Chapter 6: Her Mom

Remember what i said about coincidences either being a good or bad one? Well, this situation i can consider being a bad one, since it completely ruins my plan about Lorelai.

"Oh hi Malik, i didn't know you were gonna be here."

"Mom, why are you here, and how do you know Lorelai's family?"

"Because i work with them silly, specifically i work with Adam, and be polite. I'm talking with Adam's wife right now."

I look towards the person beside her. indeed she has a striking resemblance to lorelai, Short curly hair that extends above her shoulder with a thin yet rosy face that almost resembles Lorelai's own facial features.

"Wify I'm home!"

I hear a loud voice beside me as he dashes beside me and straightaway went to Mrs. Hopper's embrace. Giving her a big hug and yet being gentle while doing so, and of course with a spin, too.

"Alright Honey welcome home, now put me down we have guests."

"Ah, of course."

Mr. Adam still had that wide grin plastered on his face while her wife seemed visibly embarrassed by what he just did, though in a short while she regained her composure, huh her behavior reminds me of a certain someone.

"I apologize for my Husband's behavior. He can be a little idiot sometimes."

"Hey that's not nice."

"Shut up."

"Okay…"

Yup now i can see where Lorelai's forceful attitude comes from.

"Mom I'm home."

Lorelai walked up to her mom and also gave her a hug, though this time it was a bit more tame. After realizing that they had guests, Mrs. Hopper invited me and my mom to the living room so we could sit down and talk properly. After sitting down and Mrs. Hopper, along with Lorelai, helped to make coffee, Mrs. Hopper introduced herself before continuing.

"Well, nice to meet you Malik, iv heard a lot about you from Lorelai, Im Luna, Luna Hopper and I'm Lorelais Mother."

She introduced herself with grace like a fairy coming down from the immortal world, giving the world a gift just by her presence alone, as her beauty transcends those of any mortal woman and is more like a real life fairy, any mortal is lucky to be beholden by. And that lucky mortal happens to be Mr. Adam, who somehow married this fairy.

"And if you haven't met by now, this is Adam, my husband and this is my daughter Lorelai. We have another son right now who is Lorelais big brother, but he's off to college right now so unfortunately we won't be able to introduce him for now."

Huh, i didn't know Lorelai had a brother, she never mentioned it to me, though it's understandable since i don't even know her favorite color, much less her own brother.

"Well its fine. Malik can always meet him next time." My mom said in a jovial tone.

I couldn't bear it anymore since i was pretty nervous that my own mom was here in Lorelai's house, not because of any other reason that if she is indeed friends with Lorelai's parents, then my plans are pretty much fucked.

"Um, so mom, can i now ask why you're here?"

"Oh Malik, i could ask the same since aren't you supposed to be grocery shopping?"

"Yeah about that… I happened to meet Lorelai when we were taking the bus and it was a coincidence that she also happened to be grocery shopping, so i just invited her to come with."

Mom had an understanding look on her face yet in the next it brightly shone like two suns was looking at me, she turned to look at Luna who also had an equally bright face, while i peeked at lorelai and noticed that her face was turning red.

"Ah, i see, i see, so why are you now in Luna's home?" asked mom.

"I can answer that for you." said Mr Adam.

"Well, i had a bit of an accident really as i took a wrong turn and happened to arrive here, i guess instincts took over when i was talking to lorelai and Malik in the car."

"Dear, please watch where you are going next time."

"Yes, dear."

Mrs. Luna scolded Mr. Adam for a bit and it visibly frustrated her with what he had done, yet he still kept that same smile while she scolded him. It went on for a bit with Lorelai taking a pillow and burying her face in it while mom was looking on like she was enjoying a good show.

Mrs Luna noticed that her scolding wasn't working as she dawned a defeated look and turned back to me and my mom.

"Sigh I'm sorry my husband did that Kaela, he can be a bit of an idiot sometimes so please forgive him." said Mrs Luna in a helpless tone.

"Its fine Luna. It didn't turn out that bad as i get to meet Malik here and enjoy a good show while am at it.

Mrs. Luna looked visibly embarrassed by what my mom said with her face flushing red, but she still didn't give up as Mrs. Luna gave a glare to my mom but my mom, being my mom, just smiled.

Mrs. Luna looked even more defeated but composed herself and turned to me, i had a bad feeling when is saw her face smiling.

"So Malik, I heard that Lorelai here is going to be your date in the up-and-coming party."

"Mom!"

"Hush now dear, I'm talking to Malik, as you can see."

Lorelai then quit down and sulked on the pillow she was holding, but she still kept her attention on the conversation.

"Uh yes Mam, it somehow ended up this way but yeah i will be Lorelais date."

"Oh somehow? What do you mean?"

I looked confused as i didn't understand her question. Did she now know how i became her date? Still i answered.

"Well, to keep it short, Lorelai was the one who asked me to be her date."

'Asked int the right word, more like forced.' i thought.

"Oh, i didn't know Lorelai was the one who asked, that is very interesting." said Mrs. with a grin on her face.

