The Strangers' Matrimony

CHAPTER 4: Best friend’s Bonding Time

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" - Proverbs 18:24

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“Hahaha! You’re really funny!”

Sophia looked at the woman with a slender tanned skin body and healthy shoulder length brown-haired, her bestfriend - Tiffany, who’s now teary-eyed while laughing. “What’s funny?”, she confusedly asked while watching her walking towards the refrigerator.

“Because you’re really extraordinary!”, she remarked. “I mean why did you choose to read a book then fall asleep before your appointment. If it was me I wouldn't be able to do that while thinking and being excited of what will happen by dinner”, she added.

Sophia raised her right eyebrow. “Uhm, why do I need to feel giddy when I am just meeting Grandma?”, she confusedly asked.

“Oh! In case you forgot, you’re not just going to meet your Grandma, but also with her friends who you only met for the first time.” 

“So what? I am not there to make them be impressed with me so why bother? I’m just being me”, she stated, shrugging both of her shoulders, unaffectedly.

“But, tell the truth, I bet you still do feel nervous meeting new people. That’s how I know you, Phia”, Tiffany stated.

Sophia paused on mixing the green vegetable salad in a bowl for a moment and glanced behind her again, watching Tiffany who’s now busy rummaging inside the fridge and taking out a bottle of known-brand orange juice and five cans of beer. 

“Actually, yes. I really felt uncomfortable around them last night”, Sophia confessed, realizing her best friend has a point.

Tiffany closes the fridge and walks on the table where Sophia’s working. Carrying the drinks in both hands, she stands in front of Sophia. “Then, what happened next?”, she inquired.

Sophia continues in mixing the salad. “I ate dinner”, she replied.

“Do you guys not discussed or talked about something? Topics or whatever?”

“They talked about random stuff. It was just a catch-up meeting and most of the time they’re the ones who did the chatting. I had only listened to them and responded if needed.” 

Tiffany watched Sophia stop on mixing and grabbing the bowl. “That’s it?”, she interrogated.

Sophia started to pace out of the kitchen and walked in the direction of one glass sliding door nearby. “Yes, nothing else”, she answered as she went outside the house’s garden area. Tiffany also followed afterwards.

The scent of the burning charcoal and cooked meat greeted the two as soon as they left the kitchen. Sophia looked around the garden and saw two kids running around while playing catch with the three teacup white Pomeranian dogs who’s happily wagging their tails. She also spotted one well-built black-haired man in his 30’s who’s busy grilling in the corner. The two best friends proceeded to walk towards a small garden table and placed the bowl and drinks at top of it. 

“What! So you just ate your dinner and didn’t mingle with them! Oh! Why my dear friend, you choose to have your own world again even if there are people around?”, said Tiffany in dramatic dismay.

“I don’t even know them personally so why would I casually chat with them”, she reasoned out, taking a seat on one garden chair. “Also, if you only witnessed how my Grandma and her student keep on teasing each other you have no chance to interfere. Even his wife didn’t say that much except when she needed to remind when they're being too much”, she added. 

Tiffany examined her best friend. She’s aware how reserved Sophia is when around new people. It might be true that she found it more hard to talk with her Grandmother’s friend and his family.

Their attention was caught by the man who suddenly appeared in between them to place a plate of grilled meat, hotdogs and sausages on the table.

“Barbecue’s done. Sit down and let’s eat”, the man stoically said, before turning around and walking away. 

Tiffany observed the man enter the house and then looked at the two kids running around. “Kids, come here now and let’s eat!”, she called. “Faith, Hope and Charity, come here!”, she added, squatting as she calls the three dogs. 

Sophia watched as the kids and dogs ran to their place. The two kids take a seat beside her.

“Wow! Yummy!” the kids said in unison. 

Sophia laughed at them as she found it interesting that these two almost 4 feet in height cute little kids are actually twin boys at the age of ten years old. 

“Auntie Phia, do you like Hotdog?”, asked one of the twins, with a black bowl-cut hair and noticeable mole on his upper right cheek, whose name’s Kylie.

“No! Auntie Phia wants Sausage'', said the other twin with dark brown bowl-cut hair, Kenny.

Kylie looked at his twin brother. “No! She wants Hotdog!”

“No! She wants Sausage!”

“HOTDOG!”

“SAUSAGE!”

“HOTDOOOOG!”

“SAUSAAAAGE!”

Sophia chuckled awkwardly when the twin started talking over her choice of food. 

“NO! YOU’RE AUNTIE PHIA WANTS MEAT AND VEGETABLE SO STOP FIGHTING THERE AND EAT NOW!”, scolded Tiffany at the same time opening and pouring dog foods on one big bowl that was placed on the grassy ground.

The twin stopped bickering after hearing their Mom’s utterance. But, what made Sophia feel complicated was when both of them gazed at her with tears brimming in their eyes, pleading to select who among them is right.

Sophia smiles sweetly at the twin. “I prefer to eat Vegetables and Meat, but I also like Hotdog and Sausage, so can I have some?”, she answered. 

