Thirteen: Let It Be Me
Relax Mikaela, Everything will be all right. Breathe In Breathe out.
“Mama Mary, with your guiding light, please guide me today. Let me be the future daughter-in-law and sister-in-law that they expect. Please. Thank you,†I murmured. With a gentle push, the door opened. I took a deep breath, willing myself into composure, and took four steps forward. And I faltered.
Ten pairs of eyes were waiting for my entrance. Four of them were curiously waiting, one was quietly assessing, two pairs were naively watching and another, who looked pregnant, was smiling. Beside the cheerful eyes, was a pair of gentle eyes, warm and kind. In the middle of these, is a pair of familiar intense eyes, composed and reassuring. The familiar eyes crinkled as he chuckled. Josh Hartnett’s eyes.
Kap immediately rose from the seat. With a few long strides, he crossed the room.
“Breathe. No one’s going to eat you alive. They have to get me first,†he whispered as he stood in front of me.
“Am I that transparent?†I groaned, half afraid that the others in the room could hear.
He nodded in reply.
I looked over his shoulder and saw that everyone was watching us. Strange as it might sound, I was terrified.
Kap frowned and whispered, “Okay. Let’s get it over with,†weaving his hand through mine and gently pulled me to him.
Everyone appeared to count our steps as they waited for us, staring as Kap and I walked together, with our intertwined hands in between us.
Kap pulled me to stop and I almost staggered.
The two pairs of young innocent eyes giggled.
“Everyone, I want you to meet Mikaela Medina,†he simply announced, still holding my hand.
“Hello Mikaela.â€
“Pleased to have met you.â€
“Finally.â€
“Welcome to the family.â€
Everyone spoke simultaneously and my gaze flitted from one to another, as I repeatedly murmured, “Thank you.â€
“Have you eaten?â€
“Where are you from?â€
“You look younger than I am. How young are you?â€
“Where did you and my brother met?â€
Questions were thrown at me, overwhelming me. I glanced at Kap, quietly asking for help.
Kap tilted his head, begging everyone.
The pair of gentle and warm eyes came to the rescue as she chastened everyone. “Children, Mikaela will think that I raised uncivilized people instead of decent children that you all are.â€
One exclaimed, “Children? We are all taller than you, Mom.†Everyone laughed.
Their mom ignored them and told me, “Come here Mikaela. Sit down with me.â€
Kap gently pushed me. “Go.â€
Everyone moved, clearing the way until I took the seat.
“I apologize for that. They are decent children but their curiosity overcame them,†she explained.
“It’s all right,†I responded timidly.
“Since my son, forgot his good manners I’ll introduce myself.†She turned to Kap, feigning displeasure. Kap grinned in return. “I’m Aurora, his mother and I am glad to have finally met you,†and she took my hand. It was very warm and sincere.
“Thank you,†I replied, glancing at Kap again.
Hi mom caught it and smiled. I was embarrassed.
She spoke again. “This handsome man beside me is his father.â€
The man with gray hair, wearing silver-rimmed eyeglasses, looking like an older version of Kap, smiled. “Welcome to my family,†he said in clear voice that sounded like Kap’s.
“Thank you,†I repeated.
“These are my children and grandchildren,†Kap’s mother continued, gesturing her slim fair hand to the others in the room. “You can speak now,†she gently ordered, paused and then added in a firm voice, “one by one.â€
Everyone laughed again.
“Forgive us. But it’s a surprise. Mom told us that you are coming, but . . . . Well, it’s a surprise,†the pregnant woman spoke, slowly stroking her very pregnant belly, her huge green floral maternity dress swaying with every stroke.
My gaze followed her left hand, going up and down, wondering if she’ll give birth at this very moment. I was also grateful at the enthusiasm on her voice. It made me feel welcome.
She noticed where my gaze was. “Eight months and two weeks,†she volunteered.
I blushed in embarrassment. “I was not . . . I mean . . . Congratulations,†I stammered.
She pursed her lips, trying not to laugh. “I’m Alice.†She turned to the man in green shirt who sat on the arm rest of the couch. The man in green shirt was carrying a little girl in a green over-all. “Eric, my husband, and Aloe, my youngest,†she paused, gazing down on her huge belly, “until this one comes out.â€
The man in green shirt, Eric, laughed.
She looked up and playfully pulled the yellow ribbon of the young girl who sat beside her. “This is Abby, she’s six.â€
“I’ll be seven soon, Mom,†the young girl, wearing a green ruffled dress, protested.
