Autumn is a second spring

63. Paris 2

"It is never easy for anyone, Hia. All those single mothers out there have it easy! They work and raise their kids at the same time! It's not like she can't start the dance studio here. It's not like she can never find a student to teach if she didn't go to that university of hers. She could, Hia! She could, but she didn't! She chose what was more convenient for her! She chose to leave her children!" Prem wasn't going to back down this time.

He had had enough of Boun supporting and justifying Merlin's actions.

"She has the right to choose what she wants to do in her life, Pao. Her whole life she had been oppressed and neglected. It was her first time getting to do what she wanted, what she wished for and she did. You shouldn't be judging her based on that." Boun retorted.

Prem gritted his teeth and looked away. This was what happened every time he would talk about Merlin. Boun would always defend her actions. 

"Pao, please try to understand her situation as well na," Boun requested.

"Okay, let's just say that I understood her. Then what, Hia? Take the child that I had been raising and hand him over to her because she happens to be his biological mother? Bew is not a toy, Hia, that she can pick up when she feels like it and keep aside when she doesn't. He is a live, breathing human being with his own emotions!"

"You are overreacting, Pao. Bew just wants to meet his mom on his birthday and I just want to fulfill his wish. That's why I wanted to bring him to Paris."

"Really? Am I overreacting, Hia? Have you ever thought what the consequences of your actions would be? Have you ever considered the fact that that woman might not even want to meet him? That woman has never even bothered to give a call and check if her children are alive or dead~"

"PAO!" Boun was triggered. " Mind your language! I understand that you do not have a positive impression on her but please don't forget that she is still Bew's Mae and an elder."

He tried to calm himself down. "I don't blame you for understanding how much Bew longs to meet his Mom. You have always had your parents by your side, loving and supporting you in every step you took. You don't know how it feels to know that even the person who gave birth to you doesn't want you. But I understand. I have been there, Pao. Even with Mae [1], Aa Seth, and Ohm staying by my side and giving me all kinds of support, I have longed for my Maa's affection and attention more than anything else as a child. No one could replace her in my heart, Pao. Not even Mae who had loved me like her own. I don't want Bew to feel the same way I did, Pao. I would never want my son to go through the same pain I went through when I was a kid."

"Your kid?" Prem started laughing in self-mockery. "I must be stupid trying to do everything. How on earth did I forget that he is your kid and has nothing to do with me? I am so dumb!"

"Pao, that is not what I meant. I just want Bew to have a happy childhood."

"Yeah, I know. That's why an outsider like me should mind my own business and stay out of it, right?" Prem was laughing but his tears were rolling down his cheeks.

His insecurities were getting the best of him. He was scared of both the possible outcomes of Bew's visit to Merlin.

If Merlin refused to acknowledge Bew and refused to even meet him, Prem was a hundred percent sure that his baby boy would be very deeply hurt.

On the other hand, if Merlin agrees to meet Bew and if either of them has thought of wanting to stay together, then Prem might not be able to see Bew ever again. If Merlin wanted to file for custody neither Boun nor Prem could stop her from getting it as she was his mom. Boun couldn't refuse to let go of the custody as he was still a bachelor with the reputation of a playboy. The law wouldn't let a child be raised by a parent like that. 

"Pao, you know I would never say something like that. You have never been an outsider to Bew. You know it na," Boun regretted having used the word 'my' instead of 'our'. He felt so guilty.

"Whether you mean it or not, isn't that the truth? Both you and I know that as well."

"Pao, please. I am really sorry. Please forgive me. You know how much Bew loves you. He loves you the most in this world. No one comes before you for him."

"You don't have to apologize, Hia. You didn't say anything wrong." Prem wiped his tears. "But I do want to know one thing. Since you have already made up your mind to bring him to Paris to meet with his mom, why did you ask me for my opinion? Did you accept me to say yes and run to pack my bags for the Paris trip, Hia? Is that what you expected?"

"No. I asked because I wanted your answer as well before finalizing anything," Boun sighed in his mind. 

This was not how he expected the conversation to go. He did expect opposition from Prem but never thought that their conversation could take a wrong turn like this.

The reason why he supported this trip was not just to make Bew and Merlin meet but also because he wanted Prem to take a break. He had no clue why Prem had been working nonstop for the past few months. He had tried asking him and his friends but all of them would either make an excuse or change the topic every time he did.

He was worried that Prem would overwork himself if this went on like this. He wanted to use Bew's birthday as an excuse to make Prem take a break and have a relaxing vacation as all his other attempts to make the same happen had been failures.

Plus, Paris being a very romantic spot would be a perfect place for him to propose to Prem. Fluke had reminded him that Prem didn't like extravagant things and preferred sincere efforts more.

But he wanted their proposal to be simple yet very memorable. That was when the idea of the Paris trip fell into his lap. He had made inquiries and had a perfect proposal plan in mind as well.

All that was left was to get a green light from Prem so that the latter was onboard with the plan before he proceeded with it.

"Please go ahead with your plan, Hia. You should bring Bew to meet his mom and celebrate his birthday together with her. Unfortunately, I won't be able to go there with you two. Please proceed without me." Prem turned around and left the room.

[1] Mae- Boun calls Ann, his foster mother and aunt, Mae and addresses his own mother as Maa