Part 32

Part 32
Watching Aria leave was one of the hardest things ever. It felt like losing her all over again and I couldn't focus on anything. And everything around me felt like it was crashing. I took a day off from the work, fully aware that Aria did the same. It was probably the worst example we were setting in the office.





We did raise some eyes given the way we escape The party last night but that was least of my worries. My head was throbbing with the amount of alcohol I had the night before. Not to mention I received more than ten messages from Sara and two missed calls. It was stupid to avoid her but I couldn't talk without feeling guilt consume me. How could I let my inhibitions get the best of me? All it took was one night and everything I was trying to hold back collapsed.





Getting up from the bed I decided to take a cold shower. My phone rang again so I picked at the screen hoping that it was Aria. Maybe she wanted to talk again. After the things, she said in the morning it felt like she stabbed me. As dramatic as that sounded it was that painful. I never realised that someone walking away from me would hurt. That's what I did most of the times so I had no idea how it felt. But Aria truly made me experience the ugly feeling.





The phone vibrated again on my desk so I picked it up only to notice it was my mother. Taking a deep breath I slid the green icon and pushed it against my ear.





"Hello?"




"Edwardo?"




At her soft voice, I slumped down on the chair. A hum left my lips, my voice caught up in the throat. Ever since I cancelled the last dinner it has been a while since I spoke to her. And she was angry about it so never called me back.





"Is everything fine?" She questioned, her voice curious.




"Hmm. Why do you ask that?"




She made a sound, "I don't know. Felt like something was wrong. Are you in the office?"




"No ma", I drawled my voice as my eyes fell on the carpet. The edge of the bed was digging against my thighs uncomfortably as I swung my legs back and forth.





"Good. I was calling so that you could join us for breakfast tomorrow"




My eyebrows raised at that and I immediately rushed towards the calendar. Maybe I was forgetting some important event so I roamed my eyes but found nothing marked on the calendar. Sitting back on the nearby couch I cleared my throat.





"Sure I can be there. Is there any special occasion?"





My mother giggled, "Ayy no. We just wanted to tell you something and also I wanted to test my new grill"




Laughter bubbled out of my chest at that. It felt relieved to know that I had a reason to get out of the bed. This was my chance to not feel any more tension. And I can easily avoid Sara's calls without feeling a need to lie.





"Sounds like a great plan ma. Do you want me to bring something?"




She huffed, "No just bring yourself and don't cancel this time"




I winced at her tone. It was about time that she brought up the last time I cancelled. With a sigh, I agreed to it and hung up the call. Staring at the phone for a few seconds I plugged it to charge and walked out of the room. I had to find something to do for the day.



The next morning I woke up early. My alarm informed me that I had to be there at my mother's house for breakfast.





Even though my mother asked me not to bring anything I decided to take some roses for her as an apology. Parking my car I hastily stepped inside the florist.





"Good afternoon sir. How can I help you?"




"Edward?" Someone called out my name from outside the shop. I looked over my shoulder only to see Aiden. His face was pressed against the glass door and he was furiously waving his hand. The lady in front of me raised her eyebrows at that. What was he doing here? A smile touched my lips, I excused myself and immediately walked outside.







I was expecting Aria to be there with him but surprisingly Aiden was in his school uniform and holding some guys hand. My eyes flicked beside him and I noticed a tall broad man in his suit who was on the phone. He had a firm grip on Aiden's wrist as he was answering the call. The guy stared at me for a second before getting back on the phone.





"Aiden" I breathed softly, scooting to his level.




"What are you doing here?"




"Waiting for my ride duh" He grinned, flashing his teeth.




I shook my head. He was really something. Aria's really lucky to have someone like him around her.




"I can see that. Who is he?"




"My uncle" Aiden whispered covering his mouth.




"Is there a problem?" The guy asked staring at me as he covered his phone.




I shook my head, "No, no. I'm sorry I did not introduce myself. I'm Aria's boss"




The guy knitted his eyebrows together before giving me an easy smile, "Oh. I'm her elder brother- sorry I have to take this"




He got back to his call so I turned my attention back towards Aiden.




"Ready for school then?"




"Yes!" He squealed in an excited tone.




