Espresso Love (SanDhir)

Chapter 34 - Residue

Hey guys! I am back with the next part of Espresso Love, albeit a little later than planned. But I hope you guys enjoy it!! :)

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Randhir was at my door in a matter of 30 minutes with 3 sundaes in his hand, as promised. I welcomed him in and called Riaan from his room.

"Riaan, look who came to visit us tonight!"

The little guy ran out in a rush, a couple of crayons still grasped tightly in his tiny hands. "Is it Path uncle?" he said, skipping over the r in Parth's name completely.

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As soon as I realized Riaan thought it may have been Parth, my heart dropped a little. I don't know what it was, but something about him expecting someone other than me was a bit hard to digest - even though a part of me knew I was far removed from this family of two.

But his next words brought back the joy I felt at seeing him as he exclaimed, "RD!!!"

He spread his arms as he came running towards me with his wide and toothless grin. I lifted him; "Hi Riaan, how's my champ doing?" I patted his head as he settled down in my lap.

"I'm good, but mommy isn't!"

I turned to face Sanyukta but she quickly escaped my glance and headed to the kitchen, grabbing us some napkins. I decided to leave the topic, mentally making a note to bring it up later when me and Sanyu were alone, and set out the sundae.

While we had many things to talk about, we spent the whole time listening to Riaan speak. While I was engrossed in his conversation, Sanyukta was busy admiring him.

Eventually, he drifted off to sleep on my lap, and so Sanyukta took him to the bedroom to get him ready for bed. Once he was fast asleep, she came out and asked me, "Coffee?" (an offer which I gladly accepted, of course).

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Two cups of coffee and a few work-related conversations later, I brought up the dreaded topic. "Do you think you'll lose Riaan?" I asked directly, not wanting to beat around the bush anymore.

She sighed, "I am," she spoke softly, however the panic was clearly visible in her eyes. "I'm terrified, not only because I can't live without Riaan, but also because I know Sameer is only doing this to get back at me. I don't want Riaan to have to suffer in all of this just because of me," she said without looking at me, fiddling with the cup in her hands in the meanwhile.

"Well you saved me from having to be a part of my parents' messy divorce, I'm sure you'll be able to shield Riaan from it all too!" I said, putting my hand on hers. And then I added, "Do you think it'll help if I... if I talk to him?"

She looked perplexed, and perhaps even a little agitated, as her eyes quickly darted up to meet mine; "Sameer?" she asked, and I nodded. "Randhir! What did you do?" she backed off, "Please tell me you didn't do anything! Did you!?"

"No I didn't," I assured her, "But I don't get why you're so scared when it comes to Sameer!"

She bit her lip and looked away, a few signs I could read very well. I knew she was hiding something.

"No more secrets Sanyu, what is it?" I prodded.

"But first you have to promise me you won't go to Sameer. Especially not after what I'm about to tell you!" she requested. And although she was beginning to scare me, I agreed, "I promise. Now tell me why you've been so terrified!"