What if?

Chapter 16: Secret

Michael

At first, I didn’t like the thought that there is a big and small paper bag. It is not because I want to have the big one but knowing that if ever Nick will get the small one he might think he is given a small thing. I was right with my gut feel because Mom and Dad gave the small paper bag to Nick. I got mad because I never thought that they would really give one to Nick. I wanted to change the paper bags with each other but it was unsuccessful. Nick opened his gift and looked like he even got a watch and not just a common watch. It was an expensive one, more expensive than my gift. But I don’t care if it is more expensive, I just want to see Nick to smile and be happy.

I looked at Nick and gave off a wide smile and I also saw him giving me one. This is really heart warming. I got a laptop, it is also the newest laptop right now so I am quite happy because I always wanted a laptop but Mom told me that she can’t buy me one because I might become a nerd. She wasn’t afraid that I might hurt my eyes and become an addict to gaming like others instead, she is afraid that I will learn and learn more everyday. She knows that I am really fond of learning. Well, in fact Dad is also a genius guy. He liked the fact that I would do that but she is under Mom. In this house, Mom is the superior and Dad? Hmmm I would. He is just so in love with my mom that whatever she likes, he would definitely do it without hesitations.

When I saw that it was a laptop I don’t know what word to say just to explain how happy I am and really excited about the fact that I get to learn more. The reason why I really wanted to have a laptop is because nowadays you can find a lot of information on the internet but of course you need to find reliable resources. I want to become a business man in the future. A lot had asked me the reason why I learned a lot when I just wanted to become a businessman. The thing is that I got it from Dad. He has been known as an intelligent person since he was a kid until now. And he taught me that learning is not just because you want to top in the class but because you know that the learning you got from books can give you knowledge which you can use in future events. 

What Dad said to me back then woke me up. At a young age I already thought about myself as the inheritor of the company besides I really like learning about business topics. I know that Nick doesn’t like business things so maybe in the future if I pursue this Mom and dad will not trouble Nick to force him in the business. Oh! I haven't thought about what Nick wants to be in the future though. 

“We are going upstairs to change, okay?” Mom said to both of us. Nick is still  beside me smiling at his new expensive watch. “Hey! I wonder what you want to be when you grow up.” I told Nick as I tapped his back for him to lose his attention to the watch that he kept looking on for a couple of minutes already. “Ouch!” He exclaimed as he bent his back. “Stop being such an actor. Answer my question.” I asked him again because he seemed to be acting like he was hurt by what did. “Ughh! What’s with you? I don’t know, I mean we’re still kids, why think of that at this age?” Nick asked back. 

I wanted to rant because what he said was a little insulting for me but I guess he isn’t wrong because he is right. It is really weird for someone like me to think about something like this. He was right that he is too young to think of such a thing. “Nothing. I just happened to think about it.” I replied to Nick. He started to raise his eyebrows, I think he doesn’t believe my reasoning. “What?!” I asked Nick. He just kept on staring at me. “Why did you ask?” Nick asked me while staring closely at me.

Do I have to open it to him now? I think that he will laugh at me and think that I am a nerd. Ughh! I really hate it though. “I asked because you know, haven’t you set up your dreams about what you are going to be in the future?” I asked Nick. He didn’t get his eyes off me. “No. I haven't. I mean I always thought that I am too young for that, but how about you. Have you thought about it already?” Nick asked me back after answering my question. 

Now his eyes are not on me, instead it is now on the ceiling as if he is thinking deeply. “I have been thinking that for quite some time. I think it started when Dad told me about his childhood days and I just know that I want to be like him.” I answered Nick’s question. “Don’t you want to be like Mom?” Nick asked me. “Nah! Mom never opened up to me something about her childhood but dad actually told me a secret about mom.” I replied to Nick. 

I am not lying though, Dad really told me something about Mom when they were in college. Nick went closer to me. “What was it about?” Nick said. It is uncommon to see Nick being like this so I made up my mind to tell him. “Okay. You need to listen carefully.” I said to Nick. He gave me a nod. “Dad and mom first met when they were in college. Dad has been known to be a smart kid ever since he was young and of course girls like smart guys so mom was one of them. Mom is not that smart…” I said. “So mom is not smart?” Nick asked. I was not able to finish my sentence because he asked me. “Hey! I told you to listen right?” I told Nick. “Sorry.” Nick replied. 

