Enna Sona [Ziam]

Forty Three

It took Zayn a moment to catch up on what Liam said.

"Wh-what? What do you mean you're not Liam Payne!? Who are you then? An imposter?"

Is Zayn really living an I Know What You Did Last Summer??

Liam took a deep breath. He doesn't think he could do this. But if anyone deserved to know, it was Zayn. He needs to tell him.

"I'm not your CJ's son, Zayn. I'm not a Payne. I don't even know who I am. Or what I am.. Maybe I'm not even Indian. You know how you say I don't look Indian? Aunt Zeenat said it too.. Yeah well.. Whichever trash can Ammi-Baba rescued me from, was probably not Indian."

Liam shrugged like it wasn't taking everything in him to say this. To finally voice out what was kept a secret all this while, eating at his heart and lungs every time someone mentioned he didn't look Indian or he didn't know the Desi ways. He prayed he wouldn't start crying. But he knew it was only a moment or two before he starts.

"Liam..."

"That day after we smoked, I went back home, right? I walked in, because the door was unlocked like always, and Ammi and Baba was in the kitchen, sitting with my Great Aunt Mariette who came to visit us. Laila Baaji had already gone to bed and I was about to go too, when I heard my name."

"You should stop letting that boy out like this! We don't know what he is capable of!"

"Aunt Marie, what are you saying! Liam is our son!"

Geoff tried to reason with her. His Aunt Mariette, Liam's Great Aunt, has been at this ever since she made sure Liam was out.

"The son you took from a street!"

"The term is 'adopted' Aunt Marie, and it was an orphanage. Not a street!"

Kareena said in a low voice, on the verge of tears.

"Same thing, Kareena! I had told you the moment you took him in this was a bad idea. Now look how he turned out. Wherever you go, all you hear is complaints about that boy. And he's ruining that Malik boy as well. What will they say once something really bad happens because of Liam? How are you going to defend him? It's in the genes Kareena!"

"It's not in the genes Aunt Marie! It's in the heart and I know his heart is pure. And he's only 12 for God sake!"

"And he's already such a trouble! Imagine once he grows up!? I'm gonna warn you right now, this boy is going to bring shame to your family."

Geoff clenched his fist. If he could hit something, he would. But not when his Aunt is sat there.

"He IS family. He was only a few days old when we took him in and from that day he has been my son. Kareena didn't birth him, but he is my second born. I don't care what you say!"

Aunt Marie shook her head. They were not understanding.

"Look Geoff, I'm not saying he's not your son. He is. In papers. But the blood-"

"Blood doesn't mean shit!"

Kareena cursed shocking herself and Aunt Marie. Geoff however, didn't react. He knew where Kareena was coming from. She was disowned by her own family for choosing Geoff. They didn't care she was their blood. And it's been 15 years and they never even sent a letter. Nothing for the hundreds of apologies Kareena sent. And then Geoff made her stop. It wasn't worth it.

"I understand Kareena. But don't you think Liam is taking away most of your attention? Laila was still a toddler when you decided to take him in. Don't you think you should have cared more for her?"