Learning to Love

Chapter 2

~The best and most beautiful things in this world that cannot be seen or heard but must be felt by heart~

Helen Keller

***

"Sir can I leave? " Sanyana asked her boss while standing in front of him with her handbag and keys in her hand.

Adam was in his late thirties and you could describe him as a s*x on legs. Not her words though. With his blonde hair and perfect cut jaw he served looks. Also his grey eyes and sharp roman nose didn't help the fact.

"Yeah sure but please be back soon" He nodded with a smile.

She sighed and then quickly made her way towards the elevator. She wanted to go to her son already and escape her office. Something she experiences often.

It was three thirty already and she was beginning to worry that Rayn may get cranky.

She hurriedly hoped in her car and drove towards the café. The drive from her office to the cafe was twenty minutes, counting the traffic and the speed she chose to drive.

As soon as she reached her destination a smile lit her lips looking at the huge board that read The Barrister. She locked her car after getting out.

Making her way inside the cafe she smiled as she looked around the place she loved. It was the most spacious and famous cafe along the Brington road. The sweet, warm and exotic smell of coffee hit her and she instantly felt the crave for a cup of coffee.

The cafe was owned by old couple, James and Julie. Her constants. Just then her eyes fell on Rayn and her smile widened seeing her bundle of happiness sitting in the corner seat with his head bent down.

"Hey baby. Having fun?" She whispered while stroking his hair and then placed a chaste kiss on his head. He jerked a bit at seeing her and quickly hugged her.

She laughed at his enthusiasm.

"Mum I missed you" He pouted looking at her.

"Yeah? Umm... I missed you too" She teasingly smiled.

"Hey!" James greeted her as he walked from the kitchen upon hearing the familiar voice. He settled in front of the mother son duo.

She smiled warmly seeing him. James Barrister was the owner of this cafe. He was in mid sixties with a blonde hair and beard under his chin. With his creased forehead and crinkles by his eyes he looked a bit dangerous and strict.

He served in military for ten years and then after a brief accident where his arms and leg bones were fractured they had to let him go. That's when he met Julie and married her.

"Hey old man" She greeted back purposefully ignoring his glare. She knew he hates it whenever she calls him 'old man' but she enjoys his glare. Rayn giggled looking at James to which James stuck his tongue out at Rayn. Yeah very mature, that one.

"Do I hear my favourite girl?" Julie's excited voice made them turn their head towards her as she was walking towards their table.

Julie was pretty and fit for someone who is in her sixties.

One thing that saddened Sanyana was she couldn't give Julie the thing she wanted the most. Her son. She had lost her son and always talked about him.

"Hey Jules" Sanyana greeted the woman sitting in front of her.

This couple was the reason of her happiness. The reason she had a stable life now. She loved them as their own and so did they. She still remember her early years struggle in New York. It was them who took her gladly noticing her crying in their cafe.

They hired her as waiteress in their cafe. She worked as waiteress in their cafe for almost two years. That is the reason she trusted these with her precious baby. They had taken care of her and Rayn as their own. They even lent her their apartment for two years until she got a job as the Secretary for Adam. Initially she was reluctant to work there cause it was the mechanical field but James and Julie encouraged her to take the job so she agreed and it was the best decision ever. It had been three years and she is still a efficient employee and a treasured one of Adam.

"So did you have lunch?" They both asked in unison and laughed at their mirroring.

Seeing their love she felt so happy but also empty. Her heart always remembered him. What if he had let her explain? Or what if he had not behaved that way? They would have still been together.

She shook her head trying not to remember him or the bitter memories. These couple were epitome of love. Even though they fight over small things but also they resolve it quickly.

"Yes I had lunch. I'm so stressed tho cause I need to do some extra stuff today do I'll have to stay back late. There's going to be some people coming from India for six months here. For some deal I guess." She frowned as she did not pay attention to the people that were going to join their company as her boss' s father did not quite liked her so she didn't knew much about it.

She shifted her attention to her son who was back at coloring his book. The both people in front of her had worry looks and also they were concerned about her working late night.

"Then let Rayn stay here till you get back. I don't think Annie will stay back late." Julie offered her as she looked at james and he nodded in agreement. They were concerned for his safety.

"No it's fine. I'll ask Annie to stay up late. I'm sure she'll agree. Also this little one will need some sleep."

"Okay. But if she's we are a call away. Anyways I'll go check on the pancakes. Bye." James stood up as and placed a quick kiss on Rayn's cheek and Sanyana's forehead before going inside.

"Bye. Okay Jules I'll be leaving then. See you." She stood up and collected all the stuff sprawled on the table.

