SC1: Birthday Present
It's his birthday. But while all the other kids enjoy the party downstairs, little Zachary chose to stay in his room, with his dark sweater and jogger pants. His hair was disheveled as though combing wasn't welcome in his vocabulary. However, it doesn't seem to bother the boy who's passionately cutting the papers with a portrait of a young lady.
With the lamp shade as his only source of light, the kid was all smiling while carefully cutting the edges of his paper works. He couldn't get enough of those art pieces even though he already has tons of it stored inside his closet. Well, everytime he'll remember that little girl, he would always get a scratch then draw her gorgeous face as though it's the only thing he could do. And soon enough, it became his hobby. Zachary had always loved to draw, but now, he loves what he draws even more.
However his reverie of their fateful encounter was ultimately disturbed when the door swung open and the lights activated and swiftly lit the entirety of the room. With a panic-stricken stature, Zachary didn't know what to hide first: his art works or his blushing face?
"So you're back at it again?" Mister Zeldon Grimstone, his father and the headmaster of the newly built, Maxirtha Academy, inquired with a taunting smile. "Since when did I raise an obsessed psycho?"
Zachary could only pout and arch his brows as he tried his best to hide all the scattered materials placed on his study table. "Just get out, Dad. I'm a teenager now. You can't just barge inside my room for you might spot things you weren't supposed to see. Respect my privacy, will you?"
"Well, you have nothing I don't have," his father countered. "I have everything you can offer."
Rolling his eyes to the side, Zachary finally faced his smirking father. "I'm afraid, you don't. Clearly, we have our both swords. But I have my girl and you don't."
That had Mister Zeldon's eyes to narrow, replacing his amusement of annoyance. He surely had raised a dashing yet sharp-tongued lad. And he has never gotten into his veins the same way he did today.
"Well, I have impregnated my girl, and you haven't. In this room, I still have the upper hand, kid. Until you have stolen a girl's virginity, I'll always stay to be the bigger man."
Funny how I haven't stolen her virginity so she just offered herself to be my baby. Zachary thought as he nodded his head. "Bigger doesn't always mean better."
Mister Zeldon then trudged closer, messing Zachary's hair, if it could get any messier than it already is. "Yeah, right. But don't you want to enjoy your party? I thought you'd like it so I pursued with it."
After seeing his father's saddened state, Zachary then embraced him tight. "I appreciate this, I appreciate you. It's just that, partying has never been my cup of tea. And you of all people should know that."
Mister Zeldon nodded in agreement. Of course, he knows that! Zachary, his son, was a one weird boy. He enjoys being alone in his dark room. He would rather stay at home than associate himself with anything outside his comfort zone. And that introverted quality ultimately worries his father. Sure, they weren't anything normal, but as much as he can, he wanted Zachary to however get anything close to that.
"Do you wanna hear a story?" he asked his son as he sat on his well organized bed. Zachary have always had a heart for tidiness. He could sometimes surpass the standards of all the maids employed in their household.
"As long as it isn't anything vulgar," Zachary answered in sarcasm. But he was just jesting. He might not say it, but he loves hearing a story from his dad.
Meanwhile, Mister Zeldon chuckled to that. He always hated his son's sense of humor. "You're making me look bad. Why would I tell you a vulgar story? What am I. . ."
"An old, hopeless romantic telepath," it was Zachary, finishing his father's statement, "that's what you are."
"Oh, how I love raising a little devil." Mister Zeldon plastered a sarcastic smile. But Zachary was too smart to not recognize that gesture. So he playfully grinned, adding much mockery to the table.
After silence fell on them both, Mister Zeldon then motioned Zachary to sit beside him, which the latter immediately complied. Moments later, he started massaging his son's little palms while telling him a story.
"Honestly, I wasn't trying to impregnate your mother when she got pregnant. So it's either I do have a powerful gene or you're just too hardheaded ever since you were a sperm. Imagine, deciding for your own self to live in this realm? I was convinced that you're a strong piece of heaven I've provided for your mother. But you know what? You were the ultimate gift that the gods had bestowed upon us. You made us a family. So, the moral of the story is?"
