18

Gin walked into Kin’s office, feeling like she was entering the lion’s den. ‘I will accompany you,’ Gin dragged out. ‘Separate bedrooms,’ she demanded. ‘Of course,’ he grinned devilishly, retrieving a box of expensive chocolates from his drawer. He popped one into his mouth. Gin’s eyes widened. That was exactly the same type of box, on Vin’s bedside table. ‘Want one?’ He offered her the box, seeing her jaw drop. ‘It’s nine thirty in the morning!’ Kin placed the box on his desk. It may be nine thirty. Gin only came on duty at eight every morning. She would not know that he’d been up since five; that he’d spent two hours in theatre before he’d gone down to her office to greet her this morning. He needed an energy boost. Swiss chocolates did it for him. He looked up, she was still staring. He tentatively offered her the box again. ‘I can’t believe you ___ like chocolates,’ she murmured. ‘What, are men not supposed to indulge in a ___ secret vice?’ he laughed softly. They have so much in common. She shook her head in amazement. ‘I just ___ find it hard to believe.’ ‘Why?’ He grinned, getting up and walking to where she stood. ‘I guess you’ve figured out that Vin shares your vice.’ Gin suspected he liked having this sinful indulgence with his son. ‘It was a haunch,’ he grinned smugly, casually placing his arms at her waist. ‘You better not be sneaking chocolate bars to Vin, behind my back’ she warned. ‘He does not know when to stop.’ ‘May I have your permission to ___ moderately, exploit our joint indulgence,’ he grinned mischievously. ‘Gin laughed softly. ‘I think he spends half his allowance on chocolates.’ She felt Kin’s muscles tense and only then realized, her arms were circled around his waist. ‘Kin?’ He shifted out of her arms, turned his back on her, moved away to stare out the huge bay window in his office. Gin followed him. ‘Kin, what’s wrong?’ She whispered, gently placing her palm on his shoulder. He turned around, his eyes searching hers. ‘All these years___ that should have been my responsibility.’ ‘What are you talking about?’ ‘Vin’s allowance. His school fees. His wardrobe. His every need.’ Kin was angry, but not at her, she knew that. ‘I managed,’ she murmured. ‘You did help, by getting me into Arvis,’ she smiled. ‘I should buy him his own computer, I think.’ ‘There’s no need,’ Gin shook her head. ‘We do have a new one at home now.’ ‘But he’s my kid. I should buy him stuff, only ___ I don’t want Vin to feel, I’m buying his love, by showering him with material possessions.’ Her affection for him grew a thousand fold right there. ‘Oh Kin,’ she groaned softly. ‘Thank you for being that insightful.’ He wrapped his arms around Gin again. ‘I want to do right by my son,’ he murmured huskily, ‘but I never want to step on your toes, in the process. I have the healthiest respect for you Gin Mikhayla.’ Gin laughed. ‘That’s the nicest thing, I heard come out of your mouth.’ ‘Now my mouth would like to do something else?’ His head lowered, purposefully. ‘Permission granted,’ she whispered, her lips moving towards his. ‘Gin,’ he crushed her in his arms. Yet his mouth was gentle, as his lips brushed hers ever so softly, as if she was that fragile and needed to be handled with the utmost care. He lifted his head to gaze into her eyes, but her eyes were closed. Impatient for his lips again, her mouth closed over his. He tasted of chocolate and toffee….absolutely delicious. After indulging in a lengthy kiss, Gin slowly drew away. Kin smiled into her desire darkened eyes. She smiled back. ‘Were you really going to attempt to take Vin away from me?’ He groaned softly, his cheeks darkening to a reddish tint. ‘No darling,’ he answered truthfully, embracing her in a bear hug. ‘I would never subject you to such torture. Call it frustration,’ he attempted to put some distance between them, but Gin’s arms refused to release him. A pained looked filled his face. ‘I want you and Vin in my life every day, every night,’ he pleaded in an impassioned tone. ‘I feel like I’m on an island, stranded,’ moisture filled his eyes, ‘and there is no means to get to my family ___ none whatsoever,’ he murmured huskily. ‘You’re fighting me at every corner Gin. Let me in ___ please,’ he urged. So there is an endearing heart hidden somewhere in this gorgeous body. ‘Kin ___,’ she whispered, her fingers reaching up to cup his face. ‘Before we go away for the weekend, you need to have a chat with Vin. I’ve wanted to do it, but I feel Vin needs to hear it from you.’ ‘You want me to tell Vin, why I did not believe you were carrying my child ten years ago?’ ‘Vin needs to know the truth.’ Kin nodded. ‘He knows about the ___ birds and the bees?’ Gin laughed softly. ‘Yes, he asked me about two years ago.’ ‘And you told him?’ Kin smiled, his hands glided down the strands of her silky hair. ‘I ___ gave him a biology lesson, in layman’s language,’ she laughed. ‘I wish I was there,’ Kin sighed disappointedly. ‘What’s his favourite food?’ ‘Fried chicken,’ Gin smiled. ‘And he loves cricket,’ Kin returned her smile. ‘And fast cars,’ Gin added. ‘And chocolate, I’ve discovered.’ Gin’s arms circled his neck. ‘In some instances, the apple did not fall too far from the tree,’ she whispered, her lips reaching for his. Kin took over, his mouth devouring hers hungrily. His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer against his body. He wanted her so much, it ached, but he would have to wait. He could not leave the hospital for the next six hours. ‘Gin?’ ‘Yes?’ ‘May we ___ pick Vin up from school today?’ ‘Sure,’ she smiled. ‘I’ll call mum and let her know.’ ‘Your mum picks Vin up every day?’ Gin nodded. ‘Most afternoons, unless, Vin needs something from the mall, or if I need to go shopping, he enjoys going to the supermarket,’ she laughed. Kin smiled. ‘Is two o’ clock okay?’ ‘Perfect,’ she agreed. ‘Thank you Gin,’ his eyes locked with hers, their heads moved simultaneously, their lips locking ravenously in a passionate embrace. Gin groaned softly, when their tongues entwined in an erotic duel. She pressed into him, pulling his head closer, wanting more ‘Dr. Arvis ___.’ Gin pulled away. Kin took a second to regain his equilibrium. She felt so right in his arms. It felt so right for them to be together. ‘I’m sorry.’ Lin was taken aback. ‘You have a ‘code team’ in high care,’ she informed Kin in an urgent tone. ‘I’m sorry,’ Kin whispered. He kissed her on the lips, grabbed his stethoscope and dashed out. Gin wanted to say, “It’s okay.” But Kin had sprinted out already. She knew the code. It was life-threatening. It referred to cardiopulmonary arrest. The cardio team needed to immediately begin resuscitative efforts on a patient in a critical condition. Lin glared at Gin. ‘Dean’t get too comfortable,’ she sneered. ‘You’re not the only female knocking on Dr. Arvis’s door and none of you last longer than a week.’ She gave Gin the cold shoulder before she huffed out as well. Gin silently counted to ten, before she left Kin’s office. She went to her office and as if going on a school field trip, she excitedly looked forward to two o’ clock. Every thirty minutes, she kept checking her wrist watch, and doing a silent count down. At two o‘ clock Gin waited in the car park for Kin, when she saw no sign of him, she disappointedly got into her own car. Just as Gin turned on the ignition, Kin opened the passenger door and slid in. ‘Hi,’ she greeted, uncomfortably. He looked so huge in her car, overpowering actually. ‘Sorry to keep you waiting,’ he smiled. ‘I went to your office.’ Gin had not wanted everybody seeing her and Kin walking out, not when the rumour mill was still pumping about her short-lived affair with him. ‘Sorry,’ she apologized as well. ‘We didn’t actually communicate where we’d meet.’ ‘For future reference, I collect you at your office,’ he snapped on his safety belt. ‘Yes sir,’ she mumbled. Kin laughed. She smiled. ‘Your mum visited me yesterday.’ ‘Mum?‘ He looked surprised. ‘She didn’t come visit me!’ ‘Guess she was visiting me,’ Gin eased into the afternoon traffic. ‘I’m surprised. Why was she visiting you?’ Gin looked across at Kin. The surprise was still evident on his face. ‘She wants me to marry you.’ ‘I don’t believe her!’ Gin raised her eyebrows. Kin’s eyes speared Gin. ‘I do want you to be my wife, but my mother does not need to do my bidding.’ ‘She wants to meet Vin,’ Gin spoke softly. ‘Are you okay with that?’ ‘If Vin does not make a fuss, I’m fine with it,’ she agreed. ‘Thank you,’ Kin exhaled a sigh of relief. ‘My dad is impatient to meet Vin as well.’ ‘I’m ___sorry, I didn’t introduce Vin to them, when he was born,’ she murmured. ‘Why didn’t you?’ he was curious. Gin shrugged, ‘I didn’t want my baby ___ our baby, to be a tool,’ she looked across at Kin, as she halted at the robot. ‘I suspected they would compel you to ___ do the honourable thing. I didn’t want that, not when you were not ready.’ She wanted to add “to accept your responsibility,” but she held back. She didn’t want any tension between them now that they were on their way to pick Vin up. He seemed in a good mood, she wanted it to stay that way. Gin heard Kin inhale heavily, as if he was reflecting on the past. Was he chastising himself, because he had not believed her? Was he regretting that he’d missed nine years of his son’s life? Was he regretting that his parents had been robbed of the formative years of their grandson? ‘I’m sorry Kin,’ she reached out, her hand touching his. He smiled. His hand closing over hers, ‘me too,’ he murmured. Gin needed both her hands to turn into the school yard. She indicated her intention, and carefully steered the car, through the security access point. ‘There’s no parking!’ Gin groaned, circling the school car park and not find an empty bay. ‘You go in and collect Vin, I’ll find a spot.’ ‘You sure?’ ‘It’s quicker this way,’ he hopped out quickly, went around the driver’s side to help Gin out. ‘See you just now,’ she murmured. ‘Umm ___ shall I adjust the seat for you?’ Kin laughed. ‘I got it Gin, go on,’ he waved her off and got into the driver’s seat. Gin smiled as she walked away, he looked like a giant in her tiny car. Adorable…cuddly giant. ‘What is he doing here?’ Vin questioned his mother, seeing Kin’s huge frame in the driver’s seat. Gin smiled. ‘Kin wants to have some milkshakes.’ Vin rolled his eyes. ‘Am I going to get a lecture?’ Gin laughed as they approached the car. ‘No and be nice, sweetheart, please.’ Vin looked up at his mother. She was laughing. She looked happy. She did not seem to be afraid of her boss anymore … Kin …my father. Infact his mum looked very relaxed and at ease. Good, if mum is happy, then I am happy. When Vin opened the door, Kin had the radio on; tuned to the cricket commentary. Kin quickly turned down the volume. Vin slid into the back seat, catching the commentary before Kin lowered the volume. ‘Are we batting first?’ Vin asked excitedly. Kin was surprised that Vin was interested. He was about to respond when Gin cleared her throat. Vin looked at his mum and remembered his manners. ‘Good afternoon ___Kin,’ ‘Afternoon Vin,’ Kin smiled widely. ‘Gin got into the passenger seat, leaving the driving duty to Kin.’ ‘You into cricket?’ Kin smiled at Vin, as he slowly exited the school premises. Vin nodded, rattling of his favourite domestic franchise. Gin slowly exhaled her breath, liking that they were able to have a conversation about something so spontaneously. She was happy, very happy. Gin listened as Vin and Kin debated about who the best players in the world were. She never even heard of some of the names. How would she, she did not understand a single thing about cricket. Gin listened to her son enthusiastically argue stats on who the best players in the world were. When Gin heard Kin ask Vin who he thought was the best striker in the world. She was confused. Feeling left out, she jumped into the conversation. ‘Excuse me. I though you have batters and bowlers in cricket?’ Vin rolled his eyes melodramatically. ‘Women,’ he murmured under his breath, but his mum heard and so did Kin, who hid a smirk.’ ‘Hey, that’s not fair!’ Gin narrowed her eyes at Vin. Vin leaned forward in his seat at the back. ‘Mum, the batsman batting is the striker! His partner on the opposite side of him is called the non-striker ___ simple!’ ‘Right,’ she bit on her lower lip, looking at Kin. Kin steered the conversation from cricket to rugby. They seemed to both have a healthy respect for a certain other nation, in the southern hemisphere, but both were undoubtedly proudly South African where allegiance was concerned. ‘Shall we go to Milky Lane?’ Kin asked Gin, driving into the Sandton City shopping Centre. ‘Yes please,’ Vin answered for his mother and when both adults looked at each other, he added, ‘if it’s okay with mum.’ Gin shrugged and nodded as if she did not mind. When their orders were taken, Kin asked the waiter for an empty glass. They chatted for a few minutes about trivial, safe topics, before Kin broached the subject Gin had requested him to speak about. ‘Vin there is something I wish to offer an explanation about,’ Kin’s eyes remained focused on Vin’s face. ‘It may help you understand ___ my absence from your life,’ Kin’s tone was somber, filled with self-recrimination. Kin patiently explained to Vin about his motor cycle accident at age sixteen. Gin saw Vin’s face reflect compassion for the accident. Kin continued talking, explaining about his hospitalization and the medical diagnosis he was given. ‘Why didn’t you get a second opinion?’ Vin questioned, as their refreshments were served. Kin masked his surprise. You think I did not? Kin tried hard not to become emotional. Gin held her breath. She wanted to reach out and touch Kin’s hand comfortingly, but he seemed to have shut himself up into a quiet place. He had not only got a second opinion, but he’d tested himself religiously by different surgeons for five consecutive years, and nothing had altered medically and then he’d stopped going for the tests. A miracle must have happened after that. Kin waited until the waiter left. ‘Try some of this cool drink,’ Kin passed the empty glass to Vin. Vin chuckled, he looked at Kin quizzically, but Gin understood what Kin was doing. ‘But the glass is empty!’ Vin informed Kin. ‘You don’t believe there is some liquid in there?’ Kin questioned, in a strained voice. ‘No. Can’t you see; it’s empty?’ Vin lifted the glass up, so Kin could have a better view. ‘That’s exactly how I viewed my medical scans after my accident and surgery,’ Kin spoke softly. ‘I believed what I saw with my eyes, that it was impossible for me to father a child, so when mum told me you were my child, I could not believe it was possible. I kept seeing those scans and they’re supposed to tell the truth.’ Kin left out the bit about his accusations that maybe Gin had slept with another man, whether to spare her or spare his son, she was not sure, but she admired his diplomacy. Not that she had anything to be embarrassed about, she’d only ever had the one lover in her entire life, and he was sitting across from her, right now. Vin was quiet, absorbing what Kin had just illustrated. Gin put her arm around Vin, supportively. ‘As you know, I was out of the country, offering my medical skills in the war torn areas of Sudan. I wanted to return home after two years, it had been my initial plan,’ his lips pursed thoughtfully. ‘The United Nations, the organization I was working with, pleaded with me to stay and every year the casualties grew, the victims ___ child soldiers many of them around your age, Vin, ‘ Kin paused, catching his breath. ‘I just could not walk away from the debilitating need there,’ his voice dropped. Gin had not known all the intricate details about the U.N. organization being instrumental in keeping him there. ‘So they released you then?’ Vin questioned, still displaying an inordinate amount of reservations. Gin almost felt sorry for Kin, but Vin needed total disclosure here. She could understand a son’s doubts about a father just being absent for ten whole years. ‘Four years ago, I started training six local doctors,’ Kin smiled. ‘Last year, the international medical fraternity working there agreed the local medical practitioners were sufficiently skilled, for a gradual withdrawal by the international practitioners.’ Kin sighed heavily and continued, ‘It was upon my return, when I met mum again at our clinic, that she informed me once more, that I am your father.’ His eyes met Gin’s, apologetic for abandoning her, and all he’d subjected her to. She nodded encouragingly. ‘We have indisputable scientific proof, so there is no doubt whatsoever, that I am your father and you are my son ___ my child,’ Kin declared passionately. ‘So you didn’t go away then because you didn’t want me?’ Gin gasped. Kin was shocked, but quickly responded. ‘No, absolutely not,’ Kin answered sincerely. ‘Frankie said you didn’t care about me and mum, that’s why you dumped us.’ “‘Frankie?” Kin questioned, anger laced his voice. ‘The kid Vin got into an altercation with at school, when he was suspended.’ Gin answered. She watched Kin’s fists clench, until his knuckles were ice white. He’d lowered his eyes, Gin could imagine the anger and fury raging inside him. ‘Why didn’t you tell me this sweetheart?’ Gin murmured, drawing Vin against her. He shrugged, staring at his milkshake. Truth was he had hated mentioning anything related to his father, to his mum. It always made her sad and he never liked seeing his mum, sad or unhappy and if his father ever, ever made his mum sad again ‘I am truly sorry you had to endure all of that Vin,’ Kin’s eyes filled with moisture. ‘I would never, not want my child. I will always take responsibility for my children,’ Kin asserted. Vin kept his head lowered, watching the creamy froth of his drink. ‘And Vin, I want you to know you can call me anytime of the day or night ___ as long as mum is fine with that,’ he added. ‘My door is also opened to you, always,’ he assured Vin. Finally Vin nodded, as if accepting Kin’s explanation. ‘Okay,’ he murmured, sipping on his drink. Gin decided, she’d keep Vin with her at the hospital until she needed to go home. He was happy. He loved hanging around his mum’s surgery. On the way back, Kin was quiet, battling his demons, brooding about his conversation with Vin. Gin wondered if he was thinking about how many other people would hold the same opinion as the teenager Frankie. Gin wanted to reach out and touch him, but she held back. That evening, Kin called Gin. He just wanted to hear her melodic voice and her laughter, but he also confirmed their weekend away trip. He sounded excited. He was eagerly waiting for Friday, he informed her. Gin was not sure. Vin had sat in her office totally subdued. When they got home he didn't talk much. Gin hadn't even needed to ask him to go to bed. He said goodnight ten minutes before his bedtime. Normally, Gin had to remind him, it was time to go to bed. Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh My God! ‘This can’t be happening,’ Gin whispered to herself. ‘This can’t be happening. Maybe it’s a mistake. But the signs were all there. She was two weeks late. Her breasts were tender and third confirmation, if she wanted one. She had just thrown up …! ‘How could I have been so stupid? Oh I’m a dead person now. Why the hell did I sleep with him? Why the hell didn’t I remind Kin to use protection? Hundred percent fertile! That’s you, Kin Arvis. We have sex twice within a ten year gap and I fall pregnant both times! ‘Urghh! ‘Gin?’ ‘Yeah mum? She gargled her mouth with mouth wash, and washed her face. ‘Are you okay?’ Gin opened her bedroom door. Her mother was standing there, her eyes filled with concern. ‘You should have left forty minutes ago? Are you okay, dear?’ ‘No!’ Gin dragged herself back and sunk on her bed, her hands covered her face. ‘What’s wrong dear?’ ‘I’m pregnant mum,’ Gin sobbed. ‘God, I’m so stupid!’ ‘Again! Have you not heard of contraception?’ Gin could feel the heat of embarrassment blazing on her cheeks. ‘You’re not helping here mum.’ She wanted to scream at her own stupid irresponsibility. ‘Who ___ is it?’ ‘What?’ ‘The father?’ Gin’s face was scarlet, her eyes shifted away uncomfortably. ‘You slept with Kin! Again? When?’ ‘Mum!’ Gin hopped off the bed and turned her back on her mother. ‘Does Kin know?’ Gin spun around. ‘I only just found out, like two minutes ago!’