Destined Mann-er - Part 2

Akat was greeted by the smell of Prapit's cooking. Prapit hated to cook; in fact, he did everything he could to avoid it. But he was amazing. Maybe it was the love he put in; the food tasted special.

Akat closed his eyes as he relished the food, savoring every morsel.

He thought back to the first time he had tasted Prapit's food. It was on his first birthday with Prapit. Prapit had forgotten about it.

Akat came back from school. Uncle Maran had come to pick him up.

"Uncle Maran! What a surprise!"

"Today is our little boy's birthday, isn't it? Let me treat you to a cup of tea."

Akat's eyes shone. He was celebrating his birthday for the first time in eight years.

Uncle Maran took him to a well-known establishment, a small yet homely cafe run by a very old couple. He bought a small cake and candle as well.

"Young Master would hate it if we didn't celebrate your birthday, so I'm buying this cake."

Akat smiled. Uncle Maran was extremely kind and considerate. He was a softie. How Prapit had crossed paths with him was a mystery to Akat, but he knew that the bond between them was extremely strong.

Prapit came home earlier than usual. "Uncle Maran, you texted me to come as soon as possible. What happened? Are you feeling well? Should we go to the doctor?"

Uncle Maran rolled his eyes. "I am not dying, my boy. Today is Akat's birthday; I wanted us to cut cake for him."

There was deathly silence as Prapit stared at Uncle Maran and then at Akat.

Akat felt a bit tense. What was wrong?

Prapit then strode towards Akat and hugged him. "Akat, I am so sorry, I forgot all about your birthday. I haven't gotten anything for you."

Akat sighed internally. Prapit wasn't angry; he was just upset. What a cute reaction.

Akat gave a small smile and asked, "Why should you be sorry? It's already special. I have a place to call home. What more do I need?"

Prapit felt irritated. Akat was pleased with whatever he had. This irritated him. A boy his age would have at least something they'd want. A robot? Some sports equipment?

Prapit sat on the chair and pulled Akat onto his lap.

"It is your birthday. Ask me anything. I'll buy you whatever you want. I promise to never ever forget this day again."

Akat mulled it over for some time. He then asked, "I can ask anything?"

Prapit nodded. "Anything. Name it, it shall be yours."

Prapit was curious to know what Akat would ask. And he was actually keen to give it to him. A part of him felt glad. This was the first time in the six months he had stayed with Prapit that he was bold enough to ask for something. He was getting comfortable.

"Then, can I have dinner cooked by Prapit as my birthday gift?"

Prapit stared at him. Uncle Maran held his breath. What a daring ask! No one in his gang, not even Uncle Maran, would have had the courage to ask for something like that.

Akat only looked into Prapit's eyes as he waited for the answer.

"If you call me uncle, maybe?" Prapit laughed.

Akat shook his head. "I don't really need any gift." He checked his watch. "I should go and study now. Thanks for your wishes."

He hopped down from Prapit's lap and disappeared.

Prapit looked at Uncle Maran. "Why is it so difficult for him to call me uncle?"

Uncle Maran shrugged. "That boy isn't really expressive; it's difficult to fathom what runs through his mind."

Prapit sighed as he folded his sleeves and got up. "Well, a promise is a promise. Could you pass me the apron, Uncle?"

Uncle Maran stared at Prapit disbelievingly.

"Are you really going to cook? Don't you hate it?"

Prapit sighed, "I do. But it's the birthday boy's wish; I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't do even this, after forgetting such an important day."

Prapit made a very simple dinner, with a salad and a main course.

Uncle Maran went upstairs to get Akat.

He found Akat poring over his books. The door was left ajar. Akat never shut his door; he hated being locked up.

"Akat, the young master is almost done with dinner. Shall we go down?"

Akat looked surprised. "He really cooked?"

Uncle Maran smiled. "He promised you, after all."

As they went down the stairs, Uncle Maran asked casually, "Is there any reason why you call the young master by his name?"

Akat asked, "Is it wrong to call him by his name?"

Uncle Maran shook his head. "Not at all; I'm just curious. People normally get scared to approach him. I have never, in the ten years I've worked with him, come across anyone who has called him by his name."

Akat looked at him, then pointed to a small six-pointed star on the mantel. "What is that?"

Uncle Maran looked surprised. "That is Hotrā; we worship him through a star."

Akat then looked at Uncle Maran. "So it's not Brother Hotrā or Uncle Hotrā? Just Hotrā?"

"Of course! He is God! Not some relative that we can call son or brother." He laughed at the absurdity of the question.

Akat continued, "So it's okay for you to call your god by name, but not okay for me to call my god by his name?"

"Huh?"

"I don't know your god, and I don't know what he has done for you. But for me, Prapit has been my god from the moment I saw him. My uncle threw me out on the streets and tried to take away my future; my god picked me up from the streets and created my future. How can I lower his status to an uncle?"

Uncle Maran looked stumped. "You sound like you like the young master a lot!"

Akat looked surprised at such an obvious observation. "I love him. I wouldn't think twice about dying for him."

Uncle Maran bowed in apology. "I'm sorry I took your feelings lightly."

Akat only shook his head. "Not at all. I thought I was obvious. Maybe I wasn't. Is Prapit hurt by how I call him?"

Uncle Maran smiled. "If he were, he would have stopped you. I think he's happy that you consider him precious enough to call him by his name."

Prapit, who was eavesdropping on the conversation, walked back into the kitchen. He hadn't intentionally done it. He was going to check what was taking them so long and caught his name being exchanged.

But thanks to that, he had realized how much Akat trusted and loved him. He wanted to cry. Never had he even dreamed such a small act of kindness could bring such strong emotions to another person.

He set the table. "Uncle Maran, you sit; today I will serve all of us for a change."

Uncle Maran did not expect it, but he nodded. Whatever made his master happy.

Akat waited patiently for Prapit to serve himself before starting.

As he ate the first bite, he realized that the meal, though simple, was painstakingly done. Every vegetable was finely chopped. The flavors were in harmony. It was a meal prepared with love. Akat felt a tear slide down his cheek, which surprised him.

Prapit looked concerned. "Are you okay? Is something spicy? Is the taste not to your liking?"

Akat shook his head as he continued to eat quietly.

"If you don't tell me what you are upset about, I won't know how to make amends," Prapit said softly.

"I am happy. Your food is so tasty. I am thankful for this wonderful birthday present."

Prapit did not know how to react to such straightforward gratitude.