Our rectangular dining table is big enough to seat 14 people, even though there are only 5 of us who sit to eat daily. There are six of us on Sunday when Riel comes over for lunch, or seven if Josh is home for a visit. There is no problem adding two more today.
"Whoaaa..." I heard Riel's reaction to the feast in front of us. "I wouldn't know which to choose first." She whispered.
"Grab a little of everything." I whispered to her.
Everyone was already sitting down when Dad came in. He motioned for us to start.
"You guys must be hungry after playing ball and swimming." Dad said.
"The food looks excellent, Mrs. Gan." Lo-Ri complimented Mom.
My Mom smiled at Lo-Ri. "You are so beautiful, Lo-Ri. And Alec here is so handsome. You and Alec make a perfect couple."
Lo-Ri thanked my Mom and started scooping food onto her plate.
"Mom, don't you think my brother and Riel make a perfect couple too?" Grace saw an opening to pound her wish of me and Riel dating.
As Riel always sits beside me, I hit her leg with mine, hard enough to get her to look at me. I wanted to tell her to do something to stop Grace. Facial expression is a way for us to communicate when we are at the dining table.
As I turned my head to look at her, I was shocked to see Alec beside me, sitting in between me and Riel.
My heart is pounding again, and this time it is louder and stronger. I can swear that everyone can hear it, making me more disoriented.
Alec leaned closer to my ear and whispered. "Are you alright?"
I can hear Mom saying something, but my heart is pumping so hard that I didn't hear her well.
I nodded at Alec and grabbed my fork to get a piece of pork chop in front of me.
I barely placed the chops on my plate when Alec had the gravy bowl in front of me.
"Gravy?"
I looked at him with a confused look.
"Ah, yeah, please." I nervously answered.
I was about to take the bowl when he started pouring the gravy on top of my pork chops.
Riel touched Alec's arm
"I want some too, please." As she smiles at Alec.
I scanned the room to see if anyone was watching us, but everyone seemed to be busy eating or chatting with the person next to them.
I noticed Josh placing a spoonful of quiche on Riel's plate and then telling her she should try it. He would lean on Riel on and off to whisper, and they would both laugh after.
Every dish that's on the table is food that I normally enjoy, but somehow, my throat seems to have narrowed that swallowing became hard.
Dad noticed I was not eating as much as I normally do and asked. "Are you not feeling well, Gian? You are eating so little."
'Damn it! I need to focus and act normally. I can't be asking for attention.'
"I think I drank too much water, which made me feel full." I answered.
"Nana Ying, please save a plate of food for Gian to eat later." Mom told Nana Ying who was sitting beside her, "He will definitely get hungry later."
Nana Ying agreed. Both Mom and Nana Ying are always concerned about our food intake. We grew up being fed enough and often. I am still amazed that none of us are overweight.
I was quiet as I continued to eat my food when Alec whispered and asked again if I was alright.
I looked at him and nodded.
"Too much water filled me up."
"It doesn't seem like it is just you being full from drinking too much water. Something bothering you?"
I looked at my plate and shook my head. "I am excellent." I whispered.
Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the feast Mom and Nana Ying prepared. Mom announced that dessert would be served in the living room in half an hour to allow us to digest and make room in our stomachs.
"What's for dessert, Mom?" Josh asked.
"It is that pie that Gian made with Nana Ying yesterday. It'll be served à la mode."
"Aren't you amazing?" Alec blurted.
Riel chimed in. "He is, he just doesn't like a lot of people to know."
Josh didn't want to lose the opportunity to brag about me, so he added that I can cook too.
I don't like all this attention. I got up and, like a general, ordered everyone to grab their plates and help clear the table.
Mom was shocked and told Alec and Lo-Ri not to mind me, and she'd clear the table with Nana Ying. She ushered everyone to the living room to relax and wait for the dessert.
After I dropped my plate in the sink, I rushed to the bathroom and locked the door behind me. I closed the commode cover and sat on it.
'Get yourself together, Gian Carlo.'
I did my breathing exercises that I learned a long time ago from reading psychology books.
'Calm your mind. Inhale...1...2...3...'
*Knock*Knock*
"What is it?" I irritatingly asked.
"Neighbor, hurry up. I want to talk to you privately." Riel spoke very softly through the door.
It is probably about Alec. Riel seems to like him.
"Alright. I'll be out soon."