Their Connected Worlds

Blessing

"Do you have something to tell me, boys?"

Apollo has rarely seen his mother look this serious. There is a smile on the older Torres woman's slim lips, yet a meaningful spark fills her eyes while scrutinizing the pair of college students in front of her.

The male Torres twin lets his gaze roam in their living room before pausing to study his boyfriend beside him on the long sofa. Eujae's apprehensiveness shows in the way he straightens his back and shoulders, as well as the sheepish smile he's giving Poll's mother.

"I heard from Tem that you two didn't attend your classes today." Amelia brings the glass of lemonade to her lips without taking her hard stare off Eujae. After taking a sip of the drink, she shifts her telling gaze to her son.

"I'm sorry, Aunt-" Eujae starts, but Poll immediately cuts in, "It's my fault 'cause I got drunk last night, and Eujae had to take care of me."

Of course, he intentionally keeps the fact that he has been sober since morning to avoid having to explain what they were doing earlier this day that made them unable to go to the university. Poll doesn't think it is a good idea to tell his mom that he was having a passionate time with his boyfriend on the bed and a little bit more in the shower.

Poll feels himself blush at the memory of his and Eujae's lovemaking. His mother will surely have a heart attack if she hears the truth behind their absence from classes. The older woman doesn't even know that her big baby boy has started dating.

"Don't be mad at Eujae, okay?" he adds in a mumble and lowers his head to hide his face, knowing that a rosy color has spread across his cheeks.

"I'm not mad at either of you, sweetheart. And if anything, I am thankful to Eujae for accommodating you," Amelia answers softly, making the male twin return his attention to her. Looking back and forth between the two young men, she arcs a brow like the way Tem does every time she is doubtful about something. "But after your friend, Nick, called us last night to tell us that you were drunk and that he brought you to Eujae's house because you kept on going on about wanting to see him, I couldn't help but be curious."

Amelia's expression turns benign before she continues, "Is there something I should know about the two of you?"

The male twin sends a sidelong glance at Eujae and learns that the other man is already looking at him with a faint smile. Poll studies his boyfriend's amber-colored contact lenses. He can almost hear the words behind the man's gentle stare. A go signal to tell the truth to his mother.

Just like the day Eujae held his hand in front of their friends, Poll musters up his courage and slips his fingers in between his boyfriend's longer ones. He faces his mother back, gulping in nervousness as the older woman's observant eyes greet him.

"Mom, I..." His mother's firm look makes him waver for a brief second, and then he steels his resolve when he feels Eujae rub the back of his palm with his thumb as if to give him the encouragement that he badly needs. He might be anxious right now, but he suspects that it is even worse for Eujae because he is the one who needs the approval of his lover's mother the most.

Poll notices his mother's gaze flit at their connected hands before it goes back to him.

"I've been dating Eujae, Mom," the male twin says honestly.

A brief silence follows Poll's statement, making him more afraid of his mother's reaction.

"Is that so?" Amelia asks slowly, quietly. "I had no idea that someone like Eujae was your type, sweetie."

Her words display no hint of ill-meaning, but Poll can somehow pick up the implication behind them. I had no idea that you liked a guy.

"I'm sorry," he mumbles, unsure what else to say.