TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

“That’s right, Heidi. It’s not a good idea to have too many children. The more, the closer they are in age. The older sibling gets overshadowed by the younger ones. It’s really sad.”

“Oh my God, that’s true. It should have been you, Rose, who was taken first. This is what happens when your younger sister died before you. Just wait, Rose. Maybe next year it’ll be yours turn to be called by God. Just be patient and wait for the time.”

“You are stubborn even when advised. Look at poor Vonda being overshadowed by Kania. Well, that’s the risk of having children so close in age. And there are so many of them. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Renata overshadowing Vonda again next year. Seriously! Don’t you care about your own child? How can you allow her younger sister to overshadow her?”

“Oh, my goodness. Von, are you sad to be overshadowed by Kania?”

Gulp!

Vonda tried to catch her breath as Heidi directed her question at her. She had been shaking ever since she had heard the debate between her mother and her mother’s cousin. She tried to answer.

“N-n-no, Mom. Not one bit. I don’t mind if Kania gets married before me.”

Heidi raised her thumb. “This is a big sister caring for her younger sibling. Her spiritual strength and affection are not half-hearted. Not like someone, right? Someone who gets upset when she is overshadowed?”

Vonda cleared her throat. “M-M-Mom…”

Max watched as Vonda tried to calm her mother, but Heidi quickly turned her attention to something else. At that moment, there would be no one who could stop Heidi’s words.

“Vonda is an adult. Adults understand that everything has a purpose.”

On the opposite porch, where a few mothers sat enjoying light snacks, Rosa rolled her eyes briefly. Her stubborn expression remained.

“Hey, Heidi. I was just asking, you know? I’m just caring about your daughter.”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Vonda grabbed Heidi’s hand and tried to stop her. She was afraid her mother would lift the table on the porch and knock it to the ground.

“Mom, let’s go inside.”

Heidi ignored Vonda’s words. Instead, she let go of Vonda’s hand.

“You said you cared. Maybe you want Vonda to meet someone, right?”

Heidi scowled. But a moment later she shook her head.

“No no no. I’m sure the guy you know looks like you. Besides…” Heidi glanced. “… hasn’t you seen how handsome Vonda’s new boyfriend is?”

Oh, my goodness.

Max, who had been frozen for a while, suddenly became nervous when he noticed that all the mothers’ eyes were on him. Dear God, this seems scarier than facing an angry thesis advisor in college.

“Are you Vonda’s new boyfriend?”

Gulp!

The first question immediately made both Vonda and Max uncomfortable. They exchanged awkward glances, and Vonda decided to answer.

“Um… actually, he…”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Swoosh!

Vonda turned to Max, who cut her off. His face was frozen, and he actually confirmed the question.

Oh, but that’s not all. Just wait until Max reached out for Heidi’s hand and shook it politely. Introduced himself. That’s when Vonda almost lost her composure.

“Maxwell Hernandez, Ma’am. Just call me Max. I apologize for coming to your house just now.”

Heidi’s eyes, which had been burning with fire, suddenly softened like a snowfall. Her tense expression relaxed. A smile even appeared.

“Ah, Max. Yes, yes, yes. It’s all right. I’ve been waiting for you.”

A sentence that made both Vonda and Max furrow their brows in confusion.

“Waiting for me, Ma’am?”

Heidi nodded. “Sarah’s told me a lot about you. I’m so excited and I’ve been waiting for you.”

Sarah!

Vonda’s eyes immediately darted to the door. As if her gaze could pierce through walls and locate Sarah, who had apparently arrived at her house before them. No need for a sixth sense; Vonda knew exactly where Sarah was right now.

Probably in the kitchen! Getting the engagement snacks ready!

The information from Heidi made Max nod stiffly, feeling confused and curious.

What exactly had Sarah told Vonda’s mother about me?

While this question spun around in Max’s head, a sigh came from the other side. It seemed to remind the three of them that there were also information-hungry mothers to be dealt with. Max quickly walked over and greeted the mothers while introducing himself.

Oh God. The one time he came to Vonda’s house, he was immediately greeted by nosy family. And now he had to introduce himself in this situation. A twist of fate.

After introducing himself, Max, feeling awkward, returned to Vonda. He looked at her with a sympathetic gaze that made Vonda feel both pity and amusement. Well, maybe a little irritation.

Guilt? Strangely enough, it did not occur to Vonda at all.

“Um, Max. If you’re going to marry Vonda, you need to know something, okay? Vonda’s got a lot of siblings. If you mess up, you’re going to have a hard time being married to her. They don’t use birth control. They just keep having kids.”

All this time, Max had thought nosy family only existed in soap operas. But apparently, they existed in real life, too. And to be honest, he was kind of impressed. For seven minutes, there was no blood on the porch. So amazing, right?

Although, of course, the debate would not end quickly. Heidi chimed in again.

“That’s the job of parents, Celine. Hopefully, I raised my children not to be troublemakers. That includes teasing their in-laws. But if we help each other… isn’t that what family is for? Besides, it’s better for Max to help Vonda’s sibling than it is to help nosy family like you. Is it right, Max?”

No. Of course Max would not answer that question. Not because he disagreed with Heidi, but because Max did not want to get involved in this damn conversation. Besides, he had to admit that his whole body was already hot and cold.

Vonda reached for Heidi’s hand again. “Mom, let’s go inside. Please, I beg you.”

Because no matter what, Vonda had to admit that she was embarrassed to have Max witness this argument. So, the only way to do it was to invite Heidi into the house.

*