Christmas has passed, it's new years day. The time I spent in Whistler, flew away. It felt like a lucid dream. I was in control, yet the situation didn't feel real. Coming home was like getting back to reality. A place where I could calm down and sleep in. If the stay in Whistler felt like a sweet dream, then my home feels like a calming place. Both are places I feel alive in. No worries about, how I am. I act freely, without restraints.
Therefore running errands for my mom in the morning, was something I was looking forward to. Even if I'd rather stay and lay in bed.
I check my phone once more. Frantically waiting for an answer.
"Behind you!" I turn around and see Joel walking towards me. "Hello!" I say excitedly.
"How has Christmas been with your family so far?", he asks while hugging me.
"Good, we've yet to open all the presents under the tree."
"You haven't opened up all your presents yet?"
"We're going to open two each, now for breakfast. And then later in the evening."
"What has your mom sent you to buy?" I pick up mu phone showing him the list of things needed to buy.
"We'll be on our way to the grocery store first and then to the bakery. After—" He stops me. His eyes, radiate warmth. "What?" I say looking at him. "Nothing, I only," he stops himself briefly. "Let's go."
We hold hands walking to the store. Talking about everything and nothing. Laughing, smiling and giggling. "So what did your dad say?"
I try to recall the moment when I arrived home, back from my small vacation in Whistler. My dad and mom, sat me down in the kitchen. Telling me they had something important to talk about.
"Adah, me and your mom know that you're dating Joel now. He asked for my permission before leaving for your trip, with him, Bae and David."
"Me and your dad want to make sure you know a few things."
"Your mother and I have came to the conclusion that you two could date, seeing that you're getting older. We also know how much he likes you—." My dad stops
"It was quite apparent," my mom mutters under her breath softly smiling. My dad continues his sentence "We only want to assure you more and—." Yet again he stops.
"Talking to you over the phone about this, was okay. But me and your father felt like we should also do it face to face. We want to see how you feel." I can see the concern and anticipation, flickering in their eyes.
"Hmm, I'm okay. I'm really happy. Joel hears me and listen to what I say. He loves me."
My parents exhale, looking relieved. Yet I see a hint of sadness in their eyes.
My dad looks at me smiling. "My baby sure has grown up. You're not small anymore."
"Of course dad, I'm grown up now," I say smiling brightly. "Adah, make sure to tell me if he ever does something to you, that you don't like. I'll be there."
"Honey, me and your father want you to always feel safe with Joel."
"I know, that his the right one. You've both prayed and asked God about this. And so have I and your mother. We want the best for you."
"Mom, Dad I know, you want the best for me and love me so much. I'll tell you if something is going on"
My heart stings. Knowing that I've hidden things about myself. "Lets hold hands and pray together now that you're here," my mother smile is genuine. Calming, happy and proud.
I remember the prayer and conversations I had with my family after. They were all happy for me. Of course my siblings were teasing me. Yet the still showed me their love.
"Ooh, so your entire family is okay with me?"
"Of course why wouldn't they be?" He laughs. "You know how they are in soap operas."
"Come one. You know how our parents are best friends. You're were practically already a part of us."
"Joel, it's okay. They won't treat you any differently than before. The only thing that's changed, is that your mine now."
"I'm yours?"
"Yes. You don't want to?" I stop hastily removing, my hand from his. "No, I do."
"Then why did you ask?"
"Because you've gotten a lot cuter lately. Especially over the phone."
"I have?" I look at him tilting my head slightly. "Yes. The way you talk is so cute. Is it because you finally got your parents confirmation about us?"
"I suppose it is, maybe I wanted to see their reactions and how they felt too."
"Does this mean I'll get to see more, cute side?"
"What cute sides are you talking about? Let's go in and shop." He laughs, smiling brightly.
"Don't hide your face, show me how you look."
"No, not now."
"Then when," he says, smiling slyly. "Well not now, so help me. We need to buy stuff, give me the cart."
"Do you want to push the cart?" He places his head on my shoulder. "Yes."
We walk around the store, talking and laughing.
"The timer on my phone has gone off, it's time to leave the store." I look up at him, his eyes saddening a bit.
"Alright lets go." In the corner of my eye, I see something. It's familiar yet in the wrong crowd.
"Isn't that Sally? She's with Jake and Luke?" I say, questioning what I'm seeing.
"I thought you said she didn't like them." We look at each other surprised. "Yeah, that's what I said over the phone some days ago."
"They aren't forcing her to be with them, are they?"
We walk closer and I try to call out to Sally, only to be hit with disappointment.
"I thought, you liked Adah and Bae," Luke bends his head as he speaks. "Yeah, I did so too aren't you best friends with her and Bae." This time Jake is the one who sounds surprised.
"I wouldn't even call us friends. Bae is annoying and obnoxious and I hate—"
Before I can hear Sally's following words, he covers my eyes and leads me away.
"Adah, look at me. Before start to — you seem okay."
"That's because I am. I had my suspicions about her. But i suppose it hurts more than I thought it would."
"You knew?"
"I had a faint gist. Mira would be rude to me sometimes, but her meanness only gave off grade school bullies." I sigh. "The type of girl who was mad because you were friends with her boyfriend. She probably only said what she heard from Mira."
"Then why did you keep her close to you? You know how Luke and Jake hurt you!"
"I wanted to know why. What was it I had done? And also why she so bent on making up rumors about me. And why she wanted to rope Bae in it."
"How long have you known?"
"Since the day me and Bae had a conversation about this in Whistler."
"Your suspicions turned out to be right."
"They did, it also means that there was a reason for things happening the way they did in Paris."
"You don't mean to say—." He pauses, putting on hand over his mouth.
"Yes. But let's not think to much about it. It's the first day of the year. There a better things to do and to think about.
Small moments.
Small gestures.
Teasing shyly—
to see a reaction.
Such love.
Such kindness.
To believe and to be brave.
To trust and to have faith.
Do not let it get to you, be strong.
Be vigilant.
Know what surrounds you.
Let nothing get in the way.
It is a new day, a new year.