That evening, Rina came home with a heavy heart. She had practiced what to say a thousand times in her head, but standing in front of her parents' door, her legs felt like jelly.
Her dad was reading the newspaper on the sofa, and her mom was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Everything looked normal, but Rina knew her life was about to change.
She took a deep breath and walked into the living room.
"Mom... Dad... can we talk?"
Her parents looked up, seeing how pale and nervous she looked. They sat down properly, sensing that this was serious.
"What is it, Rina? Is it about your grades?" her mom asked, wiping her hands on her apron.
"No..." Rina shook her head. She clenched her fists tight, remembering Luna's words: Be brave. I love you.
"I... I have something important to tell you," Rina started, her voice shaking but determined. "I met someone. Someone very special."
Her dad smiled. "Oh? A boyfriend? Is he a good student?"
"No..." Rina closed her eyes and blurted it out. "It's not a boy. It's a girl. Her name is Luna. And... and I like girls. I am in love with her."
Silence.
The room went dead quiet. Rina opened her eyes slowly, terrified of their reaction.
Her dad lowered his newspaper. He looked at Rina, then at his wife.
Her mom's face changed instantly. The warm expression disappeared, replaced by shock and anger.
"A... a girl?" her mom stammered, her voice rising. "What are you saying, Rina?! This is a joke, right? Tell me you are joking!"
"I'm not joking, Mom!" Rina said, tears already forming. "I love her! She makes me happy!"
"Happy?" her mom stood up, voice sharp and loud. "How can this make you happy?! This is wrong! It's not normal! What will people say? What about our family name?!"
Rina flinched at her words, but she didn't run away. She stood her ground.
"I don't care what people say!" Rina cried out. "Luna is the best person I know! She is kind, she is smart, and she loves me for who I am! She makes me want to be a better person!"
"I forbid this!" her mom shouted, looking furious. "You will stop seeing her! Do you hear me?! I didn't raise you to be like this!"
"Enough!"
A deep voice cut through the argument. It was Rina's dad.
He stood up and walked over to Rina, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. Rina looked at him, expecting disappointment, but instead... she saw a soft, understanding smile.
"Dad..."
"Let her speak, honey," her dad said calmly to his wife, then turned to Rina. "You really love this girl, Rina?"
"Yes, Dad..." Rina sobbed softly. "So much. She is my girlfriend. And she treats me like a princess. She never makes me feel alone."
Her dad smiled warmly and pulled her into a hug.
"That's all that matters to me," he said softly. "As long as you are happy, as long as you are safe, and as long as you study hard... I support you. I don't care if she is a boy or a girl. You are still my daughter."
Rina cried harder, hugging her dad back. "Thank you... thank you so much, Dad..."
But then she looked at her mom, who was standing by the wall, looking conflicted, angry, but also teary-eyed.
Her mom wasn't looking at her, she was looking at the floor, her hands trembling.
"Mom..." Rina walked slowly towards her, wiping her tears.
"I know you are shocked. I know you have different beliefs..." Rina said gently. "But my feelings are real. Luna didn't 'turn' me into anything. I was born this way. And loving her doesn't make me a bad person. It makes me happy."
Rina took her mom's cold hands into hers.
"Mom, please... just meet her once. She gave up being number 1 in school just so I could be happy and make you proud. She sacrificed for me. She loves me that much. Can't you give us a chance?"
Her mom looked up, staring into Rina's sincere, tear-filled eyes. She saw how much pain she was causing her daughter. She saw that Rina wasn't being rebellious... she was just in love.
Slowly, the anger in her mom's eyes faded, replaced by exhaustion and acceptance.
"You really... you really love her that much?" her mom whispered hoarsely.
"Yes," Rina nodded firmly. "More than anything."
Her mom sighed deeply, a tear rolling down her own cheek. She pulled her hand away for a second, only to wipe Rina's face gently.
"You are really... just like your father. So stubborn," her mom mumbled, but her voice was soft now. "I... I still don't understand everything completely. And it will take time for me to get used to this idea..."
Rina's heart leaped with hope. "Mom?"
"But..." her mom looked at her, a small, reluctant smile appearing. "If she makes you smile like this... if she makes you study hard and be a good person... then I guess... I can't be angry forever."
"Does that mean...?"
"I will meet her," her mom said softly. "I will talk to her. But if she hurts you even once, Rina... I will not forgive her."
Rina couldn't hold it back anymore. She jumped and hugged her mom tightly, crying happy tears.
"Thank you! Thank you so much, Mom! I promise you won't regret it! Luna is amazing!"
Her dad laughed softly, watching them hug. "See? Everything will be okay."
Later that night, Rina facetimed Luna immediately.
As soon as Luna's face appeared on the screen, looking worried and handsome, Rina smiled the brightest smile ever.
"Luna!"
"Hey hey! Why are your eyes swollen? Did they get mad? Did you cry?" Luna asked frantically.
"No!" Rina shook her head, laughing through her tears. "They accepted it! My dad was so happy for me! And Mom... she said she wants to meet you!"
Luna froze on the screen, then her face broke into the biggest, most relieved smile ever.
"Really?! Oh my god, Rina! I'm so happy!!" Luna cheered, looking like she wanted to jump through the screen. "I promise! I will be on my best behavior! I will impress your mom! I will bring her favorite flowers! I will..."
Rina giggled, watching her panic excitedly. "I love you, Luna."
"I love you too, baby! So much!"
Finally, everything was perfect. They had each other, they had their friends, and now... they had their families.
To be continued in chapter 15>>♪(๑ᴖ◡ᴖ๑)♪