The atmosphere in the cabin was cool, and it would turn warmer with the flirtation. It's been 10 minutes, and my face has lost its usual colour, still red like a tomato. It's been a month since we met and talked occasionally over the phone. Bradly was too busy. He is always busy with everything, and I get everything without his explanation. I sighed when he grunted. "Stop being in your own world." I chuckled when he got me more than my wife did.
"What are you thinking?" While typing something on his laptop, Bradly spoke. "Nothing in particular." "Same old, same old." By rolling his eyes, he continued typing. As seconds passed, the sound of his typing started to get on my nerves. Usually, I go with the flow on these things about him, but on occasion, I need a break and attention. "Stop tying, the sound is getting on my nerves." He was taken aback for a second, but anyway, he kept the laptop aside, giving me full attention. On occasion, I need this. "What happened?" That's strange, I am the doctor over here, but he is stealing my duty. "Is it about your wife, again?" I grunted at that.
Bradly crossed his arms over his chest, while scratching his trimmed beard, he spoke. "Same old, same old." I immediately threw a book on his face; he couldn't come up with something with that thoughtful face. "Violence doesn't suit you." "She is going under depression; pills are not working." "I am not getting your exact problem. If she is not getting pregnant, adopt the damn thing or go through surrogacy." I groaned at that. "We discussed a million times, she is not agreeing to both. She wants her child to come from her womb." Bradly coughed at that. "She knows right, her problem and the chances of getting conceived." "She argues that there are chances, so she may get pregnant." I air quote that. "Well, then why is she going under depression. Tell her to wait for another decade." I sighed. "My parents, her parents, even our siblings tried to change her mind, but she is not budging from her decision. We talked, argued, but she is stuck on. Whenever I reach home, she will always be crying, and I want to bolt out at that second. God help me." I covered my face in frustration. "Well, you can always call me." "Don't you have better things to say?" He was perplexed, I don't know why. "Meeting me is not a better idea; you wounded me." I smiled at that.
"I don't know why you want kids in the first place, after watching me closely." "Your relationship with your son is odd; every relationship won't be that way." "Excuse me, every duo will be that way." I sighed at that. "Maybe I want to experience something, anything." He coughed at that. "Clearly, personal experience matters, and if you keep sticking with your wife's idea, nothing is going to work for another 10 years. Consider your damn age." "I know, I know. She is stuck in bed, doing nothing, always crying. I am not getting how she gets pregnant by doing all this. Counseling is not working, nor any other therapy." "Thank God, mine was a good lady and bid goodbye soon enough for me, but she made sure to give me a lifelong headache as a final gift. She made sure that my happiness is chained in this lifetime." I chuckled at that. "You should show some mercy on your wife and let her be peaceful in her grave." "I would if only she were thoughtful about me." "That's hilarious." "That's not. Look at him and his new problem." He air-quotes that. The room turned chilly as the door of my cabin opened.
Dante stood at the door, eyeing his dad and me briefly. I always remind myself that he is just a kid, but it never suffices; like always, my heartbeat was rapid. I am scared of a kid for no bloody reason. He slowly walked and sat beside his dad, who was back to the typing business. I almost wanted to groan at him if the kid's eyes were not on me.
I cleared my throat, almost thought of loosening the tie, and then I remembered I am not wearing one, still, this suffocation is unbearable. "Hello Dante, hope you are doing well." I tried to stretch my lips as wide as possible, and like always, there was no reaction. I sighed in defeat, seeing this kid, I almost concluded I don't want one, nor going to adopt one, but Bradly's dedication only makes me crave the bond. I want to be a father, and I don't know when it would be possible. "Your father explained everything to me." I carefully started drafting my words. I don't know why either the wrong or the right word, the end scenario never changed. "We can't conclude anything that easily. There were only two incidents, and it might be a coincidence." He knitted his eyebrow. "You may have stressed so you passed without awareness, and if we consider the dosages of drugs you use sometimes those things may have pushed you." The room turned colder. Oh God, I started to hate this profession when I took this kid under my wings. I should have recommended someone better than me, but there is no one better than me. I am not exaggerating; I have proved my worth in this profession, but I have consistently failed in front of this kid.
