"Jamie, I think we've yet to thanks Miss Aika here for helping us earlier on. She was the one that got us onto the taxi, followed us here and is now even staying with you..." Nat gestured for Jamie to properly thank her new-found friend.

"Thank you very much for the help, tita Aika!" Jamie reached out for a hug, which Aika gladly returned, careful not to touch Jamie where the IV drip was inserted.

"I'm assuming tita means Aunt? Or older sister?" Nat looked at Aika expectantly as he waited for her answer.

"It means Aunt...Aren't I a little too old to be Jamie's older sister?" Aika chuckled at Nat's question, albeit slightly flattered.

"You're definitely younger than me...I'm older than you think! Jamie likes to say I'm old, right Princess?" Jamie stuck put her tongue as Nat poked her cheek.

"I'm 33 this year...how about you?" Aika raised an eyebrow, there was no way Nat was older than her.

"I...was very rude...I'm 32, a year younger. But I was born in January!" Nat jokingly bowed at Aika.

"Well too bad, so am I!" Aika crossed her hands smugly as Nat put his hands up to surrender.

"Sir, Ma'am? We have to take your daughter for a quick blood test to be safe." The nurse interrupted the laughter at Jamie's bedside.

"We're not a couple...I...I mean..." Nat looked at Aika apologetically after he heard the nurse's assumption.

"Oh pardon me, I assumed you were a family since you guys looked so happy together...Anyways, would you like to accompany us? Children usually feel more at ease with their parents...I mean with a trusted adult around." The nurse corrected herself for the second time, making Nat's eyes tremble even more.

"I'm sorry about that. You suddenly became a mother..." Nat whispered to Aika as they trailed behind the nurse who was wheeling Jamie to the clinic.

"Why do you keep saying sorry when it ain't even your fault? I'm cool with it, it usually happens all the time at hospitals." Aika gave Nat a tilted smile.

"You sound like you know hospitals very well..." Nat raised an eyebrow and looked at Aika, amused.

"My younger sister is a doctor, she often tells us about the mistakes she made when she was an intern doctor." Aika laughed thinking about all the times that Trish recounted her 'epic fails'.

~

"It's going to sting a little, so bear with me okay?" Jamie's eyes started tearing up the moment she saw the needle in the doctor's hand.

"It's just going to a while...Daddy will hold you tight okay?" Nat was busy trying to comfort a crying Jamie but to no avail. Even Nat's offer of a treat after she was done did nothing to quell her tears.

"Jamie, wanna play a game with me? It's really simple..." Aika gave Nat a quick glance, hoping that he'd catch on.

"That sounds fun! I want to play too!" Seeing her father and Aika excited made Jamie stop crying and listen to what Aika had to suggest.

"Wow, you're great at this game Jamie!" Aika praised Jamie non-stop, trying to distract her attention from the doctor who was trying his best to insert the needle as painlessly as he could.

"I'm going to win Daddy!" Jamie was so engrossed in the game that she didn't realise the doctor was almost done.

"Your trick worked like charm! Tell me your ways please..." Nat's question was interrupted by the ringing of Aika's phone.

"ATE! WHERE ARE YOU? IT'S BEEN ALMOST 4 HOURS SINCE YOU LEFT TO BUY BREAKFAST! IT'S LUNCH TIME ALREADY!" Aika was so surprised by Tricia's screams that she pulled the phone away from her ear. It was then that it dawned on Aika that she never informed Tricia about the sudden change of plans...

"Uh...Trish...I'm really sorry but something cropped up on the way to get your bread and I'm currently at the hospital..." Aika prepared herself for another round of surprised Tricia.

"WHAT?! WHY ARE YOU AT THE HOSPITAL? ARE YOU HURT? SHOULD I COME?" Tricia was so loud over the phone that even Nat heard her.

"I'm fine, Trish. It's not me...Anyways, don't worry about me, I'll head home when I'm done over here. Sorry, I'll make it up to you!" Aika quickly ended the call before Tricia yelled for a third time.

"Is everything okay? Sorry about messing up your plans...I didn't even realise that it's almost 1pm..." Nat bit his lip as he took a look at the clock on the wall. Aika's jaw dropped...mama!

"Mama, I'm sorry but we may have to reschedule our lunch...Something urgent happened, I'll fill you in tonight. Love you, mama! " Aika had a look of guilt on her face as she called her mama.

"Aiks, don't worry about it. I was just worried about you since I couldn't reach you...glad to know you're safe. Update me when you're done? Love you too!" Aika's guilty expression turned into a smile at her mama's words. She was always so understanding.

