The Day I Met My Romeo

Aaliyah's Family

A few days had passed since the incident. It was Sunday today and I had just woken up, and I was now sprawled on my bed with my phone in my hands, talking to Myra on face-time. Myra was the only person who knew about my secret; My parents didn't know either. I trusted Myra the most and trusted that she would keep that secret to her grave. But somehow…along the way, Lily also found out. I don't even know how. I was talking to Myra about the incident and she was furious.

"Is that b***h crazy or what? I'm telling you Aaliyah, that girl is not up to anything good. How does she even know about it?" she asked me furiously. I could only shrug and shake my head because of how speechless I still was.

Another few moments passed before a knock on my bedroom door interrupted us.

"Sorry Myra, I gotta go now. I'll see you tomorrow, yeah? Love you." I hung up before she could reply.

My mom barged into my room in full glory. Sunday meant cleaning day.

"Aaliyah! Get up! So lazy, were you on your phone again? I swear, these kids are always on their phones. Phones, phones, and phones!" My mom yelled.

"Amma, I was just talking to Myra about something," I said, absolutely done with her yelling.

"Myra? What now? Or don't tell me. Start cleaning and put your laundry in the washing machine."

I groaned, slipping out of bed and doing what she asked. I grabbed a pile of my dirty clothes before putting them into the washing machine and turning it on. I went to the living room, which was quite small but decorated with plants and decor only my mom would love. My dad was reading his daily newspaper about...chicken pot pie? At this point, I stopped questioning everything and sat beside him.

"Shona, look. Apparently chicken pot pie is-" he started to say.

"Baba, please. I know what chicken pot pie is," I responded.

He looked at me, then, just like my mom, started complaining.

"Always angry with me, huh? You don't like me anymore? Kids these days are always so disrespectful, back in my days-"

"Baba."

"When we're gone, then you'll understand." Said my mom as she walked into the living room.

It was going to be a long Sunday...

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Around dinner time on the very same day, Myra had come over unannounced. Usually, my parents aren't okay with an unexpected guest, but Myra's been over more than she hasn't, so she's become an acceptance. She had eaten dinner with us and was planning to stay the night so that we could talk about 'it'. Right now, she was up in my room on a call with her own boyfriend, Mikael, who she'd been with for around three years now. Mikael had told me plans about proposing to Myra, but realized it was a bit too early for such a big event.

I was sitting at the dinner table with my parents. Watching Myra be so in love with Mikael had made me want a boyfriend, just so I could experience teen love. So I decided to subtly hint at that to my parents.

"You know, Amma and Baba... Myra has a boyfriend…" I trailed off without looking at either of them. But I could feel their gazes on me as I said that. My mom spoke first.

"Yes. So? Doesn't have to do anything with us," she said.

"I know, but I'm just saying that maybe I could also...look for a boyfriend?" It sounded childish for an 18-year-old to ask their parent's permission to get a boyfriend. But...

"No. Absolutely not. Are you crazy? Having boyfriends is not in our culture. Other families will disregard us if you get a boyfriend," my dad exclaimed vehemently. This was the problem.

"Your father's right. You will not get a boyfriend. Never. We will sort you out a husband when you're older. Much better." My mom butted in.

"But Amma, I want real love. Not some...forced one. And maybe they do workout, but I don't want to take risks. And I really want to get a boyfriend, Amma, please..."

"Aaliyah, I said no and that is your final answer. Go to your room. So disrespectful in your own house, bringing up such matters..." My parents said. I sighed. It was worth a shot, right? I got up from my seat and headed to my room. Our house was fairly small with a living room, two bedrooms and a singular bathroom next to my bedroom.

I entered my room and walked in to see Myra had finished talking with Mikael and was now sitting on my vanity and going through my makeup and jewelry, which was something we'd been doing since we were young. My room was a medium-sized room with my bed in the middle with two nightstands on both sides. My studying desk was next to my vanity, which resided on the opposite side of my bed. I sat on the edge of my bed and laid down with an audible sigh.

"You tried talking to your parents about boyfriends again?" Myra asked without looking up. She knew. Fvck it, she always knew.

"Worth a shot," I said in a resigned tone.

Myra got up and sat down next to me.

"The same old?" she asked, and I only responded with a nod.

"I just don't get it, like...I know they're stuck in their own mindset, but...nevermind"

Myra didn't say anything as we both stayed quiet for a moment before my phone buzzed. I turned to check who it was. Noah, an involuntary smile spread across my face. Myra looked over my shoulder to watch, and I didn't mind, because the three of us had gotten closer over the course of the past three days. He was asking where I was, and I replied by saying that I was at home and Myra was crashing at mine. He only replied with a thumbs up before saying he wanted to hang out tomorrow after classes ended. We agreed. At least this hangout would help take my mind off things.

"You know... I feel like Lily's going to be there with us tomorrow," Myra stated.

"Why do you say that?" I asked, though I knew there was a high possibility that what Myra said was going to be right.

"I don't know. Ever since whatever happened between you and her in the library, I feel like she's going to do a lot to keep an eye out between you and Noah," Myra said.

"Oh come on, Noah and I are just friends though. I've already told her there's nothing she needs to worry about," I responded.

"I know...but something's telling me that that isn't going to stop her."