Mom...Dad...this is...

Vince came from a large family surrounded by Aunties, Uncles and Cousins. The introduction was going to be difficult not only for him but his partner especially when it was obvious that Ming was from an entirely foreign culture. This was either going to work or they will have to start their own lives without family. The thought never really crossed Vince's mind but Ming on the other hand, retracted into the comfort of selflessness and acquiesced. He loved Vince dearly.

Ming waited for the moment to arrive; after hours of preparation he was ready to face what was to come. He felt all jittery as if this was a momentous interview on a planetary scale. He sat waiting in Vince's old bed, the bed he grew up in and the room that still remained unpainted and untouched all these years. The wallpaper still had crayon scribbles and patches of colour where a child had unwittingly tried to hide his indiscretions.

The tallboy was all decked with pictures of summer vacations, Vince's first tricycle and graduation shots intensifying the moment even further. He dreaded what was to come and could feel an overwhelming sensation of grief that poured from every corner of the house. Coming out was to be a celebration but in this family, it was as if someone had died. But Vince had other ideas; his love was untainted by hope.

"Don't worry love, they'll understand because they know that I love them as much as I love you." The gravity of those words resonated in Ming's cavernous mind like an unanswered echo. All good intentions aside, Ming could not understand the pang of guilt that came over him that day. Vince was a wondrous man but moments like these makes it much worse - Ming just wasn't strong enough to take on such a responsibility for circumstances that are about to take shape that he had no control over. He had never let anyone assume the role of dictating outcomes that included him in the scenario.

The entire Russo clan was coming together this afternoon to be part of the formal introductions. It had to be an event in itself - the Russo way of life. The morning was thus spend grooming, working out topics of conversation and hopefully some humorous lines about the weather, work and awkward social events that everyone could unwittingly shake their head to and giggle mindlessly - Ming was spent and it was still a quarter to 12. He still had at least another hour before the house starts pouring in with guests.

"Hopefully it won't be such a disappointing experiment", Ming exhaled as he made his way to the family room almost resolute to feeling a wee bit intimidated by all the attention that he was about to get.

Within minutes, the hugging and hellos died down and a line was made. "Strange? Why are all this people lining up for like waiting to buy tickets for a show or something?" Ming's psyche was hard at work rationalising sequences after sequences.

Vince began the introduction, the shaking of hands, the flying daggers and looks of resentment that Ming had always had an answer for when he was in control of situations. He felt vulnerable and bereaved by the whole thing. "How can the man I love not know how this whole experience is affecting me?" Ming sighed. He had never sighed for an hour before till today. It was draining and he was so very sad.

It was evening; Ming packed his bag and made his way downtown. He had left a nice note on the dresser for Vince. It was not a goodbye note but more like 'I need my own space and I'll see you tomorrow". Ming counted himself lucky for Vince was perfect; well brought up, responsible and such a warm person that his caresses could melt any diehard ice-queen into jello. His physical stature alone dictated a sense of security. With such great positives, Ming could not understand what went wrong today.

Hadi's dream continues...