Chapter 20

The rays of the setting sun entered Ling's room and covered everything into shades of red and orange. While both Xian and Ling sat there looking at each other eyes.

"You love your father more then you love yourself, don't you?" Xian asked after some time, to which Ling just smiled,

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"For kids there parents are there only world, but do the kids know that they too are their parents only world." Ling said as he looked at Xian who sat there with a neutral look.

"It sounds beautiful right? But you know, the more beautiful it sounds the more weight it carries...the more difficulties it harbors...Xian, I don't know what mother's love is like, when talked about mother all I remember is her face that too in the photo frames where I am not present." Ling said as he took a deep breath.

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"Because she died right after I was born...both my parents were orphans, so my father was the only one for me and I was the only one for him. My father was young himself, with no proper education, house nor a job plus taking care of a baby all alone...especially when at times like that all a baby needs is it's mother's touch.

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Pa, despite everything never gave up on me although that was the easiest thing to do then, but instead he looked after me and never let me feel the absence of anything nor ever feel inferior to others.

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I remember when I was young, Pa came home with a strong smell of medicine around him and you know one day at night I accidently woke up and saw him putting patches all over his body whole keeping a handkerchief inside his mouth..all because he didn't want to disturb my sleep....That was one of the many things he does and few I know..." Ling said as tears rolled down his eyes unknowingly and Xian rubbed them away.

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"...Okay enough, I get it now, he is a good father and you are a good son, now stop crying." Xian said as he put his head on his chest.

"...He is not just good but the best out of the best father..without whom I wouldn't even exist. I am so happy.."

"Happy? Why?"

"Because I---.." Ling mumbled and stopped, after which soft snores could be heard, Xian being well aware that he is now asleep still continued to gently pat his back. After sometime he laid him down on his bed and left for the kitchen.

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"Is every Dad that good to their children?" Xian thought as he cutted the vegetables and accidently cutter his own finger.

"I guess not everyone is that lucky." He said as he sighed and washed his finger.

"Better put a bandage or else Ling will nag at me again...but it feel good to piss him off...No! He is sick I should let him rest."

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"Thank you so much for the food and the care." Ling said as he wiped his mouth with tissue paper and patted his stomach.

"...You enjoyed the food didn't you? Even though it tasted bland."

"Well I am used to eating bland food. And it bought back some memories."

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"Let me guess, your father cooking must be as bad as mine, right?" Xian said as he smiled and pointed his finger towards him. In response to which he just rolled his eyes and turning down his finger, he shook his head in a no.

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"Your cooking isn't even 1% near to my father's cooking. One spoon of his curry rice and you will want more, one bite of chicken and you will reach heaven! That's the standard of his food."

"You low-key insulted my cooking, Ling." Xian said as he looked at him with a poker face. Ling realizing what he did, quckily apologized to him.

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"It's okay, I am kidding anyway." He said as he started picking up the plates, when Ling held his hand and before he could speak, Xian started talking,

"I accidently cut my finger while cutting the vegetables, don't worry it was just a scratch that didn't even a bandage yet I cleaned it and bandaged it. Now please don't start your lecture."

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Ling looked at him and stated laughing,

"Why are you laughing?"

"Just because..."

"Just because?"

" I felt like doing so."

"The medicine must have acted on your brain. Leave my hand and let me work." Xian said as he looked into his eyes, that were still smiling and looking at him lovingly.

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"You know..you will be a great husband in future. I feel happy for your future wife." Ling said as he let go of his hand, but before it slipped Xian held it again and bought it near to his heart.

"...And I believe you will be a big headache for your future spouse...that he would carry happily." Saying that he ruffled his hair and continued his work.

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"I called him as husband material and he called me as a headache! So rude!" Ling said as he stood up and sat broke the TV.

"I feel like I am forgetting something, but I can't remember what--Oh shit!!!" Ling shouted all of a sudden even shocking Xian who came running to him.

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"What happened? Why did you shout like that?"

"I shouted because I forgot the most important thing!"

"What?" Xian asked, as he made him sit on the sofa.

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"I forgot to clean Pa's room! And he will be here by tomorrow night." Ling said played with his fingers anxiously.

"Such a big info and you are just giving it to me. Anyway don't worry, we still have a half day to complete all of it." Xian said as he placed his hands on his nervous hands.

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"How about we start now only--"

"Now first sleep then cleaning."

"Okay fine~ Wake up early tomorrow." Saying that Ling went to his roo and Xian sweet face turned black.