"Papa," Ayan calls his dad as he holds his glasses and plate while carefully walking towards him, and washing the dishes.
"Thank you, baby." Romano smiled, taking the plate and glass from his son. "No me-men..."
"It's mention not." Romano resolves the issue by wiping away excess water from the dishes.
Ayan nodded his head with a wide smile. "Menshin not," Ayan said, smiling as he closed his eyes. Romano shook his head with a chuckle and wiped his hands.
"Come here," Romano says, picking up his son and turning off the kitchen lights because it's almost bedtime for the boy.
"Today's story is Cinderella."Ayan requested while fisting his hands with determination.
"Ok, as the baby says." Romano kissed his chubby cheek while walking inside Ayan's room.
The walls had many clouds drawn over the aqua color. Little lights decorate Ayan's header board and his backpack lying on his small table and chair, where many coloring books, markers, sketches, and paintbrushes are present.
"Once upon a time... Romano spoke after half-lying next to Ayan on the bed and properly tucking him in. The duvet had Mickey Mouse drawn on it. Ayan's eyes are sparkling even though he knows the story. But he loves it too much to get bored with it.
On one side of the wall were pictures of Ayan when he was a month old, when he first wore his uniform, when he was crawling on the floor, biting a toy, showing all his teeth, wearing his first birthday crown, and when Romano was feeding him cake while holding him in his arms.
The left side has a shelf, and the first step has Ayan's toys, from Iron Man to the McQueen car and RC planes. The second step of the shelf had Ayan's old books, which Romano kept as memories as Ayan grew up with each passing day. The third shelf was empty for now, as Romano had planned to keep the prizes Ayan might win in the future in any field.
"They were the kindest and most modest rulers the country ever had, and they lived happily ever after." Romano completes the story and glances at Ayan, who is sleeping peacefully as he fists Romano's shirt.
Romano kissed him on the cheek and caressed his fist before releasing his shirt from the grip. "Sweet dreams, baby." Romano placed one last kiss on his cheek and tucked him properly.
Romano doesn't want Ayan to sleep in another room.
>> Papa, I'm brave. Ayan can shear sheep by himself.
Romano smiled, dimming but not turning off the lights and slightly leaving the door open. Because Romano never locked his room, the child can go there at any time. because he never had any reason to do so. It's always wide open. There are only the father and son in their apartment.
Romano walked towards his room with heavy steps. He inhales deeply while sitting on the cream-colored bed. The walls were painted in light shades, like light green and cream, on the opposite walls. However, the walls were empty, with traces of something being hung on the wall.
He had just one picture of his wife. He couldn't keep the pictures in an open space, knowing Ayan might ask about them, and he doesn't know how to answer them. He can't lie to a little angel, nor can he give false hope that his mom is abroad and will come back. That's why he told his child that He is Ayan's mother and father. He is Ayan's everything, and Ayan is his everything.
Ayan smiled brightly while closing his eyes, and he agreed instantly as he kissed his papa's cheeks and hugged him tightly. Romano felt his throat clogging when he explained it. Somehow, he held back his tears and smiled, which made anybody realize that Ayan is a carbon copy of his papa.
He opened the last drawer, picking up a photo frame from there. He lies on the wide bed, feeling the emptiness on the sides and inside.
Romano caressed the glass and kept it over his chest. He heaved a long sigh as he closed his eyes. His heart tightened, and he felt the cold glass like a tiny bead of sadness slipping from his eyes.
-memories-
"Love~" Romano's voice echoes in the apartment as he fixes his nightshirt.
"Yes, darling. Give me a minute. He smiled at the reply, which was a mischievous one. He hides behind the door and waits for his wife.
Clover enters the house, perplexed because she hasn't seen her husband."Darl-"
"Boo!" She yelps in shock and turns around to glare at Romano. She looked around and threw a cushion at Romano, who began running around the room, laughing and pleading for forgiveness while she chased him with a pillow.
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Dean sighed, staring at the wide sky, which has nothing but darkness today. He placed his hand over his chest and felt the rhythm of its beating.
"Dean?" A voice slices the silence around Dean, who turns around to watch his brother smiling softly as he marched towards him wearing baggy pants and a gray shirt.
"Any information?" Dean asked, giving his attention back to the sky while leaning against the wall. His brother stood next to him with a long sigh.
"I just know it's a lady, and she was married," Brother says, looking at the sky.
Dean squeezed his eyes, refraining from crying. He inhales, feeling his heart beating fast. His shivering fingers clutched his shirt, where he assumed his heart or the lady's heart to be present.
"Wh-what if she had kids? What if the kid is just a small baby? How will the child grow without a mother?"
"Relax; these days nobody waits for anything. She is long gone; her husband would have married someone else. So, the child might have a mother."
"You have seen them in movies, right?" how ill a stepmother treats the child. "What if the husband doesn't know anything about the abuse?" Dean gasps.
"We have to find the lady's family." We need to
"Will you calm down?" Also, stop blaming yourself, Dee. You know what happened: She was in an accident and died on the spot. Nobody could save her. It was too late when she was brought to the hospital." The brother inhales sharply.
"However, brother,"
"You know, in a way, she is still alive." Ethan smiled and said, "She is alive within you. Just like when you donate eyes. The eyes can still see the world without your presence."
"Cherish the heart, Dee. You are lucky to have a second chance that many don't get." Ethan pats Dean's shoulder and hugs him from the side.
"I'll look through the matter. I tried asking in the hospital, however, and they didn't say anything in the name of confidential information." Ethan explained while lovingly caressing his brother's hair.
>>I should look through the subject myself.
Dean nods his head in understanding. "Ok, brother." Dean forced a smile to cheer up his worried brother. Ethan smiled, however; he knows his younger brother. After all, he has always been soft-hearted.
"Did you take your medicines?" Ethan asked, looking at the sky.
"Yes, brother."
____________________________________