"It's so cold, and you want ice cream?" Roman asked the boy, who pouted while gazing above, to see his father's chin."Don't scold him," Roman heard a whisper as he looked at the man through the rear mirror."It's cold, and ice cream is not good," Roman explained to Dean, who sighed and held Roman's shoulder while leaning forward.Dean looks over Roman's shoulder and whispers to Ayan. "Ice cream is not good, dear. How about yummy hot chocolate?"The boy frowns. He looks above his dad's shoulder. "Ok, if my teacher says then, I want hot chocolate."Roman smiles at his son and whispers, "Ayan has a favorite coffeehouse near our home. If you don't mind, we can go there."Dean smiles and says, "Sure, I don't mind. I would love to visit Ayan's favorite cafe."Blue Orchid CaféDean gets off the bike while removing his helmet. Roman ruffled Ayan's hair after removing his helmet. Ayan pouts, trying to fix his hair properly.The café had a warm atmosphere as they entered. The soft chattering of customers and the sweet smell of pastries are in the air. The coffee aroma fluttered with each sip. All in all, it's a place to take a break from life's hurdles and relax."Welcome, sir." The cashier smiles at Roman, who steps in while holding Ayan's hand. Dean follows along with Ayan, fisting his ring finger."What would you like to order, sir?" The cashier asked with a polite smile.Roman looks back at Dean. "Hot chocolate for three?" Dean nods his head and looks at Ayan, who is watching cakes."Along with a slice of chocolate cake," Dean whispered to Roman, who looked back with confusion. However, Dean gestures with his eyes to see Ayan.Roman smiled and placed the order accordingly. They sit at an available table."Thanks for accepting his request," Roman whispered to Dean while caressing the head of his son with a soft smile."I'm glad to be here. I probably needed this time." Dean looks at a wall where multiple positive quotes are written. "Away from the upcoming changes you know and..." His eyes read a positive quote. "You can't avoid it."Ayan looks at the adults with confusion. He can't understand what they're saying, so instead he looks at the wall where Dean was watching."Leaf is mister." Ayan spells the letters and says them while looking at Dean for approval.Dean shook his head. "Life is a mystery.""Mister," Ayan repeats.Roman smiles and replies. "Mystery. It means something we have to solve.""Oh." He looks back at the quote. "Life is a mystery."He grins at his teacher and papa, who clapped, encouraging him. He felt his ears burning with shyness."Roman?" The mentioned male looks behind him. "What a pleasant surprise, man."Roman smiled and glanced at his son. "Uncle Cal." The boy is already on his feet to hug the man.Calder picks up the boy in his arms. "At least you know how to welcome, unlike your father.""I can clearly hear it," Roman grumbled.Calder grins. "I want you to hear it too." His eyes fall on the new face."I think I have seen you somewhere," Calder said while looking closely at Dean, who looked back confusedly.They both tried to remember until Ayan said. "He is my teacher, Uncle Cal."They both widened their eyes with realization. "Shame!" They spoke simultaneously, followed by a laugh."It's wonderful meeting you again." Calder forwards his hand."It's truly a wonderful surprise." Dean shook his hand."You guys met?" Roman asked, pointing at them. Calder pulled a chair and transferred pastries and beverages from his table to this one."Remember I told you about Ayan being close with a teacher? It's Dean." Calder placed his coffee and sat comfortably next to Dean."Aren't you eating sweets more than required?" Roman asked, noticing four plates of cakes. Also, Ayan's eyes focused on cakes."Idoit, it's not for me." Calder slaps Roman's head and realizes that Dean is sitting next to him. He gave an awkward laugh and explained. "It's for my wife. She is craving sweets, so..."As a clue, a lady walks past them. Her eyes twitched, noticing the empty table. "That asshole! He is always like this."Calder knows this tone and voice very well.He stood on his feet and carefully held her shoulder. "Honey, I didn't go anywhere. Don't curse me in front of others. They will think badly of you."The lady gave a sharp glare to the man, who helped her sit on a chair. "Where is my ice cream?"Calder parts his lips in shock. "Honey, ice cream is not good in this weather.""You know about me, or do I know about me?" The lady asked again while pointing to Calder and herself."Ma'am," Dean says, drawing attention to himself. "As he is saying, the temperature is not right for ice cream. The weather forecast reported that there'll be snow soon.""Christmas snow!" Ayan exclaims with a wide grin. "Papa, is Santa preparing a gift for me?" Roman pats his head with a nod."Since you are carrying a life within you, I believe their wellness is more important than anything." Dean further added while looking at Roman, with the hope he didn't cross line and speak unnecessarily. The man blinks his eyes with assurance.The lady nods, "I got it." She caressed her bump with a warm smile. "You are more important than your father." She let's out a gasp from Calder.Roman chortled, watching the wide mouth of standing Calder.Unconsciously, Dean threw a glare at the laughing man.Roman raised