10. Origin

Arya

We went back to Los Angeles on the very next day my brother told me about his long lost lover and his son. He has a reservation at a nearby hotel from the airport as he gets some accommodation of being a pilot. They do receive some facilities as they get to stay by in the hotel only to board a flight the next day. I have already bought some toys and candies for my nephew. I fancy playing and spending time with him today, where the couple would try to fix their relationship if there has any misunderstanding.

Kathy, my would-be sister-in-law, was a very sweet woman. She was always on my brother's side. From kindergarten to high school, they come and go to school together, they had the same taste in music. Where my brother is in the science department, she was in art. They parted in university. She chose to be a painter, where he determined to go to the air force, although he is two steps away from his goal, only two years to go. I am not sure whether he will follow his dream afterward. He has a beautiful family to take care of. He has to choose between his dream and family. I know, my brother knows, even every army parent's kids know how it feels like not to get to see your parents by your side when you needed them the most. We adore and respect our parents, we never show them our disappointment, but still, it hurts to see other kid's parents were always there. I am going to support my brother whatever he chooses to go for.

The cab halted near a bungalow, a beautiful one might I add. We went to the doorstep and rang the doorbell. The door opened, Kathy was shocked to see us. Not long before, she let us in. I saw a kid, playing with his toys. I instantly recognized him. Chris, my nephew, brown eyes, and the dark-haired little guy. He saw us and became shy. He ran to his mom and hid. He is the mixed version of his parents.        

I didn't notice that the other two were staring at each other. The little fellah was able to break their staring contest.

Kathy cleared her throat and said, "Please take your seats, I will be back in a few. I am going to bring some refreshments."

She came to me and said, "Arya, it's been so long, I see you again. How have you been? Your study? "

"I am doing great. My graduation is done anyway. You don't have to bring anything for us, as we are full. We two need to talk, where I am gladly going to spend some time with my nephew. Where is his room by the way?"

I asked, as not wanting to put myself in their conversation.

She shook negatively, "We can talk later. Let me bring something to drink for you guys."

I denied, "That's not necessary. Go talk to each other."

She showed me the kid's room. I sat on one of the couch and sat on the bed. All the time he was staring at his feet.

I stood up and sat beside him. He became all red. Adorable.

I said, "Hey there, do you know who I am?"

He bobbed his head a little.

"Tell me then.", I was curious to know how come he knows me.

He smiled shyly and said with wide eyes, "Momma showed me a picture of you, dada and nana."

I pursed my lips and said, "She did?"

He nodded.

I asked, "Did you ever ask her to call us? To meet us or something?"

He said, "I asked. She says you all live far away and busy."

It hurts. I can't change the past, but I can say I am going to be there whenever he wanted to see me. One thing Kathy did right, at least she told him about us. Don't know what happened between her and my brother three years ago I wish they make things clear. They are not only making things difficult between them but also they are indirectly hurting this poor kid.

I nodded and said, "From now on, you will get everything you deserve, kid. I am sorry for not be there for you. Whenever you want to talk to me, you can call me anytime in a day. Okay?"

He smiled and looked down.

I clapped my hand and exclaimed, "Well, now it presents time."

"I brought toys and candies for you. Some funky T-shirts. Let's try them, shall we?"

His brown eyes sparkled. He was happy, at least. Good kid. He was obedient and well-mannered. Our mother is going to fall in love with her first grandson instantly. She will scold and disappoint with his son for not taking responsibility earlier, but she will forgive him, it will take time, though.

I was in deep thought. I suddenly felt, two arms wrapped around my neck from behind. As I looked behind, the little kid was grinning at me.

" Thank you, aunt Arya.", he gave me a toothy grin.

I smirked and said, "You can just give me a kiss, by the way."

He kissed me on the left cheek. I laughed.

"So, let's play something. What do you say?"

He smiled cheekily and pointed toward my gifted puzzle set. We started solving puzzles. Then we ate cookies, he shared candy with me. He is such a sweetheart. He showed me his childhood photos and some storybooks. He also requested me to read some stories to him. I checked it's been over two hours still, none of them has entered this room. I hoped that they had solved their problem eventually.

After half an hour, they came with red eyes, holding hands with each other. They smiled at me, I eyed the kid who was staring at his older version with wide-eyes, who was my brother. His son is his replica, except for his hair, which he got from his mother.

I nudged the kid and said, "Go kid, your parents are waiting for you."

He pointed to his father and asked me, "Dada?"

I nodded with a small smile. "Go kid, bite your dada with your sharp teeth, and claim him as yours.", He looked at me in wonder and bobbed his head vigorously.

I eyed my brother, who was now crying mess. Quite obvious, wasn't it? The kid was slowly taking his steps toward his father. As he was one step away from my brother, he kneeled to him and hugged him tightly.

I heard the kid uttered, "Dada."

My brother was sobbing and said, "Yes, your dada. I am a very sorry kid. So sorry. I will never leave you and your mother."