"Uh oh Jamie...I think we messed up more than I thought..." Nat looked at Jamie as he scratched his head. Jamie's fever had almost subsided and they were just waiting for the results of the blood test. Jamie could be discharged if the doctor gave the go ahead.

"Sorry, tita Aika..." Jamie apologised with a tiny pout.

"It's not your fault to say sorry for, Jamie sweetie. It's my fault for now informing my sister and mama...nothing to do with you two." Aika stroked Jamie's cheek, not wanting the girl to feel sorry for falling sick.

"Seriously though...I don't know how to repay you for everything you did for us. I mean, you translated, you stayed with Jamie, calmed her and me down, cancelled your family plans for us and so much more...I honestly don't know if I can ever pay back this huge favour..." Nat was flustered and highly guilty at the same time. He and Jamie were total strangers to Aika yet she willingly sacrificed her morning for them...

"I did so willingly so there's really no need to repay me or anything. Really..." Aika honestly didn't need anything. She was just glad to be of help.

"But...at least let me buy you a meal or something else to show my appreciation? Please? You can choose something you want?" Even if it was a coffee, Nat hoped that he could at least do something to make it up to Aika.

"Hmm...if you insist...how about taking care of Jamie so she feels better soon?" Aika smoothed Jamie's bangs out and smiled.

"But that's not something for you, tita Aika..." Jamie stated, getting a nod from Nat as well.

"Okay, how about...Sorry, let me get this call...it's from my office." Aika's stepped aside to pick up the call. While waiting for Aika to end the call, the nurse had already approached Nat to inform him that Jamie's blood tests were cleared and she could be discharged.

"Gosh, I'm really sorry...I promised to stay and help but my office needs me back ASAP." Aika broke the news to the father-daughter duo.

"Your work comes first of course! You've been such a great help already! Do you need me to call a ride for you?" Nat didn't want to hold Aika back anymore. He was selfish enough for the last 4 hours already.

"It's okay, I can catch a ride to the office myself...I'm so sorry about this..." Aika hurriedly grabbed her wallet. Nat and Jamie were supposed to head to the discharge counter but instead, they found themselves following Aika outside. It just to happened that there was a driver waiting by the pick up when they reached.

"Wait! I really want to say thank you so if it's okay with you, drop me a text at this number!" Nat called out just before Aika got onto the car and passed her a piece of paper. Aika nodded as she folded the paper and placed it into her pocket.

"Feel better soon okay, little one!" Aika ruffled Jamie's hair one last time before entering the car.

"Bye bye, tita Aika!" Jamie waved. Nat and Jamie waited until the car was out of sight.

"Time to go home too, Princess..." Nat sounded a little deflated as he carried Jamie back in to process her discharge.

"Daddy, will we get to see tita Aika again?" Jamie tugged at Nat's hand as he was changing her out of the hospital gown.

"I don't know either...I hope we do..." Nat sighed.

"Me too Daddy...I really like tita Aika..." Jamie frowned as she got off the hospital bed and held Nat's hand out of the building.

~

"Trish! Did you see a folder piece of paper on the floor?" Aika called from the yard. She was finally home after settling the emergency at work and remembered the paper that Nat handed her this morning.

"Nope! What is it?" Tricia was happily munching on her chocolate mochi bun that Aika got on her way back. Aika even made it a point to grab a Coke Zero.

"It's something important...Mama, did you happen to see it?" Aika turned to VP Leni who was on the couch with Tricia.

"Oh, is it that one? I found it on the floor earlier on. You must have dropped it when you brought your laundry out." VP pointed to the exact piece of paper on the coffee table.

"Yes! Thanks mama! Would have been disastrous if I lost it..." Aika grabbed it and sat on the couch with her phone.

"What exactly is on it that you're smiling?" Tricia leaned in to peek at the note.

"It's nothing, just a friend's number..." Aika opened the paper up.

Thank you for today, Aika.

From Nat and Jamie :)

"Who's Nat and who's Jamie?" Tricia read the note out, attracting their mother's attention as well.

"Right, you haven't told us what happened this morning yet? Is everything okay?" VP asked as Aika let out an embarrassed laugh.

"Okay so..." Aika recounted the entire story to her mother and sister, eliciting over-the-top reactions from them.

"So?" Tricia leaned in close.

"So what?" Aika leaned back.

"What are you waiting for? Call him!" Tricia pointed to Aika's phone, exasperated at her sister.

"Why are you getting all excited? He has a child and a wife!" Aika raised an eyebrow.

