If life were this easy.......

“You love my son don’t you?” The question put a halt on my train of thoughts. I slowly turn my head around and see that Leo’s mom staring at me with her calm feature as she keeps on setting the table for lunch.

“What? How? When?” was all that I wanted to say but the only thing that comes out from my mouth was “Huh?” Pretty lame doesn’t it? After all this time of practice and with self assure that if I was asked that kinda question, I’d be saying without a single hint of doubt in my mind “Yes, I love your son very much” and it boils down to “Huh?”. Yup, that pretty much puts it in the lame category indeed.

A forced smile and I finally said something coherent “Why do you ask such question auntie?” Never stop what she was doing, she said “You have that look in your face, your eye tells it all and I could see that smile Am.” I did not smile, well not that much and is it too obvious? Damn it!

Again I fell into a long discussion in my head trying to come up with at least a nay statement, something smart, something not too cynical and sarcastic, something which can let me out of the frying pan that I’m in at the moment. I did not have enough practice for sure as I am quite positive that my mouth is somewhat ajar and my shock still being plastered on my face.

Finally she stops and she has this sweet looking face ever and I could she that she was smiling all along this time. “Yes……yes, I love him very much.” I could not believe how easy it is for me to say such words. “He is a very special person in my heart and I wanted to be by his side through good and bad times”. I really need to stop myself now as I’m feeling light headed and giddy all at the same time.

“Oh shut up Amri, and do it now!” I wanted to tell my self that but I guess I just couldn’t, not now. Not when I can feel at ease and being accepted, finally.
She pulls up a chair next to mine and rested her hand on my forearm, squeezing it lightly, as if an approval, a confirmation that she understands and the she said “I’m glad that he found someone. I’m glad he found you Am. He talked so much about you over the phone.”

“You’re not angry at me?” Dumb question. I know but what the heck, right? I might as well make myself look stupid now then after. “Why should I? You have done nothing wrong. It’s been a long time since I saw him this happy. Thank you for looking after him Am.” “Well it’s not that hard, really I just keep him full and my work is done.” Her face changed, for a while. I knew it! I go over the edge when I let my guard down. Witty remarks, witty remarks..pronto!

A light pinch comes after a second or two of silent moment and I can her smile widens, “You rascal.” She said. Pheww! That was close. Mental note to self, never try anything like that in the near future, save it for later.
She gets up from the chair and as she pushed it back in, I manage to gather my courage and ask “You are not angry auntie?” “Why should I? You have done nothing wrong. You made my son happy, that is all that matters”. She ends it with a smile as she moves to the kitchen to continue making lunch.

I cast my gaze outside on the porch and see Leo playing with his niece. He stops for a while when he knew someone was watching and looked at me. His round feature, the dimples when he smile has ceased but I never grew tired of looking at him like that and he gave me that “What’s up” looked and I just smile back at him, my mouth utters a silent “I love you” and he does the same and we both just stare at each other. A gentle tug on the hem of his T-shirt and we broke our silent appreciation of each other and he continues playing with his niece.

It’s good to be alive right now and I thanked god for giving me this moment.


Hm….now how to make this into a not so seedy lovey dovey love story?