David started counting on his fingers dramatically. "Rule number one: No kissing. Not even peck o!"
Daniel jumped in quickly. "Rule two: No touching her in any funny way. You can hold hands if you must, but don’t overdo it."
David continued. "Rule three: No s*x. At all. We don’t even want to hear the word in this house."
"Rule four," Daniel said, looking dead serious. "If she cries because of you… forget about your life. You will disappear."
Tobi nodded rapidly, sweat gathering on his forehead. "I understand, I promise!"
David narrowed his eyes. "Rule five: Always support her dreams. She’s a writer; if she wants to write about a frog falling in love with a goat, you will read it and say 'Wow! Amazing!' You hear me?"
Tobi tried not to laugh but ended up letting out a small giggle. "Yes sir, I promise."
Daniel clapped his hands together loudly. "Good! Now… any other promises you want to make to us?"
Tobi took a deep breath and looked at both of them sincerely. "I promise to respect her, to make her laugh, to be her friend first before anything else. And… I promise not to disappoint you."
For a moment, there was complete silence. Then David and Daniel exchanged a look and burst into unexpected laughter.
"Ah! This one is sharp o!" David said, slapping Daniel on the back.
Daniel shook his head, finally smiling. "He’s scared, but he’s honest. I like him."
The tension in the room melted. I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
"Okay," David said finally, patting Tobi on the shoulder. "Welcome to the family. Just don’t mess up."
Tobi let out a huge sigh of relief. "Thank you… thank you so much!"
To lighten the mood, Daniel brought out a deck of cards and suggested we play "Whot." We all gathered around the center table, laughing and arguing about the rules.
David kept accusing Tobi of cheating anytime he won. "This boy, you’re already starting to deceive us o!"
Tobi defended himself, laughing so hard he nearly fell off his chair.
Daniel teased me constantly. "Ah ah! Look at Delight, blushing anyhow! Love is sweet o!"
I stuck out my tongue at him and threw my card triumphantly.
By the time the game ended, we had forgotten about the tension completely. We even took selfies together, with David and Daniel playfully photobombing.
At one point, I caught Tobi looking at me with so much warmth in his eyes that I felt my heart melt all over again.
Later that evening, as Tobi was about to leave, David pulled him aside and whispered something that made him laugh and nod. I never found out what exactly was said, but I knew it was their final brotherly "warning" or blessing.
As Tobi stepped out, he turned back and winked at me. "See you on Monday, Madam Bookworm."
I laughed and shook my head, my heart swelling with gratitude and excitement.
When I turned to my brothers, they were both smiling.
"Thank you," I said, running to hug them both tightly.
Daniel ruffled my hair. "We just want you happy, Dede."
David smiled and added, "Just remember we’re always watching. But… we trust you now."
For the first time in my life, I felt completely free. Free to be loved. Free to love in return.
And from that day, our relationship truly began to blossom not in the shadows, but in the light.
- Writer
