Mortified

Chapter 10

College has got over and now it's time for the six week break! I am going home after a very long time. And this time I have someone with me. I am taking Dallas home with me, to introduce him formally to everyone and I haven't told anyone about it.

It seems weird how a boy I didn't even know existed till last April in my own city, in my neighbourhood and was my neighbour, is now my partner. His sister will also be coming to stay with us from her hostel that he put her into because he didn't want her near his father. His father yet lives there but he is not at all keen on introducing him and me.

When we reach home, mother is standing at the door to receive us. Rose is also there with Albert and they are hand in hand and it looks really cute! I jump from the car as Dallas stops it in front of the house.

"Mom! Rose! Albert!" I hug all the three of them together. As I loosen the hug, I see that they are staring at him and he is just looking to the ground.

"Oh sorry. I forgot to introduce! Mom and rose, this is Dallas. Sorry I didn't mention that he was coming, I wanted it to be a surprise. I hope the guest room is ready!" they are yet staring at him.

Rose looks at me and gives me an approving smile! Yes, this handsome boy, who is not gay is mine. Only mine! Suddenly Albert puts his arms around her waist. Oh so cute!

We all get inside and talk for a while and after dinner head to the respective rooms. I show him the guest room.

"Could you sleep with me? I have less nightmares with you around me. And I don't want your family waking up to a weird sound from your boyfriend's room. Please!" he says, almost as if ashamed.

"Okay. I will come after sometime. Let everybody sleep." I kiss him and leave the room.

I am sleeping in his room. He is cuddled up around me with his head on my shoulder and arms around my waist. I am awake because of the dream I had of my father. He died in my dream today, again. I don't like it and that is why have made a decision of asking mom more about him no matter how hard I have to push her. I deserve to know. He is, after all, my father. I look at Dallas and can hear him breathing softly. He looks so calm, so childlike. I move my hands over his scars on his chest. They look so painful. I laugh a little, looking at our closeness. He did not agree to put his shirt on while sleeping but then that's okay!

He stirs in his sleep and I quickly close my eyes, to avoid getting caught.

"I know you are awake!" he says playfully in a whisper in my ears. I open my eyes and can't hide a smile.

"Sorry to wake you up. I had no intention to. Go back to sleep." I tell him putting my hands over his eyes.

"Why were you awake?" He asks me with concern. "The same reason? You should really talk to your mom about this. She could fill in the blanks for you. You need closure." He says, while playing with my hair. I love it when he does that. I nod my head and lie back while he continues. But the sad part is that he doesn't know that it is about my dad. I have just told him that it is a bad accident which involved my father and that my father is supposed to be dead.

Suddenly we hear a room door opening. It's my room across the hall. Shit! Mom will be very angry. I quickly tell him to put on a shirt and move from the bed, but before I can reach the couch, my mom opens the door. I expected her expression to be that of anger but instead it constitutes of complete fear.

"I know you both haven't done anything. I can trust you on that." she says and I kind of feel embarrassed in front of him.

"What is it mom, why are you so scared?" I say and take a towel to dry her head that is full of sweat.

My mom mouths the words, clearly out of breath. "It's Rose. She is gone."