Happy Birthday, Bunny!

Will

Two weeks after that party, our series finally premiered. The cast meeting was a lot of fun, following the first episode together brought a different feeling, it made me remember the first day I met all the actors, the director and part of the production, and especially Nate. I remember how intimidated I was by his disapproving look, and how difficult it was to deal with him, and today seeing him next to me in the room where we recorded the reaction, looking at me and smiling sideways while we watched, is extremely rewarding in many ways.

As soon as we leave the room, he asks me to wait in the foyer of the building while he goes to the bathroom. I do as he says, and wait for him, sitting on one of the sofas. His cell phone rings, and the name "Mom" appears on the display.

"Hi, Mom!"

"Congratulations son!" "Thank you—

"Where are you?"

"I'm at the agency, I was shooting a special video for the series..."

"Look, your father and I have reserved that restaurant near our house for the four of us to celebrate your birthday!"

This really takes me by surprise, I thought you didn't want to celebrate, the atmosphere between us is not very good.

"All right mom, I'll be out in an hour, and I'll meet you there!" "Ok. We'll be waiting."

As soon as I hang up, I look forward and see Nate coming toward me, he's holding a cake. This completely surprises me, it sounds silly, but I didn't expect him to do something like this. I stand up, he approaches me with the cake, singing Happy birthday with the help of the cast boys. I feel very happy, and I want to run up to him and kiss him, but I have to restrain myself. I blow out the candles.

— Did you order? — he asks and I just nod my head. He smiles and pulls my ear close. — Happy Birthday, Bunny!

[...]

After breaking the cake, eating it, and receiving congratulations from everyone, I was finally able to leave the building, and as we walked to my car, Nate stops and looks at me as if he wants to say something.

— Is there a problem?

— The cake is not the only surprise I have for you! — his speech surprises me, because since that day in his room, he hasn't said anything about us going out, or doing anything on my birthday.

— What is the other surprise?

He looks a little dull, and says something.

— I made a reservation at a fancy restaurant, and...

— Really? — I ask extremely surprised.

The worst thing is that my parents are waiting for me, and I can't go back, they keep their word, and things are not very good between us. - You know what? I won't be able to go with you tonight, my parents are expecting me for dinner, and you know that my relationship with them has not been very good, so... In his eyes I see disappointment. He opens and closes his mouth, runs his hand through his hair and down to his neck, looks at the floor and then at me.

— All right, I understand!

— Nate, I'm sorry! If you had told me, I wouldn't have given my word to my mother. Can we save it for tomorrow?

— All right, don't worry! Go find your parents, I think this might be a good moment for you to reconcile!

Although, I think he really meant what he said, the disappointment in his eyes is clear.

— If it weren't for those cameras, I would give you a kiss right now!

— Silly!

[...]

My mother does not tolerate tardiness. I obviously arrived late, and her face was terrible, frowning, and when I approached the table she sketched nothing but severity. From the moment I arrived, I felt I should not be here, the atmosphere was like a wake, and the few words exchanged were of criticism and demands, such as: "Aren't you going back to college?

I was about to leave, to let them celebrate my birthday without me, but I restrained myself. After all, Lyn is here, and she has a gift for easing the situation.

— Hollywood is in the United States, it's in the West. The culture there is different from ours, and from the Asian continent in general, mom...

My father lifts his glasses slightly, shakes his head in a positive sign.

— Leaving this question aside, I was impressed when I saw the poster for the series on a billboard this morning. I also saw an article talking about the expectation created around it, and that the book that inspired it is quite famous... — Coming from my father, this surprises me.

— You must watch the series, Dad! It premiered today, and it's really cool! — exclaims my excited sister. Before he can answer, my mother intervenes.

— He won't waste his time watching something so vulgar! Now she has crossed the line.

— Why is it so dirty, Mom?

— Do you really want me to tell you?

— You don't have to... I've had enough of being told what to do since I arrived, and now you have to remind me how homophobic you are! — I say, and get up.

— Where are you going? - my sister asks.

— I'm leaving, Lyn!

[...]

I was so happy, but she had to leave me like this, feeling like crap, always seeking approval. It was always like that, no matter what I did, it was never enough to please them both, and that didn't change, especially for her, my mother.

I drive, and think about how the day started so well. Photo shoot, call recording for the series, the react of the first episode, the surprise that Nate promoted for me, and between one event and another, a strategic escape to kiss that mouth, because nobody is ironclad. At the end of the night my mother comes and tells me something so cruel. I imagine the upheaval it will be when she finds out that the fictional romance has become real.

I ring the doorbell a little desperately. It doesn't take long before I am greeted by my mother-in-law, Anong. She gives me a smile, and then a huge hug, and I think about how lucky Nate is.

— Nate said you were at a dinner party with your parents...

— Yeah, but it ended sooner than I expected!

— From the look on your face, I don't think it ended very well.

— Really, no... But that doesn't matter! Where 's Nate?

— He's playing video games in his room!

— I'll go there...

She smiles in agreement, and I follow her down the hall to her room. In front of the door, I knock, and hear a "Come in. I do as he allows, and see him sitting on the bed, staring uninterruptedly at the wall beside the door, where his TV is, and holding the console.

— Can I play too? — As soon as I ask, he looks at me surprised.

— What happened? Is dinner over so soon?

— Actually he has just started... — I say, approaching the bed and sitting down next to him. — Everything was almost fine, until my mother said something that bothered me.

— Was it that bad?

— Yes, and it made me a little apprehensive about the two of us!

— Why?

— I don't think it will be easy at all to assume that we are together with my parents, but that's if you want to assume anything...

— What do you mean? I don't understand!

— I don't have the right to assume something if you don't feel ready for it, you know?

— I understand. Now, at this very moment, I think it's a bit early to assume, because there are so many things involved. — he says, walks over to me, puts his arm around my shoulder, and continues. — Don't think that I don't want to, but I think you have a sense of what it will be like. You know what? Let's change the subject?

— Okay, what are we going to talk about?

— Your birthday!

— Why?

— I had planned something, but unfortunately it didn't happen!

— What did you plan besides dinner?

— My mom keeps telling me that you are my boyfriend, but I don't think we have talked about it yet. I know it may sound a little cheesy, but I had planned to ask you to marry me over dinner!

Looks like the day will end well!