Chapter 1: Reality

Sunny's POV

Its Sunday morning and our family decided to go to the mall. Mom and dad were walking in our front. Simon, my older brother, was walking beside me, we were following their pace.

He was three years older than my age and I'm 22. He graduated college as an airforce and was assigned in the office than the field, like what he wanted it to be. He said he rather sit on a chair all day long than defending for his life. At least my brother was playing safe. That's good.

A moment like this is so rare to happen. Simon is usually not home because of his work as an airforce. He comes and visits once in a while just like dad. They were both busy so we just nurtured the time together and hang out.

I smiled.

I know mom was so happy and I'm glad she's smiling. Well, she used to cry every night every time Dad is away. Dad was an army. Unlike my brother, Dad chose to be in the field. He likes to battle between life and death just to give justice and peace to our land.

We were walking towards the cinema when my eyes saw something noticeable. It was gay fighting back to a security guard. The thing about that gay is the way he dressed up. He was wearing a red dress, heels and a black bag was hanging on his arm. His hair was long enough to cover his big boobs. I must say he's transgender. Judging from his appearance.

"I want her to do the body frisking on me, not you!" She yelled to the old man security guard and pointed her finger to a lady guard beside the old man. Well, if she was already a transgender, she has a point.

"Look." My brother uttered as he simply gestured me to look dad.

"Disgusting gay." I heard my father as I looked at him.

Somehow, I felt bad for the gay. She didn't do anything bad for the world to be treated him this way. Why is it so cruel? Does LGBTQ don't have a place in this world? That is not fair!

I was about to do an action with the scene when I felt a hand wrapped around my wrist.

"Let it be. You'll make him mad if you enter the scene." Simon said, stopping me on my attempt. I know he was on dad.

"but—"

"No more buts, man. Just don't let yourself be in trouble. You know what happens when dad gets mad." He reminded me.

I have no choice but to let it be. We just continued to walk until we reached the cinema. I just followed them until Simon bought tickets and food for us. I entered the cinema with a heavy heart. My bad.

It was my dad's suggestion to watch a movie since a new movie of Tom Cruise was just released. He's a fan of him though.

Well, I'm not into action movies so honestly, I am not enjoy the movie that much. I prefer watching dramas and tear-jerking movies than being trilled with actions.

Suddenly, Simon's phone lit up. He excused himself and walked out of the cinema.

"When will Simon introduce us to his girlfriend?" My Dad just said which made mom choke.

"Honey, let your sons decide when they will introduce us to their girlfriends, they both grown up." Mom said as she was looking at me with happiness.

"I'm focusing much on my studies mom, dad. No time for love." I commented. As if Dad will let me be with a guy. Not yet ready to come out of the closet. Mom is the only one who knew my gender identity.

"We can still wait, baby." Mom uttered. "Don't mind your dad." She added and winked at me. I smiled.

After some time, Simon returned. We finished the movie and headed out for a meal. Dad was the one to choose where to eat. Well, he always is the one deciding for our family. Just like how he wants me to be an architect than pursue my dreams as a cartoonist. He said I don't have a future in that field. I let him be.

We stopped by one of the well-known restaurants in town. Dad parked the car in the parking lot. We went out and strode towards the restaurant. After finding our spot, the menu came and we all ordered the food we want.

We all ate in silence. Dad is an army and eating in silence is a must. God knows how bad I want to talk and to share all my thoughts with them but being part of this kind of family, Dad is the ruler and we all should obey him.

I sighed.

"What's wrong Sunny?"

I looked at Dad when he noticed me, sighing. This is not good. I know he hates it when someone sighing in front of the food.

"Nothing, Dad. Sorry." I uttered. My heart was racing so fast. It feels like any moment from now, it would come out of my chest.

I'm not that close to my Dad that's why I feel so nervous. Unlike mom who's like a best friend to me, Dad is vice versa of her. I just don't know how to hang out with him. He was like a blurry picture that I couldn't understand.

"Hey, honey. Try this one. You might like this." Mom suddenly piped in just to avert my father's attention. Thanks, mom.

After completing my meal, I excused myself to go into the comfort room. Instead of going to the said place, I went out of the restaurant and walked straight to the bench located under the big old tree.

I plopped down and enjoy the warmness of sunlight. Street children were running all around until one of them came near me.

It was a girl, short hair and maybe at the age of five or six. She smiled so do I.

"Where are your parents?" I asked her.

"They are both gone." She replied with a sweet smile.

Suddenly, my smile vanished.

"Have you eat lunch?" I asked her instead.

She shook her head.

"Wait for me, okay? I will order you food to eat." I told her.

"Thank you for your kindness." She said.

"No worries. Wait for me up. Okay? I'll be right back." Then I stood up and went back inside the restaurant. I was about to enter the entrance when I saw them walking out of the place.

"Where have you been?" Dad asked.

"Sorry, Dad. Just went out for fresh air then I saw her." I paused just to point out the cute little girl. "I want to order food for her and her friends. Please, let me."

Dad looked at me sternly. He was the type of guy who didn't want to wait for too long. I hope he would let me do this.

After waiting, Dad nodded his head. Thank goodness. I wanted to hug him but I told myself that he wouldn't appreciate it so I just smiled and walked straight inside.

I ordered foods enough for them and took it all out. Good thing, Simon helped me.

"What a good heart." He commented.

"I know you will do the same if you were the one to see them." I replied.

We distributed the food to the street children. They all thanked us.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" I told the little girl before leaving.

She nodded at me as she smiled.

Simon and I went back to the parking. Mom and Dad were already inside the car. We went to the backseat while smiling from ear to ear.

"That's my sons." Mom commented and joined us smiling. "Don't stop helping others, okay? I love the both of you."

"I love you too, mom," I told her.

Upon gazing at the rearview mirror inside the car, I saw my dad smiling. It made me heartfelt. Somehow, I made him proud and I treasured it that much.