Zachary rummaged through his mind. "Hm. Thrusting is lethal?"
"Nah." Mister Zeldon shook his head. "Trust in your thrust."
I thought, even your baby could bore a baby, too. Zachary clicked his tongue with that sudden thought. He now wonders who he takes after. And knowing the answer, he felt both doomed and crestfallen.
"When you were born, I've always thought that you'd bring heartbreak to a massive number of ladies. And you didn't disappoint. One, neglecting their initiative was quite understandable. Two, not accepting their gifts and presents of admiration could still be bearable. But completely distancing yourself from all of them? Acting all dismissive and allergic to any female approaches? Confess to me now, Son. What really is the catch? You acted this way ever since we stopped over Astoria two years ago. Just tell me what did you find there?"
"Solace and peace," Zachary muttered under his breath, "I've found comfort there, Dad. From this. . . boorish, emotional little girl. And since then, I seemingly got blind. That aside from her, I'm unable to see nor spot any other girl. My eyes, shut or awake, could only recognize her features. So please, stop insisting that I should confabulate with other ladies, Dad. Because I've already decided. I'm only about that Astorian beauty. It's her or no one."
Unconsciously, it brought a soft smile on Mister Zeldon's succulent lips. At first, he thought that Zachary was just a weird child, but after hearing his perspective, he now understood his son. And he couldn't be prouder since he's yet to raise a responsible and faithful man.
"Early as it may seem, but I honestly think that you've surpassed me in terms of deepness and loyalty." He stood his ground and simply scrutinized the hand-drawn portrait in the table nearby. Well, at least he had my taste when it comes to girls. He thought and hid his smile. "Whatever your decision may be, know that I'll just be here to support you."
"I know, Dad, I know," Zachary said as he joined his father's stance. "You think mom would be proud if she learns about this?"
"Of course," even with a familiar pinch in his heart with the sudden mentioning of his love, Mister Zeldon still managed to pick himself up, "I'm certain that she's smiling at the view that her son was finally breaking his walls and is yet to welcome a new girl in his life."
Zachary's lips turned up to that. Just with the thought of his mom, smiling, he couldn't help but to be delighted and euphoric. No worries, Mom. If I ever get to find her again, I'll surely introduce her to you. He mentally promised then beamed at his father.
Mister Zeldon, on the other hand, raised his index finger and blissfully pointed it on Zachary's temple. "Anyways, here's my gift for you."
And with his father's swift gesture, Zachary was immediately drowned by waves of memories he had treasured for so long. He felt like he was transported back in time. Because while his eyes were closed, he could clearly visualize the scene of his fateful encounter with the little girl who first stole his heart. It was so precise, refreshing and nostalgic. The images in his head were so vivid that he felt like it has occurred just yesterday. This is the best present ever. He thought as he unconsciously revealed a sweet smile.
Meanwhile, Mister Zeldon was appeased to see this side of Zachary. He had known his son for being rude, brute and cold, but right at that moment, while his eyes were closed and his soft features were highlighted, Mister Zeldon had ascertained that Zachary Zephyr Grimstone also bears a heart. A good, loving and kind heart.
After the sudden exhibition of his telepathic ability, Mister Zeldon was flabbergasted when Zachary rushed up to him and granted him a grateful hug. With all smiles, he then grabbed him up and embraced him with all his might. He wasn't terrified of how strong his grips were, for he knew that a super kid like Zachary could bear and withstand it even if he exerted all his force and strength. He's one hell of powerful and so is his son.
"Happy birthday, Zach. I love you."
Upon closing the door, Zachary immediately turned off the lights then sat back on his chair as he grabbed his tools and started drawing again. He was too exhilarated to savor every memory his father had shown him that he couldn't wait to draw them all. And he did. He remained awake all night long just to carve those memories into sensible pieces. He even managed to finish a whole album set filled with his own made portraits of the girl who had claimed his heart.
"Whoever you are, just wait until I find you. Hence for now, I want you to stay awesome and alive. You deserve to be the mother of my babies. But even after that, you'll forever be my baby."
***