The twin smiles at her gleefully. “Sure!”, both of them replied, eagerly getting a few and putting them on her plate. 

“Thank you!”, said Sophia happily.

Tiffany laughed at them in amusement. Her best friend really knows how to please and manage kids’ tantrums. She also smiles contentedly as the three dogs started to dig on their food. She stood up and scanned the table. “Oh Rice! I forgot the rice!”, she exclaimed, turning around to go back inside but halted when she saw the man went out carrying a big bowl with rice.

The man stared at her. “Didn’t I tell you to sit down there now”, he said, placing the bowl in the middle of the table.

“Thank you, Daddy!”, responded Tiffany fondly to her husband.

“We forgot the rice. Thank you, Senior Kyle”, Sophia added.

“It’s okay”, he shortly replied and sat down beside Tiffany.

Actually, Sophia found her best friend’s relationship an unusual one. She remembered that the two of them met Senior Kyle Kreger as they entered college. He is known as the scariest and a man of few words who loves to exercise and jogs on the school grounds everyday. Whenever their schoolmates saw him passed by, everyone became scaredy-cat around him because of his intimidating stares and aura. Even freshmen students are afraid to approach this man as he always frowns and no one sees him smile once. Their first interaction with him was when Tiffany was having a fight with their classmate because one of the girl classmates’ boyfriend tried to court Sophia. Being a protective best friend to her, she started to defend and argue without them knowing that Senior Kyle is just sleeping near their 'battlefield'. The man got annoyed in their voice so he shouted to meddle that made everyone hushed and scared. 

But, not the loud-mouthed Tiffany as adrenaline rushed into her and didn't hesitate to talk back at him in anger.

“SHUT UP! I’M TALKING WITH THIS IDIOTS SO IT’S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!”, shouted Tiffany.

Senior Kyle was surprised at her retort but tried to control his temper. “If you argue with an i***t that only means there are two idiots!”, he stated, annoyance still evident in his expression.

After hearing that statement, Tiffany only recognized who she was shouting at and turned pale. It’s none other than their scary Senior. Sophia also recalled after that, all of them ran away from him as if it was for the sake of their lives. 

However, one month after that incident, Sophia realized that they are able to have casual talks now with their Senior every time they cross paths. Tiffany also shared information about the man to her. She found out that the Senior is six years older than them and taking his last year in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine course. The man loves animals, living an upright life and loves taking care of his health. Sophia also noticed the man and her best friend’s self-conscious interactions as they are always talking politely to each other and Tiffany is being embarrassed around him. But, the thing that shocked her the most was when one day the man approached and informed her that he already met Tiffany’s parents and asked for approval to marry her. He even asked her if she would allow him to take care and be with her best friend. At first she was perplexed and worried as she’s aware of her best friend's behavior around him, yet Tiffany assured that she would be fine and had a plan to accept the proposal. At the end, even hesitant, she agreed and guaranteed to support their relationship or whatever it is called. Good thing is the man really did his promise and took care of Tiffany very well. As Senior Kyle graduated, he already started to manage their family’s veterinary clinic. Tiffany was still a student at that time but they eventually got married, lived together, and fell in love after getting to know each other. Tiffany also shared that behind his intimidating appearance is a very kind, caring, loving and down to earth person. 

“I’m thankful that he found and chose me”, stated Tiffany while crying in happiness as she opened up to her one time. It was also the same day after finding out she was two weeks pregnant with the twin.

“What’s wrong? Why are you not eating?”, asked the man, noticing her being quiet.

Sophia snapped out of her thoughts and smiled apologetically. “Nothing. Don’t mind me”, she assured.

Tiffany stared at her and smiled. “You’re zoning out again”, she stated.

“Well, I just remember you guys back then. I’m glad both of you are still doing fine”, shared Sophia.

The couple looked at each other in astonishment. Sometimes they got caught off guard whenever Sophia unexpectedly shared her thoughts. Kyle only smiles at her and starts scooping rice for the twins.

“Don’t worry about us”, said Tiffany. “You should worry about yourself! How long are you planning to imprison yourself that much in your apartment?”, she added. 

“I’m already outside my apartment”, defended Sophia, pointing at herself with right index finger.

“Yeah! But, we still need to force you to get out. Can you at least do it on your own will.”

“Hey! Excuse me but I also get out of my apartment if I have other errands and that’s on my own so stop overreacting there, Fany.”

“Whatever, Phia! Anyway, let’s get back on our previous topic. So that’s it? You just ate dinner with those old people? Is there something else that happened"?

Sophia thinks back to what happened last night. “AH! There is! I also met their son”, she said.

“Son? Around what age?”

“I think he’s older than us.”

“Really! Then, what did you guys talk about?”, interrogated Tiffany, starting to have an interest in the topic.

“I didn’t talk to him. I just ate dinner there”, replied Sophia, puzzled after seeing the lively expression of her best friend’s face turn into frown.

“That’s it?”

“Of course, what else did you expect?”

