"It's exactly what I remembered," Aisha muttered under her breath as her fingertips grazed over the ceramic countertop. Only cleaner and brighter, she finished in her head. "This chair is so small." She chuckles as she dusted off the dust on the small chair, barely reaching her knees, and sits on it.
"That's the chair you usually used so you can reach the counter top." Lucian said as he leans on the counter top with both of his arms folded against his chest, a teasing smile was formed on his lips.
"Well, sorry for being such a shorty back then." Aisha rolled her eyes and rose from the chair then her eyes observe her surroundings in a longing manner.
This is the kitchen where Luce, Lucian and her used to bake pastries. This kitchen was filled with beautiful memories but now...
She walks towards Lucian and looks up to him, she wasn't really short though, her head reach Lucian's shoulder. Meanwhile, Lucian stands straighter and looks down to stare at Aisha's beautiful violet eyes.
Blue to Violet.
Her eyes looks so expressive in that moment that Lucian felt his chest tightening at the sight. Then he slightly bent down, and scooped Aisha into his arms. Aisha muttered a soft "oomph" as Lucian turns her around and placed her on the countertop, not even minding that it was dusty and dirty, and hugs her tightly in his arms.
"Lucian!" Aisha cringed, fighting the urge to sneeze as the dust went through her nose.
"I always waited for you, do you know that?" He whispered into her ear, his voice is thick with emotion. "You told me you will come back again, but you didn't. But even so, I never stop waiting for you. Even when I grew up, I was always waiting for you. Hoping to see you again... hoping to see you come back to me again."
Aisha stops moving as her eyes suddenly watered at his unexpected declaration. Her arms instantly went up to hug him, she hugs him tightly as if she was embracing all the pain he felt during the time she wasn't there by his side.
Although, she didn't know what kind of despair he had gone through before, but she wants to know... she wants him to share his pain with her, as she will with him.
Because isn't that what couples do? Sharing their pains with each other, and comforts each other. Even though they aren't official yet, and frankly, Aisha didn't give a damn about it because in her heart, Lucian was the one for her.
"Lucian, tell me," she whispers to him as his hug tightens around her waist. Aisha place her head against his shoulder as she continues, "Even if you think it is selfish and insensitive of me to ask you this, but I want your pain to lessen even if it's only a little bit. So, tell me... share your pain with me."
"Flashback"
"You can't take my son away from me Rafael!" Lucian heard his mother shouted from the outside of the bakery. He was told by his mother to wait inside while he talks to that man, which seems like his biological father. "He is mine!"
"He's also my son!" Rafael replied almost angrily. "It takes two people to create a human being, never forget that, woman!"
"Your sperm may be the one who helps me create him but it takes one thousand more heads for you to become a father, bàstard!" Luce shouted, her voice is shaking because of the anger she felt for the man in front of her.
Meanwhile, Lucian's eyes widen in surprise. He always known his mother as a gentle woman who never seems to curse or utter such... scandalous words.
He suddenly remembered how he questioned Ciana about her "split personality", she can be cute and bubbly and the next a ferocious little tiger cub who will bite off your hands in mere seconds. And Ciana answers in a poetic tone that women can be scary and frightening if provoke.
"Whatever you say, woman, but that won't change the fact that I am still his father. And I have all the rights when it comes to him."
"Bullshït! Don't think that I don't know what you're planning to do, Rafael! I am not stupid! I know very well that you want to shape my son into a cold-blooded mafia like you. I am telling you now, my son will never be associated with the mafias!"
"A blood of a mafia boss is running through his veins. He was born to be one and I will make sure of it!" Was all Lucian heard before he hears loud, angry footsteps away from their bakery.
Not long after, Luce went inside in the bakery. Once she saw Lucian sitting like an obedient child in the high stool chair, her eyes glazed with unshed tears as she tried to smile softly for her son's benefit.
"Sorry if you hear that, sweetie. Don't mind him, alright?" Luce came to his side and patted his head in a loving manner.
"Mom," Lucian called and Luce hums in response. "I only have one mother... and one father." He said in a soft tone which makes Luce stiffen in her position.
Luce held back a sob threatening to escape from her mouth. Of course, she thought, Lucian is only eight-years-old kid, he must be longing for his Father's warmth. But I can't give him to Rafael, his life will only be miserable. I don't want that...
A tear escaped from Luce's left eye and she was about to open her mouth to speak when Lucian held her hand in his head with both of his hands and pulls it towards his lips. He kissed it gently as he smiles brightly at his mother.
"That is you, Mom! You are my mother and father at the same time!"