It's been three and a half years since Ya Nuo and Huan Hei announced their engagement. After their official engagement ceremony was done, their parents met up multiple times to discuss their 'present' for the couple. Finally, this gift was completed, and today, they were ready to show the couple what they prepared for them. As their parents, they naturally worry for their children's future. After seeing how steady their relationship has been over the past years, they knew that it's time to let them go.
"Okay...Just endure a little more. There's a step ahead of you. And...Okay! You can open your eyes now," said Mother Yang and Mother Xu with excitement echoing in the couple's ears.
Ya Nuo and Huan Hei opened their eyes and saw a big, warm autumn colored house. The house was simple, yet home welcoming. The colors used weren't dull when placed adjacently to each other and the first thing that comes up to the couple's minds was 'family.' It felt as if they could already see their own family with their kids running and laughing in front of the house.
"What are you two waiting for? Come on in!" Both mothers hopped like adventurous children who were about to go on a road trip. The vibrant sun that reflected in their eyes made them look extra pleased to see the couple's sweet silence. Each dragged their own child to the house quicker as they acted as a tour guide, or even better, a real estate. Their husbands remained silent with a huge smile across their faces when they imagined how perfect their future in laws would be. They could already see the joyful days and how loving their kids would act with each other.
When they stepped into the house, they saw a shoe closet. One small closet for guests and one big one for both Ya Nuo and Huan Hei. They took off their shoes and slipped their feet into fresh new comfortable slippers. Ya Nuo and Huan Hei's pair were burgundy colored, while the guest slippers were all colors of the rainbow.
Ya nuo could tell how much time their mothers had spent on this house. She noticed each detail from the soft colors of the walls to the thoughtful styles of how and where everything was placed inside the house. The first floor had a decent sized living room enough for both families to visit and gather together on occasions. The spacing was just right, not too big or fancy, making people feel welcomed and relaxed. There was more style than stuff, which made everything much simpler and less work to clean the house.
Perhaps her mother remembered her mentioning about wanting her own secret garden, there was a private garden that doesn't require a lot of work. Some plants were already healthily growing under the bright sun. There was an open kitchen with the newest equipments and utensils. The dining table was located pretty close to the kitchen counter, easier for them to place food if they decide to make meals.
Next, they explored the second floor, where there was one master bedroom, five separate rooms, and each room has their own bathroom with a few shower options. Each bathroom has a glass enclosed shower and a Jacuzzi. The bathroom had neutral ceramic tiles maintaining the airiness of the room. Daily essentials were already prepared and placed neatly in cabinets and by the sink. There were a laundry basket and shelf to place old and clean clothing.
During the tour, their mothers showed multiple grins when they specified details about the decorations of the rooms. There were five rooms excluding the master bedroom. Two of the five rooms were specially prepared for Ya Nuo and Huan Hei. Their rooms were designed by their own mothers and when they introduced these two rooms last, they exposed their intentions.
"Ya Nuo and Huan Hei. Both of you are grown up now and engaged. We want you guys to live with each other from now on before and after marriage. It is easier to be in a relationship when two people are living under separate roofs. We want the two of you to adapt to each other's pros and cons while living together and prepare for your newlywed life. Of course, whatever you two do is beyond us when you're alone." Mother Yang winked while giving them the green lights.
Mother Xu clapped her hands in excitement and continued, "Whether you want to have your own room or move straight to the master bedroom is your choice. We added these two rooms just in case of any arguments and one of you, most likely Hei, would get thrown out of the room. Don't worry, I do that a lot to your dad when we were younger." She sounded proud of her youthful fights.
"Mom..." Huan Hei wanted to hide the embarrassment that he was feeling, but was stopped by his mother's palm.
"Hei, it feels like yesterday that I was still worried and questioning your sexuality. Now, I feel like you are growing up too fast. It's like I could see my future grandchildren running around me already. Mom is very happy for you to find someone you truly love and loves you back. As parents, we won't expect our children to get married and live with us. We understand that you'll be building your own family and would not stay with us forever. So, we decided to design this house as your wedding gift." Mother Xu's eyes reddened as she mentioned them getting married.
Mother Yang added, "We didn't want you guys to think back and forth on whose house to live in after marriage, and this property is located between both of our houses. Therefore, it is more convenient for us to drop by and visit you guys. It feels like time passed by so quickly since I haven't done a mother's job for your entire childhood. This is the most I can do for you other than giving you a grand wedding and showing everyone how beautiful our little princess is. So, please accept this gift."
Ya Nuo and Huan Hei looked at each other, their fathers, and back to their teary mothers. They locked their hands and smiled gratefully, "Thank you dad and mom." They said it at the same time directing it to both pairs of parents.
Finally, after nearly three and a half years of engagement, almost reaching the fourth, they got both sides approval to live together. During these years, they were kept on a strict watch because their parents wanted to make sure that they were serious about each other. Therefore, they never had a chance to spend too much alone time together. Now.... it's like a new chapter of life, unraveling.