Dante leaned in on the table with a glare, and Bradly was still going on typing without a care in the world. "This never happened before." When was the last time I heard the kid's voice? It's too mature. "Stop glaring at the doctor, for god's sake." Thank God, at last. Bradly faced me and spoke. "What he is trying to say is he never slept like that without something invading, disturbing his sleep. You know what I mean?" I nodded in understanding but still couldn't come up with anything. How can I? I can't ignore the point of his drug intake; as a doctor. I am ignoring anything as he is in control. Still, it's illegal considering his age. "We can't ignore the drugs; he's doing too many workouts and other extra activities he's involved in just to drain himself." "I know, but recently he hasn't consumed anything; I can guarantee that. Do the blood test if you want, and about other activities, that's not too much either, because of his studies and upcoming exams. No matter how busy I am, I am keeping track of everything." I envy this guy for these reasons, and I wanted to kiss him so badly.
My dad and the doctor were staring at each other. Give me a damn break from these two. They act like teenagers in love; one is a widower, and the other has a pathetic family life. I placed my cell phone harder on the table to get attention. After a good night's sleep, I thought things would be control in me, but these guys won't let me, I guess. "If you guys are done." The doctor blushed, and my dad rolled his eyes. "As I was saying, how is it even possible? His sleep was peaceful, didn't wake once in between, didn't scream, and he didn't even sweat, not even a little." "We can't link these incidents with that kid, as he wasn't present both times." "So, how are you going to explain this?"
I sighed and scratched my forehead at that. I wanted to say so badly that there are many things beyond science I knew, and yet again, I was proved. This case is beyond science, I knew from the beginning. Bradly was giving me a knowing look, and I don't want to drag that kid into this case. We both know the result; Dante would end up doing some stupid thing. "Will do some tests, maybe will get some positive results this time." The chair screeched, and the door was closed with a thud. I took some tissues and wiped the sweat. I hate kids, and I am not going to think of having one.
Bradly laughed at me, and I threw the tissue at him. "We discussed you, moron. Was that necessary?" "Come on, I should do some fatherly duty too. I don't know what's going on anymore." "I am a doctor; I know I should not speak this way, but your son's case was different from the beginning, and I told you. Would you believe me now?" "Don't stupidly connect the dots." "I am not connecting anything, as it's already connected." "That kid is my rival's son, and you are telling me that he is my son's antidote. Please give me a break." I rolled my eyes at that. "So, explain to me how." "You are his doctor." "You and I both know how much I invested my time and energy in him, a series of tests, the books I studied, consulting other doctors, whatnot. Your son's case is beyond science, and you know I am right." He sighed and leaned on the chair. "Till now, tt was just complicated, and now it's turning into a disaster." I nodded in agreement.
"How are you going to explain holding hands? When he was on medication, even in his subconscious time, it was very hard for anyone to touch him." He grumbled something underneath. "I know." "You know what to do now, right?" "You know him; he never listens to anything." "He is your son; try to tackle him." He chuckled at that. "You have something on your sleeves, right?" He gave me a mischievous smile. Why am I not even surprised? I hate these corporate mindset people. "I'd better get going and do something about your incompetence." I pushed him harder than I intended, seriously, after explaining everything. "Something will be beyond science, will be beyond the doctor's knowledge. We both know your son's case is my first unresolved case." He surrendered his hands at that. "I know, I understand too, but I don't know how to explain to him. It's been years of suffering; he is desperate for some answers, and today he had some hope. For the first time, he was excited to visit you." "I am sorry." "No, it's not your mistake. I know how much you poured your strength into this case. We can do everything beyond our limits, but we can't buy happiness. I don't know how much more he has to go through everything." Defeatedly, I nodded at that. "Be careful, rival or not, that boy is someone's son." "Don't talk like an idiot, and I know what to do." I coughed at that. "Of course, I hate that cunningly working mind of yours." "Good, I have my photocopy, and I don't want any competitors. I will be in the country for the whole week. Call me." He started walking toward the door.
