Whispers of Hope ✓

CHAPTER 47

THIRD PERSON'S POV

"Thank you so much for everything you did back there Mister and you too miss." Kiaan states as Layad stared at him confused with how he was suddenly so formal and talking like an old man again. Joshua on the other hand only chuckled. After the incident at the school and after touring and giving out gifts to the students and teachers, Joshua decided to bring Kiaan along with them to a nice cake café which Layad suggested eagerly. Kiaan silently followed.

"You're very much welcome." Says Joshua. "So where's your real father then Kiaan?"

"Layad." Joshua interfered and his voice held a warning knowing all too well that Kiaan might get hurt if they talked further about his inexistent father. "I don't know. I never saw him or heard anything about him." Everyone fell silent as both Joshua and Layad watched the little Kiaan slurp on his hot choco.

"How I wish I didn't know my father too." Joshua raised a brow as Kiaan only stared blankly and looked a bit offended by Layad's words. "You are lucky you don't know or didn't see you father at all. At least when you don't have anything to hold on to from him like memories; unlike me who had such great memories with my dad. I saw my dad and remember him clearly until his last day on earth. And it hurts more to remember my father as just a memory now."

"Your father died." It wasn't even a question but Layad still answered "Yes." Joshua was left looking both at the little kids talking deep talks like old people. They shared similar sentiments and a little more moment and they looked and talked like real siblings now. Joshua was only left chuckling at the scene.

"I enjoyed your company; thank you very much." Kiaan says to the uncle and niece pair.

"Are you going home now?"

"Yes. I have to go back and check on my mumma. She might get worried if I come home late."

"Let us give you a ride home. I have aa meeting in the orphanage as well so we're all going the same way." Joshua says and Kiaan beamed in a small yet bright small. Layad squealed on the other hand and dragged Kiaan to the backseat and started gossiping with the flustered little guy. Kiaan never really had a close friend; he wasn't very keen to making friends coz all that mattered was his mumma. He only needed his mummy. And now that he had someone very cheerful and a girl at that, Kiaan felt a little too awkward to open up more to his new-found friend.

"I want to meet your mummy." Layad says as Kiaan started to tell stories about how beautiful, strong and loving his mummy is and Layad was even more eager to meet Kiaan's mummy. "You will love to meet mummy and my mummy will be happy to hear about you as well. And you too mister."

"Just call me Uncle Joshua."

"No call him Tito Joshy, like me. hihi." Layad interfered and Joshua only rolled his eyes from the rear mirror watching the two kiddos on the back sit gossiping about their families.

Upon arriving at the orphanage, Layad insisted that they take tour first before meeting Kiaan's mummy which Kiaan agreed awkwardly. Joshua on the other hand had to attend the meeting first and so he had to leave his secretary again to watch over Layad and Kiaan as well.

JOSHUA'S POV

"Well, alas! We met again and at last Mr. Isabella." Says Mr. Joy when I entered a wide hall. They were many people already sitting by the u-shaped sits and the introduction began. I was last to introduce myself and I was shocked when everyone welcomed me and told me they all knew me and my company. I was left feeling proud and shy all at the same time as the meeting of sponsorship began. They told me that the head of the orphanage had a personal problem so she couldn't attend the meeting but Mr. Joy was her representative.

"Ms. Shekhawat couldn't attend our meeting so on behalf of her; I want to talk about the lacking's of the orphanage." Mr. Joy resumed talking about the sponsor ship and a little more moment and the meeting was set to finish.

"So what I had in mind is that, I'm more than willing to sponsor the orphanage and since my Indian base company is getting more and more successful, not to brag, I will have to give away 10% of my base company income every quarterly. Will that be okay?" I say as everyone clapped after a moment of silence. They gave me their thanks and congratulated the growing success of my company. I only accepted everything with a smile and some more minutes, the meeting was adjourned.

After the meeting Mr. Joy told me to wait for the head of the orphanage, Ms. Shekhawat to come back. He even walked me to my room the head prepared for me and Layad to stay for the night.

"Oh Kiaan you're here already? And look who we got here, you've a friend, why I'm very much pleased and surprised." Mr. Joy says upon sighting Kiaan and Layad walking towards us. "Yes, Uncle Joy. This is Layad, and that is his uncle Joshy."

"Uncle Joshy." Mr. Joy looked at me when Kiaan suddenly pointed at me as I only smiled awkwardly at Mr. Joy telling him the Joshy was a nickname of mine which he only laughed at. "Where's mummy Ish Uncle Joy? Have you seen her?"

"Ish?" I froze at the sudden account of the familiar name, even Layad was shocked to hear Ish's name. "Yes, my mummy's name is Ish, Ishita. Why? Do you know her already perhaps?" Kiaan asked innocently as Layad looked up at me with the same wide eyes. No we cannot jump into conclusions now. There are many Ishita in the world especially in India and that what I was always reminded Layad.

"Oh yes, haven't I mentioned yet Mr. Isabella? That Kiaan's mother is the current head of the orphanage?" I was again left shocked.

"Really? That's a big shock for me tho." Mr. Joy only laughed at my retort and we talked for a bit more until he had to say good bye and told us to just rest in the room prepared for us. We had to say good bye to Kiaan as well as he had to go home to the main hall where him and his mom were staying as the owner of the orphanage.

Upon entering the room, Layad started questioning me about Kiaan's mother and how she had the same name as the Ish we knew but I just told her directly not to probe on it coz she might not be the same Ish we know. We can't just jump to conclusion so fast. And just that, it took Layad few more hours before dropping to deep sleep. She seemed obviously tired from all the playing and touring with Kiaan. As for me, I was still wide awake even after taking a hot bath. Hot bath always was my last resort when I feel the need to rest and sleep myself out but this time, it seemed to not work coz I was still awake and Ish was the only thing on my mind now. It's been so long since I heard her name and hearing it again after such long time, I was left with nothing but the memories of her suddenly flashing before my eyes. It was then 2am and I was still wide awake so I decided to go and make myself a hot coffee maybe it will help me sleep after. Mr. Joy already toured me in the guest hall so I knew my way to the kitchen. Upon arriving at the kitchen, I rashly looked for the coffee machine and everything I needed to make myself a coffee and after indeed making one; I walked back to my room but stopped mid-way when I sighted the open garden outside. I walked out and the cold dawn breeze welcomed me. There was like a mini maze in the small garden and although it was still dark everywhere, the flowers and all the designs were still visible. I walked around while drinking my coffee and upon stepping sideways to the lilac flowers, I bumped into someone and the glass of coffee I held dropped. We were both lucky that the floor was covered with grass so the mug didn't break and that the coffee didn't touch us both.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there."

"No, it's okay Ms. I didn't see you either." We both crouched and picked the mug and at the same time we held the mug at the opposite ends, I looked up and like a slow move, she did all as well and even everything was like a silhouette, I could never be more wrong than what I am seeing now. All the longing, the yearning, the desperation, the guilt, conscience, pain and the painful love and memories came crashing and stabbing my heart all at once. I felt like my body shivered and my bones gone soft as I dropped the mug again as I stared straight at the familiar eyes. She only stared with mix emotions I couldn't read in her eyes. Her face, her eyes, nose and lips were all too familiar for me not to mistake whom she is for.....

"I-Ish—Ishita?"