his hand. "Ok, that was mean of me." He looks back at Calder, whose mouth was wider watching Roman."Bro, you laughed?" Calder asked, pulling a chair next to Roman. He still looks shocked enough to believe it.Roman's fingers stopped wiping his happy tears. His smile was wiped off his face when he realized what Calder was pointing at."Man, you are smiling again. I'm so glad." Calder side hugged Roman. "You are smiling because you want. Not because you should."Dean looks at Calder with confusion. Because as long as he remembers, Roman does smile.He glanced at the lady sitting next to him. She gave a smile and whispered, "Roman smiles only for his son." She looks at the best friends hugging. "It happened after Amelia's death. He smiles to keep his son happy."Dean nodded with a forced smile. Now, another layer of guilt has been added.He has not only lost his wife. But also his happiness.Dean's left-hand fists his pants while looking out of the window.I can't bring his wife. After all, I have her heart. But I can try to bring him happiness, right?"Here's your order." Three cups of hot chocolate, a slice of chocolate cake, and carrot cake are placed on the table."Carrot cake?" Dean looks at the waiter. "I think you got the wrong-"Roman cuts him. "No, it's the correct order. The carrot cake is for you."Dean parts his lips and immediately looks down, whispering a thank you. Roman gave a soft smile.Calder noticed it. But he shook his overthinking head and focused on his wife.⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"Dad?" Ethan calls again. "I'm asking something. Please tell me everything."Mr. Rayden looked rather disturbed. "His father is the one who helped us."Ethan just parted his lips with shock. Somewhere, he did get a hunch based on the bits spoken by his father."Elaborate, dad."Mr. Rayden looked at a half-full cup of tea and whispered, "I was feeling helpless during those days. Dean is on a hospital bed. Your mom is trying her best to stay strong for me and you. You," holding Ethan's hand. "You were running around in search of money. Applying for loans and requesting from your friends."Ethan smiled sadly. "Nobody had money during that time." He laughed. "Literally, none. Everyone had money problems."Mr. Rayden pressed his other hand above. "Maybe they did have some problems, dear. But it's not about that."He looks down. "I don't know how, when, or where Mr. Raynott got to know about Dean.""He's a powerful man, dad. People are on their toes to work for him." Ethan said, looking away. He is hating this man now.Mr. Rayden shook his head. "Listen carefully. He said Dean would get the heart as soon as possible. However, Dean shouldn't get in contact with his son. Even by chance, they ever meet; Dean must pretend to see him for the first time."Dean must keep his distance from his son, or worse consequences would occur. He must stop loving the boy."At first, I was shocked that Dean kept this secret from me. Why didn't my son trust me enough to tell about his life?"Ethan looks at his dad and says, "Dad, you started keeping distance from Dean due to his behavior and taking the wrong direction in life, right?"Mr. Rayden bit his lips and nodded. "I was very disappointed in him. How could my tiny child become an alcoholic, always fighting with others, so violent that he even learned martial arts, and I wasn't aware of it?"Ethan sighs and asks, "Did you ask him the reason for his behavior? Did you sit down and listen to any of his words? Did you try to-""Ethan! Don't forget, I'm your father. You can't talk with me in an accusing tone!"Ethan chuckled, "Dad, the truth hurts because I didn't give my ear too. I didn't make him talk with me either. I just blamed everything on his hormones, dad." Ethan shook his head.Ethan looks straight at his dad's eyes. "What was Raynott's help? He just said something, and nobody spoke against him. That's it, right?" He scoffs. "Why do we need to be afraid of him then?"Mr. Rayden sighed. "How do you think we were able to claim Dean's insurance so easily? You know how many documents are there. So, there are many hospital bills to submit. Taking the signature of one person to another. Did I face any such trouble?"He looks at Ethan. "Do you think insurance was enough for Dean's complete treatment? You were still a college student. I'm your father, and I love you all so much. I didn't understand what to do or how to handle my family."Ethan remained silent while gazing at his dad's every emotion while surfing, remembering those days.I wonder how he can keep so many things inside him for so long. I believe Mom doesn't know anything either. He kept everything to himself, just to make us not worry."I appreciated your efforts. You tried your best even when you're unaware or still know how the real world is." Mr. Rayden continued, giving a warm smile. "So, Mr. Raynott sorted out all the procedures. I got the money deposited in no time. However, it was still not sufficient."Mr. Rayden gulps to finally tell his son everything. However, Ethan cuts him. "Yeah, I remember you getting a loan sanctioned at the right time. Was Mr. Raynott behind it too?"Mr. Rayden shook his head. "The amount was heavy, and it would take forever to pay back with interest to any banks or loan sharks too."Ethan narrowed his eyes.
