Un-Beam My Heart!

43. Baby's apology!!

                              The breakfast tasted bland and unappetizing for Kimmon. He munched on his food absentmindedly, while his eyes flickered unsteadily, taking in every corner of the dining room. A restless sigh escaped his lips, as he remembered the days he had spent in the Khemmonta mansion.

                              Kimmon was only fourteen, when he entered the mansion with Suchart. He had looked forward to receive a warm welcome from Suchart's family. He had a lot of expectations and dreams at that young age. But it didn't take long for him to learn that not all dreams turned into reality.                  

                              Kimmon had spent more than a decade in the Khemmonta mansion. He was given shelter, food and education at the place. But never once had he experienced any warmth or compassion inside those thick walls. His aunt had always been indifferent towards him and his mother. She had never acknowledged the presence of them at the house. To her they didn't exist at all.

                                 On the other hand, Kimmon expected to have an amicable relationship with his cousins, but all he received from them were insults and hate. And Kimmon put up with everything in silence, although he was older than his cousins. After all he had to protect his mother's innocence and dignity at the house. Also, Kimmon believed that his uncle's love and support were enough for him.

                              There was a general misconception about Kimmon that he was an easy-going, carefree and cheerful person. He was also deemed to be a player by his friends and colleagues. After all he was smooth with both men and women. But the reality was far from those assumptions. Kimmon wasn't a playful person by nature. He only sought out to people to escape from his lonely pathetic life.

                               Kimmon had always been serious in his academics and extra-curricular activities, right from his kindergarten days. He thought that it was the least he could do to his father, who toiled every day to run their family and keep them happy. His father's face would light up in pride, whenever his teachers praised him for being well behaved and good at studies. Kimmon had seen how all the tiredness and miseries would melt away from his father's face as soon as he saw his only son's adorable smile. Hence, Kimmon always smiled more than necessary, and over time the goofy grin had become his usual charm.

                                  Kimmon threw the fork on his plate and stood up from his chair without finishing his breakfast. He was about to leave the table, when his eyes met with his mother's worried gaze. Rune Khemmonta, Kimmon's mother, came from a middle class family. She was her husband's high school sweetheart and their love story always gave Kimmon the will to hope for a true and everlasting love like their parents shared. But her husband's demise had left her shattered that she never recovered from that shock even until that very second.

                                The only thing Rune ever wanted was, to be accepted as a Khemmonta. That was her husband's last wish. But sadly, she never received that acknowledgement no matter how much she tried. Kimmon had seen his mother's efforts and struggles, but he had never once stood up for himself or his mother in the fear of disappointing his uncle. Only if he hadn't been blind enough to recognize his uncle's motives, he would never have stepped into the mansion.

                                  Kimmon heaved a sigh and walked towards his mother. He knew that his decision to shed the family name might give the poor lady a heart attack. She might even see him as the one who betrayed Khemmonta family. But he didn't have a choice or will anymore. His mother's dignity and his own self respect had become more important than his last name.