Silent Cries

Chapter 26

The park was beginning to empty as the sun started to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. Dev and Ayaan had been playing together for hours, laughing and running around, but now they both sat on a bench, catching their breath. There was a peaceful silence between them, but Dev's mind was still busy, trying to figure out how to make things right with Navya. His son was his only hope, and he needed Ayaan’s innocent perspective.

""Ayaan," Dev said gently, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "Can I ask you something?"

Ayaan glanced up, his bright eyes curious. "What is it, Papa?"

Dev hesitated for a moment, unsure if it was right to involve his son in matters between him and Navya. But Ayaan was smart, and maybe, just maybe, his innocent perspective could help him find a way to Navya's heart.

"I want to make things right with your mumma," Dev began, his voice soft. "I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and I really want to fix them. But... I don’t know how."

Ayaan furrowed his brows in concentration, tilting his head slightly as he considered his father’s words.

"You want to make mumma happy again?" he asked, his voice small but serious.

"Yes," Dev said, nodding earnestly.

"I want to make mumma happy. I want her to forgive me for everything I did wrong. I want to show her that I’ve changed and that I care about her and you."

Ayaan paused, then looked up with a mischievous smile. "But, Papa, mumma is my mumma, not yours," he said cheekily. "Mumma is your wife!"

Dev couldn't help but chuckle at his son’s innocent correction. "Yes, you’re right, she’s your mumma and my wife," he said, shaking his head. "But that’s why I need your help, champ. You know her better than anyone else."

Ayaan giggled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Okay, Papa, listen carefully," he said, suddenly taking on a serious tone as if he were about to reveal the secret to the universe. Dev leaned in closer, ready to absorb every word his son had to offer.

Ayaan scratched his head, clearly thinking hard. "Papa You need to say ‘sorry!’ Like really loud!" he shouted, throwing his hands up in the air dramatically, then immediately lowering his voice. "Like this: ‘Sorry, mumma! I didn’t mean to be a bad papa!’"

Dev chuckled at Ayaan’s over-the-top performance. "That’s a bit too loud, don’t you think?"

"No!" Ayaan said, his voice serious again. "You gotta say it so mumma hears it and knows you really mean it, Papa!" He puffed out his chest and added, "Then she’ll know you care."

Dev laughed, a bit relieved. "Okay, so a big sorry. Got it. What else?"

Ayaan crossed his arms like a little thinker, then pointed to the flowers blooming nearby.

"You should get mumma some flowers,"

Ayaan said, nodding as if he were a professional matchmaker. "Mumma loves flowers. But not the boring ones, the nice-smelling ones! Like the big colorful ones. You know, the pretty ones!"

"Okay, flowers it is," Dev said, making a mental note. "Anything else, my wise little man?"

Ayaan tapped his chin, thinking seriously for a moment. "Chocolates!" he exclaimed, his face lighting up. "Mumma loves chocolates! You gotta get her the best ones! The ones that taste sooo yummy!"

Dev raised an eyebrow, trying not to laugh. "And I’m not supposed to eat them all before I give them to her, right?"

Ayaan’s face went serious for a moment, as if he was solving an important problem. "Nooooo! You can’t eat all the chocolates!" he said, shaking his head dramatically. "Mumma will be soooo mad!"