Love in the Time of Corona

3

"Can I butt in?"

As I've heard the voice, I immediately got up and fixed myself. As if adrenaline rushed inside my body, I sneakily hid the Soju bottles.

"Eomma? Why... you're here too?" I said, shock across my face.

She laughed alongside with Kio and I was hysterical on the inside. Why is she here? It doens't really make sense.

"Why do you seem so flustered?" She asked then looked at Kio. "Hey Kio."

"Hi Dana! How have you been doing?" He politely replied.

"I'm good. Can I join your Jenga shots? I've brought some..." She raised a translucent plastic bag, which, I pressume, contains liquor. "...bevarages."

Kio's eyes sparkled and Mom felt like it was her signal to get in. Mom sat across us amd also started playing.

"Mom, you've got some explaining to do!" I demanded. She looked at me.

"To whom do I owe an explanation, though?" She act innocently.

"Why are you here? You miss me that much, huh?" I teased.

"Marc asked me to be here, for some... reasons. I mean, I don't have to but I think it's been so long since I've went here in Cali, so why not?" She casually said.

I placed another block on top. Kio was looking at me, not knowing what to do.

"So, Kio. How you doin', buddy? Have you met the love of your life?" Mom asked out-of-the-blue.

Kio's eyes widened. "What a question, Dana. I haven't, thank God."

  
When I can't stand the awkwardness anymore, I finally stood up and said, "Mom! Why don't you rest first? Aren't you tired from your flight?"

She got up from her seat and waved goodbye to Kio. "Alright. I will. Save some for your father." She referred to the alcohol. Kio simply nodded.

"Good night, Dana!" Kio happily said.

When Mom got out, I sighed in relief. Kio burst out laughing.

"If you can only see the look in your face, Krys. HAHAHAHA! I am literally dying." He exaggerated.

I mimicked him, "Hey, can we not...?"

He just rolled his eyes.

"So, what should we do next, I still don't feel sleepy." I sat on the floor again.

He scratched his chin. "How about, 'Truth or Slap'?"

"Hmm. I honestly don't like the idea but fine, I guess."

"Okay! You're up first. Tell me truths that no other soul knows or get slapped." He grinned.

"Ok. To be honest, I feel betrayed when the people I trust talk behind me." I hesitantly said.

"So...?"

"I... I never tell them that, so I resort to avoiding them instead." I lowered my head as I remembered some bastards.

He raised his right eyebrow yet he nodded.

It was my time to ask, "Truth or slap?"

"Truth! I don't want to take up commerce, as Dad instructed me. I can't find the desire to want that career. Periodt. Truth or slap?"

"Truth. I used to date a boy named Giancarlo, who is pretty amazing. I spent time with him for like, 6 months and just because of  my messiness and inconsistencies, he kinda broke up with me." Kio's jaw fell open. He covered his mouth and eventually, he recovered.

"No you did not. God. I often play by the rules but can we pause the game and talk about interesting truths?"

"Sure. Why not?"

"So... the deal with this Giancarlo dude. How did you guys met?" He was really interested.

"Ok. Don't tell mom. I once cut classes. Yeah, once. I went clubbing with Abigail. And..."

"And what?"

"After some shots, I fainted. When I woke up, I'm in a room with a stranger."