"Am I really okay being here, El?" Veron's voice rang gently as she asked, having been invited along as Mariely's friend.
"Of course." Her sister El replied, trying to reassure her.
"El, where is he?" Nathan asked.
They had invited Frank over to their house today so their parents could meet Mariely's boyfriend. Of course, Nadia was also there, waiting.
"Don't worry too much, hon. It's still early," Nadia said to him soothingly.
His parents had prepared a meal to share for the evening with Frank. Nathan tried to calm himself. He didn't want to start any arguments today.
Well, that depends on how that guy speaks, he told himself.
He felt a tap on his arm. Nadia's arm wrapped around his, and she gave him a warm smile.
Moments later, they heard the doorbell ring.
"I—I'll get it," Mariely said quickly and rushed off. Nathan let out a sigh.
Mariely came back inside beaming, followed by the man everyone had been expecting.
"Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend." Her cheeks flushed with color.
"Good evening," Frank greeted her parents with a smile.
He glanced at Nathan and gave him a small grin. Nathan knew he had to welcome their guest. He simply nodded.
"Glad you came to our house, Zean," Nathan said plainly.
"Well, if I was invited, why not?" Frank replied. "I actually brought some dessert for us to share."
"I'll take that," Mariely said, smiling at the man beside her.
"Sit down, son; you shouldn't have gone to the trouble," their mother said warmly.
"Take a seat," Nathan added with a faint smile.
Mariely sat between Veron and Frank. Veron was quiet and reserved in her seat.
"So, you're here too, Veron," Frank noted.
"Of course. Mariely's my friend—your girlfriend. I'm glad you came, Frank," Veron replied, and Nathan could feel the sarcasm dripping from her words.
He watched as Mariely nudged Veron and shook her head in disapproval.
"It's okay, Faith," Frank said to Nathan's sister.
Now they were all gathered at the table.
"Son, I heard you were classmates with Nadia and Nathan?" their father asked, starting a conversation.
Nathan's parents had always been warm and welcoming, especially when they had guests.
"Yes, sir. They've been my classmates since high school," Frank answered, smiling toward Nadia.
"Oh, by the way, congratulations to the two of you. I'm rooting for your married life," Frank added, looking at Nathan and Nadia.
"Yeah, thank you so much," Nathan replied.
"Hoping for an invitation." Frank winked at them teasingly. Nathan knew he had to keep smiling.
"Yeah, we'll definitely invite them to our wedding soon," Nathan replied.
"That's great!" Frank said.
They started eating while chatting away. Nathan could tell Frank and Mariely were still fresh into their relationship. Veron and Faith weren't as relaxed; they seemed nervous, maybe a little excited about what else might come up at the table.
"I hope you've introduced Mariely to your parents too," Nathan added.
"Especially as a mom, not just her co-teacher, but as your girlfriend," he pressed further.
****
Faith froze at her brother's question, shooting a look at him.
Eh? I don't think Frank is ready to introduce me to Ma'am Becca as his girlfriend, she thought nervously.
Just thinking about it made her feel shy. She chose to just eat quietly.
"Of course, I will introduce her to my mom—not as a teacher, but as my girlfriend," Frank said softly to the woman beside him.
She just stared at him, unable to respond. He looked back at her and gently smiled. She felt his hand reach out to hold hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze, as if to calm the storm of thoughts running in her mind.
"Right, Faith?" he asked.
"Huh? Y-Yes," she stammered, as if all the noise around her had faded. All she could hear was the pounding of her own heart.
"That's good to hear, Zean," Nathan said.
Veron elbowed Faith under the table. "Hey," she whispered.
Faith turned to Veron. "Veron…" She felt like she might cry from all the emotions swelling up.
"Can you calm down?" Veron whispered gently.
She wanted to throw her arms around her friend, but they were at the dinner table. She just nodded in response. She couldn't even hear what the others were talking about anymore.
"Faith, when is your board exam again?" Nadia asked.
"Uh—" Faith looked over at Veron.
"Three months from now, Ate Nadia," Veron answered for her, giving her a look.
"I see, that's coming up soon. And after Ely's teacher board exam, you two will have a few months for wedding preparations, right?" Their mother asked, clearly paying attention.
"I guess you both chose not to marry during the same month as Faith's exam to give her time to prepare, right?" Frank, who was sitting beside her, asked with a small smile.
"Yeah, to help her focus on that exam," Nathan nodded.
It was the first time she'd seen her brother this calm while talking to the guy next to her. Maybe he was really trying—for her sake.
"That's also good to hear. You're really considerate when it comes to Faith," Frank added.
"Yeah, I've always made exceptions for her," Nathan replied.
"You know, you're not making any sense. This is your house—stop acting like a fool," Veron hissed at her in a whisper.
"W-What? I can't help it. This is the first time I've brought a boyfriend home," Faith whispered back.
"You know, Frank," their mom suddenly said with a knowing smile, "this is her first time bringing a boyfriend home."
"Really?" Frank sounded genuinely surprised.
"Yep. You see, your former classmate here used to be so strict when it came to her younger sister."
Faith gave her mom a glare as she told the story. She hated hearing those things come from her mother, especially in front of him.
Her parents laughed at her reaction. Nathan just shook his head.
She looked at Veron again.
"Calm down, silly," Veron said quietly.
Once again, Frank took her hand under the table while chatting with her family. He looked at her and smiled, silently telling her not to worry.
Just like that, the chaos in her chest eased as he gently squeezed her hand. She found herself smiling secretly while everyone else chatted around her.
She quietly continued eating, listening to their lively conversation.