Meet the parents (2)

"Good evening ma'am, sir and doctor Alcantara." Nickel nervously greeted Zoey's immediate family members. He never did this thing before and he is also clueless of what will unfold during this unexpected meet and greet with Zoey's family.

"Good evening to you lad, get in inside." Mr. Alcantara firmly said as they entered the house. The five of them went to the dining room where their dinner was prepared. Their daughter informed them that she would be visiting them together with her boyfriend in order to formally introduce him to them.

Over the phone, Mr. Alcantara doesn't sound enthusiastic as how he used to react whenever Zoey told him that Nickel would pay him a visit. Zoey also thought that their sudden relationship pissed her father off because it wasn't the way they raised her. Ladies in Alcantara clan supposed to be a prim and proper as Maria Clara of the old times but it seems like Zoey went the other path of modernization.

The table arrangement is as follows;

Zander sat on the head of the table with Fatima on his right and Zoey on his left. Nickel sat next to Zoey and Zick beside his mother.

It was one hell of a silent hall for Nickel because as soon as they settled on their seats, no one among them spoke a word. Zoey noticed that Nickel is already sweating in a bead that is why he reached for his hand under the table. It is to make him feel relax in just one simple gesture.

She also flashed him a timid smile to make him feel relax and to send him a message that everything would be okay.

Manang and the rest of the house helper, one by one brought the dishes they had prepared for tonight. Although Nickel is famished from driving three hours straight he didn't dig in. he waited for the head of the family to allow them to feast the meal.

To be honest, this is the first time he experiences to be this nervous in his whole life. Nickel grew up believing that he can do everything and that he can overcome whatever presented to him. But he was actually wrong, he just learned that meeting your girlfriend's family will eventually wipe out all the courage and confidence in your body in just a snap.

He even cannot hold the platters due to his feelings. In which why Zoey needs to help him. Seeing how Zoey attending Nickel made Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara arched their brows. Never did they saw their daughter like this. She usually helps you pass the platters but helping you scoop the dishes onto your plate is a newbie for them.

Zick who is also watching his baby sister was amazed that Zoey can also be affection towards someone.

Nickel felt that people around their table were stabbing him death stare so he tried to stop Zoey from helping her by slightly touching her thighs underneath the table and smoothly shake his head to indicate that there is something wrong.

Zoey put down the platter and looked at everyone around the dining table.

Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara didn't hide their death stare to her and continues. Zick also couldn't stop chuckling on the other end of the table.

Zoey looked straight on her brother's eyes and side looked to her dad to ask him to help them sooth the mood over the table. But like what expect her brother would be, he shrugged his shoulder, which means that you have solved the problem you've started.

Zoey felt unpleasant about what was happening, she thought that letting him meet her parents was a bad idea in the first place. She thought that she should be prepared both sides before letting them meet again.

"When did it all started?" Asked by Mr. Alcantara while slicing the meat on his plate. He still deadpan looked at Nickel as if he will cut him off once she says a wrong word.

"Last night, dad. So please be gentle to him. He might break up with me tomorrow if you keep threatening him with your knife."

"Zip it, Zoey. I am talking to him." For the first time, Zander side eye rolls his daughter of talking too much and defending Nickel in front of them.

Nickel nervously pinching his thigh as he answered Zander's question, "last night, Sir. I just asked her to be my girlfriend last night." He was obviously lost his confidence because as soon as Zander throw him questions, he starts stuttering with his words.

"And you even didn't try to tell us that feelings of yours? I trusted you, Fuentes." Zander replied with a hint of disappointment.

Nickel realized his fault as he heard Zander's disappointed tone. He wanted to turn back the time and corrected this part so that in the future he will not be a big setback on their relationship.

"I am sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara." Nickel said this with his head down due to his embarrassment. He totally ended their nice affiliation.