"Ah right...but still? You said he was waiting for you to text him?" Tricia opened the messenger app for Aika.

"Fine." Aika typed in a message and sent it.

Hi! This is Aika! Hope Jamie is doing okay?

Hi Aika! Jamie's been pestering me the whole day whether you reached out! She wanted me to tell you that she's feeling much better already! Thanks so much for today!

Glad to hear that!

By the way, Jamie and I didn't get to hear your wish this afternoon...Is there anything we could do? A coffee? A meal? Or maybe make it up to your sister and mother with a food delivery? Anything!

"OMG ATE!" Tricia was all hyped up as she read Nat's message.

"Chill Trish...why are you getting all excited? He just wants to say thank you!" Aika smacked her sister lightly on the shoulder.

My sister is sold on the food delivery^^

Great! Is there anything she and the rest of your family like? Just say the word and it'd be at your doorstep!

Drinks would be good! I'll send you the address.

Sure!

~

"Ate! Security called to say there was a delivery waiting outside the condo gate! That was faster than I thought!" Tricia clapped excitedly.

"I'll go grab it." Aika headed out of the unit and headed to the gate, not wanting to keep the delivery man waiting.

"Tita Aika!" Aika couldn't believe what she just heard.

"Jamie! What are you two doing here?" Nat and Jamie were waiting outside the gate, Nat's hands filled with 2 big bags of drinks and dessert from a nearby cafe.

"It's a thank you card! I made it!" Jamie handed over a colourful handmade card to Aika.

"Hope this isn't too rude of us to suddenly appear at your condo but Jamie insisted on giving this to you. I'm so sorry if I overstepped any boundaries..." Nat had tried to convince Jamie that it was too sudden to turn up at Aika's house like that but the girl wasn't having it.

"No worries, I was just surprised because I thought it would be a delivery guy. Did you buy all of those yourself?" Aika gasped at the bags that Nat was holding.

"I was on the way so I thought I'd do it myself...Plus, drinks alone felt a little too small as a thank you gift." Nat hoped he didn't scare Aika.

"You really didn't have to, the drinks are more than enough." Aika took the bags from Nat.

"It's nothing compared to what you did." Nat's eyes were full of genuine gratitude, making Aika embarrassed.

"My sister and mama are waiting, I should get going. Thanks for all these. See you Jamie!" Aika tried to wave but the bags held her down.

"Bye bye tita Aika! I'll miss you!" Jamie surprised Aika by giving her a hug.

"Me too, little one." Aika put the bags down and gave Jamie a tight squeeze before getting back up.

"Bye Nat." Aika gave Nat one last greeting before heading back in.

"Bye Aika. And for the last time, thank you." Nat tried his best not to sound like he was sad to end their meeting here.

As she walked back, Aika noticed Nat carrying Jamie and taking one last look before leaving.

"Ate, did you buy the entire store?" Tricia's eyes widened at the bags of food that Aika returned with.

"Nat said he felt bad with just the drinks." Aika gently dropped the bags onto the dining table and grabbed mama's drink for her. She made sure to keep the card from Jamie somewhere safe this time.

"HE DELIVERED IT HIMSELF???" Tricia almost dropped her yogurt drink.

"Gosh, Trish...he lives nearby so he thought it'd be faster to deliver it himself. That's all." Aika rolled her eyes.

"Did you see his wife? Did she come along?" Aika let out a chuckle at her sister's question.

"No...he came alone with Jamie...Enjoy the food, I'm heading up to my room. Goodnight mama." Aika hugged her mama before heading upstairs with Jamie's card in hand.

Thanks for the food, my family loved it.

Thank you for enjoying it. Hope we didn't scare you earlier...

All is good. Please help me tell Jamie I love her card!

Will sure do. Goodnight and thank you.

Goodnight.

Aika stared at Nat's profile picture, which was a selfie of him and Jamie together and found herself breaking into a smile.

Jessica Marie Robredo! He is a married man! Stop thinking and do your work for tomorrow! Aika chided herself and put her phone away.

~

"Daddy, is this the real last time we get to see tita Aika?" Nat was putting Jamie to bed after getting home.

"I guess so. We shouldn't bother her anymore. She had shown us enough kindness already. Next time we see someone in need, let's pay it forward and help them like what Aika did for us, shall we?" Nat smiled as he kissed her goodnight.

"Ok!" Jamie nodded excitedly.

After Jamie had fallen asleep, Nat headed out to the balcony, thinking about the day's events.

Nathaniel Lee, she's someone who you should never even dream of.

A/N:

@softforjmgr on twitter if anyone sees this