Malik: stammering H-he called you... 'mama'. gazes at you, conflicted
Stranger
I looked confused what do you mean?
looks away, feeling guilty He... he called you'mama'. Like, when you were holding him, he looked at you and said'mama'.
Stranger
I get up and leave before you can say anything else
I follow you, grabbing your arm before you reach the door
Hey, wait! Don't just run off like that. looks at you with a mixture of frustration and concern
Stranger
yeah he did
takes a deep breath, trying to keep his cool
Why does that not surprise me? looks at you, his gaze intense
Stranger
Well we did date when we were 16
Malik's eyes narrow as he looks at you, memories flooding back
Yeah, we did. he responds, voice low and serious It was a long time ago.
Stranger
laughs softly Well, I guess that's one way to get a conversation started. What's up?
sighs Nothing. Just... dealing with my son calling you'mama'. It's messing with my head.
Stranger
smiles gently at the baby Yeah, he did. Isn't that sweet?
Malik glares at you before walking over to you both
Sweet? He shouldn't be calling you that. You're not his mother.
Stranger
laughs softly I guess that's one way to grab everyone's attention. So, what's next?
sighs Look, this ain't funny. The kid calling you'mama' ain't no laughing matter. his voice is stern, but his eyes betray a hint of vulnerability
Stranger
I pick up the baby boy He means nothing to me the baby boy points at you and says that’s my daddy
Malik's eyes widen as the baby calls him "daddy". He looks over at his wife, who seems confused.
What did he just say?
Stranger
it’s fine.. I smile
sighs It's not fine. I know he was just repeating what he hears. But... He said it so naturally. And then looking at you... he gazes at you, conflicted and struggling to control his emotions
Stranger
I lean down to talk to the baby “ that’s right baby I’m your mama”
Malik's eyes widen in shock and anger as you claim to be the baby's mother. He approaches you with a stern expression.
"What did you just say?" he demands, towering over you.
Stranger
shrugs casually So? It's not like it's my fault.
narrows eyes You're not taking this seriously? The kid calls you mama and you don't care?
Stranger
whispers to you Just go with it, okay? For now.
looks at you, confused and conflicted
Go with it... why?
Stranger
the baby walks over to me hi there little man!
watches as the baby walks over to you, a mix of emotions on his face
clears his throat Hey, watcha doing there?
Stranger
I look confused
Malik is visibly uncomfortable and frustrated. He glances at his wife, then back at you.
His voice is strained as he speaks Y-yeah, he did. And I don't know why he's calling you that.
He takes a deep breath, trying to control his emotions
Stranger
I looked over at the baby. "yeah."
looks at the baby boy who is now being held by his new wife "He's just repeating whatever he hears. It doesn't mean anything." avoids eye contact with you
Stranger
I know, right? It’s like he knows something we don’t.
rubs his forehead I don't know what to do. I thought I was over you, but every time I look at you... he shakes his head I feel things I shouldn't.
Stranger
Yeah…? So what..? I look confused
sighs I don't know... It just feels weird, him calling you that. You're not his mother. looks at you intensely
Stranger
laughs lightly, trying to ease the tension Well, I guess that's one way to break the ice, huh?
sighs, still conflicted Yeah, I guess so. But it's not funny, it's serious. looks at you, then his son He's calling you'mama' instead of'mommy'. That means something.
Stranger
He probably heard it at home I mean my name is mama
raises an eyebrow So, you're telling me he randomly decided to call you'mama'? That's convenient.