She took a peek at Lorelai for a moment, but turned her attention back to the conversation. Maybe because Lorelai saw her mother's stare, she buried herself even more in the pillow she's holding as Mr. Adam had a big laugh, clearly amused by this development.

I felt a tug at my shirt and saw my mom looking at my with starry eyes, and said.

She whispered, "Why didn't you tell me you were gonna be Lorelai's Date!?"

"Well, it kinda just happened, mom." I said, frustrated at this development.

"So Malik, i wanna ask you." Asked by Mr Adam.

Mr. Adam had a big grin on his face throughout this conversation, sometimes even taking a peek at Lorelai Buried face, amused by this development and is now turning to me to ask something, i wonder what it was.

"Uh, what is it Mr. Adam?"

"Its nothing much, i just wanna ask if you're still single."

Shock overcame me as his question startled me. What does this have to do with anything?

"Uh yes sir, I'm still single last time i checked."

"Adam, stop interviewing my kid like he did something wrong."

My mom butted into the conversation all of a sudden as her face was showing an annoyed expression, yet i could tell there was a pleased hint in her eyes as she looked at Mr. Adam.

"What, what's wrong with what i said, I'm only asking a simple question, it's nothing much."

"Okay guys, calm down, and Honey stop asking such a question, it's none of our business whether he is still single or not, let Lory figure it out for herself."

"MOM! Wha.. Stop!"

"Now, now honey calm down-"

There was an argument that happened again between them and this time it was between Lorelai and her mother, Lorelai a beet red expression to her face as she talked with her mom and her mom still had a calm smile plastered on her face, not bothered by Lorelai's silly antics. Now that's a woman.

"Alright now, Luna, Adam, i gotta get going with my son here, it getting late and we need to go home."

Mrs. Luna stopped teasing her daughter and looked towards my mom with a sad expression on her face when she heard what my mom said.

"But can't you stay any longer? My daughter here is clearly happy with Malik being here, and i don't mind if you guys stay for the night."

Lorelai being happy with me here? That seems wrong because as i looked towards Lorelai, i can see her face still buried in her pillow, not even showing her face to me, i don't think that's the definition of someone being happy.

"No, it's getting late, though i would love to stay but Malik and me still have something to do at home."

Startled i look towards Mom with a puzzled gaze, questioning if we did have something's to do at home. My mom ignored my gazes and kept her eyes on the hopper family.

"If you put it like that… Fine Keala."

Mrs. Luna had a clear expression of sadness on her face, seemingly sad that her friend was leaving, but to me its seems like shes sad she cant tease her daughter anymore, though I'm only speculating on my part.

"Okay then, well go now."

Me and my Mom stood up and picked up our things, ready to leave. My mom hugged Luna for a bit while with Adam. She just glared at him for some reason. Still, Mr. Adam didn't seem fazed by it and still had a big smile on his face. Lorelai finally let go of her pillow to greet us off with her usual smile, yet this time i can feel that her smile was omitting something else, though I can't tell what it exactly means.

They walked us to our car and said our goodbyes, and in a short while of Mrs Luna hugging mom again with Adam and Lorelai still having a smile on their face, we then drove off back to home.

While in the car with mom, me sitting beside her while she drives and with the grocery bags in the backseat; she asked me a couple questions concerning school but it was mostly about Lorelai.

"So Malik, you like Lunas Kid huh, how cute."

"What? No mom, it's not like that, I'm just being her date is all, and she's the one who asked me to her date, not me."

I don't plan to tell mom i was forced into being her date, and i don't think it's necessary for mom to know, ill deal with it on my own like a proper adult.

"So Lorelai likes you alright then." Mom said with a teasing smile.

"No, that even more ridiculous."

I had a dumbfounded expression on my face, confused about how she came to that conclusion, but maybe its understandable since she doesn't know what actually happened on the inside. Sigh Whatever.

"Suit yourself kiddo, i always knew you were a little idiot when it came to these things, sigh i blame yoour dad, to be honest."

Suddenly, the car became quiet, with only the sound of the car driving and the sound of silence pervading the atmosphere, i don't know how it was even possible for sound to emit sound, though in that moment i felt it did.

Mom still had a smile on her face, but this time there was something else mixed into her smile, a smile of longing for someone. The silence continued on for a while with mom looking forward to the road, yet her eyes seem to be looking elsewhere, remembering something that once was. It continued until mom said.

"You know, your cute idiocy reminds me of your dad. He was always like you when i first met him. He was denser than the fucking planet, and yet that's what i loved about him."

Even as she was talking about dad, she still had that same smile on her face, smiling as if we were talking about something fun, yet this was by far not fun. I could not understand why was she was smiling while talking about Dad. it was clearly a depressing topic to talk about.

I never knew my dad. Growing up, he was never in the picture and mom was the only one who raised me along with grandma and grandpa. He didn't leave us no. In fact, what i heard from mom was that he was the most protective person he ever met, always so curious when mom was pregnant with me. Instead, he died.