Ughh! Nick doesn’t listen. I already told him to listen properly. I continued the story that dad told me. “Mom is not that smart and not that stupid. She’s like in the middle and she sometimes struggles in some subjects especially in math. Dad is a nerd and by that it means he is good at everything. Mom liked dad a lot because she thought that dad fulfilled her lacking. But Dad didn’t like mom at first, do you know, mom courted dad for three years and in their last year dad said yes to mom. Mom also graduated in Business Administration like dad and they lived happily ever after.” I ended my story with a catch phrase. 

“Are you sure this is what really happened back then?” Nick asked as if he didn’t believe the story. “Why won’t you believe me?” I asked Nick. “Because as far as I can see, dad is head over heels to Mom and it is not Mom.” Nick replied to me. “You are definitely right Nick. But yeah dad fell in love with mom and she always thought that mom is a goddess. He doesn’t even care about himself though. You know, when I told mom that I wanted a laptop she said no but dad was happy about it because dad knows that it is only because I want to learn more. But because mom doesn’t want it dad also said no to me.” I explained to Nick. “Ughh! Mom is like the boss in this house huh?” Nick asked. “Yeah! And she is really scary sometimes.” I replied to Nick. 

Actually I don’t mean to scare Nick but I just want him to be prepared for mom's surprises. “Whaa! People can really change.” Nick said as if he was totally amazed. “So I don’t want to be like mom. HAHAHA I want to be serious like dad.” I replied to Nick. “Hmm… I still don’t know what I want to be in the future though so maybe in the meantime I should think about that already.” Nick replied. “You don’t think it’s weird?” I asked Nick to know what he thinks about me thinking about my future at this young age. “No. I mean, I even want to be like you who prepares for the coming future. That is actually great although it is a little off but some people can understand why.” Nick replied. What Nick said made me smile.

“Hey kids!” I heard Mom shout so I turned to look where she was. She shouted when she knew that she was still upstairs? Ughh! I looked to Nick to see his reaction. He was still looking at mom. Ughh! She is so embarrassing. I think Nick is so shocked that he can’t even look away from mom. Mom’s voice was so loud, enough for the whole people in this house to hear.

“Ughh! Nick. don’t mind her. You will often see that as you stay here longer.” I said to Nick as I turned his body to face me. “Really? I know Mom is really energetic but I didn’t know that she has this side.” Nick whispered to my ears. “HAHAHA. Yeah! Surprising right? My friend John, do you remember him?” I asked Nick if he still remembered the boy that went here last time. “Yeah, your best friend.” Nick answered softly. “Yeah that’s correct. When he first got here with Mom around he was also shocked with this side of mom. Sometimes mom acts like a child.” I explained to Nick. “Is dad okay with that?” Nick asked softly. “I think so, besides when I asked dad about this. Dad said that he liked mom even more.” I replied back to Nick. 

I am not lying, dad is so into Mom that he can accept mom’s childish attitude and sometimes mom is so unpredictable and dad even thinks that it is interesting. I don’t know but I really think our parents are weird.

“What if you turn out to  be like mom?” Nick asked me with a giggling voice. “Not gonna happen, I had my dad’s attitude and I knew that ever since I got my common sense.” I answered Nick. “Why do you feel like you don’t want to be like mom?” Nick asked me another question. “That’s not the case. Mom? She is just… ugh!!! I can’t explain it.” I replied to Nick. I don’t know what word to describe mom. 

“Yeah I get it. I’m just kidding.” Nick replied. Mom is now on her way downstairs and she even wore a dress inside the house. “What is that?” I asked Mom. “Son, I thought you were a smart kid. How couldn’t you know this kind of clothing?” Mom asked me. I know she is trying to annoy me with that question. “You know what I mean, Ughh! Why are you wearing a dress in this house? Are you going somewhere?” I asked mom. The dress that she is wearing looks like an expensive dress. I think that she bought it overseas. “No! I just want to look fabulous in front of my husband and handsome boys.” Mom replied while turning. She is so over herself. “So much self-love is not okay.” I replied. “Son, you should be grateful that your mom is beautiful.” Mom said while squeezing my face. “Ew! No! Not at all.” I replied to Mom. I got off her hands that were squeezing me a while ago. 

How can she be so boastful about herself? Dad, I am so lucky you are not the same. “Dad! Tell mom to stop, she’s embarrassing me in front of Nick. I turned to look at Nick to see how he is doing right now. Nick was just looking at me with a blank expression. For a minute I knew that I was all red.