Pa and Kine turn towards the terrace door to see Ma and Roxine standing there in shock, Roxine broke a cold sweat.
Ma (to Roxine almost scolding) : Is it true what they said?!
Roxine (panic) : I..... I don't.....
Kine (calmly) : Ma it's not her fault, we're both drunk that day....
Ma (shocked) : Drunk! When did you start drinking, is this how you're keeping your promise to me?! Wow..... (tears fill her eyes)
Kine (explaining) : Ma..... It wasn't intentional, I thought Vodka to be water, please Ma forgive me...
Kine who has always been a good Mama's boy unveils shocking truths and the most important one is yet to come...
Kine (holds his Ma's hand) : I'm sorry na, don't you trust your son, he can do wise things and knows how to take care of himself....
Pa (furious yet supports) : Dear let go of things from the past, it's been four years since. Shall we all go downstairs and sleep? (Pretends to yawn), it's already been a long day...
Ma (stares at Pa) : Everyone except Kine.
Pa, scared just by her stare, drags Vikki with him and Roxine follows them down. Ma drops her cold composure and reveals her soft side to Kine.
Ma (worried) : Will you ever make me aware of the happenings of your life? How long have you been enduring this all by yourself? How long have you known all of this? Tell me or I'll go silent for life.....
Kine (coaxing) : Ma, you know na I can't stand you getting worried so.... I didn't bother you. And I also came to know all of this only after her miscarriage, I thought it was too late and wrong then to leave her....
Ma (comforting) : Child, if there's anything that bothers you, you know can tell me. Don't burden yourself with such problems which can be sorted by us together.... Understood, now go to sleep (pulls him closer) Stay away from that Roxine, don't touch her no matter what.
Kine nods in affirmation and both of them turn to leave while Roxine who stood behind the door eavesdropping panics. Ma gives a cold stare.
Roxine (panic) : I'm really Ma, I was really drunk that day.... I... I didn't mean...
Ma (coldly) : Has anyone asked you for any explanation? Just go and sleep.
They all go down the stairs.
Roxine (thinks to herself) : This old hag, I wanna push her down the stairs right away so badly.....
Ma (scolds) : Vikki why are you still out of your bed?! Go to sleep right away. (Vikki nods and Ma & Kine leaves)
Vikki (smirks) : Weren't you cursing thinking of pushing Ma down the stairs right now? (Roxine panics) I'm very well aware of your tactics and plottings and soon I'll make everyone aware of it too
Roxine (expressionless) : Go do whatever you want as if they would believe you...
Vikki: They will, and the day they do you are done for...
Roxine : Looking forward to that day...
A few weeks past that day, Di, Fer, Marduk, Bimu, Aether, Luan and Ms. Sushimi were talking and giggling in the staff room
Kine (enters tired stretching) : Aren't you guys a bit too cruel? Ever since I became the HOD and my workload has increased, you guys have forgotten me and giggling alone.
Luan seriously looks around the room then with great seriousness says
Luan (serious) : Alone? No Mr. HOD, You got it a bit wrong, we're seven people here (pulls out his hand and gestures seven fingers)
After a small surprise and quietness from everyone, the room fills with laughter. Kine dumbfounded upon hearing this not so funny joke. Even Di was giggling, Kine gestures, as if he was saying,"You, shouldn't you at the very least support me ". Di apologises secretly but continues to giggle.
After all of this was over and everyone left, Di about to leave yet giggles for the last time at Kine's face. Kine furiously holds Di's arm and pulls him towards himself. They both drowning in each other's eyes
Kine (expressionless) : Happy, showing all of your teeth to me on that silly joke?
Di (pacifying) : Awwww, is my Kine so tired? Want some encouragement?
Kine (nods) : By the way (pulls him even closer and whispers into Di's ear) what level of encouragement?
Di (shy, panics) : Did you forget about the security camera here?
Kine remember and regrets loosens his grip then also all of us know how shameless he is
Kine (whispers) : My condo tonight, see you then (smirks and leaves)
Di smiles and leaves too. Kine's condo,
Di about to knock, Kine opens the door pulls him in, holds his waist, leans to kiss
Di (covers Kine's lips) : Let me first wash up.....
Kine (removes Di's hand) : I like it dirty baby.
Di (gently hits Kine on his chest) : Have patience, I'm not running away. Remember last time it was you who forcefully dropped me home.
Kine let goes of Di but kisses him on his cheek
Kine (cutely) : But you too remember I'm not very patient...
Di (smiling) : I'll come fast.
Kine goes to prepare coffee for Di, Di's phone rings, Kine picks up
Riv (from the phone, scared) : Hello Di..... Come home soon please... I...
Kine : What happened Riv?! Why are you so scared?
Riv (scared) : Dad's back from his trip earlier than expected, I don't feel good about this. Please bring back Di as soon as possible..
Kine : I'll bring him, keep calm and stay in your room until I call you back
A few minutes later, Di walks out of the bathroom in a robe and hugs anxious Kine from back
Di (softly) : Still tired, let me....
Kine (serious) : Get dressed, I'm dropping you home.
Di (annoyed) : Again!
Kine (serious) : Don't question much and hurry. I'll tell you everything on the way.
Kine tells everything to Di as he drives him back
Kine calls Riv.
Kine : We're at the door, where's that guy?
Riv : Sitting near the door probably waiting for Di….
Kine : I shouldn't come in right, should I?
Riv : You know the best.
Di knocks as expected Di's stepfather opens the door, checks for someone with Di
Stepfather: Your boyfriend wouldn't come in. Will he? (turns towards Riv) You probably don't know but our Di has a BOYFRIEND and yeah he's GAY. Don't tell me you know this already (Riv remains quiet). You do??? And yet here supporting him, what kind of faggots you guys are?
Kine (from the back) : Oh really? Is it you or them?
Everyone surprised looks towards Kine
Kine : I just came in to give your phone, I'll take my leave then. (Looks at Di) Bye baby see you at school tomorrow (kisses him on his forehead and leaves)
Stepfather (surprised,mocks) : Did you guys see that, shameless, utterly shameless!
Di (expressionless, thinks) : Are you any better? My Kine is..... super.... cute. (Holds Riv's hand and takes her to the room and closes the door behind him) (Sighs in relief) You okay?
Riv : Yeah, (hugs) thank you.
Di (pacifies) : It's okay, I'm here with you now.... Sleep well okay, maybe by tomorrow Mom will be back, don't worry.
The next morning, Di and Riv left early for their work, leaving Stepfather while he slept. In the afternoon,
Mom : Is anyone even home? The door's open and nobody cares!
Sleepy stepdad walks out of the room
Stepfather (yawns) : You back?! So early....
Mom (coldly) : Why? You didn't get enough time to take advantage of my children or what.....