I never saw the actual documents for the loans. Dad said it's an online transfer, and the original is with the company.
Mr. Rayden licked his lips and heaved a sigh. "Paying in installments would have become a burden for you too. So, Mr. Raynott said he'd pay for the remaining amount."Ethan felt the room turning cooler, and he whispered, "Did you just sell your son's soul to buy his life?"Mr. Rayden widened his eyes at the accusation. "I would never do that." He looks down. "I did take the money. Because he said I could pay it later or in installments with no extra interest.""How did that guy know you?" Ethan asked, as he couldn't wait anymore."Previously, I worked for his company. I applied for a loan, and he just used it against me."Ethan frowns. "Dad, you didn't work in Emricon. You worked in-""It's under Emricon. I don't know when that happened. Suddenly, I got to know our company was sold out. I wasn't worried about my job. I was worried about the loan being approved. However, Mr. Raynott straight up spoke about paying all the bills on the condition that Dean will never meet his son."Ethan heaves a sigh. "Alright, I can guess what happened next. You agreed. Now, you're worried about your given words."Mr. Rayden nodded his head."I'm thankful that unlike others, you didn't kick out Dean." He stood up. "I'll try to do something about helping Dean. But I don't think I'll be able to remove him from the project until he does something unforgivable."Mr. Rayden looks at Ethan. "If Mr. Raynott knows about his son knowing Dean and investing in the same company, I don't know what would happen next."Ethan locks eyes with his dad. "Nothing will happen. We ain't wrong, Dad. We are not on the wrong path now. Nothing can harm us."He walked to his room, leaving Mr. Rayden alone, who whispered, "You don't know him."⋇⋆✦⋆⋇"Man, it's snowing." Calder whispered while watching tiny flakes dance in the air."Snow! Snow!" Ayan shouts with pure joy while running around the park.The elders follow the child into the park."Honey, is it too cold?" Calder asked his wife, who shook her head, looking at Ayan."Ayan is so adorable." She whispered, caressing her bump.Roman smiles, whereas Dean says, "I know, right? His cheeks are so round. His eyes are full of pureness. His hands are so small and cute."Dean looks ahead to see the boy. However, Ayan was hiding his face in his gloved palms. His Spider-Man sling bag always has the necessary items."He heard you," Roman whispered, watching Ayan run towards him. Now, his shy boy hugged his leg.Calder's wife cooes. "I want my son to be like Ayan. A whole package of cuteness."Calder looks at his wife with astonishment. "You know, Ayan looks like his dad. Even the behavior matches with his."Dean gasped. "No way," looking at Roman. "Really? You were cute then."Now, both the son's and father's ears are turning redder with each second.Calder fakes a cough and glances at Roman. "Someone's compliments are harmful to others hearts."Dean's smile dims. He doesn't know why he has negative thoughts. Even then, it was a joke. It's probably because he can't take jokes related to the heart.Roman gazed at Dean and noticed the change in expression. Although he's smiling,.I thought I'm the only one who hides my emotions. Probably, many people hide their emotions.Ayan ran around the park and stood on the slide. He slides down with a giggle. His cheeks hurt with the wide smile. He looked at the sky and closed his eyes while taking a deep breath."Snow, dear snow, you're so white.Watching you, I smile so wide." Ayan raps these two lines while climbing the stairs of the slide.
