Playing Match

In the house of the Eucebio family, 10-year-old Michael was complaining to his mother about her remarrying with another man.

“I don’t need a father, ma! I’m a grown man now.” Michael told his mother.

His brown eyes were glaring at his mother. His mother messed up his chestnut hair and smiled at him.

“El, please, give this guy a chance.” His mother pleaded.

Michael looked at his mom.

“Okay, mom, I’ll try.” Michael told her.

“Good. Sleep early, El, we’ll meet him tomorrow.” His mother said.

“Tomorrow?” Michael asked.

“ Yes. You’ll meet him and his daughter.” His mother replied.

“He has a daughter? He is married?”

“No. Well, yes but his wife died giving birth to their child.”

“Ma!”

“Please. El.Just give him a chance.”

“Do I have a choice? I’ll give him a chance because I want you to be happy.”

His mother smiled and hugged him.

♥♥♥

The next day, in a restaurant, a man and a girl was sitting on their chairs and waiting. The man’s large brown eyes were looking at his watch then at the restaurant’s door.

“Mommy Michi is late!” the girl said as her large blue eyes looked outside the window.

“Jasmin, you know she’s busy.” Her father said as he wipes his glasses.

“I want to see my brother.” Jasmin said.

Jasmin tied her long black hair to ponytail. Her father smiled at her as his daughter fixes herself.

He glanced at the restaurant’s door and saw a lady and a boy. Her father stood up and waved his hand so they’ll notice. The lady saw it and went towards them. The lady and the boy sat opposite them.

“Sorry we’re late, Willie.” The lady apologized.

“That’s fine, Michelle.” Willie assured her.

“Dad, I’m hungry.” Jasmin complained.

“Okay, Jaz. We’ll order food.” Willie told Jasmin.

Willie called a waiter and they ordered. When the waiter left, Michelle introduced her son.

“Nice to meet you, Michael.” Willie said.

Michael observed Willie’s angelic face and his fixed auburn hair.

“Same here.” Michael said coldly.

“This is my daughter, Jasmin.” Willie introduced.

“Hi! Call me Jaz. What should I call you?” Jasmin asked.

“Call me El.” Michael replied.

“Mommy Michi, are you going to live with us?”Jasmin asked.

“After the ceremony, Jaz.” Michelle replied.

“Why not now or tomorrow?” Jasmin insisted.

“It depends on El.” Michelle replied.

Michelle’s blue eyes glanced at his son who is currently glaring at her. Jasmin gazed at Michael.

“By the way, what should I call you from now on, sir?” Michael asked Willie.

Willie was surprised then smiled.

“It depends on you. As long as you’re comfortable. It could be dad, Daddy Willie or Willie.” Willie replied.

Michael paused for a while then glanced at Jasmin who is still looking at him.

“To be fair with Jaz, Daddy Willie will be fine. Is that okay?” Michael asked.

Willie smiled then nodded.

“El!” a boy called.

It was Kevin, Michael’s best friend. He has short raven hair. His glasses magnified his hazel eyes.

“K? What are you doing here?” Michael asked.

“Having lunch with my mom and dad.” Kevin replied.

Kevin’s parents were behind him. Both have raven hair and hazel eyes.

“Alexander. Rolanda.” Michelle called.

“Michelle.” Rolanda greeted.

Michelle introduced Willie and Jasmin to them.

“Ah! The groom. At last we met.” Alexander said.

Alexander and Willie shook their hands.

“Is it okay of we invite them to dine with us?” Michelle asked Willie.

“That’s great.” Willie replied.

They were searching for a bigger table when a girl hugged Jasmin.

“Lisa!” Jasmin recalled then hug her back.

Lisa is Jasmin’s best friend. She has a short auburn hair and green eyes. Her parents both have brown hair and green eyes.

“Nice to see you again, Miguel, You look beautiful, Betty.” Willie complimented.

Willie introduced Michelle and Michael to them.

“The bride. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Betty said.

“Same here.” Michelle said.

