Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Author's POV

Aires stir the food in his plate without actually having a bite, he is seated on the table with his mother and sister, as usual, their dad is not present with them on the dining table, his dad is seldom at home and each time he's at home, he's always cold towards them, he rotate his food on his plate as he wasn't in the mood to have anything because he was upset, he was mad at himself for passing up a good opportunity and chance with Celine, she had told him how she feels about him and instead off telling her he feels the same way, he had slowly withdrew from her, he had seen the hurt look in her eyes but he couldn't bring himself to tell her that he loves her too, so, instead, he had asked for time to think about how he feels and sought himself out, the irony of asking her to give him time to sought out his feelings when she was everything he had ever wanted, she had been his crush as long as he can remember, that's why he does not understand what had stopped him from telling her he love her too, "my dear, what's wrong?" His mother asked in a concerned tone, "you're not eating" Aires stared at his mother's petite face and forced out a smile as he quickly dish a spoon of spaghetti into his mouth, "I'm okay mom, just thinking about school" his mother frowned, "are you having any hard time in school" he quickly shook his head, not wanting to bother her with his problem, "everything is fine mom, don't worry"

"Perhaps, he has a crush at school who has completely reeled him in" Jasmine teased, give it to his sister to always hit the bullseye,

"I do not" he countered hotly and her brow shot up a notch at his tone, "I'm right, mom, do you see how uncomfortable he suddenly looks? He's in love" she shouted, "who's in love?" A deep baritone asked from behind them before Aires could reply to Jasmine and they all turned, Dad, they haven't heard him come in and weren't even expecting that he'll be home this early, Aires and Jasmine quickly stood up and stared at each other wide-eyed, Aires moved his gaze to his father who was scrutinizing him, "are you in love with anyone?" He asked and he quickly shook his head, "No Sir" he replied,

"Good" his father replied shortly after observing him for a moment, he stared at his wife, "serve me my meal, I'm famished" he instructed as he sat on the table and removed his jacket, this would be like the first time in forever that he's joining them at the table, Aires and Jasmine exchanged look, each wondering what he's up to as they both gingerly sat to continue their meal but that was the end of their conversation.

Aires was happy to be eating at the same table with his dad, he thought it would be a perfect time to tell him how well he was doing academically and he's sure that he'll be awarded best student soon, he cleared his throat repeatedly until his father glanced his way, "what is it?"

"Er...dad, I just want to tell you that I am making you proud" he stated, not sure on how to start a conversation with his dad, his father looked at him with a raised brow and he quickly continued before he will lose his gut, "everyone is saying, you're the son of your father, that's why you always perform excellently in everything you do and I'm pretty sure that very soon, I'll be given a prize for best student" his father didn't say anything, there was a moment silence, "dad, our sports day is coming up pretty soon and then, it will be a prize giving day, everyone will be coming with their dad, er..."

"I won't be chanced to attend your sports day neither will I be available for your prize-giving day," his father said curtly and Aires' face fell, he told himself he was expecting it and shouldn't be hurt but damn, he still felt hurt, he wondered why his father does not relate with him as a son, his father kicked his chair back and stood up, "study well and don't go running after girls," he said and not waiting for a reply, stood up and left the table.

His mother glanced at him and then at his father's retreating back, she squeezed Aires' hand, "I'll talk to him" she promised as she quickly stood up and left the table before Aires could even tell her not to bother, "oh well, that went well" throwing off his napkin, he went to his room but just as he was about to shut the door, his sister held it, preventing him from shutting it, he walked further into the room leaving her at the door but she took his silence as his consent for her, so she went in and quietly shut the door behind her.

