MANIPULATIVELY TURNED AS OUR STORY
CHAPTER 39

It took a long time, but at last, I was successful in gathering the information about Aaron’s parents, and my mind was in chaos. Not that I was going to lose Aaron, but the information that I had collected was not worth sharing with Aaron. How the hell was I going to share this with him? Everything could have waited only if he hadn’t used too much of his brain.

Aaron’s mother’s name is Lucy Willy. She’s an alcoholic, which is just great. Lucy was sent to the rehabilitation center and also to therapy sessions, but nothing worked on her; she is still addicted to alcohol, and she would make sure to end her day in one of the pubs. Aaron’s father’s name is Anthony; he is a drug dealer now serving a sentence in prison. For another 10 years, he was not going to be released. What a family!

After one last time checking the details, I made my way home once again. I needed to deal with Aaron regarding this, and I couldn’t let Ana do it.

After reaching home, I shared everything with Ana, and as expected, she was happy to hear such a piece of news about Aaron’s parents. This is one of the reasons I am not letting her deal with Aaron regarding this matter; she can’t hide anything; everything could be made out by just seeing her face.

I made my way toward Aaron’s room. He was doing his homework. I entered and sat beside him. I was worried about the aftereffects once he learned about his parents. This piece of news was not worth sharing, at least not with a kid. Not to forget, he asked for this. Damn these days, kids.

I shared everything with Aaron; he listened to each of my words without blinking his eyes, and I hated his expecting eyes; it felt like I was pouring water on everything that was not the case. I kept the file on the table: “Let me clear you, Aaron, I am not going to send you back to your parents; if you want, you can meet them, but not now when you cross 15, if you want, you can go through the file; I have collected everything about your parents’, including their pictures,” and his eyes, which were bright a few seconds before, now were dull. After hearing everything, he turned his head towards the books and started fidgeting with his fingers.

I took Aaron on my lap and hugged him tightly. I spoke, “We are there for you. Always keep that in mind, ok, baby.” He nodded his head strangely, not crying, but sadness was visible. “So do you want to go through the file? Shall I keep it here if you want it later? You can?” “No, I don’t want to.” “Why?” “I don’t want to do any stupid things further; I don’t want to see anything; thank you Daddy”, “Always baby, and you got every right to know about your parents’ it’s not stupid act ok, today you are sleeping with us”, “Why, no, no, I am grown up, I will sleep in my room”, “Yeah, you have grown up, nothing wrong with sleeping with your parents occasionally and don’t argue ok”.

By nodding his head, he continued doing his homework. I took the file and exited his room. I thought of throwing it in the trash but held back from doing that. In the future, someday he might be interested, so I kept it in my office room and made my way towards the room. “Aaron is going to sleep with us.” “Why did he want to?” “No, he didn’t; it was my idea; I didn’t want him sleeping alone today.” “Hmmm, ok.”.

After having dinner, we were on the bed. Aaron was in the middle, and at some point, he had moved closer to me, and his one hand was wrapping me. When I felt his presence, I took him on my shoulder and thought of continuing my sleep when I felt eyes on me, and I saw Ana staring at me. What the hell is wrong with this one? ”What in the hell is wrong with you?” and her eyes fell on Aaron. Oh god, please don’t tell me she is a jealous mess over this. “You know there is a word called ‘acting’; you both can do that in front of me. I don’t mind; I will be totally ok with it, but can you both give me a break?““Will you sleep, Ana, please? I am tired.” “Can’t you both show some mercy on me, at least now and then?” “Sleep Ana,” by groaning, gave up for the day.

I had to go on a business trip for a week, and by increasing the security and informing Ana and Mrs. Nelson, I left. I have not called Mr. Thomas and inquired about Patricia. I feel dread about dialing his number and hope he has kept his word somehow.

When I collected information about Ana’s past, I noted down a few important things, one of which was her birthday that was falling in the coming week, which I am definitely going to use to my benefit. I know what you people are thinking; yeah, baby, I am back. I can’t help it. I gave my sincere effort to impress her in a genuine way that was taking a lot of time, and I know I don’t get that on my hands. No one can blame me; at least I gave it a try. Going on a straight road to impress someone was not my cup of tea, nope, and that one was counting her delivery date. Once done with delivery, she would come up with co-parenting without fucking wasting her time, so yeah, I have to utilize this at my best.

Coming back to my point, her birthday was approaching, and I was thinking of throwing a lavish party by inviting everyone. She would be impressed, right?

When I was trying to replace an answer, I was in a dilemma.