I hate my son for various reasons; we just didn't click. Ours is a blood relationship; there is nothing to click. It should be like auto or like a magnet; we should get attracted, and a bond should be created. I hate everything: his stunts, sometimes his smartness, aloofness, and his non-caring nature. I hate every damn thing, and many times I questioned how he turned out to be a son. Strangely, our DNA matched, and I don't know how.
As he turned five, things started to get more complicated and took a toll on everything. It was normal at the beginning; I thought he would overcome as he aged, and I believed in advanced science, but nothing went as expected. His suffering only got worse and hijacked everything in me. My world started revolving around him, his health, and everything to keep him safe and alive. Strange, with the money that's running, I can't do anything about his condition. I had given up on him at some point and decided he had a short life span. Granted, he is just 13, going through the same, but he is not moping around anymore. Doing stupid things like drugs, engaging his mind and body through various activities, and being more involved in company matters has given some results. I don't know what to believe or what not to; Brandon's theory is only irking me. If I say this baseless theory, the kid will laugh at him throughout his life for sure. I huffed when the car came into view, and my son was glaring at the world.
I entered the car and sat beside my son, who was facing the window. I gave instructions to the driver, and the engine started. I wanted to say something, but I don't know what exactly. The car was near the restaurant, and my son looked at me with confusion. I got out of the car and held the car. After pondering for a while, my son joined me. Never move with the flow; always he is bloody calculative and contemplative.
We sat at the far end of the table, opposite each other. Dante would not see my face when he is angry; that is his way of showing frustration toward me. The waiter came to take the order; I gave order of a non-sugary thing, and my order was full of sugar. No wonder he is always bitter about everything and everyone. He is damn 13; can't he enjoy everything? Is it really necessary to be on a diet at this young age? Because of this diet, he is going to miss fabulous food items around the world.
"Dante." I opened my mouth which was shut immediately. "Don't feed me bullshit." He is my son. When he opens his mouth, he makes sure there is no counterattack to his statement and is always one step ahead. I sighed without knowing how to react. "When Brandon took your case, he made sure to turn every stone to resolve your case. He hates compromises, is dedicated, and is the best one with a 100% success rate. Do you think anyone in their right mind wants to break their record? Don't you think both incidents are a coincidence?" He slowly turned his face toward me, with a straight face, and he spoke. "No." I rolled my eyes at that. "Ok, how do you want to proceed if it's not coincidences?" He averted his eyes at that; thank God he is not ahead of me on this one. "Rival son or not, don't drag that kid into this. Listen, Dante, it's your problem only, yours and also mine; as you know, I am doing everything. I am not compromising with the doctor for any reason, and you know that very well. That kid is different, far different from you. His lifestyle, environment, his nature, his character, and upbringing—everything is different from yours." Once again, he faced me and squinted his eyebrow in confusion. "You want a solution, and Rowan is not your solution." "But," I held my hand to him to stop him from speaking further. "Coincidence or not, you don't have any right to drag him into your mess. You are desperate, I know, but he is not your key." We stayed silent so he could digest every word of mine.
Our order arrived, which I started sipping, and he watched the drink keenly, as if it would give some solution. "Dante." Still, his eyes were glued to the drink. "You will possess him, will not let him breathe and try to occupy him completely." Still, his eyes were on the drink, but his face was marveling something. "You will suffocate him for your selfish reasons, and neither of you knows what you want in your life." He nodded at once. "Rowan's family daughters are one side, and Rowan is another side. I have seen a glimpse of his upbringing, and the kid is spoiled in a good way. Let me be blunt, he is soft, kind and too good for anyone. His family will do anything to keep him that way, anything Dante and I mean it."
Finally, he faced me. "Don't start anything if you don't know where that leads. You know what will happen once you are done with your exam, right?" He gave a curt nod at that, and I don't know how he could learn something at this age. That gesture is rare in my case. This kid always surprises me.