"Let's forget about it. It's all in the past now," she added. They were all laughing when we heard the door open. It's Dad. "It seems like I'm on time. Hello, Lawrence, and Ellen," Dad greets them. Kyle and I were blocking the doorsteps so we were the first ones he saw. He kissed my forehead and hugged me tight while he pats Kyle's shoulder.
"We are all here. Hon, why don't you wash your hands first so we can eat now?" Mom suggested. "Ok Hon, you're the boss," Dad teases her then kisses her on her forehead. The Smiths laugh at what Dad said while I get his things in his hands and rush to their room to put them there.
We all talk happily while we eat our delicious dinner which consists of pasta, garlic bread, some wine for them, and juices for me. We talk a lot, especially about Kyle and me. Mom opens up again about me having no boyfriend since birth until now that I'm turning twenty-five.
They laugh at my shy and embarrassed reaction to my Mom's words. I wish I could dig a hole where I can bury myself to hide from the humiliation I'm getting right now.
After we ate, I volunteered to do the dishes while they continued their chats in the living room. I don't want to be their topic again. I put my earphones on to entertain myself when I feel a hand on my waist.
I swung my hand which was covered in soap that made the kitchen counter and the floor wet. "Is that your reflex when someone touches you?" Kyle asked while suppressing his laughter. I growled at him before I turned my back on him to face the sink again. "I'm sorry, ok," he apologizes.
"What are you doing here? You should be with them," I asked in an irritated tone. "I feel awkward to be around them," he said while putting on an apron, "let me help you here instead," he added then put his hand on the sink too to wash the dishes.
Since he already wet his hands, I just let him do what he wants. I'll wash the plates with soap while he washes them with water and put them on the drying rack. We washed the dishes in silence until we finished them all. When we came out from the kitchen, we saw our parents happily talking to each other like in their younger days, when we were still in kindergarten.
"This is the first time I saw my parents laugh like that after so many years," he said from behind me.
"Of course, they do. Now that you're here and you're being yourself again," I smiled when I saw how happy they are now that everything's back to their places.
"Do you want to have a walk with me?" He asked tilting his head to level my height. I raise my eyebrow at him but I still agree to go out.
I didn't miss how my Mom looked at us with suspicion and excitement dancing in her eyes. I hope she doesn't convince his parents to arrange a marriage for us. We walk to our favorite spot in town. There is a big tree in the plaza. The one-fourth portion of its lower part is surrounded by a bricked wall where you can sit while watching the children play.
Since it's already late at night, no children are playing around. Just some random couples, I think.
The wind that night is so cold, indicating that there is a storm coming, I hope it won't last. "Thanks for everything, Anna," he said, staring at me with a smile on his face. "Remember what you said to me while we were on the cliff?" I stare blankly at him. It's been a long time since that cliff scene. I can't remember what I said to him.
"You told me that whatever happened in the past they are still going to accept me and love me again," he chuckles in his last sentence, "I didn't doubt any of your words back then. I believe what you said is true. They accepted me and told me that they love me. That they are so proud of me to overcome all of what happened in the past and look forward with my chin up," I smiled at his stories. It's obvious from his parent's reaction the first time they saw him.
"They love me more than before, thanks to you. Thank you for not losing hope in me even if I already lose hope that they will accept me. Thank you because you made me whole again. Thank you for standing by my side and being my couch in life. Thank you for not giving up on me even if I only bother you most of the time. And thank you for not running away after we met that day," he said in his deep and sweet voice. We stared into each other's eyes for so long. He holds my hand with both of his hands before putting it on his face.
"I don't know what I will become now if it's not because of you," his eyes are sparkling with so many emotions that are hard to see. "Thank you for being patient with me, thank you for being considerate, kind, gentle, and caring for me," his voice is low but enough for me to hear. I don't know how I should feel at a time like this. I should feel happy because he appreciated my efforts but why does it feel so heavy in my chest?
The heaviness in my chest became heavier when I heard his next words. "These are the reasons why I like you, Anna," I can't stop myself from laughing bitterly. Like me? This again? All of the unexplainable expressions on his face vanished and were replaced with confusion. "Kyle, do you randomly tell everyone that you like them?" I asked sarcastically after looking away from his gaze.