Ayisha got home with a strange weight sitting heavy in her chest.
Sadness maybe.
Guilt definitely.
"Ate!" Her youngest sister ran toward her and wrapped her arms around her waist before quickly pulling away.
"Have you eaten yet?" her mother asked from the kitchen.
"Opo, tapos na po," Ayisha replied.
She walked to the fridge, took out a pitcher, grabbed a glass, and poured herself some water. Sitting down at the dining table, she gulped it down, the coldness grounding her just a little.
"How was it?" her mother asked.
"It's good," Ayisha answered, forcing a small smile.
"Teh, pwede bang makahingi ng pera?" her second sister asked.
"Why?" Ayisha questioned, though her voice was tired.
"Pang-project po," Natalie replied.
"Ate, ako din po!" Samantha chimed in.
Ayisha sighed. She didn't have the energy to ask for details. She reached into her bag, pulled out some money, and handed it to them.
"Thank you po, ate," Samantha said, smiling brightly.
"Salamat, teh," Natalie added before heading to her room.
"How was your checkup, Ma?" Ayisha asked.
"The doctor said I'm fine," her mother answered.
Ayisha nodded but she knew better. She made a mental note to contact the doctor later… or tomorrow.
Simon's words suddenly echoed in her mind.
Am I just an acquaintance to you?
Her chest tightened.
That question made her realize something she hadn't wanted to face.
They weren't just acquaintances.
But they weren't lovers either.
A friend, she told herself firmly. Just a friend.
She nodded, as if convincing herself.
Ayisha smiled at her mother and Samantha. "You guys should sleep now. I'll take care of the dishes. Samantha, make sure your things are ready for school."
"Yup!" Samantha nodded eagerly.
"Good night," Ayisha said, watching them disappear into their rooms.
The house grew quiet.
Too quiet.
_________________________
Simon lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Her words replayed in his head again and again.
I actually don't know.
What did she mean by that?
Was she unsure about him or about herself?
He thought about the time they'd spent together. The laughter. The teasing. The way everything felt easy, natural.
Now he wondered if he had imagined it all.
Simon tossed and turned before finally sitting up. He walked to his worktable, switched on the lamp, and picked up his camera. His fingers moved on their own as he scrolled through the photos he'd taken of her.
Her smile.
Her laugh.
The way she bit her lip when she was thinking.
He stopped on one photo.
She was standing in front of a painting at the museum, looking up at him with soft, unguarded eyes. Surrounded by art and history yet somehow, she had been the only thing he saw.
He remembered taking that photo without thinking.
It had become one of his favorites.
Now, staring at it, he noticed the small details, the slight curve of her lips, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners.
Did she feel something more than just an acquaintance?
Simon zoomed in on her eyes, searching for something.
But the answer wasn't there.
He exhaled slowly and leaned back in his chair.
"Will she still go out with me… after what happened?" he murmured.
The room stayed silent, offering no reassurance.