Chapter 2. Forgiveness And Acceptance

It’s already midnight. I know that my parents are already asleep by now. I slowly opened my door to go out and I was so shocked because I saw my dad standing in front of my room.

“Dad!” I silently scream seeing him in front of my room.

“Shh..Sweetie, I know that you will do this, that's why I’m here. For sure your mom will freeze all your cards when she knows you ran away. That's why I will give you this card so you don’t need to worry about money when the time comes.”

I hugged my dad tightly as my thanks to him, “Dad, I promise I will come back soon. I just need some time to think of the solution regarding mom’s decision to marry me off.”

“I understand Sweetie, just be careful and be safe wherever you will go and contact me no matter what happens okay.”

“Yes Daddy I will. Thank you so much and I love you so much Dad. I need to go before mom wakes up.” Dad kissed my forehead as goodbye.

And now I’m here on the beach far away from the city and far from my family. I joined a group of people for a recreational activity like that. We are gathering tonight at the beach to meet with another group that joined in this activity. The speaker started to speak and started our activity for tonight. First we introduced ourselves one by one as the cold wind blew and I felt chilly. My eyes suddenly focused on a woman across from me. She introduced herself happily. She's beautiful, lively and sexy.

All throughout the activity my gaze always follows her. Even her simple gestures attract me especially when she smiles. She's so beautiful and I see that she is a kind person seeing how she interacts with others. The leader began to call out the names of two people in a group. The leader called her name first and I was so shocked when I heard my name next to her. We are partners for the next activity.

The activity is about love. Introducing ourselves to each other and telling things about ourselves. Then each partner needs to tell how they are when they are in love with someone together with our partners.

“Next team Roxy and Shane,” the leader said loudly.

We stepped in the front and sat on the chair together facing each other then began to introduce ourselves. I’m so nervous. It's my first time to reveal my identity and sexuality in front of other people than my friends.

“Hi I’m Roxy Santillian. I’m Twenty five and…a lesbian.”

Everybody was shocked after what I said that I’m a lesbian because I am a totally girly woman outside. I dressed sexily, beautifully and also I am wearing make up. I don't see any disgust in their reactions, instead they are amazed by me. I look at Shane shyly then she smiles sweetly at me and holds my hand like she was supporting me ang giving me courage that I need right now.

The leader asked me, “How are you Roxy, when you are in love with some? But first, have you ever fallen in love with someone before?”

“I have been in a relationship before but I say that it was not love, it's just for benefits.” 

I looked at Shane and her eyes were tantalizing. I can't take my eyes off her and I can't help myself but to smile while looking at her.

“But now I guess I am slowly falling to someone,” I said while holding Shane’s hand.

Everyone around us is shouting. They are giggling and cheering for me. They obviously know who I'm talking about. 

“When I’m in love with someone I will make sure to make that person my number one. I will make sure that every second of every day that she spends with me is filled with only love and happiness.”

“Are you already confessing to me?” Shane teases me while laughing so sweetly. Then everyone around us laughs and shouts too because she’s teasing me.

I just smiled at her. I want to talk to her privately about me being attracted to her. After I speak it’s Shane’s turn to speak too about herself.

“Hello I’m Shane Sandoval. Twenty four years old and I’m Bi. I’m attracted to a man and a woman.” She said it proudly.

Everyone claps and cheers for her. She’s so brave to tell others who she is and her sexuality while I am being shy about it. Shane continues to speak about her life and so on. After that activity I realized that before you want others to accept and love you for who you are. You need to learn to love yourself first and accept all the things about yourself. You need to be proud of yourself first before the other people are proud of who you are.

That night I couldn't sleep so I went outside and walked to the shore. I like the chilly breeze of air to my skin. The beautiful sound of the ocean at night brings music to my ears. I sit down and watch the bright moon and the stars. I wonder what my mom is doing right now. I”m sure she’s mad at me and my dad for helping me to escape that night.

While I’m in a daze, someone suddenly sat by my side and it shocked me, “The moon is so beautiful together with the stars.”

Shane whispered softly while gazing above the sky. She looks at me and smiles beautifully,

“Why are you here by yourself?”

“I can’t sleep, that's why I’m here. What about you?”

