It was the weekend, and Kairo took Sara and Zayn out shopping. They were wandering around the toy section in the mall.
"Zayn, baby, that's enough… you're asking for too many toys," Sara said.
"Let him have them, baby," Kairo said casually.
Sara gave him a glare. "You're spoiling my child."
"He's my child too," Kairo replied.
"That doesn't give you the right to spoil him. Everything needs limits. Too much of anything can become poison," she said, putting one of the toys back on the shelf.
Zayn pouted, and Kairo pouted too, copying his son's expression.
"I'm sorry, son. Mumma's right. We'll buy this one next time, okay?" he said gently.
Zayn nodded, still pouting.
"Aww… don't be sad, my baby. Dada will get you some nice ice cream instead, okay?" Kairo said as Sara walked ahead, pushing the cart.
Zayn's eyes lit up, and he smiled happily at the deal. Kairo grinned and kissed his cheek, and Zayn kissed him back.
Kairo smiled and followed Sara, who was already walking out of the toy store.
"Let's have ice cream, baby," he said, holding her hand.
She looked at him, then at Zayn.
"It's me who wants the ice cream, darling. Why are you doubting my child?" Kairo said dramatically, cupping Zayn's face.
Sara looked at Zayn, who said innocently, "I didn't say anything, Mumma," playing along with his father.
"A little one, not too much," Sara warned.
Kairo nodded obediently, and Zayn copied him. They walked toward the ice cream shop together.
Sara sat down on a chair and looked at them. "Which flavor do you want, baby?" Kairo asked her.
"Anything is fine," she replied casually.
He smiled. "Okay."
Then he walked to the counter, holding Zayn in his arms. "Which flavor does my baby boy want?" he asked playfully.
"Chocolate!!!" Zayn shouted excitedly.
"Okay… chocolate it is!" Kairo said with the same excitement.
Sara smiled, watching their cute bond, then got busy scrolling through her phone.
"One small chocolate, one big vanilla, and one big strawberry," Kairo ordered.
"Five minutes, sir," the shopkeeper said.
Kairo nodded and started chatting with Zayn about random things, mostly toys and superheroes.
"Hey…" a voice called out suddenly.
Kairo turned toward the sound. A boy stood there, a familiar face, green eyes that looked strangely familiar.
"Hi… remember that day at the restaurant? I spilled my drink on the girl..." the boy said with a polite smile.
Kairo's heart skipped a beat as he recognized him.
"I'm Kael. You're… Kai… Kairo, right?" Kael said.
Kairo frowned slightly,
"How do you know my name?" Kairo asked, his tone calm but slightly guarded.
Kael smiled casually. "Oh, that? My mom said your name that day. I think she knows you. Do you know my mom?" he asked curiously, then added, "By the way, I'm really sorry about that night. It was an accident, and I didn't get to apologize to your girlfriend… or maybe, wife...?"
"Yes, she's my wife," Kairo said, cutting in firmly.
"Ohh, okay. Then please tell her I'm sorry," Kael said with an easy smile.
Kairo stared at him for a moment. Damn… he's so much like him. And… her. The thought hit hard. His smile faltered slightly, but he forced himself to stay composed.
He couldn't take his eyes off the boy, his gestures, his expression, even the way he smiled; it all reminded him of the past he tried to bury.
If Kael were here, then his parents might be around too. Kairo's eyes subtly scanned the crowd, looking for that one familiar face. But no one familiar appeared.
"You came alone?" Kairo finally asked, trying to sound casual.
Kael nodded. "Yeah, I'm here with some friends. So… yeah."
Kairo gave a short nod, still studying him. Kael smiled, slightly puzzled by the scrutiny.
"Is this your child?" Kael asked, pointing gently at Zayn, who was clinging to Kairo's shoulder.
"Yeah," Kairo said quietly. "My son."
"Ohh… he's cute," Kael said warmly.
Kairo smiled faintly, brushing Zayn's hair back.
Kael leaned a little closer, grinning. "Hey, buddy."
Zayn looked at him with wide, curious eyes, hesitated for a moment, then gave a small, shy smile back.
"Baby… how long?" a soft voice called from behind.
Kairo turned slightly. A teenage girl, around fourteen or fifteen, stood a few steps away, pouting.
Kael's eyes widened. "Uh, five minutes! I'll be back. Go sit down," he said quickly, waving her off with an awkward smile.
The girl huffed but obeyed, walking away with a sulky face.
Kairo watched her leave, then turned back to Kael with a teasing smile. "Friend?"
Kael scratched the back of his neck, looking embarrassed. "Girlfriend," he admitted under his breath.
Kairo chuckled. "Ah, girlfriend."
Kael grinned sheepishly. "Yeah… kinda."
"How old are you?" Kairo asked casually.
"Fifteen," Kael replied.
Kairo nodded slowly, hiding the strange feeling tightening his chest.
"Brother…" Kael suddenly said, making Kairo's heart skip.
Kairo froze, his breath catching for a second, until Kael continued.
"Don't tell Mom about my girlfriend if you ever meet her again," Kael said, smiling nervously.
Kairo exhaled quietly, forcing a small smile. "Why? You scared of your mom?"
Kael laughed awkwardly. "No, but I don't wanna sit through her long lecture about 'focus on studies' again."
Kairo looked at him, really looked. The resemblance was uncanny. The same eyes. The same spark. His half-brother… though the boy had no idea.
"Don't worry," Kairo said calmly. "I'm not that close with your mom. Just happened to know her before."
Kael smiled in relief. "Thanks, bro."
"Bro?" Kairo raised an eyebrow.
Kael chuckled. "What else should I call you? Uncle?"
Kairo smiled awkwardly. "Bro is better."
Kael laughed, completely unaware of the truth that stood right in front of him.
"Sir, your order," the shopkeeper called.
Kairo nodded and took the tray. "It was nice meeting you… Lil bro," he said, stretching the last words playfully.
Kael grinned, winking, matching the vibe. "Same here, bro."
Kairo smiled faintly. "Take good care of your girlfriend," he teased before walking away.
Kael laughed, giving a thumbs up, "Sure!"
Kairo turned back toward their table, still smiling faintly, though his chest felt strangely heavy.
Sara looked up from her phone. "What happened to you?" she asked, frowning at his oddly cheerful face.
"Hm? Nothing," Kairo said quickly, sitting down. "Let's have ice cream."
She gave him a suspicious look, but he only smiled and scooped a spoonful of strawberry ice cream, holding it up to her lips.
"Here," he said softly.
She rolled her eyes but took the bite anyway. He then fed Zayn a spoonful, watching his little face light up as he tried each flavor.
Zayn giggled. "Chocolate best!"
Kairo chuckled, feeding him another spoon. Sara frowned. "Enough, Kairo. Don't give him so much."
"Let him eat in peace, baby," he said casually.
"You're spoiling him," she snapped.
"Let me spoil him a little. Don't be so strict with my son, soda glass," he said, smirking.
"Me? Strict?" she glared. "You're the one being careless, father."
"Okay, okay, fine," he said, laughing. "Let him finish this one. Next time, we'll see."
Sara sighed, glaring half-heartedly as he leaned over to steal a bite from her cup.
And just like that, the three of them ended up sharing ice cream, bickering, laughing, and teasing, the mall echoing faintly with their warm little chaos.