"Okay good bye Darling. Drive safe. Love you." Julie stood up and hugged Sanyana whispering the last part to her again. Rayn was ready to run but then he heard Julie's voice.

"Rayn boy where's grandma's good bye kiss."

"Sorry." He cutely said and rushed towards her. "Good bye granny"

He kissed her cheek and gave her a toothy smile.

"Good boy" She praised him and patted his cheek.

"Seriously do you want coffee or something?" Julie asked

"No Jules, I'm fine." Sanyana shook her head smiling.

"Come on mum let's go!" Rayn hurriedly yelled while pulling at her handbag.

***

After making sure she secured his seat belt she pulled her car to her apartment. Twisting open the lock of their house, they both settled on sofa of the living room

"Rayn I need to work late tonight so Annie is going to be here till I come back. So please behave." She informed him as he was busy removing his socks.

He looked up at his mother and nodded but then noticed that she was busy scrolling her phone and shook his head.

"Of course Mum. I love you" His confession halted her work and she smiled. Keeping her phone aside, she opened her arms for him.

He quickly hoped into her arms and she snuggled closer to him. He was her only world and she loved him more than anything. She always thanked God for the precious gift she received.

"I love you too baby."

"Now are you going to sleep?" She asked him as he rubbed his eyes and let out a yawn.

"No. I want to play with Annie" he pouted at her. His every action reminded her of him. He would also pout in the same way and show that puppy eyes. She closed her eyes. She will not think about him anymore she thought.

She shook her head. No she should not think of him. The old memories always haunted her. It was getting difficult to forget him but still she tried her best even tho deep down she knew that it was useless trying.

"Okay. I'll call her" He nodded yawning again. Resting his head on her chest he sighed listening to her heartbeat.

Annie Stewart is a teenager who loves to babysit her kid Rayn. She has been babysitting him from past three years that is from when they moved away from Julie's place to this luxurious apartment. Annie was looking for a job as she completed her school and then she met Sanyana in the Barrister cafe. They hit it off and after detailed discussion she decided to work for Sanyana.

Although she was only needed when Sanyana had to work late hours but still she would daily give a visit. She shared a close bond with Rayn as he admired her and treated her like his friend

Sanyana dialed Annie's number whilst Rayn was busy playing with loose strands of her hair. Soon she got a message that she's on her way.

"So...How was your day in school?" She asked him, wrapping her arms around his tiny waist.

"Very Good... Uh...Mommy I played with Joe and Jack came and played with us" She wanted to laugh at his wrong sentence but instead she nodded her head and listened to him. He was almost on the verge of sleep so it was fine.

"I colored a big big fish and played in the garden. Teacher told to color two picture." She chuckled at his pronunciation.

He continued " And I played football with Zain, Bruce and William. I did craft. I will show you?" He asked excitedly but he yawned again.

"Rayn, baby I'll see it but first let's take you to bedroom and get you out of these clothes" he sleepily nodded and wrapped his arms around her neck urging her to carry him. She carried him faking that he was heavy to which he mumbled something.

She changed his outfit and pulled him towards his bed and made him to lay on his comfy soft bed. He laid after whining a little and showing her his pouty lips but still she carried him and placed him on his bed.

"Mom you will come back soon?" He sleepily questioned her as she sat beside him and stroked his hair.

"Of course I will be there before dinner. Hmm.. What do you want for dinner?" She asked him as he stared her.

"Lasagna with chicken and... Lasagna and chicken" he slurred.

"Okay baby. Now sleep."

"Mommy gummy bears. I want." He croaked.

"Sure honey." She agreed and kissed his forehead "Now sleep baby."

He closed his eyes and decided for sleep to invade him. She signed seeing him close his eyes and then in few minutes she heard the clicking sound of her door.

She knew that it must be Annie as she had spare keys besides James. After a while the footsteps got louder and soon she looked towards the door. Annie was standing there.

"Hey yo!" Annie waved and entered inside the room. She was always loud and excited for a teenager her age.

"Hi Ann" Sanyana smiled at the girl and stood up from the bed.

"Aww shucks he's sleeping." She glanced at Rayn and then looked at his mother.

"Yeah he had a eventful day today. I would love to chat but I need to rush. Also can you please stay for two more hours? I'll pay you extra. It's just I'm stuck with work today." Sanyana glanced at her wrist and groaned. It was already five fifteen and her break time is of one and half hour only.

"Sure. No problem. See you. Have a good day" Annie waved her and marched downstairs along with Sanyana.

Sanyana had to get to office and attend her boss. She quickly hoped in her car and headed towards the destination.

She just hoped that Adam would excuse her once again.

***