He stood on the top and continued, "Dancing through the air, you brush my cheek.Watching you with my teacher dream."
Dean parts his lips with shock. He looks at Roman with wide eyes. "Ayan knows to rap."Calder puffed his chest with pride. "Of course, he's my nephew. I showed him videos of rapping."Roman raised his eyebrows. "Among the many things you taught, my son, This one is better."He looked at Dean and whispered, "Even I got shocked when he was watching TV and humming the tone while trying to sing along."He quickly opens a video where Ayan is jumping on the sofa and trying to rap along with rappers on TV."He can become a sensation in the future," Dean whispered while watching the video with a proud smile.Calder's wife injects, "How about giving him training from now?"Roman looked at the lady and shook his head. "Let him enjoy his childhood with a carefree mind." He looks at Calder. "Even today, I miss my free school life. Sometimes I wish to go back."Everyone nodded their heads."You know, Ayan is following a rapper too. Like, he listens to his songs the most." Roman lets out while scratching his forehead. "I don't remember his name." He shook his head. "Nevertheless, what matters is the question he asked."Dean furrowed his eyebrows. Calder looks at his wife, standing for so long. "Honey, let's sit down first.""What did Ayan ask?" Dean asked with impatience.The lady noticed the soft smile on Roman's face and the curious eyes of Dean. It looked as though, they don't notice anybody else there."Let's go home." The lady says she is holding Calder's hand. "I want to sleep now. I'm feeling so sleepy."Calder frowns and says, "If you wish, then let's go." He looks at Roman. "Hey, I'm leaving."Roman blinks and nods. "Be careful and drive safely."Calder looks at Dean. "Let's meet again some other time."Dean nodded and looked at the lady. "Please take care."Watching the couple step away. Dean held Roman's shoulder with curious eyes. "What did Ayan ask?"Roman chuckled. "You become a child when you're curious."Dean furrowed his eyebrows. "That's not the answer."Roman smiles. "Ayan asked whether he could become like the celebrity. I was confused. Why would a four-year-old ask such questions? So, I asked instead, 'Why are you asking?'"Roman looks at Ayan, who is sliding down the slide and repeating the same four lines."He said his favorite's papa didn't support him. That papa tore his song papers and always wanted him to read." Roman looks at Dean. "He wanted to know whether I'd tear up his dreams too."Dean looks down. "Parents do support you. However, they don't support you in everything. Even my dad supported my studies. But he is not supporting my-" Dean stops his words realizing,Roman takes Dean's hand and pulls the man to sit on a swing. His eyes focused on Ayan, catching snow flakes."Sometimes, our parents get scared of our future." Roman lets out with a lingering smile for Ayan. "Sometimes, they don't know to word their thoughts correctly." He looks at Dean listening to him. "Sometimes, they say thing they'll never mean it."Dean blinks looking at his lap. Roman continued, "They love us very much that they get scared of society. They don't care about society. But, they worry that society's thoughts will ruin your peace."His raised his hand, gesturing Ayan to return in his arms. "As a father, maybe I can understand. I don't want my son to be lost in the future where others find their luxury. I don't want my son to cry instead of being happy."Roman smiles at his son, who hugged him tightly. "I don't want even a shadow of sadness fall on Ayan." He looks at Dean, who is blinking his eyes. "Probably, your dad wants to protect you. Please ask him why doesn't he support you. Listen to his reasons then, say your point in such a way that it gives an assurance to him."Roman wipes Dean's tear which slips his right eye. Ayan looking keenly at his teacher."Teacher, hug?" Ayan opens his arms wide and runs to Dean's side, who instantly embraced the boy."My teacher is best." Ayan beams with bright smile."And, your the cutest." Dean replied, tucking the boy's hair behind his ear."Talk with him." Roman says while holding a warm smile. Dean nodded while gulping his overwhelming emotions.____________________________