Aires didn't dare to face her for fear that she might read how deeply his father's action had hurt him, sometimes, he does wonder if he is actually his father, there's not even a resemblance between the two of them but such a thing can't hide, right? If he's not his father then someone would have told him, he felt a hand on his shoulder, "so what if dad does not attend any of your school activities, your sister will be there for you and I'll be so proud of you when you win the best student because I know, my baby brother is the best in everything he does "

Aires looked at her with eyes filled with gratitude, she's the only one who ever understands him, he forced a smile, "thanks but no, I don't want you there"

She frowned and pouted, "really, why not"

Aires almost laugh out loud at her facial expression, give it to Jasmine to always know how to lighten his mood, "because I do not want you to come with any sisi chocolate cake for me" she always does that each time there's an event in school and she had to attend, she'll bake or cook and serve every dick and Harry in the school, other students look forward to her coming because of that but not him, he'd rather she come without such stuff, Jasmine rolled her eyes, "you might be grown but you're still my baby brother and I'll do what I please with you"

"Don't you have college to attend?" He asked looking for an excuse to dissuade her from coming, "our semester is ending pretty soon, I'll be chanced to attend your event" she said and Aires sighed, there's no stopping her, "perhaps, you can introduce your love to me when I come" she said and Aires mind flash to who his love might be but instead of Celine, rosy bud cheeks with large brown eyes filled his head, he cleared his throat, maybe he should try and seek some answers from his sister, he cleared his throat, "can you hate someone and think about that person all the time?" Jasmine observed him carefully for a moment, "yeah, I think so but I'm not sure it's hate if you don't feel the hatred and anger when thinking of that person, sometimes, you might think it's hate but it's not" she answered still looking at him, he averted his gaze and murmured "thanks"

"So, is my brother in love or in hate" she wagged her eyes at him, "none of what you mentioned" he answered and she sighed finally giving up when it's clear that he won't tell her anything, she quietly left him alone and shut the door behind her.

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Mrs. Dawson Garg, stormed into her bedroom that she shares with her husband, she wasn't pleased with how her husband had treated their son, Aires at the dining earlier, "are you here to lecture me about your son?" Her husband asked as soon as she entered, "when will you accept him as our son? That boy practically begged for your attention and he couldn't even carry out a piece of conversation with him?" Mr. Dawson turned to face his wife, "I can't accept him as my son when he's not, to me he's someone you picked from the riverbank " he snapped and her heart clenched, it hurts her each time he behaves so cold with the kids, especially Aires who has always long for his father's affection, "he has been living with us for almost seventeen years now and you still see him in that light? He longs for a father, is it so difficult to give him that?"

"I make sure that he does not lack anything in this house, what more can a father do?"

"Only providing is not enough, a father gives his kids affection, he gives them love and warmth"

"But they are not my kids, they're not my flesh and blood, should I remind you that you're barren and your womb can't hold a child?" Tears glazed her vision at his awful words, he know how she had tried to have a child of her own but she couldn't hence, had adopted Jasmine as a baby and had later found Aires by the river, she had decided to make them her joy and to her, they are her child, "I might not have birthed them but they're my children, if you can't show them affection perhaps, you should go to your ex-wife, you had children with her, go and show them affection because I'm sick and tired of this attitude of yours " his hand immediately curled around her neck, "don't you ever mention my ex-wife to me again, know your place and don't cross your limit" he whispered fiercely and she gasped for air, her face grew puffy and red before he finally let her go and she held her neck, coughing and gasping for breath, without another word, he carried his suitcase and stormed out of the house, he was so angry that he didn't even notice Jasmine who was standing by the side of the door wide eyed

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Jasmine was on her way to her room when she heard her parents arguing, the door was slightly opened and she drew closer to know what they were arguing about, they were arguing about Aires, she understands why her dad does not like him, Aires is not his biological son, she wished they would stop the argument already but she wasn't about to meddle, she had turned to leave when what she heard next stopped her right where she was, she wasn't their biological daughter either? She had always thought her dad does not get along with her because she's a girl but it turned out that she was just in the same shoe as Aires, he watched her father storm out of the room and her mother fell to the floor crying, tears formed in her own eyes, so, she was also an abandoned child, just like Aires, not wanting to confront her mother right away, she sped to her room and jammed the door behind her.

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