Between Two Worlds

CHAPTER 16 - Coming Out and Coming Together

Finally, that day arrived. I stood before my room's mirror, fussing with my getup. Everything had to be just right. Jess was coming over for dinner, and I was going to introduce her as something special to my family. My heart went overboard thinking about it. Were they gonna be cool with it? Would they even get it?

After going through the whims of emotions and the glee of togetherness with Jess, I was ripe to express a part of myself to the world. I had repeated my words a hundred times over, but they still fluttered around in my head like butterflies. That longed-for moment had finally arrived within my grasp, and yet there lay a shadow of the fear of rejection hanging over me.

And when Jess arrived, she looked radiant-the smile illuminating her face lit up the entire room. "Hey, beautiful! Ready for this?" she asked, trying her best voice to ease some of my nervousness.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I said, a weak voice betraying me. "Just promise me you won't run away if it gets awkward."

"Awkward is my middle name," Jess quipped back, and I couldn't help but laugh. Her humor had always been a balm to my worries.

My parents entered the dining room. I took one more deep breath, looking at Jess by my side. She nodded at me, and we entered the lion's den together.

"Hey everyone," I chirped, trying to sound cheerful despite the flutter in my stomach.

"Mia! Jess! Welcome!" my mom said warmly, partly lightening up the atmosphere. My dad looked up from the table as he gathered that she was Jess, his wooden posture easing up.

"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Ong," Jess said calmly. "Thanks for having me over."

It was easy at first since my parents asked Jess about work and hobbies. I saw how easily she charmed them with her laughter mingling with theirs. But I knew the moment was very close; the moment to finally let out the truth.

As few informal moments had passed, I cleared my throat and my heartbeat began to pound "Um, guys, something I want to share".

My parents looked at me, curious. Jess again reached for my hand; I let her take it; her touch felt comforting.

"I wanted to introduce Jess as meaningful in my life," I said. "We're... we are something more than friends."

There was silence in the room for a moment. I could feel myself holding my breath as the tension soaked into me. My mom leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with a gentle smile.

"That's wonderful, Mia," she said softly. "I am glad you have someone to care for."

My dad nodded, though his face is more serious. "As long as you are happy, that's what matters to us."

Relief flooded through me, and I glanced at Jess, whose face looked just as surprised. "Really?" I asked in a barely audible whisper.

"Of course," my mother said, her voice warm. "Love is love. We just want you to be true to yourself."

Jess squeezed my hand tighter, and I felt the prick of tears at the corners of my eyes. It was a moment of acceptance I hadn't dared to hope for.

Thank you, I said, my voice thick with emotion. I was so nervous.

"Why? We've always supported you," my dad said with a faint smile breaking through.

"Yeah," Jess added. "And then I have this fantastic sense of humor, along with some pretty terrible puns."

"Oh no," my mom said with playful rolling eyes. "What kind of puns?"

"Don't worry, they'll grow on you!" Jess grinned, her energy infectious. The tension in the room eased further, laughter spilling over as Jess launched into a series of delightfully terrible puns about food.

"Did you hear about the Italian chef that died?" she began. "He pasta way!"

"Jess!" I laughed, shaking my head. "Not the puns!"

But my mum just bursts out laughing, and Dad chuckled too. The moment felt a wrap of warm acceptance spread across us, and I knew everything would be alright at that moment.

As the night wore on, so did the conversation, what started with jokes and eventually stories delicately intertwined with laughter. I felt such a weight lift off my shoulders as Jess and I shared knowing glances and our bonding at that moment formed in the warmth of my family's acceptance.

By the time dinner had wrapped up and we sat at the table finishing off dessert, I was looking over at Jess whose eyes were shining with excitement. "I don't think it all could have gone so good," I said smiling.
"I don't either! Your parents are cool," she said, her face flushed with happiness. "And I think I really won them over with my puns."
"Yeah, you won them over with those puns, no doubt," I said, elbowing her playfully. "You might be their new favorite.".

It was a night closing in, but somehow it felt like I did all of that with just so much gratitude within myself. I had stepped out of the shadows into the light for me, but also for Jess. So we would face whatever came next, hand in hand together.

This was just the beginning of a beautiful journey and I was ready to hug every moment.