Chapter 12: Crossing the Threshold
The drive to Nayah's parents' house felt endless. Rina kept her hands clasped tightly in her lap, staring out the window but not seeing the passing trees and streetlights. Her heart pounded in her chest. Today, they would finally introduce themselves to their parents, and the weight of that reality pressed down on her like a heavy stone.
"I… I don't know if I can do this," Rina admitted, her voice trembling.
Nayah glanced at her, squeezing her hand gently. "We have to," she said. "We can't hide anymore. I love you, and they need to know who you are."
Rina exhaled shakily, her throat tight. "What if they… hate me?"
"They won't," Nayah said, though her own voice held a slight uncertainty. "We just have to be honest."
By the time they arrived, Rina's stomach was in knots. The house loomed ahead, familiar yet intimidating. Nayah's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawson, opened the door immediately. Mrs. Lawson's expression was cool, her eyes sharp as she studied Rina from head to toe. Mr. Lawson, tall and reserved, gave only a polite nod, his arms crossed.
"Ah… Nayah," Mrs. Lawson said, her voice polite but tinged with judgment. "And you must be Rina."
"Yes, ma'am," Rina said, bowing slightly. "It's really nice to meet you."
Mrs. Lawson's eyes narrowed. "Nayah never told us… about this."
"I… I wanted to, ma'am," Rina said softly, "but I didn't want to pressure anyone. I care about Nayah, and I—"
"Care isn't enough," Mr. Lawson interjected, his tone firm. "You must understand tradition. Our family has values. Our children's futures are not something to gamble with."
Nayah took a deep breath. "We understand, sir. But we are serious. We care about each other deeply."
Mrs. Lawson's lips tightened. "Serious? Love is not the same as responsibility. What are your plans for the future? How will you support yourselves?"
Rina felt a lump form in her throat. "We… we have jobs, we're responsible, and we want to build a life together. That's why we're here today, to show you that we are committed."
There was a long silence. Then Mr. Lawson shook his head slowly. "We need time. You've come out of nowhere. We don't know if we can approve of this, Nayah. We have expectations—our daughter's life must follow a proper path."
The tension in the air was thick. Rina gripped Nayah's hand under the table, both of them silently drawing strength from each other.
Later, they drove to Rina's parents' home. Here, the tension was different but just as heavy. Her mother, Mrs. Michaelson, greeted them warmly but with an unmistakable wariness. Her father, Mr. Michaelson, stood behind her with his arms crossed, eyes piercing as if trying to see into Nayah's soul.
"Rina, you've spoken about her, yes?" Mrs. Michaelson asked, pouring tea for everyone. "And you… you really love her?"
"I do," Rina said, her voice firm but nervous. "I love Nayah and want to spend my life with her."
Her father's brows furrowed. "Love is fine, but what about the future? Can she provide for you? Can you provide for each other?"
"She can, sir," Rina said, glancing at Nayah. "And together, we can face everything."
Mrs. Michaelson shook her head. "I don't know. It's not just about money. Life is hard, and I don't want you to be hurt. Our family has expectations, and… this is very different from what we imagined for you, Rina."
"Mom, Dad," Rina said, trying to keep her voice steady, "I understand your concerns. But Nayah makes me happy. I'm serious about us, and I want you to see that love can be real and strong."
Her father leaned back, sighing deeply. "We only want what's best for you, Rina. I won't pretend this is easy for us. We need time to accept it. And Nayah, you must understand—you're being judged not for who you are, but for how our family sees this relationship."
Rina glanced at Nayah, who nodded softly. Both of them knew acceptance would not come immediately, and that the path ahead would be long and challenging. But in that moment, holding each other's hands, they found courage.
The drive home was quiet. Rina rested her head against Nayah's shoulder. "That… was harder than I imagined," she murmured.
"It was," Nayah admitted. "But we survived. That's what matters. And we'll survive what comes next too."
Rina smiled faintly, feeling the warmth of Nayah's presence. Yes, their parents had not accepted them. Yes, they had faced judgment and disapproval. But together, they could withstand the world. Their love wasn't perfect, and acceptance wouldn't come easily—but for the first time that day, Rina felt hope.
Love, she realized, wasn't just passion—it was resilience, patience, and the courage to stand together even when everyone else doubted you. And as the city lights blurred past, she knew this was only the beginning.