Chapter Text
Trinity Santos was always known to have thick skin as a child. She had to be the best for her parents, coming from a dynasty of doctors and surgeons from the Philippines. Her Kuya (older brother) and Ate (older sister) were already chief of surgery at their respective hospitals.
Her parents were typical Filipino parents- expect the best from you and do whatever it takes to succeed. If you don’t then it’s a strike to the face or a yelling match of all the things you did wrong. Trinity remembered getting a B- on a progress report, she showed up to school the next day being covered in bruises.
She knew she had to suck it up and hope she doesn’t fuck it up.
Trinity remembered the look on her parents’ faces when she announced that she will be interning at Pittsburgh Medical Trauma Center. They were disappointed in her, it reminded her of the time when she first came out as queer to them.
“ Ay naku, sayang .” Her mother said under her breath.
Oh my, what a waste.
They knew Trinity would never give them apo , grandchildren.
“ Anak , just do your best at this new hospital.” Her father disregarded what she just told them. Anak translated into my child, a term of endearment and her father rarely used the term when Trinity grew up. At least they didn’t disown me, I’m already tarnishing the Santos name.
Trinity had to admit it hurt like hell and blinked away tears.
“I will, Dad.”
Her parents and older family members started to bag on her if she was starting to date. Trinity wanted them to get off her back. “I’m seeing someone who works with me, they have the same work schedule as me.”
“Oh yeah? We are having Lola Baby’s 86th birthday party this weekend. Invite her, Rin-Rin!” Trinity was starting to feel the pressure now.
Shit.
..
She laid out her options of who to ask: Melissa “Mel” King, Victoria Javadi, Yolanda Garcia, and Samira Mohan. Victoria was obviously out since she was only twenty years old. She got along with Mel, but Mel would probably reveal the truth at the event.
Trinity did have a situationship with Garcia, but her senior resident was giving her the cold shoulder.
Mohan was smart, easy on the eyes, and can adapt to change well.
Samira Mohan it is , Trinity concluded.
..
Trinity found Mohan in the locker room, and they both finished their twelve hour shift. Mohan was already out of her scrubs and was tying her shoes. Her locker was across from Mohan’s and she was feeling nervous.
“Mohan, can I ask you for a favor?” Trinity gripped the corner of her scrub top.
“What do you want from me, Santos?” Samira Mohan scoffed, already knowing Trinity had a motive.
“All I’m asking from you is to join me to attend a party…a family party” Trinity took a brief pause, “and for you to pretend to be my girlfriend.”
“What the fuc-”
“Please.” Trinity was desperate. Mohan raised an eyebrow at her and waited for an explanation. “My parents told me to invite my girlfriend…the girlfriend I met at work,” she looked down, not wanting to meet Mohan’s eyes.
A beat.
“You don’t have to, you can always say n-”
“I’ll do it, Santos.” Mohan said in a dry tone. “But, you owe me one.” She flashed her a smirk.
Trinity’s eyes widened, “Really? Whatever you want, just let me know! Thanks, Mohan!” She swore she felt something in her chest when Mohan gave her a small smile.
“I will text you the details and what is your shirt size?” Trinity asked, making Mohan more confused.
..
It was the day of her Lola Baby’s birthday party, Trinity decided to wear black slacks and a black terno blouse with gold embroidery designs. She had light makeup on and her hair in soft curls.
She texted Mohan that she would be picking her up in fifteen minutes.
The drive to Mohan’s apartment was quick and Trinity texted her that she was already outside.
Trinity’s jaw dropped at the sight of the third year resident, she was wearing a black satin gown, black heels and her hair was in an up-do.
Samira Mohan was glowing.
“Thanks for picking me up, Santos. Also why did you ask for my size again?” Mohan asked and was in the passenger seat. “I got you a traditional blouse to wear, it’s in the back there in the hanger.”
The two decided to make the story of how they met and who pursued who. Mohan smirked on how she wanted Trinity to try to chase her and how she finally gave her a chance. They both enjoy trying new ice cream flavors and cooking new recipes. Trinity even taught her how to greet her grandmother with a mano po and how her family members will be impressed.
“We are here,” Trinity pulled up to the luxurious hotel and gave her keys to the valet. She grabbed her blouse and presented the emerald green kimona top to Mohan. Trinity helped her put the blouse on, then carefully fixed Mohan’s hair and grabbed onto her hand.
“Samira Mohan, get ready for a wild ride.”
..
Her Lola Baby’s birthday festivities were about to begin and Mohan asked, “Is your grandmother’s name really Baby?” They were making their way towards the elderly woman to greet her. Trinity was trying to avoid the looks from her other family members as she held hands with a woman.
“Her real name is Trinidad, my dad tried to be in her good graces and named his third child after her.” Trinity tried to smile, “I hold her namesake.”
Trinity’s grandmother looked great for her age, having a grey perm and was wearing a blush pink traditional blouse. She saw how her Lola Baby’s eyes lit up when she approached.
“Is that my apo Rin-Rin? And who’s the beautiful woman next to you?”
Trinity gave her mano po greeting and then kissed her cheek, “Happy Birthday Lola , and this is my girlfriend, Samira Mohan.” Mohan did the same as her and smiled, “Happy Birthday Mrs. Santos, I’m so glad to finally meet you. Trinity has told me so much about you.”
Then Trinity felt something unexplainable seeing Mohan smile.
“We are just about ready to eat and you two find your seats!”
A moment of dread sank to her stomach when she saw their assigned table and how the majority of her family was already seated.
..
Trinity introduced Samira (she was trying to refrain from using her last name) to her parents, older siblings, and extended family members. Her father and mother had neutral expressions on their faces, while her older sister was excited to meet Samira.
“Trixie! How have you been, babygirl?”
Her Uncle Boy kissed her cheek and she felt how his dry lips also touched the corner of her lips.
She froze at the sound of her uncle’s voice, she felt that it was getting harder to breathe and the room was suddenly enclosed in her.
“Are you okay, Sant- babe?”
Samira grabbed a hold of hand, “Smell the flowers, blow out the candles.” She helped Trinity take deep breaths to bring her back to the present.
“Uncle Boy, this is my girlfriend-Samira Mohan.” She looked over to her father who was trying to conceal his anger at her reaction.
Trinity squeezed Samira’s hand, “Thank you for that.”
..
The MC started the program and everyone was seated, Trinity kept her full attention towards Samira. She didn’t like how she was seated across from her uncle.
“ Lola Trinidad does like dancing and singing, there will be a few performances after we eat.” Trinity told her, Samira gave her a small smile.
“So Samira, you’re also a doctor where Trinity works?” Her father asked her “girlfriend.” Samira gave her a look before she replied back to her father.
Trinity let out a sigh, the shit show starts now.