Chapter 6: Sanctuary

Sunny's POV

I'm glad that they invited me to dinner. Cassandra is here with us and she was sitting right next to Parker. I am beside Auntie Francia while Uncle Mark was sitting on the right part of the table.

We all prayed and thanked God for the plenty of food today.

"Let's eat." Uncle Mark uttered after praying.

Parker was sitting right in front of me. I was surprised when he put a scoop of rice on my plate.

"Try my mom's caldereta. You'll like it." He said and put some on my plate.

"T-thanks," I said when I felt Cassandra stare at me. My bad. Why he's so hands-on with me? I can manage though.

"It's been a while since Parker brought a friend here. I'm so happy to meet you, Sunny." Parker's mom broke the silence.

"I am close to thinking that my son is an introvert. I'm glad you came." She added.

"I was betrayed before and left on air that's why I'm afraid of making friends once and for all. Cassandra is the only friend I have as of now—" Parker stopped explaining when his dad piped in.

"You two are dating! She's not just your friend, Parker." Uncle Mark said.

I saw how Parker's shoulders went down. Sadness was all over his face and I know he just chose to stay silent. He told me everything and I know what he was going through. We were on the same road.

The whole lunch, Parker didn't say a thing.m until he was done with his food. He stood up and excused himself.

Cassandra looked at me so I gestured for her to follow Parker. She nodded and stood up, following him to the kitchen.

"I love all the foods, Auntie. They were all good!" I commented after finishing my food.

"Thank you." She replied.

"Can I go to the restroom?" I asked politely.

"Yes. Just go straight to the kitchen. Near the kitchen sink, there's the door for the bathroom." She told me so I thanked her.

I stood up and excused myself. I was about to enter the kitchen when I heard Cassandra who was talking to Parker.

"You don't need to obligate yourself, Parker. I am not asking you to love me! Just let me love you like what I want to do. Just let me, please." I know she was crying. Poor girl. She deserves someone who will love her back.

I heard footsteps coming towards my way and sooner after that, Is aw Cassandra standing right in front of me. I caught her drying the tears on her cheeks. I felt bad for her just of a sudden.

"I have to go home. See you at school tomorrow, Sunny!" She smiled and hugged me. She was trying hard to hide it but sadness was sensible.

"Take care!" I told her.

"Thanks." She replied, flashing a weak smile as she walked away.

I made my way to the kitchen and saw Parker on the kitchen counter. He looked at me so I showed him a small smile.

"What just happened?" I asked him and made my way towards his spot.

"I told her that I couldn't love her just the way she loves me. I told her I'm a gay man but she's so persistent. It didn't turn her off or what!" Parker explained.

"She loves you, man. That's why she accepts all your flaws. Your lucky to have her. If I were you, I will marry her." I uttered as a bit of advice.

"We already talked about this, right? Falling in guy and girl is not easy, Sunny! I don't want to marry a girl that I didn't even love. I don't want to make her life miserable because of me!" He said.

"It's your choice, man," I replied.

"Hey, what happened to Cassandra? She left." Auntie Francia showed up in the kitchen doorway.

Parker just sighed and his mom just got what he wants to say.

"It's okay. I'll just make an alibi to your dad." She said and went back to the dining room.

"Let's go upstairs. I want to show you my room." Parker suggested so I agreed.

We have to walk into the dining room and what I expected, Parker's dad asked him about Cassandra. Parker didn't stop to reply so his father stood up and slammed the table.

"What did you do to her, Parker?" Uncle Mark said furiously.

"Dad, if you want her for me then marry her with yourself," Parker said which made me startle.

"What did you just say?"

This is not good!

"I'm gay, Dad! I already told you this! Pushing me to someone I don't love is a big joke! I don't want Cassandra's life to be miserable as mine so please, stop this!"

In a moment right there, I stopped and felt a short adoration for Parker. He said it without hesitation and I know he meant every word of it.

Parker took my wrist and dragged me with him.

We went outside of their house and that was when he let go of my hand.

"Can I stay in your house just this one night? I'm good on the sofa." He asked me.

"You're crazy, man," I said. I know he just wants to give his dad some space. "We can share on my bed though."

I saw how his face lit up. "Thanks, man." He replied and patted my shoulders lightly.

"Come with me. I'll show you my sanctuary." He said and held my wrist again, dragging me with him.

He brought me to an open field. It was like a small hill. Soft grasses were scattered everywhere. There's no source of light but just the moon itself.

Parker plopped down and laid his back on the ground. He used his arms as a pillow and stared at the night sky.

"I called this place as my sanctuary. The calmness here gives me peace. This place is my escape whenever I feel bad or having a bad day." He said without looking at me.

I laid my back next to Parker and looked at the night sky as well.

"How I wish that I was born straight. Living a life like this is so damn complicated." He uttered that made me look at him.

"We are fallen angels who lost our wings. I think we are born special. Don't blame yourself for being that way, Parker. There's nothing wrong with who we are." I said and this time, our eyes met. He smiled at me so do I.

"Let's go to my place. It's getting cold here. You should take some rest too." I told him as I pulled myself to sit. I helped him get on his feet.

"Thanks for keeping me sane, Sunny." He commented.

I smiled, "No worries."