Yours Ryan [Original Edition]

Chapter 31: His Past

Andrew parked his car near a small, quiet park. He glanced at Zain, who was absorbed in observing his surroundings.

"Buddy, let's go," Andrew said gently, getting out of the car. He opened the door on Zain's side and picked him up, searching for a comfortable spot to sit. Zain pointed to a corner of the park.

"Do you want to go there?" Andrew asked. Zain nodded.

"Okay," Andrew said, carrying Zain to the indicated spot. He settled on the bench next to Zain, who sat quietly.

"Does it hurt?" Andrew asked softly, touching Zain's cheek with care. Zain shook his head and looked down.

Sighing, Andrew moved closer and side-hugged him. Zain flinched slightly where Zafar had gripped him earlier.

"What happened?" Andrew asked worriedly, but Zain remained silent. Without another option, Andrew lifted Zain's sleeve and saw a swollen bruise.

"Fuck," he cursed quietly, noticing Zain's tears.

"Hey, buddy, don't cry," Andrew cooed, wiping away the tears with his thumb. "I'll tell you a story. Want to hear it?" Zain nodded.

"Once upon a time, there was a small little boy just like you." He smiled and continued. "He was apple in eyes of his mother and father. His parents loved him a lot as he was their only child. His morning started with his mother's sweet forehead kiss and his father's food made with love. Such a beautiful and a happy family he had !."

"When he started schooling, he got two friends who treated him like their own brother. The boy was so happy and he was very excited to go to school everyday. The teachers were proud of him as he was the bright student and the class topper. Everything was going perfect but suddenly his life changed 360 degree." He paused and glanced at Zain who was looking at him curiously.

"One day, after his school, he was waiting for his father to pick him up. But instead his mother came which made him surprised. The boy was continuously staring his mother's face which was worn out.

"Momma, what happened ?. Why are you sad ?"

"Ahmm..it's nothing. I..I am fine darling." His mother smiled at him.

Little did he know that his mother was hiding her tears behind that smile. When they reached home, he felt something weird. It was different from usual days. His mother asked him to go to his room which he did. Later they both had their food but the boy couldn't eat peacefully because he was missing his father and secondly his mother was simply staring the food.

At night, the boy startled from his sleep when he heard his parents shouting. He took baby steps to the door and peeked out to see his father slapping his mother which crushed his little heart as this is the first time he saw his father behaving like an animal.

The boy rushed to his mother and hugged her tightly protecting her from his father's next slap.

"Andy, go away from here." His mother begged. But the boy shook his head and glanced at his father.

"Daada, don't beat momma." He said sternly.

"Then I will beat you." Saying this, his father started beating him with his rough hands. Andy cried loudly. His body started becoming red.

"STOP MATHEW. PLEASEEE STOP..." His mother screamed while holding his leg.

"Get away from me bitch." He threw her and slapped her again.

"Listen clearly , never ever try to order or to interrupt in my personal matters. UNDERSTOOD." His mother hesitantly nodded and he marched pot from the home.

"Mommaa." Andy cried, crawling towards her and hugged his mother tightly.

The next day, he said everything to his friends. They comforted him and promised him to help him anytime. After the school, his friends decided to go with him to visit his parents. Andy was worried as his mother didn't come to pick him up. One of his friend's parents came there.

"Mom, Dad, Andy's parents didn't come. Can we drop him ?." Ryan asked.

"Of course baccha. Andrew beta, come with us. We will drop you"

When they reached Andy's home, they were shocked to see a huge crowd with police officers and an ambulance. His heart was beating faster. He ran to the door step and stumbled seeing his mother's lifeless body on a stretcher. Beside her, her father was weeping silently. Andy hugged his mother's body tightly and cried.

"What happened to Miss. James. ?" Ryan's father asked.

"She committed suicide sir."

Andrew paused and wiped his tears before continuing "The boy was silent all that day. He neither eat anything nor went outside from his room. Then at night he heard some weird sounds which confused him. He decided to check and so he moved out. As he reached the living, he saw his father talking and laughing with another woman.

"Dad, who is she ?"

"Andy, she is Laura. Your new mother." His father announced happily hugging the women who barely looked 22.

"NOOO.. SHE IS NOT MY MOTHER. I WON'T ACCEPT HER. MY MOTHER IS ROSE MATHEW."

"AND SHE IS DEAD." His father retorted back and walked towards him.

"Your mother suicided, Andy. She won't come back."

"Momma, will never do that. She is strong." He defended.

"Andy, believe me. She did suicide."

"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU." He spat at him.

Mathew clenched his jaw. His nose flared in anger and suddenly his lips turned into an evil smirk.

"The truth is....I killed your mother, Andy." Mathew said. Andy's face paled.

"No..you..you..didn't."

"Yes. I killed her because your mother was a third wheel in our relation." Mathew said pointing at him and his mistress.

"YOUUUUUU." Andy shouted, jumped into his body and bite his arm. Mathew screamed in pain. Laura took Andy and threw him to the sofa.

"SON OF A BITCH, I WILL KILL YOU." Mathew took the knife from the table and marched to him. Laura tried to stop him but he didn't.

"AHHHHH..."

Ryan's family rushed put from the car. They stared the scene in horror. Andy's face and hand was filled with blood. They turned to the left to see Mathew's and Laura's dead bodies.

Andrew took a deep breath. "So, Zain, the moral of the story is to be brave. Andy had to be strong to protect his mother's memory. Your mother is weak and living only for you. Be her strength and fight the evils. Do you understand?"

Zain nodded, giving a small but determined smile.

Meanwhile, in a Starbucks across town, Tanya anxiously glanced at her watch. Amar's calls had been incessant, but she was focused on helping Zain. When Mumtaz arrived, Tanya could see the fear and hesitation in her eyes.

"Mumtaz, I promise you, we'll find a way to protect you and Zain. Zafar's abuse has to stop," Tanya said firmly.

Mumtaz nodded, tears welling up. "I want a better life for my son. I'll do whatever it takes."

"Good. We'll start by getting legal help. And don't worry about Zafar—I have a plan to keep him away from you," Tanya reassured her.

Back at the park, Andrew watched as Zain played on the swings, his smile gradually returning. Andrew's heart swelled with hope. He vowed silently to protect this brave little boy and his mother, no matter what it took.

As the sun set, Andrew received a message from Nick, who was keeping an eye on Zafar. "Everything's calm here. No signs of trouble," it read.

Andrew sighed in relief. For now, they were safe. He looked at Zain, who was laughing on the swings. This was just the beginning of a new chapter—a chapter of hope, strength, and unwavering courage.