Taming My Husband

 “STOP IT, MAMA! I've already heard this for the ninth time. For God's sake!” BK couldn’t help but raise his voice after hearing what his mom said. He pushed back his chair and wiped his mouth with a tissue. He hadn’t even finished his meal, but he was already on his feet.

“BK!” his dad yelled, right as utensils clattered sharply against the table. His dad couldn’t stand it when someone left the table with food still on their plate.

“What? I hear that every single day! Can’t I decide for myself when I want to get married? I'm only twenty-six!” He looked at his mother, who seemed saddened.

“Son, we’re getting older. Of course, we want to see our grandchildren from you,” his mother said gently. Sadness was visible on her face. He couldn’t hold a grudge against her.

“I told you, Ma, I have a girlfriend. She’s just not ready to meet you yet. I need you to be patient with me. Please?” He hoped they would believe him, especially his mother. His happiness depended on it.

“I don't believe you, BK,” his mother said seriously. “Do you want me to find a wife for you myself? I’m warning you!” There was a hint of threat in her tone.

Oh no!

He quickly kissed his mom on the head before leaving the table. It was a sign of respect, even when he was frustrated. She called him again, but he didn’t look back.

He spent the next few moments sulking in his room.

Remembering his friend Kevin, who loved dating apps, he gave him a call. It looked like he’d have to introduce a future wife to his mother soon, in case she would disapprove of whoever she might find.

Kevin quickly texted him back, saying he had made him an account on the MatchYeah app, a dating app. Kevin used the name BK and sent him all the other details he’d set up.

He wasn’t familiar with that app, so he was a bit lost at first. He’d added and messaged a few people, but he didn’t like the responses he got when they exchanged messages.

He stopped scrolling when he saw a full view of a picture on his timeline. The girl was cute with long, curly hair. She had rosy cheeks and fair skin. He smiled when he read her bio—it said she was looking for a friend, someone who wouldn’t leave her in times of trouble. He figured out what she probably wanted, just like others. It was all about money. But at least she was upfront about her intentions, and he appreciated that honesty. They might just get along.

He quickly pressed the add button. She accepted right away, and he smiled. He sent her a message saying he wanted to be friends. She replied right away—and that was the start of it all. It didn’t take long before they agreed to meet in person—just to finally put a face to the name and get a better sense of each other

Since she was also in Metro Manila, they set a date right away. They agreed to meet at a coffee shop.

After four days of chatting on the app, she seemed nice. He hoped she’d be open to his plans when he told her later. Yes, the meeting was scheduled for today. He felt nervous, unsure if she looked like her pictures—or if she was even the same gender as him. Still, he hoped everything would go smoothly. That morning, his mom had brought up marriage again.

Grey shirt, black jacket, and black pants—that was what he wore. A casual mix-and-match with fashion shoes for a masculine look. He hoped she’d like it. Extra points for effort. He really needed this, so he had to put on a good act. But if she could understand his situation, even better. That would solve his problem.

“I have a date with Daphne, Ma,” he informed his mother, who was watering the plants.

“Who’s Daphne?”

“My girlfriend.”

She paused and studied his face. She was good at reading people.

“Okay. Is this serious?”

“Yes, Ma. She’s the girlfriend I told you about.”

“I’ll believe you, baby. Introduce her to me soon. I’m getting impatient.” She smiled at him before returning to her plants.

“Bye, Ma!”

“Bye,” she said, not even glancing at him, just waving lazily with her left hand.

They planned to meet at ten, but he left earlier than needed to swing by the barbershop. It had been a month since his last trim.

He left the mall at a quarter to ten. The MoonCup Café, owned by a friend of his, was nearby.

He glanced at his inbox when he received a text from Daphne. He had given her his number just in case he wasn’t online. She mentioned she was close to their meeting place.

He couldn’t help but feel nervous. He’d sent her his real picture just yesterday, and she’d sent hers too. Hopefully, she was real as well. If not, he’d return to square one in his search for a woman.