~FROM NOW ON, SHE DOES~
Dinner ended in laughter and warm chatter, the table glowing with soft light. His mom kept piling food on my plate, and his dad teased Raffy endlessly. For the first time in forever, I felt like I belonged at a table.
But then, just as I relaxed into the comfort, his mom turned to me kindly.
"Dear, tell us about your family. What do they do?"
My chest tightened instantly. My smile faltered, but before I could answer, Raffy suddenly leaned forward.
*"Wait, your hands are dirty—go wash them first,"* he said quickly.
I looked down at my perfectly clean hands, confused. His parents looked just as puzzled. *Dirty?* But I stood up slowly, pretending to listen, though I moved only a few steps away—close enough to hear.
His mom whispered to him, "Dirty? Her hands are fine, what are you—"
And then I heard Raffy's voice drop low, serious, trembling with emotion.
"Please… don't ask her about her family. They… abandoned her. She doesn't have the kind of parents who sit and laugh with her like this. It kills her inside when people ask. So please… avoid these questions. Just love her as if she's already your daughter."
Silence.
I dared to peek back, and what I saw made my heart shatter. His mother's eyes widened in horror, her hand flying to her mouth. "How can someone do that… to my daughter?" she whispered, her voice breaking.
His father's jaw clenched, his face dark with fury, like he was ready to kill someone. His fists tightened against the table, eyes glistening with restrained anger.
Raffy touched his dad's arm softly. "Please. Be normal. Don't let her feel like she doesn't have a family. Tonight, let her believe she does."
His mom's eyes brimmed with tears. "She does," she said fiercely. "From now on, she does. She has us."
I pressed my hand to my mouth, hiding behind the doorway, my heart in chaos. Nobody had ever said words like that for me. Nobody had ever fought for me like Raffy just did.
When I returned, pretending not to have heard, his mom quickly reached for my hand with extra warmth, her thumb stroking my skin as if making a silent promise. His dad smiled at me, soft and protective in a way that made my chest ache.
Raffy shot me a mischievous grin, acting normal, as if nothing heavy had just happened. *"See? Didn't I tell you washing your hands would make you shine more?"*
I laughed, hiding the tears threatening to spill. But deep down, I already knew the truth: this wasn't just Raffy's house. This was a place where, maybe for the first time in my life… I wasn't unwanted.
After dinner, we all moved to the living room. Laughter filled the space, stories overlapping, his mom occasionally touching my hand or brushing my hair back like she had known me forever. His father listened to me with genuine interest, nodding at every word I said.
Time slipped away, and when I looked at the clock, it was already past 10. I stood up quickly.
*"Auntie, Uncle… it's really late. I should head home now."*
But his mom instantly caught my wrist and shook her head.
"No, Dear. Please, stay. Just for one night. We love your company too much to let you go. It will feel so empty when you're not around."
Raffy stood up, a little tense. *"mom, no, she should go. It's late, and—"*
But his mom cut him off sharply. *"Enough, Raffay! She's not a guest. She's family now. One night won't hurt."*
I smiled nervously, glancing at him. *"Raffy, it's fine. I'll stay here tonight. You can go if you want."*
His jaw tightened. *"Are you serious? You want me to leave you here alone?"*
I laughed softly, teasing. *"Not alone. With your car. "*
His mom laughed too and patted my shoulder. "See?"
Raffy groaned under his breath, clearly not happy with this arrangement, but he didn't argue further. His father clapped him on the back. *"Dear, stop sulking. It's just one night."*
Then his mom called the maid and instructed warmly, *"Prepare the guest room for her. Not with Raffay this time—she needs her own space. This house is big enough for everyone."*
I followed her upstairs. She personally opened a beautifully furnished room for me—soft cream walls, a wide bed, and a balcony overlooking the moonlit garden. She tucked me in like I was her own daughter.
*"Goodnight, wateen. Sleep peacefully. You're safe here."*
My heart ached at her tenderness, but it also felt full, warm in a way I'd almost forgotten was possible.
Before she left, I heard Raffy outside the door, muttering, *"This is unfair. You stole my mom."*
I giggled under the covers, whispering to myself, *"Maybe that's not such a bad thing."*