I have known Ana for 8 years; she has been working under me for 6 years, and she never celebrated her birthday. Maybe it didn’t come to my knowledge, but it’s going to be 2 years since I made her move into my place. Not even once she spoke of her birthday or birthday-related stuff, that one would brag every fucking thing about how the hell she didn’t about anything related to her birthday; these things were only made to hold my plan.

If I am not throwing a party, how can I make it memorable? She should be impressed by my move. I can’t help it. I have to kill two birds with one arrow. I am not fucking wasting any chance to prove myself, and this one I can’t let go of easily. Should I take her to someplace—a small get-together with only family members or a family outing? There were so many options, but none gave off any vibe, and I had to come up with something in this business trip because I am going back a day before her birthday.

This was fucking hard, impressing stuff by not involving money.

I returned from the business trip late at night.

The next day was Friday, and it was Ana’s birthday. We had breakfast and made Aaron skip school for the day. Around the afternoon, I informed Ana to get ready, of course, questioning, and by not getting any answer, she gave up and made her way to our room.

It was a 1-hour ride, and I had arranged everything by speaking with the in-charge who was running the orphanage. In between the rides, Ana was giving me questioning eyes and curiosity, taking the best out of her. This was one of the hell ways to get back to her, and I was enjoying every minute.

I parked my car in front of the same orphanage where Ana grew up. She had spent 18 years of her life in the same orphanage, a few years here and there.

Ana was in shock after seeing the building; no reaction was coming, and whether I had to take it positively or negatively, I was not getting it.

At present, the orphanage in charge, Ms. Kasy, came over and greeted us; she signaled me, which meant everything was arranged, and she took us inside.

As we entered, so many kids came running toward Ana and started wishing her by giving roses. At last, I saw a smile on Ana’s face. Kasy guided us towards the place where everything was arranged; it was an open place decorated with flowers and a signboard that was prepared by kids wishing Ana a happy birthday. We were in front of the cake, and by making a wish, Ana blew out the candles, followed by a hell of crackers.

I had arranged the gifts I made Ana distribute to every kid, and apart from that, I had given a huge amount of donations, and I promised myself to continue every year, both Ana’s birthday and the donation part.

Aaron started playing with a few kids, and by everything Ana was exhausted, so she was sitting and watching Aaron with a smile. She was really happy, but something else was also present on her face, and I was not getting what it was.

I had arranged lunch too, and we had our lunch in the orphanage itself. Ana was speaking with a few kids and also to Kasy, and by evening we had left the place.

We were in the car; Ana was silent, facing the window, and Aaron was exhausted from everything, so he had slept. Now I was confused. Did I make any mistake by taking her over here? So many things about her past may have captured her mind; a few things were worse and also a few were best, but our minds would always be lingering on the pain.

I wanted to break this silence, but I was not daring, and something was stopping me, telling me to let it be. She needs time; she needs her time. Rather than disturbing her, I should be present so that, if she wants, she can lean on me.

After reaching home, Ana made her way to our room. I informed Mrs. Nelson to take care of Aarav the whole night, and I took Aaron to his room. After placing him in the bed and covering him with the blanket, I ran towards Ana.

When I entered the room, Ana was standing facing the window. What the hell should I do? Damn, it was like my hands were tied. I wanted her to feel that she could lean on me no matter what without fucking giving a second thought. By inhaling my breath slowly, I walked towards Ana, and I didn’t break the silence she wanted. This silence let her enjoy herself however she wanted.

Ana placed her head over my shoulder, and tears started dropping. I felt hurt by what she was going through, and I was of no use. The only thing I could do was wipe those tears. By doing that, I started soothing her back. I let her heart out someday with someone she had to pour it on, and I felt lucky.

After a few minutes, I hugged her tightly still; she was crying, and I tried my best not to utter a word and continued with soothing. At last, everything stopped, and silence—a good one—engulfed us.

"Tired.” She nodded her head. “Common, let’s take a hot bath; you will replace some relief. I will prepare the bathtub. Wait, ok.” I didn’t hear her response and made my way to the bathroom.

After preparing the bathtub, I came back and took Ana with me, and the next minute we were in the bathtub and sipping the wine, still in silence. I didn’t dare question her anything; I didn’t want to know what happened or what she had gone through, but I would make sure nothing was going to repeat in the future.

Memories can’t be rid of that easily; we may forget them for the time being, but not forever. Somewhere, they will mark their spot in our minds, giving us reminders now and then.

After taking the shower, once we got dressed, we were lying beside each other. I was holding her hand, giving assurance by pressing and soothing it, and at some point, she drifted to sleep. Thank God for that. By making sure that she had slept. I was trying to get some sleep, and as I closed my eyes, I felt movement, and my sleep was gone when I felt Ana in my arms by her own ‘will’.

How the hell did things end up this way?