On the day as she was about to give birth to me, my dad was at a bar drinking with some friends when he suddenly got a call telling him that her wife was about to give birth, rushing with excitement, he dashed to his car and made his way to the hospital. Now my mom knew that he was the most miraculously curious person, so even though he was in a rush, he didnt forget to drive carefully, yet his cautiousness wasn't enough to save him from human idiocy.

On that particular day, a certain drunkard was also driving and of course, his system was filled to the brim with alcohol, and he had this genius idea of driving, leading him to crashing into my father's car, killing him in one shot. Though my mom didn't tell me, my grandparents told me that when my mom found out that dad died on the way there, she made no sound as she just looked off into space, staring at the air.

To this day my mom never forgot my dad, and i could tell that she loved him with all his heart, loving him to this very day, and the unrefutable proof of that is that she never remarried. Always wearing her wedding ring on her left hand, never letting it go no matter where she went.

At the moment, after mom said that about dad, a pervading silence enveloped the car, continuing along until we went were home. Saying goodnight to me as she went to her room and me to mine.

I lay there in my bed for what seemed like forever in the dark silently, thinking about the father i never met, thinking about the smile on my mom when she was thinking about dad. Suddenly i remember one of the things she told me about dad.

"What do you mean, I'm dense like that?"

I ruminated about it for a short while until my heart slowed down, my body went limp as my thought drifted off to sleep, thinking about my mom's words

'My dad was a dense idiot?'

…

A day after going grocery shopping with Lorelai, it was Monday morning at my house, with me just finishing up my workout and getting ready to shower and go to school.

I talked to mom for a while about some small things, and as i talked to her i notice that her expression was back to normal. A calm, mature smile appeared on her as she talked to me, leaving no trace of the expression she had on the ride back home. I didn't think about it too much since as long as mom was fine, i didn't care.

"Malik, go shower and get ready for school, ill go ahead first."

"Okay mom."

My mom then kissed me on the forehead before saying waving goodbye one last time before leaving for work. I look at the door where mom just left and thought about something first, i then remembered what my mom said about dad.

"I'm a dense idiot like dad? What does that even mean?"

I didn't understand since the last time i checked, i was a straight-A student and is by no means a dense idiot, but maybe she was referring to my lack thereof social awareness, because i at least am aware of that. But i believe it's not hindering me that much in daily life, there weren't that much situations where i can tell i had the need for social awareness. Last time I checked, I only interacted with Neil and Ace, and I needed tolerance, not social awareness, to handle them both.

I ignored my chaotic thoughts since i can always deal with it later, and focused on taking a bath first and eating breakfast.

After doing my usual morning routine, i then waited for the bus outside as i thought about the things i need to do in school today. I think i remember that there was a certain presentation i had to do with Lorelai, hmmm what was it again?

A door opening startled me out my thoughts as i realize that the bus was already here, i get in before it leaves me again and look for my usual seat, and of course, at the back of the bus where i usually sit, i see Lorelai wearing earphones, listening to music with her eyes closed.

I didn't want to disturb her so i just sat beside her without a sound and did the same, i pulled out my earphones and also listened to music, i close my eyes to listen to my music as i wait for the bus to arrive at school, but reality is often disappointing as i hear the same words again.

"Oh Hi Malik!"

Sigh. I thought that maybe i can have some peace and quiet but whatever. I open my eyes and saw that Lorelai with her dark hair and blue eyes, was staring at me with her usual bright smile.

"Morning Lorelai, still sitting at the same spot i see."

"Yeah, i like it here so i dint want to move from this place."

And it just happened to be the same place i sit, of fucking course.

"Are you prepared for our presentation this week, Malik?"

"Huh, what do you mean?"

"Ah so you forgot huh."

Bewildered, i gaze towards her blue eyes, asking for answers about what she meant. If i remember correctly, i did have a presentation i have to do with Lorelai but i seem to have forgotten where.

"Your a bit helpless sometimes Malik, sigh fine, were partnered up to do the presentation for our class's science project, remember?"

Then it clicked in my mind, this week is the science fair for our school where every class is obligated to make their own work, their own science related presentation, and due to that situation, i was nominated to be the one whos going to present it with Lorelai. And of course, the little bastard who nominated me was my good old friend Neil.

"Hmm yeah now i remember." i said with a dawned look.

"So i ask again, are you ready?"

"Now? Nah but ill be ready just in time. When were gonna present, don't worry to much."

"Sure Malik sure." said lorelai with an annoyed smile on her face.

I may not be the most socially adept person in school, but I excel as a presenter.

There was a silent atmosphere that followed after our small conversation. Why it was so i don't know, but Lorelai seemed to be not looking in my direction and was just looking out into space. I can make a guess that it's because of what happened on Saturday.

Although I do love a quiet environment when i came upon it, this type of silence i don't like that much for some reason, so to break it i pull out one of my earphones and handed it to Lorelai.

Lorelai noticed my gesture and has a bit of a shocked expression on her face, though she recovered in a while and took it. She removed her earphones and put on the one i gave her on her right ear.

As the bus was going to school, we just sat there listening to music. A strange silence pervaded the atmosphere, and this time I quite liked it.