The dishes served by Mrs. Borah were all favorites of the children and Carla. These were
complemented by a few French flavors prepared by Mrs. Bolistin.
Everyone within the household was buzzing when they took their respective places at the
table.
Mrs. Borah spoke self-consciously. "I understood from Mrs. Bolistin that you enjoy French
fare so I've asked her to prepare some. I don't know how to make them, but I'll be learning
from her starting tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll be able to make some for you next time."
"It's fine, Mrs. Borah. I'd like to try some of your own specialty too."
Zayn pulled out a chair for Carla before he took his own place by her side.
"Alright then. Let me know if you like them."
Mrs. Borah placed a piece of beef into Zayn's plate.
"Thank you." Zayn nodded in appreciation as he savored it. "It's really good."
"Really? I'm so glad to hear that." Mrs. Borah beamed. "I was a little worried that you might
not be used to my cooking."
"I like it." After he got Carla a piece as well, he turned back to find Mrs. Borah and the
children looking at him. "Well don't just sit there watching, go on ahead and help yourself to
the food too."
"We're digging in now, Uncle Zay, Mommy, Mrs. Borah!"
The children then tucked in and marveled at Mrs. Borah's fantastic culinary skills.
Mrs. Borah was extremely pleased, and reiterated her desire to avoid the hospital so that she
may stay at home in order to continue cooking for the family.
Carla filled up a bowl with soup and beseech the older woman to take care of her own
health so that she may be better able to watch the children grow.
The housekeeper smiled with a tear in her eye as she nodded.
Although Zayn ate quietly, his demeanor was unusually affable.
Enjoying a meal together with a large family like this was something that he had never
experienced for as long as he could remember.
In all his twenty-eight years, he had more or less grown accustomed to a solitary existence.
The atmosphere was dreary even during the occasions he was with his grandfather.
His upbringing under Jombo was strict, with countless rules set out for him to adhere to.
Amongst them, were the forbidding of conversation and laughter during mealtimes.
For him, this conversely joyous and harmonious vibe better characterized how family life
ought to be.
After dinner, Zayn took the kids out to the children's play area.
Carla had not stepped outside the house over the past couple of days. She was aware
that a clinic was built to the rear of the house, but did not know about the play area that had
been added to the garden.
The sight of it almost had the three children jumping for joy.
Randy and Venus were first in as they scampered ahead, leaving Josh to shout after them,
"Wait. I want to play too."
"Hey Josh, shall we go over to the swing?" Derima coaxed.
"I wanna go on the slide, " the boy replied as he pointed to the lofty spiraling structure.
Randy and Venus were already up top. Their arms were spread wide as they screamed in
exhilaration all the way down.
Derima had her reservations. "You could aggravate your leg on that as it hasn't fully
recovered yet."
"It's fine. Let him try, " Zayn said. "A boy doesn't need to be coddled."
"Understood." The nurse wheeled Josh over and mindfully helped him up.
"You can let go. I can do this myself."
The boy kept his hands to the sides of the steps for support as he lugged himself up with
some difficulty.
"I'm up, I'm up!"
Josh's arms shot up in triumphant fashion, cleanly forgotten about his own injury. That
made him lose his balance and caused him to topple over the side of the stairs.
"Ah——" Carla and Mrs. Borah let out a blood-curdling shriek.
As Josh tumbled toward the ground, a shadowy figure blazed across and caught him
securely.
The boy was ashen-faced and breathed heavily as he reclined inside Zayn's arms. He
began to choke up from the ordeal. "Ugh, Uncle Zay…"
"That was nothing. Big boys like you shouldn't cry, " Zayn said authoritatively.
"Yes, sir." Josh pursed his lips as he forced back his tears. "Thanks Uncle Zay!"
"Call me Dad, " Zayn said.
"Dad!" The boy's mouth was left agape when those words were uttered.
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