Since You Married Me
The Promise of Childhood

The arrival of Zaya and Evan is welcomed by all the residents of the orphanage. They seemed very happy to get snacks and also some toys.

Zaya and Evan did take the time to stop by the toy store after the minimarket. They also bought some toys for the children, because Zaya knew, toys are rare luxury items for the home children like them.

The caretaker was also very happy and moved to see his two foster children were now successful people. They both arguably succeeded and are living well-established now.

Zaya smiled looking around the building. This place holds so many memories, and most of those memories are full of struggles.

Yep. If you remember, from childhood to adulthood, Zaya's life is not easy. There was so much sweat and tears on Zaya's journey every day.

Now he should be grateful, his life is now much better than before. And that's not all out of Aaron's role. Aaron's presence in Zaya's life is like two sides of the coin. Where one side is a tragedy and disaster, but on the other side is also a gift for Zaya.

That was why, no matter how much wrong Aaron had done to her, Zaya would never be able to hate the man.

"Come, come along." Evan's voice ripped off Zaya's daydream.

Zaya looked startled as Evan gently grasped her wrist and pulled her towards somewhere. Zaya can only stop. Want to not want him to follow Evan who walked in front of him.

Shortly after, Evan stops at a place Zaya knows. It was a place where the two of them used to spend time, whether it was playing or studying together.

Zaya smiled. The place had indeed changed somewhat, but Zaya could still feel the same atmosphere as back then. A flash of his childhood memory was back in his head.

"It's been twenty-two years." murmured Zaya, looking up at his face.

"Twenty-two years, three months, eight days." - Evan.

Zaya. Evan was also looking up at the sky. He did not expect Evan would remember the time of his departure was that detailed.

"I've been out of here all along, Dee. As long as I keep something inside me." continued Evan again with an unusual tone of speech.

Zaya fell silent, trying to feel where Evan's words were going just now.

"You remember your promise here, don't you, Dee?" evan asked while facing Zaya.

Zaya knitted her eyebrows together, not understanding what Evan was talking about.

"Wouldn't you ever promise here, when you grow up you will only marry me" Evan reminded.

Zaya. Don't know what to say. Promise to marry Evan? Zaya was trying to find the memory in her brain.

And, yeah. Zaya finally remembered. He did say that to Evan when he just returned from attending the wedding of the caretaker's brother. Zaya really likes to see her bride who looks very beautiful. That's why, after returning from there, Zaya told Evan if he grew up later he wanted to become a bride and marry Evan.

Yep. Zaya also said that she did not want to marry anyone other than Evan, because at that time the only person who was good to her was Evan. Then Zaya remembered, too, that she had responded when Evan asked her to promise not to disavow her words.

Zaya remembers everything now, but it wasn't just a conversation between two little kids who didn't know a commitment. Then why is Evan asking now?

"I hope you never forget it." Evan said again, this time there was an emphasis in his words.

Zaya swallowed her saliva with difficulty. Really don't know what to say.

"I was only five years old, I didn't really understand what I was saying" Zaya said.

"There's no way Big Brother is taking it seriously, is it?" Zaya laughed awkwardly.

Evan looked back at Zaya.

"But I take it seriously" he said.

Zaya stopped her laughter. His eyes were slightly round in disbelief.

"I-I mean Brother?" ask Zaya with a little stammer.

Evan looked to breathe.

Zaya is getting flabbergasted. His eyes were now perfectly round as he felt very surprised.

"You're not gonna break that promise, are you, Dee?" ask Evan again expectantly.

Zaya is speechless. His breathing was a little stingy from being too shocked by what he heard.

Does that mean Evan thinks of her as more than a sister? They were very young, Zaya was five years old, and Evan was not even ten. How could Evan have thought like an adult and responded to Zaya's words so seriously? Isn't that too hard to believe?

Zaya sighed, trying to calm herself from the shock.

Zaya has to straighten it out. There seems to be some kind of misunderstanding between Evan and himself. Zaya loves and expects Evan. But Zaya really only thinks of Evan as an older brother. It was never imagined in Zaya's mind to marry Evan, especially with the situation now that he had a child. This all feels wrong.

"There's something important that I haven't told Big Brother" Zaya said at last.

He sighed for a moment and arranged the words.

"I've been married, and have a son." she continued.

Now changed Evan who looked at him with a surprised face.

"I got married seven years ago. My son is now six years old. Even in a few months he will have his seventh birthday." continued Zaya.

Evan's eyes became slightly sharpened.

"really?" tanyanya could not believe it.

Zaya nodded convincingly.

"My son's name is Albern. Now he was busy with extra lessons ahead of the school exam, so he was being undisturbed. But if he's free and has time to visit me, I'll introduce him to Brother."

Evan was still staring at Zaya with a look of disbelief.

"If you already have a husband and children. Why have I never seen them? There's no way you guys are staying apart, right? After all, they will occasionally come to your cafe even if only to deliver or pick you up. Then why haven't I met them there?" ask again with a rather sharp tone.

Zaya did not answer. His view became somewhat dim and sad.

"That's because I'm divorced from my husband." she said. His voice was stupefied and sounded a bit sad.

"We divorced almost three months ago, and my son lives with his father" Zaya continued.

Evan was silent and did not answer again. His gaze looked very sharp. I don't know what's on his mind right now.

"I don't have any ties to anyone anymore, brother. But if my words at that time counted promises, then now I have reneged on that promise. I'm married to someone else." Zaya said again.

Evan remained silent and did not answer.

"And if you still want to collect that promise, I'm really sorry.... Even now I still can't fulfill it. My son has been deeply hurt by the separation of his Mom and Dad. I didn't want to add to his injury by letting him know I was in a new relationship. I can't. I don't want him getting hurt any deeper. He was too small to feel it all.... I don't want her life to be as sad as I am...." Zaya stared blankly ahead. His tears fell in light of Albern's grief. Zaya tried to control her heart. But when he remembered his beloved son, he still felt sad and wanted to cry.

Evan was silent. His sight dimmed a little. Then slowly Evan lowered his face.

"It seems like I've been gone too long." she later explained. His voice sounded hoarse and trembling.

Evan smiled with irony. The reality he heard was completely unimaginable to him. His heart seemed not ready to accept all that. He's disappointed.

Seriate.....

The author wants to call one more part, please vote yes...😁😁😁

Happy reading❤❤❤