Mara had been eagerly looking forward to a picnic or an outing for days, her enthusiasm bubbling over like a sparkling brook. After a week of intense studying, she imagined a sunny day filled with laughter with her friends.
However, Hirvan, her typical adventurous companion, was feeling unenthusiastic because of his poor performance on the exam.
His brow furrowed, and with a sigh of resignation, he said goodbye to them. He then boarded a bus that would take him back to the familiarity and solitude of home.
The journey back was uneventful, the cityscape blurring past the windows as Hirvan's thoughts drifted. But as he approached his house, something unusual caught his eye. Parked outside, gleaming under the afternoon sun, was a luxury car. Its polished surface reflected the surroundings with a mirror-like sheen, an unexpected sight that made Hirvan's heart skip a beat. His first thought was that it must belong to one of the VIP customers of Mrs. Smith's design studio, which occasionally entertained high-profile clients.
With a lingering curiosity, Hirvan pushed open the front door and stepped inside.
"I am back!" he announced, his voice echoing through the seemingly empty house.
He kicked off his shoes and listened for the usual clatter and chatter from his siblings or the gentle hum of his mother's activity. But today, there was an unsettling silence.
Hirvan raised his head, and his breath caught in his throat. In the living room, seated on the sleek black sofa, was a man who seemed to command the very air around him. His presence was magnetic, an aura of confidence and sophistication that enveloped the room. The man's brown hair was impeccably styled, each strand in place, accentuating his piercing blue eyes that held a depth of wisdom and experience. His suit, a masterpiece of tailoring, clung to his toned physique without a single wrinkle, exuding an effortless elegance.
Hirvan's pupils constricted as the man rose from his seat, each step deliberate and measured, closing the distance between them. The tension in the room was palpable, and Hirvan's fists clenched instinctively. He tried to keep his expression neutral, masking the turmoil brewing inside.
The man stopped in front of him, a sudden hesitation in his movements betraying a flicker of uncertainty.
Hirvan noticed the small, nervous gestures, the slight twitch of a finger, the barely perceptible shift of weight from one foot to the other.
A strange sense of amusement washed over Hirvan. The formidable figure before him, who seemed to embody power and control, was reduced to a nervous, insecure father in his presence.
The realization dissolved the tension in Hirvan's body, replaced by a curious sense of detachment.
The two stood there, eyes locked in a silent exchange. The room seemed to hold its breath, the atmosphere charged with unspoken words.
Mrs. Smith, observing from the sidelines, was on pins and needles. She could see the resemblance between the father and son, the shared features that spoke of a bond neither could deny. Bracing herself, she approached them, her steps tentative yet determined.
"Hirvan, this is Mr. Elian Ashford, your biological father," she said, her voice steady despite the undercurrent of tension.
Mrs. Smith was clearly displeased with Elian's unexpected arrival. He had promised her to wait for a more suitable time to meet Hirvan, but his abrupt appearance had thrown her into a state of frustration. The situation was delicate, and she feared the impact it might have on her son.
"Hello," Hirvan said politely, his voice calm and measured as he maintained eye contact with Elian.
Elian nodded in response, his usual eloquence seeming to desert him.
Hirvan's mind buzzed with sarcastic thoughts.
'Why does this big man behave like an immature boy? Where is your elaborate way of speaking that I hated the most? Did the cat get your tongue seeing this face of mine? Are you so happy seeing this young master?'
Internally, Hirvan felt a twisted sense of satisfaction watching Elian's awkwardness.
'Hehe! You cheap father! I will make you wish you had never met this son!'
The thought of making Elian's life difficult filled him with a mischievous glee.
Mrs Smith was sweating profusely, silently urging Elian to say something, anything, to break the heavy silence. 'Come on Elian! Say something!'
The sudden ringing of a phone shattered the tense quiet. Elian answered, his voice deep and commanding, a stark contrast to his earlier hesitation.
"Make it quick," he said, clearly annoyed by the interruption.
In the past three weeks, Elian's life had been turned upside down, and this moment held more significance to him than any business matter.
"I don't care what you do, just fix it. I am not paying this high salary for you to call me for this trivial matter," he barked into the phone before cutting the call, his frustration palpable.
While Elian dealt with the call, Mrs. Smith took the opportunity to approach Hirvan and whisper, "I am sorry. He showed up unannounced. Promise me you won't fight with him, and I will get rid of him soon."
Hirvan smiled at his worried mother, his voice soft as he reassured her, "Okay, don't worry. I got this."
Elian, having finished his call, observed the close relationship between mother and son with a pang of regret. In his 43 years, he had never felt such a profound sense of remorse. He composed himself and walked back to his son, his steps more measured, his demeanour softened.
"I think you have heard from your mother that I was not aware of your existence. However, it is still my fault for being ignorant. I apologize for being absent from your life. I hope you can give me a chance to be part of your life," Elian spoke with sincerity, each word carefully chosen.
Despite his disdain for Elian, Hirvan couldn't help but be moved by his words. It took a great deal of courage and humility for a proud and successful CEO to acknowledge his failures and not place the blame on Mrs. Smith.
"It depends on your attitude and how much you can tolerate me. You should have heard about my wonderful tales in the past four years. Magically, I will not change because you showed up. If you think it would be unbearable, you better walk out of this house right now and don't come back ever again," Hirvan replied, his tone firm and unyielding.
Mrs Smith held her breath, fearing Elian's reaction to Hirvan's blunt remark. Contrary to her expectations, Elian's eyes lit up with a hint of pride. He was pleased to see that his son didn't buckle under the weight of his wealth and status but instead held his own ground.
A smile spread across Elian's face as he said, "I look forward to seeing you try to drive me away from your life."
Hirvan was momentarily speechless.
'Ah, his smile gives me goosebumps! Are you itching for abuse? Why do you behave differently from normal people?'
The thought of sharing genes with this man was unsettling. 'Do I really have the genes of this dog man? Help! I am worried about my future!'