"Where have you been Rexana? You have never come home this late before," her father spouted the moment she entered the door.
"I-I" Rexana stopped and got a bit hesitant. She didn't want to lie to her parents but it seemed that something inside her mind was saying that it might not be right to tell them the truth. "Sorry I got late talking with Daerin."
"Rexana! Did you just walk home from the resort this late? It's already so dark. It's not safe for you," her mother asked full of worries.
"No, mother, actually Daerin walked me here. But we split the bayside. It's not that far from our house so I'm safe."
Her parents looked at each other. They surely noticed something in her changed. She used to be playful and vibrant with the way she talked. However, at that moment she seemed too calm which was never natural for her, and that fact scared them.
"Are you okay child? You seemed not feeling well," her mother asked as what she observed.
"I am fine, in fact, I am very happy." Rexana smiled but her smile changed, it looked more reserved and secretive.
Nevertheless, her answer is enough to tell her parents that she didn't want further conversation.
"Maybe she is just tired. Let her eat and rest." Her father Andre patted Rita.
"I'll prepare your food," Rita abruptly stood up to prepare Rexana's dinner.
"Don't bother mom, I'm not hungry. I just want to rest." Rexona walk to her bed as soon as she said.
Nonetheless, her parents got more worried about what they saw.
"Oh my god, Rexana. You got blood stains behind you." Her mother covered her mouth and got more worried about what she saw.
Rexana widened her eyes, she never expected to bleed herself. They could feel the pain between her legs but she never thought that it was bleeding. But, still, she knew she should not tell her parents whatever kind of experience she had that night.
"Mom, you know I could bleed every month. You are even the one who told me that it is normal and it is called… mens-menstruation?" She said, thinking it could be a great alibi.
"But, I knew you just got your menstruation last week. It's supposed to be just once a month," Rita explained.
"Mom, maybe it could come back in some cases, maybe it came back because I'm tired." Rexana started to feel nervous, she wasn't used to lying to her parents and with that she suddenly felt like what she did was wrong.
Andre and Rita looked at each other, communicating silently with full of anxiousness with both their eyes. That look from his wife served as a go sign for Andre to speak.
"Rexana, can you please tell us more about that boy Daerin? How close are you and who is he in your life."
Rexana halted and it seemed like the world around her halted too. She could hear her heartbeat pumping hard under her ribcage. She had never felt so nervous with her known father's question.
But, no, she knew she couldn't go on lying anymore. Her parents seemed to be too wise and intuitive that they already knew what was going on with her, just before she could even tell them.
"Father, Daerin and I…" Rexana wanted to say that they love each other and Daerin showed her that he loved her too and that he did something special to let her know that.
However, some part of her was hesitant to believe that.
Daerin probably made her feel she was loved when he did that but with his last, but with his last words, she suddenly wondered if what she believed was true. Because he also told her that it was just a play.
That word gave Rexana a sudden pang in her chest but she had to disregard that thought, she chose to be happy so she choose to believe what she wanted to believe. Nonetheless, she also knew that she could speak for someone's feelings unless they were the ones who spoke it out themselves.
"What Rexana?" Andre couldn't wait to hear what Rexana was about to say.
"Uhm, nothing father but… but… I'm in love with him. I want him to be my husband."
Andre shook his head while Rita started to turn her back around them. She had anticipated the worst future for Rexana and she couldn't bare to see it. However, she knew that they had no power to stop it.
"Rexana, did you just hear what you are saying? Did you know the guy you said you are in love too? Hadn't we told you before that you are no match for each other? He is too high, too big that he can easily stump you with their feet. We are scared for you Rexana." Andre helplessly explained to her. At the same time, he too knew that to a person in love, whatever kind of warning they may tell her, could still be no use to the person who got a lot of emotions.
Rexana stayed quiet. The truth was she too was scared. Nevertheless, she was still hopeful. She didn't want to overthink it. As long as she knew that whatever happened between her and Daerin that night was something special. She knew it was something she could never forget and she believed that even Daerin would never forget that too.
There was that moment of silence between them that explained to Andre so much about what might have happened. He was anxious for his child but everything seemed to be out of their hand already and he didn't want to put more worries on Rexana anymore.
So, instead of saying more he approached her with a hug and give her daughter a comforting pat.
"Whatever, you decided and will happen. Just always know that your mom and I are here. We love you and will never leave you."
Rexana smiled, it actually calmed her overthinking down and made her feel relaxed. Maybe it was what she just need. Her family to support her.