Chapter 34: A mother’s worry

Jiko lingered in the hallway, listening. The scene felt… surreal. Everyone seemed so comfortable, so at ease with Nadia. His parents were practically beaming, laughing at her jokes and deep in conversation with her. This wasn't just a casual thing; this was serious.

And for the first time in weeks, that familiar knot of guilt in Jiko's stomach loosened. It was official. Tito and Nadia were a couple, and his parents clearly approved. They seemed genuinely happy to have her around, like she was already part of the family.

Before Jiko could process it fully, his mother's voice rang out from inside the dining room.

"Jiko! Come in here. Dinner's almost ready."

Jiko swallowed hard and stepped into the room. The atmosphere immediately shifted. His parents greeted him warmly, and Tito flashed a knowing smile—one that made Jiko uneasy. Nadia's eyes flicked toward him briefly, a subtle smirk playing on her lips.

"Ah, Jiko!" their father said with a grin. "You're just in time. We were just telling Nadia how proud we are of your accomplishments."

Jiko forced a smile and took his seat at the table.

The dinner party had come and gone, leaving a tense silence in its wake. Jiko slumped into the couch in the living room, still processing everything—the casual presence of Nadia, the subtle glances from his mother, Tito's too-knowing smile. It felt like his whole world was shifting.

His mom came into the living room, carrying a tray with a glass of water for him. She set it down on the little table in front of him and sat beside him on the couch.

For a long moment, neither of them said a word. The house was quiet, except for the faint chirping of crickets outside. It felt… heavy.

Finally, his mom spoke, her voice gentle but with a definite undercurrent of seriousness. "Jiko," she began, "can we talk? Just us?"

Jiko looked up, surprised. "Sure, Mom," he replied, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. A knot of unease tightened in his stomach. He had a feeling this wasn't going to be a light chat.

His mom took a deep breath, her expression softening a little as she leaned forward. "I've noticed something lately," she said. "About you and that girl, Julie. She seems… very fond of you."

Jiko blinked, completely taken aback. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice a little higher than usual.

His mom's eyes narrowed slightly, concern deepening. "You've been spending a lot of time together after school, meeting in quiet corners, whispering like you're hiding something. And now, tonight... you barely even tried to deny it when Tito mentioned her. It's obvious to me, Jiko. I know you care about her."

Jiko sighed, unsure how to respond. His mom always seemed to have an uncanny way of reading him, but this time, it felt different. "It's not like that, Mom. We're just classmates. We work on projects together, that's all."

His mom shook her head slowly, her voice gentle but firm. "Don't play with me, Jiko. I've raised you better than that. I see the way you look at her. I see how she looks at you."

Jiko shifted uncomfortably. "You don't understand. It's complicated."

His mom's gaze softened, but her tone remained serious. "What complicated? Jiko, you're still young. Love at your age—it's beautiful, but it's also fragile. It can pull you in, make you believe you're invincible, when in reality, you're just starting to learn about your own heart. I'm worried about you."

Jiko's expression hardened. "You don't have to worry, Mom. I know what I'm doing."

But his mom wasn't convinced. She leaned back slightly, her voice quieter but just as earnest. "I've been where you are, Jiko. I know what it feels like to be caught up in a moment. To believe you've found something special. But life has a way of teaching you lessons—lessons you might not be ready for. You're still young, and relationships at this stage can be... tricky."

Jiko frowned, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "I'm not a kid, Mom," he said, his voice a little sharper than he intended. "I know how I feel. I don't need to be told what's right or wrong." He realized he'd raised his voice and immediately apologized. "Sorry, Mom."

His mom sighed, her face etched with worry. "Jiko, I'm not trying to lecture you," she said, her voice softening. "I just want you to think about this. You and Julie… what do you really feel for her? Is it just a passing thing, or is it something more?"

Jiko leaned back in the chair, frustrated. "It's not just attraction, Mom. I care about her. I like being with her. That's enough for me right now."

His mom placed a hand gently on his arm, her eyes full of understanding. "I know, I know. But I've seen too many relationships at this age fall apart because people don't think things through. It's easy to jump in and feel like it's forever, but sometimes, life has other plans."

Jiko sighed, feeling a mix of annoyance and guilt. "I don't need this lecture, Mom. I'm not some kid who doesn't know what he wants."

His mom gave him a sad smile. "You're not just any kid, Jiko. You're my son. I love you, and I want to protect you from making mistakes that you might regret later. I've been where you are, and I know how easy it is to lose sight of what's real."

For a moment, Jiko was silent, his thoughts swirling. He hated that his mom could see through his facade so easily, but at the same time, her words made something inside him shift—a recognition that he couldn't ignore, no matter how hard he tried.

Finally, he muttered, "I'm not trying to hurt anyone, Mom. I just... I care about Julie. A lot."

His mom's expression softened further, her eyes filled with warmth and sadness. "I know you do, Jiko. But just remember—sometimes, love isn't about finding someone right away. It's about giving yourself time to understand who you are and what you truly need."

Jiko nodded, though deep down, he wasn't sure if he fully agreed. His heart was already set on Julie, but he couldn't shake the feeling that his mom's words carried a deeper truth he wasn't ready to confront.

As his mom stood up to leave the room, she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Just promise me one thing, Jiko. Be careful. Don't let your feelings blind you. Take your time, think things through."