Adam waited outside a huge gate. He looked slightly impatient as he stood there. A few minutes passed before a long bell rang and the whole street was filled with kids of different sizes in no time.

Adam looked around eagerly before his eyes landed on a little guy stumbling with his huge bag.

Adam went ahead and took the bag from his hands in one easy tug while the little guy looked up confused for a second before his lips spread all the way to his ears.

"Adam," Akil exclaimed opening his arms wide open excitedly.

Adam just chuckled and lifted the little guy off the floor and into his embrace, "Hey, bud. How have you been? How was school?"

Akil did not really answer but instead wrapped his little hands around Adam's neck tightly and said, "I missed you.." His voice was low and shy as they whispered but then you can't really miss the joy in them.

"I know, bud. I missed you too.." Adam replied holding him in place. "Many more happy returns of the day, bud." He continued pulling away from the hug and ruffled the little guys head.

The little guy just gave him a big ass grin and said, "Thank you.."Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click <a href="/book/rich-brat-sweet-revenge-of-a-lazy-princess_15043105205573105/but-i-don%E2%80%99t-know-how-to-ride-a-bike!_50830538080052179">/book/rich-brat-sweet-revenge-of-a-lazy-princess_15043105205573105/but-i-don%E2%80%99t-know-how-to-ride-a-bike!_50830538080052179</a> for visiting.

"Come on. Let's get you home!" Adam said walking towards the car where a driver was waiting for them.

These days, for sake of protection everyone in Charan's family had a driver for wherever they went. There was a lot of grumbling and gritting at first.. but with the stern persistence from Shreya, they all got used to it by then. So, children usually get picked up by one of her people these days.

As soon as Akil got into the car, his eyes straight up fell on the wrapped box beside Adam. He bit and chewed his lips giving the box a longing look. But still did not ask..

Adam looked at that scene and let out a chuckle. He picked the box and passed it to Akil and said softly, "Happy birthday, bud." He ruffled the little guy's hair.

Akil's hands were actually too little to hold on to the box. But still, he held it tightly on his laps carefully but did not move to open it just yet.

"You are not going to open it now?" Adam asked seeing him just stare at the box without really moving to open it.

"I will open it when I get back home.. I don't want to drop it down accidentally.." Akil said and unconsciously tightened his hands when the car swerved.

Adam took the box back and actually kept it on the seat beside him and said, "I can take them when we reach home okay?" His voice was soft but also amused by Akil's behavior. Akil had always been too mature for his age.. it probably came from having a single parent.

So, Adam had never seen him do anything childish before. But seeing him like this now.. an incredible amount of joy spread through him.

Akil, on the other hand, did not take his eyes off of the box. He kept staring at it as if his life depended on it or something.

Adam couldn't help but laugh at that. He reached his hands and pinched on his cheeks and said teasingly, "Hey, bud. It is not going to magically disappear. I promise.. even if it did, I will buy them again, okay?"

Akil bit on his lips fiercely but still did not take his eyes off of the box. Adam just shook his head amused and let him be.

As soon as the car stopped in front of their house, he eagerly went for the car door which Adam stopped. Adam got down and checked the roads before going to Akil's side of the car and opened the doors for him.

This was a force of habit that he had gotten in recent times. Especially after Preethi and he got followed by her ex-. That incident gave rise to paranoia in him making him scared about everything.

When he opened the doors, he found Akil struggling to get his gift out of the car with him.

"I will get it for you, bud. You can go in. I am right behind you.." Adam offered. Akil got down after hearing him but did not move from the place with his eyes stuck to the box.

You should understand, this was new to Akil.. having a fatherly figure who would give him gifts and pamper him. Even though Charan did try to fill in some of the gaps over the years, it was just not the same. Even if there was no apparent difference in the way Charan treats Akira and Akil, there was always a slight difference.. Charan's eyes would just linger a bit too long on Akira..

And children are just way too sensitive sometimes. They just invariably sense these things.. And Akil could sense Adam's eyes on him.. just the way Charan would look at Akira.. This feeling of warmth was new and giddy for him.

But it also made him insecure and clingy and childish somehow.. something a child his age should have had by default.

But after taking the box, Adam did not turn to the doors but instead went to the back of his car. He asked the driver to open the trunk. Akil's little head poked into the trunk curiously even before it could open fully.

But his eyes widened the instant they fell on what was inside. He eagerly looked up at Adam with questions all over his eyes.

"You like it?" Adam asked grinning at him.

Akil instantly nodded like henpeck returning him grin.

"Let's get them inside then.." Adam said and handed over the box to the driver and took out the bike from behind the trunk.

The bike was just about the right size for Akil. He mainly got it because Preethi was worried Akil spent too much time inside closed doors and not going out enough to play.

"But I don't know how to ride a bike!!" Akil proclaimed as he followed Adam inside the house.

"Of course, I will teach you how to ride!!" Adam answered.

Akil's face instantly brightened considerably as he excitedly ran into the house to show the spoils of the day to his granma and grandad.