I laughed, "It's funny because I was exactly like you at the thought of the school. It's fun, isn't it?"




Aiden nodded his head, "I love school"





He sounded so innocent it almost melted my insides. There was a feeling of longing inside me, almost I wished he was my son for that moment. He was a great kid even though really stubborn and spoiled.





"That's good. You should love your school"




"Why are you in there?"




"Were" I corrected him to which he just blinked his eyes at me.





"I was getting flowers for my mother."




"It's her happy birthday?"




I chuckled, shaking my head at his adorable tone, "No. She's making my breakfast so I am getting flowers for her in return"




He frowned, silent for a second before looking up at me with his doe eyes. It almost felt like I was staring at Aria. His eyes were so much like her it was scary.




"But mum makes my breakfast every day. I don't give her flowers"





I hummed, "It's fine. You're a kid"





"I'm a big boy" He corrected and before I could say anything else the car honked in front of them. Aiden stared at his uncle who was still engrossed in answering his phone call.





"Is that your ride?" I asked noticing a brunette women inside the car.





Aiden nodded his head, "She's my uncle's friend. Mummy to go in early to the office"





I could almost feel his sadness and it made me want to call Aria back so that she can take him.




"Aiden!" The lady inside the car yelled, peeking her head outside.




"Oh! Come on Aiden we need to leave" Aiden's uncle pulled at his arm. I stood back as Aiden made a face and nodded his head.





"Bye!" Aiden waved again as he walked towards the car and I kept staring at his back for a while.



As soon as I got the flowers of my mother's taste I drove towards our house. It was a short drive considering there was no traffic on that road. The door was already open so I slid inside easily and shut the door.





"Buongiorno Edwardo" My father's voice filtered through the living room. I smiled at him as he was lounging on the couch with the newspaper.





"Buongiorno" I greeted back and then my eyes fell on the boxes beside him.




"Those for your mother?" He grinned



"Yes"



"Where is mama?" I questioned




"She is in the kitchen"




I hummed and strode towards the couch, my eyes still fixed on those packed boxes. As I roamed my eyes around the house I noticed that there was almost limited furniture.






"Papa, what's going on?"




"That's why we called you." He carefully said as he pointed towards the couch in front of him. Hesitantly I sat down and kept the bouquet on the coffee table.





"We have decided to move out."




"When?" I asked, my voice shrill and high pitched. My mother was outside of the kitchen. With her apron around her neck, she still had her sleeves covered in flour.





"It's not a random thing. We already have an apartment in the city and its closer to your place. And just like you, your sister doesn't visit us regularly so we decided to remove."





My cheeks flamed at that. It was not too much but due to long-distance and hectic work I couldn't visit my parents as much I could do before.





"I'm sorry"



My mother shook her head, "Don't be. It's not your fault"





"Yeah. We had planned it for a while now" My father added but still it did not make me feel any better.





"Anyways these are your boxes and I hope you can take them back today itself. We have to clean everything tomorrow"





I clicked my tongue at that, "Yeah sure"




My mother gave me a smile and then and she walked back inside the kitchen. I stood up and pulled one of the boxes which were labelled as photos. Anything to distract me.





With a bunch of photos in my hand, I said back and started to go through them. As I was turning the page the photo caught my eye. It felt like someone had knocked the breath out of my lungs. I blinked my eyes twice to confirm.





"Ma!" I yelled to which she came rushing outside the kitchen.




My dad sat up, alerted and three his newspaper away.




"What happened?"




I pulled the picture from the album and showed it to her, "Is this-is this me?"




My mother sighed, "Ah yes...when you were five-six years old"




I looked back at the picture, tears burning my eyes as I stared at the replica of Aiden staring back at me. Did she know? Was Aria lying to me?




"Edwardo" My mother placed her hand on my shoulder which made me jerk a little. I blinked my tears away, gripping the photograph tightly in my hand.





"Hmm?" I questioned, my eyes still on the photo. I couldn't focus on anything else but the thought of Aiden being my son.




"Is everything fine love? You look pale"




I rubbed my face and stood up abruptly, the album falling down in the process.




"I will be"

Instagram: san_2045
Facebook: The Scripturient