You Belong To Me

5.Will Met Aru

"Sigh... today marks the anniversary of my birth, yet kin and kinship elude me," he confessed, his voice heavy with the weight of unspoken sorrow.

"A joyous birthday to you, Will!" she exclaimed, pressing a tender kiss upon his brow before enveloping him in a tight embrace that banished the shadows of his solitude. In the warmth of her embrace, he found sanctuary, a haven untainted by the indifference of distant parents who had entrusted his care to the tender mercies of servants. Here, in the embrace of this angelic child, he discovered the boundless depths of love and acceptance, a gift beyond measure that illuminated the darkness of his existence with the radiant light of hope.

"Aru... Aru!" The mellifluous call sliced through the ambient noise, drawing the attention of those nearby. Suddenly, like a beacon of grace amidst the mundane, a woman of striking beauty emerged, her presence commanding the attention of all who beheld her. In her mid-thirties, she possessed an ethereal quality, an aura of elegance that enveloped her like a silken shawl.

With a graceful stride, she traversed the distance, her steps imbued with purpose and poise. Her countenance radiated warmth, her eyes aglow with an inner light that spoke of empathy and understanding. This woman, she was more than just a mere passerby; she was a harbinger of compassion, a catalyst for connection.

"Mom, today marks Will's birthday. Could we perhaps commemorate this special occasion, given his parents' absence?" Aru's voice, tinged with excitement, pierced through the air like a clarion call, her words laden with urgency and anticipation. Beside her, Will stood, a figure of quiet longing, his eyes betraying the ache of solitude that nestled within his heart.

With a gentle smile, the woman regarded her daughter, her gaze alight with maternal affection. "Absolutely! Why don't we seize the opportunity to celebrate it ourselves? Let's embark on this joyous endeavor." Her words, infused with a mother's love, enveloped Aru like a comforting embrace, dispelling any doubt or hesitation that lingered in the air.

"Will, I am Aru's mother. Happy birthday, my dear child." With a tenderness that bespoke of years spent nurturing her own brood, she approached the young man, her movements fluid and graceful. In that fleeting moment, as she pressed a gentle kiss upon his forehead, a bond was forged, a connection that transcended mere words.

"Thank you, Aunt." Will's voice, tinged with gratitude, resonated through the air like a whispered prayer, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. In her presence, he found solace, a refuge from the storm of loneliness that raged within him.

"Call me Mom, for you hold a place in my heart akin to my Aru." Her words, spoken with a conviction born of love, sought to bridge the chasm that separated them, to offer him the solace of maternal affection that had long eluded him.

"Very well, Mom." Will's response, though tinged with hesitance, carried with it a sense of acceptance, a willingness to embrace the newfound connection that blossomed between them. In that moment, he surrendered himself to the warmth of her embrace, allowing himself to be enveloped by the love that radiated from her like a beacon in the darkness.

"Fear not, my son." With a tenderness that belied the strength within her, she enfolded him in her arms, offering him the solace of a mother's love. In that embrace, he found sanctuary, a haven from the storms of life that raged around him.

"Let us proceed to celebrate Will's birthday with exuberance! Hooray!" Aru's voice, filled with infectious enthusiasm, shattered the silence like a peal of joyous laughter, her arms outstretched in a gesture of camaraderie and friendship. And as they ventured forth, hand in hand, a trio bound by the ties of love and kinship, they left behind the cacophony of the city streets, stepping into a world suffused with the gentle glow of shared joy and companionship.