"Hi, mama."

Mama smiled and waved back, eyes regarding me. I sat comfortably on the bed and placed my phone right in front of me. Taking out the pictures I took from my little vacation with Amayah's family, I showed them to mama.

"You look so pretty, baby. Is that the kid you're babysitting?"

I nodded happily. "The place is perfect, ma. We can go there with mom and dad once you're out."

"Of course," she smiled. "How was it?"

Rambling, I told mama everything that I did on the vacation, minus the part with my moments with Amayah. Showing her every picture I took and places I would take her once she's free from imprisonment. Mama listened like she always does, and I did the same as she tells me about her day. And like most days, it consisted of her teaching juveniles basic first aid and reading books I asked tita to buy for her.

"Time's up, kid." The chief of police said with a sad smile, indicating that my two hours have passed and it was time for ma to go back.

Although sad about the short amount of time, I was still grateful for everything that he did and going against orders just to let me spend time with mama. Allowing me to do a video call at least twice a month. "Thanks, chief."

Mama smiled, somewhat easing my sadness. "Bye, baby. Take care, alright? Don't forget to rest."

"I will, mama. You, too. I love you."

"I love you, too."

Slumping down my bed, I stared off into the ceiling, having no idea what to do. It's been 2 weeks since the vacation, and both Amayah and Tristan became busy with the on-going process of divorce once again. Aaron, who absolutely adores Bianca, now spends time with the brunette once in a while, thus, limiting my days of hanging out with the kid.

It has basically been 3 days since I last saw Aaron and Amayah, expect for yesterday's class with the latter that really wasn't enough for me because she was too busy to acknowledge us and just left some work for us to do.

My friends are all busy with their own lives as well and I've already finished every school works I needed to do for today, along with my morning shift at the coffee shop, leaving me with nothing more to do but fend for myself.

I contemplated on texting Amayah, just maybe to see how everything's going. Come to think of it, we never really interact over the phone unless it's about something important, mostly about taking care of Aaron. Deciding to go for it, I composed a message.

An involuntary pout settled on my lips when 15 minutes have passed and she still hasn't read the message I sent. Although understandable considering that she is in fact busy.

Bored out of my mind, I changed into a gray track pants and a black muscle shirt with a black sports bra underneath, deciding to just exercise instead of lying around in bed. Taking my phone and airpods with me, I jogged my way to the gym where Julius and I frequent.

Doing my usual routine, over half an hour passed when my phone suddenly started ringing, stopping the music currently playing. I paused my workout, dropping from the pull-up bar. My brow raising in confusion on who it might be.

Amayah...?

She's calling me?!

I quickly pressed answer. "Hi!"

The older woman chuckled over the phone. "Hi?"

I blushed at my eagerness. "Sorry, hi."

"Why are you breathing so heavily? Am I interrupting something?"

"Yeah–I mean, no, you're not. I'm just working out, you're not interrupting and it's okay even if you are."

She chuckled again, making me feel happy that I could elicit such reaction. "I see, how's that going on?"

"I'm almost finished," I answered. "What made you call, by the way? Not that I don't like it, just a bit surprised."

"Well... I initially was about to answer your text, but I also wanted to hear your voice, so... I figured why not call."

"Oh."

"Is that surprising?"

That she wanted to hear my voice? Yes.

"A bit, yeah." I replied, cheeks reddening and my heart reacting way too erratically. "I... I also wanted to hear yours, I kind of... I miss you."

"You miss me?"

I blushed even more, if that's even possible. "Y-Yes."

"I miss you, too, darling."

Yup, fuck me.

Amayah will be the death of me.

I let out a breath, fanning my face that I'm sure already reassembles the color of an apple.

"You still there?" It was a question asked in a teasing manner.

I cleared my throat. "Y-Yeah, sorry. You just caught me off guard."

She hummed. "Everything's great, by the way. The judge told us to wait for a few more days before the approval of divorce."

"How long will you be busy?"

"Just a few more hours," Amayah answered. "I actually don't have anything to do later. Would you like to come to my place? For a date, I mean."

"Dinner date at your place?" I clarified, smiling from ear to ear at the invitation.

"That's what I'm hoping for."

"I would love to."

"That smells good," I looked over at Amaya's shoulder to see what she's cooking. Smiling once I saw the familiar food. "Is that my favorite?"

She smiled up at me. "Yes, I searched the internet on how to cook it. I remember you telling me that you miss caldereta."

"That's sweet," I mumbled, happy that she thought of me. "Thank you."

"I'm only doing what you did on our first date," the older woman shrugged nonchalantly. "Here, try it first."

Scooping some sauce and a piece of meat, Amayah placed the spoon in front of me after cooling it down for a few seconds. Flustered, I leaned down to accept the food, letting the taste envelope my tongue.

My eyes widened. "This is perfect. Are you sure this is your first time cooking it?"

She rolled her eyes playfully, reaching up to my face with her thumb to wipe the side of my lips, startling me for a bit. "Flattery won't get you anywhere."

"It's the truth though."

"I know." She winked, making me smile.

After a few minutes, Amayah and I settled down on the dining table to eat. But not before she called Tristan to make sure Aaron has been fed.

"I'm curious," I looked at her, signalling her to go on. "Why nursing? Is it because you want to help people?"

I frowned in thought. "That's one of my reasons, but it's mainly because of my mama. She was a nurse and despite how hard it was, I knew mama enjoyed it. And when it stopped, I also knew how heartbroken and disappointed she was. I plan on continuing that dream for her and if possible, maybe we can work together."

Amayah nodded in understanding. "But is it really something you want?"

I remember being asked the same question, not just by my mom, dad, a friend, but also mama. Upon finding out the course I took, it was the same question she asked me as soon as I told her. And everytime they ask me, I always answer with a 'yes'. Because I am sure, this is something that I want.

So, why am I hesitating now?

"It is." I answered after awhile of silence. Amayah nodded in understanding, sensing my discomfort. Thankfully, she let the matters go. "How about you? Was being a professor something you always wanted to do?"

Amayah shook her head. "I actually wanted to be a chef," she chuckled. "Hence my passion with cooking." Gesturing to the dish on the table.

"Why didn't you?"

The shorter woman shrugged. "I never really thought that I could make a career out of it, didn't took the risk."

"Do you regret it?"

"No. I absolutely love teaching, it's something I would never regret doing." I couldn't help but smile at the way she smiled, it was contagious. Specially with the way she's telling me more about her dream and passion.

I listened quietly as dark brown eyes shined with happiness, edges of lips upturned and sweet voice reaching my ears. Absorbing every word that comes out of her mouth.

Amayah rolled her eyes playfully once she noticed me staring intensely. "Sorry, I talk too much."

My smile widened. "I like listening to you talk. Please continue."

She cleared her throat, looking away from my stare. "Well, I don't have anything more to say."

"Tell me about your family then."

"What do you want to know?"

I shrugged. "Your mom? Dad? Anything. I just want to know more."

Amayah smiled, rolling her eyes once again. "Fine."