Heirs of History - Chapter Three

As the evening embraced the park in its serene twilight, the rustling leaves and dimming light painted a tranquil setting. Five friends sat around a bench. Sanan was earnestly trying to explain something profound, his tone intense and logical. However, his companions, with their usual playful nature, made light of the conversation.

Alyan smirked mischievously, "Man, this is all just theory! They want us to spend five years here, feed us theories, and finally hand us a degree. Voila! We’re doctors!"

The others burst into laughter, their mirth echoing in the calm air. Even Sabrina, the usually serious one, failed to suppress her giggles. Fred and Joey exchanged high-fives, enjoying the moment.

Sanan shut his book in frustration, standing abruptly. His eyes flashed with annoyance. "You people mock theories, but remember, without science, we wouldn’t even be sitting here having this conversation!"

Sabrina, ever the pacifier, gently pulled him back to his seat. "Sanan, relax. Look, we’re joking, but we do want to understand your point. Start over, please."

Taking a deep breath, Sanan resumed calmly, "Science doesn’t dismiss a hypothesis without thorough experimental or theoretical analysis. Today’s theory might become tomorrow’s reality. If we can master the genetic creation of humans, countless medical problems could be solved."

This time, Sabrina listened intently. Her face reflected deep thought, her eyes questioning, her brow furrowed.

The waiter arrived with tea, placing steaming cups before them. Alyan grabbed one and teasingly said to Sanan, "Here, brother, have some tea and cool down."

Sanan managed a small smile, but Sabrina remained silent, lost in thought as if battling an inner storm.

Breaking her silence, Alyan playfully nudged her shoulder. "Hey, Dr. Philosopher! Your tea is getting cold, and you’re wasting Joey’s money."

Sabrina, snapping out of her reverie, took a deep breath, stood up abruptly, and said, "See you all tomorrow. Especially you, Sanan and Joey. But for now, I need to go home. My mother is waiting."

That night, Sabrina sat across from her mother at the dinner table. The aroma of warm food filled the room, but Sabrina stared silently at her plate.

"Child, what’s the matter? Why are you so quiet today?" her mother inquired.

Sabrina, still lost in thought, began narrating the day’s lecture, her voice laced with seriousness and her eyes reflecting the depth of her thoughts. "Mom, today we discussed a topic in class that was strange yet fascinating. It was about genetic material—sperm and ovum—and their implications."

Her mother looked confused. "Sweetheart, I’m just a simple tax lawyer. Your scientific discussions are beyond me. You’ve never talked to me in this much detail before. What’s bothering you?"

Sabrina sighed, trying to explain in simpler terms, but her mother’s puzzled expression persisted. Finally, her mother interjected impatiently, "What are you trying to say?"

Gathering courage, Sabrina revealed her decision—to help someone using this science. Her mother sat in stunned silence before finally responding, her voice soft but firm. "So, you want to have a child of your own without marriage? Is that what this is about?"

Sabrina froze in shock. "Mom, how can you not object to this? It’s..."

Her mother interrupted, her voice carrying both pain and wisdom. "I don’t object because I feel history is repeating itself."

Sabrina, puzzled, asked, "History? Mom, what do you mean?"

Taking a deep breath, her mother began recounting the buried past. "When I was in law school, your grandfather passed away. I had no support except for four friends—Sebastian, Reynold, Nahiyaan, and Alex—who promised to help. But they set a condition."

Her words were heavy with emotion. "I accepted their condition because I had no choice. They funded my education, and over time, they became part of my life. I gave birth to you with their support, but none of them ever acknowledged you. I named you after all of them: ‘Seb’ from Sebastian, ‘Re’ from Reynold, ‘Na’ from Nahiyaan, and the surname Alex. That’s how you became Sabrina Alex."

Sabrina sat silently, tears streaming down her face, as the weight of this revelation sank in.

Her mother concluded, her voice tender yet resolute, "Now that I’ve shared this secret, my heart feels lighter. Go, do what your heart desires. Don’t suppress your truth, or you’ll never find peace."

Pulling Sabrina into a heartfelt embrace, the two wept together, their tears washing away years of hidden pain.