“I can’t sleep too. I went to your room but you are not there so I’m looking for you.”

“You are looking for me, why?”

“I want to know you more Roxy, honestly I am attracted to you.”

Shane is so straightforward that it makes me blush, “You are so blunt.”

My face is red as a tomato right now. My heart is beating so fast. I didn’t expect that Shane would also be attracted to me like I was attracted to her.

“I don’t need to go around the bush Roxy, we are old enough to honestly say what we feel for someone.”

I smiled at her, “You are right Shane.” I hold her hand and caress her hair that blew by the air on her face.

“I like you too Shane. I’m attracted to you. Can you give me a chance to get to know you more?”

She squeezed my hand and smiled at me, “Of course! I want to know you more too, Roxy.”

We lay down on the sand while holding hands and gazing at the stars. We talk a lot about each other's life. I told her about my problems and she gave me advice and supported me. I’m so happy right now. I can't believe that despite what happened to me now I am happy with someone besides me.

A month has already passed by and now Shane and I are dating and we are happy being together. I decided to go back home and talk to my mother and beg her to accept me. I need to fight for myself and for my happiness. I love my parents and I love my mom. I will be completely happy if she is gonna accept me as I am now.

Shane supported me and she wants to go back home with me. She wants to meet my parents and help me to pursue my mom. I’m so happy that she’s there by my side, especially now. Shane is my strength right now. We arrived at our house and my dad happily welcomed us. He hugged me so tightly and told me he missed her precious daughter so much. I cried as I hugged him back full of love and longing.

I’m nervously waiting for my mom to go home. Shane and dad assured me that everything will be okay, that I will be able to talk to my mom heart to heart and express my feelings more. An hour passed by and I heard the sound of a car engine outside. I know it’s her and I'm ready to beg her now.

She walked to the living room and saw us waiting for her. My dad didn't tell her that I am coming back home. She froze as she saw me and her tears began to flaw down to her face. My mom rushed to hug me.By that time I already felt that she already accepted me. She hugged me so tightly while crying.

“I’m so sorry Mommy, I’m so sorry for running away like that.” I cried loudly like a child.

“No! No! I’m the one who needs to apologize to you my dear. I’m really sorry for being stubborn and selfish. Please forgive your mom. I’m sorry that I am just concerned about our reputations. It leads me to neglect the feelings of my precious child and hurt you. I’m so sorry.”

Mom cried so much and asked for my forgiveness repeatedly. I hugged her full of love and said that I”m not angry at her, that I understand her because she just only wants what is best for me.

“Mom, let’s forget what happened. I am not mad at you. I love you so much you and dad. I’m so happy right now that we are all together now. I missed you so much Mom, Daddy.”

Dad hugged us tightly. I proudly introduced Shane to them, “Mom, Dad, this is Shane Sandoval, my girlfriend. She helps me a lot when I’m away from you guys. She helps me emotionally and mentally that's why I’m here now in front of you.”

Mom held Shane’s hand and thanked her, “Shane, thank you so much for being there for Roxy. I’m so thankful and happy that my daughter found a kind and loving person like you. Please take care of Roxy for me my dear.” Mom hugged her tightly.

“Thank you so much Tita for accepting me and for accepting our relationship. I will make sure to make Roxy happy for the rest of her life.”

“Call me Mom from now on, my dear daughter, okay,” mom said happily.

“And call me Dad too, okay,” dad said with a smile on his face.

“By the way Shane, sweetie, your family name sounds familiar to me. Are you the daughter of the chairman of the biggest amusement park business in the country, the Sandoval Corporation?”

I realized now that I really didn’t know all about Shane’s whereabouts that’s why I'm getting curious too right now.

“Yes Mother, I’m his one and only daughter like Roxy I’m also the only child of our family.”

I was so shocked when I heard it all. At the same time my mother is so happy hearing those words from my girlfriend. Mom’s eyes filled with stars of happiness. Dad smiled at me and I knew that Mom began to think about business cooperation again. I laughed secretly. I pulled Shane into my arms and hugged her tightly and whispered to her ears.

“I may not be enough for you Shane, my love but I promised to love you and make you happy until my last breath.”

“I will love you too until forever Roxy.”

We kissed and hugged each other with our hearts full of love, trust and acceptance.