The Moon Knows How to Play

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

"I'm going to propose to Elunar."

The announcement left my lips with weight. Papa froze in the middle of flipping through his tabloid, while Mama lowered her teacup onto the table with a sharp clink. Both of them turned to me, their faces painted with disbelief.

"Jusmiyo... what a beautiful piece of news!" Mama exclaimed, practically skipping over to me, her face glowing with excitement. "I want to protest, but you're a grown man now. Your decisions are yours." Her hands landed warmly on my shoulders, eyes glistening.

Papa, on the other hand, only raised his brows before fixing me with a steady, serious gaze. "Do you love her?"

"Yes, Papa." My voice was firm, but inside my chest, my heart trembled. Maybe now was the right time. The right time to tell them the other truth—that Elunar carried my child. "I also have another thing to say..."

"And what is that?" Mama leaned closer, her eyes glittering, hungry for my words.

I swallowed hard. My parents deserved to know. They deserved to know they would soon become grandparents. But my tongue felt heavy.

"So?" Papa pressed, his voice even.

"She's pregnant," I finally confessed, breath catching in my throat. "And I'm the father."

Mama's eyes widened as if I had slapped her. "You speared both of Heraya's daughters!"

My jaw dropped. Seriously, Ma? I knew the thought was true in a way, but it wasn't fair. I hadn't wanted Eclips. She drugged me. Elunar was different—Elunar was real. With her, it had been my choice. With her, I had intended every touch, every kiss. I just forgot the protection, and something new had bloomed inside her.

But I wasn't marrying Elunar for that baby. No. I wanted to marry her because I loved her. Because I wanted to settle down with her, to build a life. Maybe the baby was simply a sign from above.

Papa pushed back his chair and stood, pacing toward the veranda that stretched from the dining hall. His shadow stretched long across the tiles. Mama held my hand—it was icy cold from nerves—as we followed him.

"This is dangerous," Papa finally said, gripping the wooden railing. His eyes stayed fixed on the horizon. "People will speak ill of you, Thunder. They will say you couldn't be content, that you sought both of Heraya's daughters—"

"I don't care." My voice cut through, sharp and reckless. "I don't care what they think. They don't know what happened. They have no right. I will not let strangers dictate my life—or are you afraid, Papa, that what I'm about to do will ruin your name?"

"Thunder!" Mama snapped, her voice trembling, scolding me before Papa could react.

My chest rose and fell violently. I shut my eyes and sucked in a breath, guilt prickling. "P-Pa... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—" My head bowed. Shame heated my face.

But Papa only walked back to me and pulled me into his arms. His embrace was tight, warm. "Fuck our name, hijo. It's not about me. I'm afraid of the storms you'll face if you choose this path. Don't forget your mother and I are here to support you—but listen to us, too, as your parents."

Tears burned at the back of my eyes. I clung to him. "I've made up my mind, Pa. Tonight—I'm going to propose to Elunar."

"Will you endure it?" His voice shook slightly. "The gossip? The headlines? The whispers? They will shred you with their tongues."

"I will. If it's for Elunar, I will." My voice cracked with conviction. "Who cares what they say? It's enough that God knows. That you know. You know Eclips drugged me, that it was never love. With Elunar, it's love. It's need. It's everything."