Faith's POV
As my mind drifted between the past and the present, my cellphone suddenly rang. it was Stella. I quickly answered.
"Hello, Stella?"
She hadn't even spoken yet when I heard the soft sobs of a child crying on the other line.
"Ate..." Stella's voice was trembling. "Jairee... has a fever. I already gave him medicine, but he's looking for you."
This was the first time I'd been out this late, and Jairee… my three-year-old son, was looking for my embrace.
"Okay, give him the phone," I said, getting up, ready to leave.
"Hello, baby?" I tried to keep my voice calm.
"Mommy, please go home… I miss you…" his voice was broken, and it seemed like every tear of his pierced my heart.
"Yes, baby… I'll be there in fifteen minutes, okay? Stop crying, baby. Mommy's coming home…"
"Okay, Mommy… take care…"
I smiled despite my worry. It was amusing because at his age of three, his speech was clear, and he was also intelligent and sweet.
"Yes, baby. I love you…"
"I love you too, Mommy…"
I ended the call and immediately walked. I didn't look for Charie and Charls anymore. I'll just text them. The only thing on my mind was to get home quickly.
In my haste, I didn't notice the object on the road that caused me to trip. I lost my balance, and my whole body was falling.
I thought I would hit the concrete.
But instead of pain, I felt arms catch me.
When I looked up…
It was Austin.
The world seemed to stop. I was in the arms of the man I was trying to avoid. The man who was once a part of my story. The man I didn't expect to face again.
Our eyes met. We were silent for a few seconds. As if our hearts were talking through our gazes. I felt like I was drowning in the depths of his dark brown eyes, sharp but with a hint of concern. His thick eyebrows, pointed nose, and lips that seemed sculpted. Then I suddenly realized… that his lips had never touched mine.
"What would it feel like to be kissed by Austin Garcia?"
What are you thinking, Faith?! I licked my own lips. It felt like a bad dream mixed with… painful memories.
"Ahem…" a familiar cough broke the silence.
I quickly stood up, pulling myself back to reality. I wanted to slap myself.
"Faith, are you okay?" Nicole asked, pretending to be concerned but with a hidden smirk. "Sorry, I didn't notice you passing by. Sir, thank you, it's a good thing you catched her. Otherwise, she would have fallen on the pavement."
I wanted to shout. I wanted to tell everyone that she purposely tripped me. I knew she did it on purpose. But I didn't have time for drama. Something more important was waiting for me, my son.
"Yes, I'm okay. Thank you, sir… for catching me," I said. He just nodded.
"You're welcome," Austin replied briefly, but I felt that every word had meaning.
"By the way, sir," Nicole interrupted, extending her hand, obviously trying to be cute, "I'm Nicole. One of the dancers earlier. A teacher at Sampaloc Elementary School."
Austin accepted her hand. I didn't wait any longer.
"I'll go ahead," I said, and walked away. I didn't look back. With every step I took away, it was as if I was being torn from a memory that kept coming back.
"Austin Garcia, nice meeting you, Ms. Nicole…"
That was the last thing I heard as I walked away from them.
When I got home, I was greeted by the dim light from the living room. Stella and Jairee were there, quietly watching cartoons. Jairee's little hand was still holding her feeding bottle. When he saw me, he let go of her feeding bottle and tearfully came to me and asked to be carried.
"Oh, my baby… how are you?" I asked as I hugged him tightly.
"I have a fever, Mommy… because I miss you…" he replied, sniffing.
"I miss you more, baby." I wanted nothing more than to hug him tightly, to kiss his cheeks repeatedly as if it could cure his fever.
"It's already dark outside, Mommy… why are you home late?" he innocently asked, with a hint of sulkiness.
"I'm sorry, baby. Mommy needed to participate in the program. You know what? Mommy danced so well. Do you want to watch the video?"
He suddenly smiled, as if amused by the sudden change of topic.
"Really, Mommy? Opo, I want to watch the video!"
He always used "po" and "opo" in his words, something I taught him despite his conyo way of speaking. This was just one of the ways I raised him with a mix of discipline and love.
I took out my cellphone and we watched the video that was taken earlier. Stella also watched.
"Wow, you really danced well po, Mommy!" Jairee said, admiration evident in his voice. "And godmother Charie too po." He added.
"You're really good at dancing, Ate," Stella added, unable to hide her joy.
I laughed. "Not really… just okay. I know how to dance a little."
"Ate, come on, don't be humble. You're the best dancer! You're also the most beautiful in front, so it's right that you were there!"
I shook my head, laughing. "You're exaggerating, Stella. I might raise your salary!"
"Haha! Ate, come on. I'm already free from everything, and I have such a lively baby who's so handsome!" she said, squealing and wanting to hug Jairee.
In my heart, I was at peace. I didn't make a mistake in choosing Stella as my son's nanny. I knew how good she was at taking care of him. She grew up used to taking care of her siblings. That's why I'm also considering sending her to school next school year. Her intelligence is a waste, and there's a night college here in our place.
After the video, I took care of Jairee myself. I prepared him for bed. I chose his favorite bedtime story while he was drinking from his bottle.
Before the story was finished, he had already dropped the feeding bottle, a sign that he falls asleep.
I gently took the bottle. I looked at his forehead; he no longer had a fever. I adjusted her blanket, wiped his forehead, and then I lay down beside him. He immediately snuggled into my arm, as if making sure I was there.
The night was quiet. There was no other sound but his gentle breathing.
But my mind was wide awake.
I stared at the ceiling, not because I wanted to see something, but because I wanted to hang the weight of my thoughts there.
How can I avoid Austin?
What if we continue to be brought together by chance?
A silent scream seemed to envelop my heart. I don't know which is more difficult, to face him… or to escape the feelings that I've been trying to forget for a long time.
Until slowly, sleep consumed me. And in the last moment of my consciousness, the name Austin was still on my mind.