He started to kiss his son everywhere, cheeks, nose, on the top of the head, hands, and sniffling his baby scent, and ruffling his hair. The kid was giggling. He was ticklish, I see.

He said while laughing, "O-oh d-dada s-stop, p-please." We three started laughing to see him. Then my brother stood up with carrying the kid in his arms and embraced Kathy with them. What a reunion. The three were laughing and crying together. My brother was happy, Kathy was happy, the kid was more than happy in between the four of us.

I was in the hotel room alone, browsing on the internet. Kathy suggested us to stay at their place, I denied immediately but told my brother to spend some family time for the night. The kid was crying, he didn't want to let me go, I promised him to come in the morning with luggage. They were all protesting, but I managed to get away, as I intended to give some space to them. It's a family reunion, after all.

In the morning, I went jogging. After four-lap, I got to see a coffee shop across the street. I bought a black coffee and went to take the only seat left in that cafe, where an old man, playing chess by himself.

I asked, "Is this seat taken?"

He indicated no by shaking his head, said, "Do you play chess?"

I said, "Hm. I know a bit."

He said, "Then take the seat, and let's have a match."

I stared at him blankly, throughout that little conversion, the old lad never gave a single glance toward me, while he proposed me to play a match with him. Strange. What if I said no? Would he deny me for the seat? I shook my head and took the seat. It's just a match. I like chess, though.

I took a sip of my coffee. He said, "I am taking black, yours white."

I nodded stiffly and said nothing. And the game began.

He was good. I mean, he got some excellent moves. But, I wasn't a lame player, I knew tricks as well. Zack was the mastermind, from him I had learned and sharpened my gaming strategy in this game. As the game progressing, we got to lose our pieces one by one. The old lad was frowning deeply as the time end of the game. His one wrong move will increase the stats of my winning the game. He was taking his steps cautiously.

I observed suddenly, a group of bulky men was surrounding our table. What the hell? The whole cafe was nearly empty, only the bucky men, old man, me, and some staff and customers. One of the bulky guys forwarded two plates of sandwiches, muffins, waffles, and two cups of black coffee. I stared at him blankly, he said, "Please have these, sir and ma'am.". I ignored him and concentrated on the game. Like hell, I would accept the refreshment from the stranger.

The game was getting interesting at the end. I trapped him in three different ways, with one Knight, Queen, and one bishop. If he attacked one of them, he would still gonna lose. He lost the match eventually. He looked up at me finally. The hazel-eyed old man said, " You are the first one who won against me in this game."

I kept my blank expression and said, "Nice game, old man."

He said, " I am not that old, young lady. I am George, by the way."

I nodded stiffly and said, "Hm."

He said, "Aren't you going to say your name, young lady."

I said, "You are a stranger."

He was amused and said, "Yet, you spent almost two hours with me in this game."

I nodded and said pointedly, "You are the one who bribed me indirectly. Like, either you play and seat, or leave."

He smirked. He said, "That's true. The whole world work like this.'

I said, "You are kinda funny, the way you said the thing earlier."

He chuckled and said, " Not funny dear, I was bored, wanted to play a good match. It was worthwhile. You are great at it, I'm impressed."

I shook my head and said, "I just know tricks. You too good at chess."

He smirked and said, "Now tell me, what's your name?"

I said monotonously, "You are still a stranger."

He said, "Okay, let me introduce myself. I am a former businessman, from Italy, lived in New York, have two boys, the people surrounding this table are my bodyguards."

I said flatly, "I am Arya, motorbike racer, mechanical engineer, from London, have no kids and bodyguards."

He burst into laughter. He couldn't stop himself. I looked around and saw his bodyguards were staring at him in horror. One of the bodyguards was looking at me in amusement. I was pissed. I just wanted to have a coffee in that coffee shop, who knew I had to play a match to get a seat.

I stared at the old man blankly, I said calmly, yet in a bit threatening tone, "Done laughing?"

He tried to suppress his laughter but failed miserably. He said, "Kid, you are amusing, you know. You talk less, but everything you say is meaningful. By the way, why don't you have some muffins, darling? So, racer. Huh?"

I nodded. "No, thanks for your offer, though. And, yes, I'm. Over five years of approx."

He pleased and said, "Alright. Impressive. What are you planning to do after graduation?"

I said, "You asked too many questions. I have some plans which I am not going to tell you."

He sighed, "You are no fun, extremely guarded."

I stared at him blankly and said, "Well, then. It's time to head home. Have a nice day. Take care."

"You too, Donna. Have a wonderful career ahead.", I raised a brow and said, "Donna?"

He smirked, "It suits you."

I sighed and said, "As you wish. Don't be mean over a seat next time, old man.", I smirked.

He chuckled and I left the cafe.

At noon, I checked out from the hotel and headed to Kathy's place. Chris was jumping for joy. We decided to go back to Canada in two days. We convinced Kathy, She and Chris were also coming with us. Chris's grandparent's home, our childhood place. He was excited to go there.

We landed on time. We were on doorsteps, and there was waiting for us new trouble, with cold eyes and a blank face. Oh, Crap.