AFFECTION

TWENTY EIGHT

28

He paced back and forth in his office, time to time glancing at Oliver who was sitting in his little play area, destroying his new toys. He apparently didn't find a blue teddy bear interesting. His pair of elephants were sitting close by and they were being used to smash his other cutesy toys.

This little bubble around his son, was the only thing that was keeping him sane. Erica insisted to babysit Oliver, so he could attend his meeting but he refused to back away from the responsibility. And for the first time took the initiative to bring him to his office. Although she helped him to pack his essentials for the trip.

It was past afternoon but Hope hadn't called. He wondered if it was genuinely work, or she was disturbed over something else. That something else could only be his answer. To some extent he was sure, because his answer was something a wife would never want to hear. But Hope was his friend. He justified his actions but failed to do so. He knew she was no more in the flight. Her phone was on. But she still had not replied to his texts or returned his calls.

He sighed to himself and went to sit beside Oliver who looked at him, and smiled. That put him at ease, and he picked up his baby, and made him sit on his lap.

"Did I make your mumma upset?"

He only pouted and then began talking animatedly in his own language.

"You know I can't understand a single shit of what you are saying?", he chuckled and pinched his nose.

In reply, Oliver stood up in his lap, his little feet tucked between his father's thighs and held his collars to bring his face down to his mouth. David amusedly drew his face back, increasing difficulty for the little adventurer.

That made him whine and he made a face showing he was upset. Scared about him crying, David brought his face nearer. He just wants to give him a kiss.

Oliver, with a genetic mischievous makeup, held him firmly, and pulled at him, finally reaching his nose. And as soon as his mouth got hold of his father's nose, he bit on it with all his strength, making David shreik.

"You little piece of shit!!"

The supposed 'piece of shit' laughed loudly at his achievement, and clapped his hands for himself. David pulled out his phone and opened the front camera to look at his now red nose with little teeth marks.

He looked at Oliver who was still basking in the pride of such an honourable moment.

"Are you taking revenge on me for hurting your asshole 'Papa' and your mumma?"

He didn't get an answer but he squinted his eyes and pouted at him.

Just as he was examining his nose in the camera, the caller ID flashed with Hope's name. He immediately picked up the call and held the phone to his ear, "Hope!"

"David? You called?", her voice was stoic and monotonous.

"Yeah...I did. You left just like that. You should have atleast woke me up. I would dropped you to the airport you know."

He heard him sigh, "I didn't want to bother. How is Oliver though?"

With his experience of women, if she doesn't want to 'bother' you, there is definitely something to be bothered about.

"He..he's fine.", he briefly glanced at Oliver, who was keenly hearing him talk. His attention is so directed because he heard him mention 'Hope'.

"Hoeee! Mumma!", he called out, standing on his lap for the second time.

He put the phone on speaker, before Hope spoke up, "Yes my baby! Are you okay?"

"Yayaya!", he babbled animatedly moving his hands.