“Darling, is it all right if we invite them to dine with us too?” Willie asked.

“Sure.” Michelle replied.

The waiters noticed that they need a long table so they provide one.

“El, that girl in ponytail is your sister?” Kevin asked.

“That’s right.” Michael replied.

“How old is she?” Kevin asked.

Michael looked at Jasmin then to his mother.

“How old is she?” Michael asked.

“Six.” His mother replied.

“Six.” Michael told Kevin.

“Is she nice?”

“I guess.”

“So, you’re going to move.”

“No worries. My mom told me that it’s near your house.”

“That’s great. She’ll be living with you, right?”

“Are you interested in my sister?”

Kevin was surprised while his best friend smirked.

“No. I’m just curious.” Kevin replied.

“El, who is he?” Jasmin asked.

“He is my best friend. His name is Kevin.” Michael introduced him to her.

Kevin smiled at her.

“Hi, Jasmin.” Kevin greeted.

“Call me, Jaz, Kevin.” Jasmin told him.

“K is good.” Kevin said.

“By the way, El, this is Lisa, my best friend.” Jasmin introduced.

“H-hi.” Lisa greeted.

“Nice to meet you, Lisa.” Michael said.

“He’ll be my big brother, Lisa. After the ceremony, Mommy Michi and El will live with us.” Jasmin told Lisa.

“Then what about me? Where would I sleep if I want to stay in your house?” Lisa asked.

“My room of course. If you want, you can sleep in El’s room.” Jasmin suggested.

“Your room is okay.”

“Dad fixed his room already so if you want to sleep with us today then you’ll be sleeping in my room.”

“Not yet, Jaz. My mom and dad are still here.”

“Are they traveling soon?”

“After the ceremony.”

“Wait a minute! Your parents leave you in their house?” Michael asked Lisa.
“Yes. When they are in a business trip, I sleep in Jasmin’s house.” Lisa replied.

“I know what it feels though. My parents are also going to business trips so I’m left alone.” Kevin said.

“Are you scared?” Lisa asked.

“No. I got my butlers and maids and also my best friend who visits me.” Kevin replied.

“Now he said it, he sounds more like a gay man.” Jasmin whispered to Lisa.

Lisa and Jasmin giggled.

“Is there something wrong?” Michael asked.

“None.” Jasmin replied.

“I think the four of us will become close.” Lisa said.

Jasmin nodded while the boys were puzzled.

“It’s like we are siblings and Michael and Kevin are our big brothers.” Jasmin added.

Their parents watched their children talk to each other.

“Looks like our children are getting along well.” Alexander said.

“This is a good omen.” Rolanda added.

“I bet your marriage will be successful.” Betty said.

“She means you’ll make a happy family.” Miguel added.

“Thank you.” Michelle said.

“I hope that’s true.” Willie said.

“Willie, after your weeding, Betty and I are going to Tokyo to negotiate. Lisa doesn’t want to stay alone.” Miguel said.

“She’s always welcome in our place.” Willie said.

Thank you.” Betty said.

“ Since our children are friends, I think we should also be friends.” Rolanda said.

“ I agree.” Michelle said.

The others nodded.

“Excuse me.” Jasmin told Rolanda.

Jasmin looked at her then she saw her holding an earring.

“I think this is yours.” Jasmin said.

Rolanda noticed that the earring on her left ear is missing. She took the earring from Jasmin and put it on.

“Thank you , my dear.” Rolanda said.

“You’re welcome, Kevin’s mom.” Jasmin said.

“Just call me mom.” Rolanda told her then she hugged her.

“Ma!” Kevin protested.

“She’s so lovely.” Rolanda said.

“I guess your mom likes my sister. I can hear the wedding bells already.” Michael whispered to Kevin.

“Stop it. I’m not marrying a kid.”

“Then let’s make a bet.”

“What’s in it?”

“If you marry my sister then you’ll have to run around my house wearing only your underwear.”

“But if I don’t marry your sister then you’ll have to run around my house also wearing your underwear.”

“Deal!”

“I’m in it!”