“I know,†Alice conceded then turned to me. “This is my small family.â€
The green family, I thought and couldn't help to smile.
“Alice dresses up her whole family, on special occasions. Today, its green,†Kap unexpectedly explained.
I looked up to him in surprise. Of course, Kap was tuned to what I was feeling. And now, he was tuned to what I was thinking. He was improving.
I turned to Alice to apologize but her attention was on her six-year old daughter.
Anne, who was quietly watching me, was laughing. Their mom was smiling. Another woman was also smiling. Amelie?
The other woman extended her right hand to me. “I’m Amelie. I’m the youngest.â€
Her grasp was firm and professional. Although smiling, her eyes were probing. The nurse from Wisconsin, now quietly assessing me.
“I’m please to meet you,†I said, sounding professional and regretting it instantly.
Amelie ignored it and gave me a brilliant smile. I was relieved.
I heard a low throat-clearing sound before a low clear voice spoke. “I’m Alfred, the first born.â€
“Hi,†I said, amazed at the sound of his voice. Like Kap’s. Like their father’s. Both men were tall too. Like their father. And the resemblance ended there. Alfred was a few pounds heavier than Kap, with a fairer complexion too. While Kap inherited his hard masculine features from his father, Alfred got his looks from their mother.
Alfred continued, gazing lovingly on the woman beside her. “My wife Kim.â€
Kim, with her round curious eyes gave me a tiny wave. I nodded in response.
“Our twin daughters, Alyssa and Ayesha,†Alfred spoke in a proud voice that only fathers do.
Twin? I smiled, guessing their age. Four?
The two pairs of innocent eyes were gone, becoming thin slits, as the twin smiled just a little in return. Josh Hartnett’s eyes. Only smaller.
“Do I also introduce myself?†Anne inquired, throwing an impish glance toward me.
“I thought that you two have met,†Alice commented.
“We did, twice,†Anne replied.
“Thrice,†I corrected.
I peeked at Kap at the corner of my eye. His brow creased.
I knew what he was thinking. That I met his sister at the mall and at the coffee shop. That counted two. So why was I saying three times?
Anne looked at me too, inquiring.
“Earlier today. At the airport,†I explained.
Anne laughed with her familiar cheerful voice. “Right.â€
Kap’s expression smoothened out.
I was confused. Twice? Thrice? Did it matter?
“Time to eat,†Anne announced, jumping off the couch.
Everyone rose. So did I.
“Lunch today is special, in honor of our guest,†their mom told everyone, gesturing her hand for me to go ahead of her.
“Thanks.†I obeyed her quiet order, going to where Kap was waiting for me.
The rest went to one direction. To a wide open door leading to another room. The kitchen, I presumed.
Alfred sat at the end of the brown wooden dining table while their dad was on the opposite end. Their mom sat next to their father. I was placed in between Kap and Anne. Seated across me was Amelie, and the rest was spread around the table.
The food, which was mostly seafood, was great. The atmosphere had also changed. From anxious and curious to light and easy. I started to relax.
Lunch was full of small talks, which were generally about Kap.
Kap’s childhood. Kap’s academic achievements. Kap’s military career. They all believed that one day, their son and brother will be called General Torres. One thing was clear. Everyone was proud of Kap. The family’s golden boy.
With a spoon on hand, I turned to Kap and smiled. Things would be fine. What I prayed for was heard and answered. Thank you Mama Mary.
He smiled back and reached out for my hand, and then he straightened up and faced everyone.
“I have something to say,†he begun to no one in particular but everyone around the table shifted their attention to him. Even the children.
I raised my brow, wondering what he was about to say.
“I am marrying Mikaela. In three months,†he declared. The absolute confidence in his voice was pretty clear.
A stifled gasp. That came from me.
Followed by shocked silence. From the rest.
More silence.
Everyone was staring at Kap, with expressed disbelief. As if on cue, their gazes travelled and rested on me.
“Why?†The pregnant sister asked as she stared at me with inquiring eyes.
“Why?†the nurse asked as she eyed me suspiciously.
Why? Why would they ask why? I was confused. Why not? Then, I knew. Why would Kap marry me?
Despite their warm welcome, it was clear. Kap deserved someone great. For them, I was not worthy to be the wife of their precious brother, and son. Not me. Simple and plain me.
My heart sank. The humiliation was too much.
On the verge of tears, I silently told myself, don’t cry Mikaela. Not now. Not in front of this family.