“You didn’t even ask if he is single or not? Is he in a relationship with someone? What’s his hobbies and interests?”, continued Tiffany.

“Why would I ask those things? I’m not interested to know his personal life. That guy doesn’t like me”, confessed Sophia.

“W-what? What do you mean?”, bewildered Tiffany, eyebrows meeting in between.

“Fany, the reason why I’m uncomfortable last night was because of him. He hates me.”

The couple looked at each other feeling more confused. “Are you sure? What did you do to make him hate you?”, asked Tiffany.

“I don’t know. He just came into the restaurant looking at me disgusted. For what reason, I have no idea”, responded Sophia. “Take note, I just met him for the first time”, she added.

“Really?”, reacted Tiffany, slouching her back on the chair and crossing her arms. 

Sophia, noticing her friend turn speechless, grabs the chance to start getting her food. She was also assisted by Kyle in scooping the rice. The man looked at the twins happily munching their food. 

Kyle looked back at his wife. “Mommy, what are you thinking now?”, he asked placidly.

Sophia also watched her best friend obviously thinking of something, even her eyes roam around as if trying to figure out whatever is in her head. When their eyes met, Tiffany leaned forward while staring at her.

“Is he handsome?”, she asked suddenly.

Sophia breathed out in frustration. “So you’re just thinking if he’s handsome or not! Is that important!”, she exclaimed.

“OF COURSE! It’s really important!”, Tiffany yelled back proudly. “You see, I have this thought of why would Grandma Susan suddenly introduce you to that family?”, she added.

“Because they are her friends. I’ve told you that Grandma is more relaxed around them than the other acquaintance that she introduced to me before.”

“Yes, but if it is our usual Grandma Susan, she will just let you meet her student, not her wife or children of that person. I’ll ask you, in your past encounters with her colleagues and acquaintances, is there any chance you have met their family members?”

Sophia paused for a moment and recalled all the past meetings she had before. “No. I haven’t met any of their families.”

“Then, Grandma Susan obliged you to come to the dinner no matter what and let you meet the family of her former student. Didn’t you tell me that you asked her if you are really needed there and she answered that you must come. Why would she force you to come even though she's aware how much you hate meeting new people?” 

“Oh! You’re right!”, said Sophia touching her chin with right hand. “Grandma always asks first if I am available whenever she has a meet-up with someone. This is the first time I was force to do it”, she added.

Tiffany also touched her chin with one hand with a serious face. “I wonder what was Grandma’s purpose in that dinner meeting? Does she want you to meet her former student or someone else?”, she asked.

“So, what’s your point?”

Tiffany suddenly let go of her chin and slammed the table. “GRANDMA WANTS YOU TO MEET THE SON!”, she shouted, making everyone flinch in surprise.

Sophia, not knowing how to react, blinked her eyes in confusion. “And why would Grandma do that?”

“BECAUSE SHE WANTS YOU TO DATE THAT MAN!”

“Nonsense”, Sophia replied shortly.

Tiffany’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You called my analysis nonsense?”, she said, disappointedly. “FINE! IT’S NONSENSE FOR YOU BUT I BET THAT’S GRANDMA’S PURPOSE SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW IF HE'S HANDSOME OR NOT, LADY!”, stated she confidently pointing her right index finger at her.

“LOOKS HAVE NO VALUE IF HIS ATTITUDE SUCKS AND STOP ASSUMING!"

The two women stare intensely at each other, fighting over who is wrong and who is right.

Kyle looked at the other people at the table. The twins and the dogs stopped on eating and now staring at them worriedly. “Hey you two women! What do you think you’re doing? We’re eating dinner, remember”, he reminded.

The two stopped their little 'nonsense' fight and looked around them, finally noticing the worried expressions of the twins and dogs. 

“Oh! Sorry”, apologized Sophia, shyly.

“Don’t worry, Mommy’s not mad! You see, we’re just chatting normally”, assured Tiffany, smiling apologetically. 

The twin blinked their eyes and shrugged their shoulders. “Okay! But, don’t slam the table next time, Mommy. It’s disrespectful in the food”, said Kenny.

“Faith, Hope and Charity get scared if you do it, too”, added Kylie.

“Hehe, Sorry babies”, replied Tiffany. 

Sophia doesn’t know whether she will laugh or not after witnessing the irony of kids teaching their mom the right table manners.

“Instead of arguing there, why not ask Grandma Susan directly so you will know the reason of that meeting”, suggested Kyle. “Now, eat!”

The two women looked at the man who started eating his dinner. Sophia tried to comprehend what her best friend mentioned and realized that she also felt it really feels odd meeting that family. What Tiffany said might be possible, too. 

‘Is that the reason why he’s being hostile towards me? Then, he doesn’t need to know me if he doesn't feel it. I don’t mind either. Who cares?’, thought Sophia in disbelief. 

“But really Phia, my guts are telling me Grandma’s up to something which involves you and that man”, stated Tiffany after noticing Sophia’s expression.

Right, it is much better to ask Grandma Susan about it.

+++ To be continued +++