[13th April 2024]
As Jason and Rossy discussed him, Evan moved towards his apartment, his pace slow, as if weighed down by heavy thoughts.
He felt an urge to halt, yet the path he trod was a one-way route with no return; a single misstep could spell his doom, leaving him unable to rejoin the life he yearned for with them.
Despite this, he knew he must proceed and repay those who had given him so much—even if what he received was the fruit of his own labor, they had first bestowed upon him the talents he now possessed.
Contemplating these thoughts, he arrived at his room and entered.
He performed a few minor tasks and decided to retire early, anticipating a lengthy day ahead.
However, sleep eluded him; his eyes were devoid of any hint of fatigue, as if his rest had been stolen.
"Ahhh, come on, brain, let me sleep," he implored, squeezing his eyes shut in a vain attempt to drift off.
Even then, he couldn't fall asleep, so he decided to drink some water. After returning to bed to try once more, another interruption came: the need to use the bathroom, having just consumed two full one-liter bottles of water.
After attending to his needs, he returned to bed and lay down to sleep. This time, it worked; as soon as he lay down, he drifted off into a deep sleep filled with distant, sweet dreams that he longed to remember, yet something prevented him from doing so.
He let it go and continued to observe the dreams of his past.
"I will... protect you... I promise," he murmured in his sleep, saliva escaping his mouth in the midnight silence, speaking to someone dear to him. A single tear, precious as a jewel, trickled from his eye following these words, silencing him once more.
And that's how he spent the entire night, lost in sleep talk.
[14th April 2024]
At six o'clock sharp in the morning, Evan's phone alarm went off, its ringtone blaring to wake him. Initially, it was a nuisance, but he quickly opened his eyes, remembering the significance of the day.
Today was the most important day of his life, a potential turning point. Missing it could spell the beginning of his downfall, potentially increasing his mortality rate by forty percent.
He rose immediately, without any hesitation, and made his way to the bathroom to prepare for the day.
Following the script was essential; he couldn't just leave as he was.
He needed to convince his aunt and uncle that he was truly going to meet his biological parents.
After entering the bathroom, he emerged a few minutes later, bathed and dressed in new clothes.
Today, he had chosen attire suitable for infiltrating the factory; jeans or tight clothing wouldn't work, so he opted for trousers and a long-sleeved t-shirt to conceal the device.
The machine was perfectly hidden within the sleeves, and he was ready to leave his room after putting on his shoes.
Before stepping outside, he gathered some important items: his written letters and the old phone he had used before his arrival, as he didn't want to be tracked after his departure, knowing his uncle might attempt to locate him.
He switched the SIM card from his new phone to the old one and decided to return it to his aunt, as he might not have the chance to pass it to Jason.
Descending the stairs, he found his aunt sweeping the floor absentmindedly, repeatedly cleaning the same spot.
He approached her, breaking her trance.
"Hi Aunt, what are you doing?" Evan inquired, as she emerged from her daze.
"Oh Evan, sorry, I was just lost in thought. You're here, come in and have your breakfast," she responded, noticing his casual attire.
"No, Aunt, I'm actually here to say that I'm leaving and to leave some things for you, and perhaps for my friend who might come looking for me after I've left," he explained, as a wave of sadness washed over Rosy's face.
"Can't you come in for one last breakfast?" she implored, fighting back tears.
"I'm sorry, Aunt, I would like to, but my parents said we're leaving the kingdom at exactly seven-thirty this morning. Don't worry, there will be many more breakfasts for us to share. Don't you believe I'll come back home, or is your trust in me fading?" he attempted to lighten the mood, but it only intensified her sorrow as tears streamed down her face.
"No, I am sure you will be back, but can't you take this phone with you? It might serve as a memory," she said, sobbing heavily.
"Aunt, listen, some things are given to remember those we may not meet again in this lifetime, but I promise I will return. And don't worry, there won't be a single day I won't miss you both," Evan replied, now emotional himself, as he prepared to say farewell.
"Okay, goodbye then. I'm leaving, and please give my regards to uncle," he said as he began walking towards the exit. Rossy could only watch him leave, their shared memories flooding her vision.
But her reverie was broken once more when Evan called out to her.
"Aunt Rossy, listen, I won't say this again... I will miss you, Mom. And please give my regards to Dad. I love you both immensely. Don't be sad; I will find a way to come back," Evan shouted with all his might as he dashed through the main gate, tears streaming down his face, his figure vanishing into the street.
Then the apartment door opened, and Jason, who had overheard everything, stepped out, tears in his eyes.
He slowly approached his wife, who was still sobbing as she gazed in the direction of the gate.
Yet, amidst her sobbing, there was a difference in one aspect. On her tear-streaked face was a smile, forced and unfitting.
"What happened, dear? Let's go inside; he's already gone," he said as he began to lead her inside
But before he could do so, she pulled him into a tight hug and buried her face in his chest.
"Dear, he called me Mom and you Dad. Now I'm sure that our son will come back, even if he's in hell," she said, now with some confidence that Evan would return.
"Yes, you're right. After all these years, he finally called us Mom and Dad. Then he has to return," Jason said, also very happy about this small yet significant development.
It may seem trivial to us, but for a child who hasn't called his adoptive parents 'Mom' and 'Dad' even after many years, to say it while leaving means he will come back. Now, they genuinely have a place in his heart, and no one betrays their words to those who are of great importance to them. And if they do, remember that person doesn't hold you in their heart.
-- To be continued --
A/N: Hi guys, how did you like the chapter? Let me know in the comments and also get ready for the crazy next chapter ahead.