Chapter 6

“Dad, time is running.”

Pareho kaming napatingin kay Azi nang bigla siyang magsalita mula sa gilid ng kusina. The boy’s voice had a kind of gentle urgency, the kind that could cut through even the most awkward silences.

I lowered my gaze, fingers brushing against the cool fabric of Aaron’s tie as I adjusted the knot one last time. With a soft tug, I stepped back, putting a polite distance between us.

“Don’t forget your lunch, Dad,” Azi added, his tone light but his eyes watching closely. “Ms. Elora made it.”

Aaron’s brows lifted slightly. “You… made me lunch?”

The way his voice curved at the end was almost comical—equal parts surprise and curiosity. He clearly hadn’t expected that. Honestly, neither had I, if not for Azi’s insistence earlier this morning. I bit the inside of my cheek, pretending to check something on the counter, hoping the subtle sound of the oven masked the sudden heaviness in the air.

“You cooked for me?” he asked again, softer this time.

I gave a brief nod without meeting his eyes. “If you don’t want it, that’s fine,” I said, keeping my voice casual. “Kami na lang ni Azi ang kakain. He’s the one who wanted to cook lunch for you… sabi niya kasi hindi ka raw kumakain sa trabaho.”

Behind me, I heard a quiet chuckle that wasn’t exactly mocking—more like… caught off guard. “D*mn,” he murmured under his breath. “Of course I’ll eat it. I’ll love it. Thank you.”

“Kay Azi ka magpasalamat,” I countered, glancing at the boy beside me. “Kung hindi dahil sa kaniya, hindi ako magluluto.”

Aaron turned toward his son, and Azi met his gaze with a shy, almost proud smile. “Thank you, son. If you both keep cooking for me, I promise—I’ll eat lunch from now on.”

Azi’s eyes darted to mine, as if testing my reaction. I simply met Aaron’s gaze briefly and gave a small nod. He was still my boss—agreeing to his requests wasn’t just courtesy, it was the safest choice.

“Alright,” I said, reaching for the neat lunch box I’d packed earlier. “If that’s what you want.”

He took it from my hands and lingered for a moment, his fingers brushing mine—just slightly—before pulling away. For a second, his eyes flicked to the lunch box, as if weighing the thought of it, before he gave a short nod and excused himself.

“Can I put this inside the oven? It’s ready!” Azi’s cheerful voice broke the moment.

The rest of the baking session went by in a blur of sugar and laughter. Azi devoured the cookies, cupcakes, and muffins with such delight that I almost forgot I’d made them. The way his eyes lit up with every bite—it was infectious.

Later, we headed to the swimming pool. The space stretched wide, framed by sleek tiles that reflected the afternoon light. Beyond the water, the mountains loomed in the distance, wrapped in mist like a painting only nature could make.

“Hilig mo pala ang sweets, Azi,” I teased. “Cookies, cupcakes, muffins?”

He shrugged with a grin. “Not really. I only love those because… you made them for me.”

The words struck deeper than I expected. I blinked at him, momentarily speechless, before smiling. “Really? Is it because I’m good at baking?”

“Of course!” he said, no hesitation in his voice.

I laughed softly, shaking my head. He swam afterward, splashing in the cool water while I sat poolside, watching over him. There was something about Azi that made the hours pass easily.

We were getting closer—closer than I’d anticipated. And the more I learned about him, the more I saw pieces of his father in him. The same determined gaze, the same stubborn curve of his lips. Whenever I looked into his eyes, it felt like staring into Aaron’s, only softer, untouched by the weight of years.

Ramdam ko na sanay na sa Azi sa akin. Sa mga nagdaang araw ay mas nakilala ko siya. He is an amazing kid. Smart, understanding and he thinks like a mature person. Ako lagi ang kasama niya at nag-aalaga sa kaniya kaya lahat iyon ay nakikita ko. I can say na talagang pinalaki siya ng maayos.

Maybe I was just fond of kids, but being with Azi… it was different. My heart carried this gentle ache, like we had a bond carved out by time, even if we’d only just met.

I checked my phone. Sa mga nagdaang araw ay hindi na nagparamdam si Vince. I’m worried, yes. He’s my husband, sanay ako na siya ang laging kasama kaya sa ganito na magkalayo kami at wala akong balita sa kaniya ay hindi ko maiwasan na mag-alala. I called him, but he could not be reached. Kaya naisipan kong mag message sa kaniya.

Ako: How are you? I’m doing fine here, Vince. I understand that you’re busy these days so don’t worry about me. Just take care of yourself.

I sighed. I couldn't handle the guilt I am carrying. I’m lying and hiding something from him. Hindi nakakyanan ng konsensya ko ang magtago ng ganito sa kaniya. Ni hindi ko na magawang isipin ang sasabihin niya pag nalalaman niya ang tungkol dito. Well, he is hiding someting from me too, but I couldn’t hold that against him. But I hope that I also knew what he was up to.

Hindi ko kailanman nagawa siyang pag-isipan ng masasa sa nagdaang mga taon na magkasama kami. Kahit na oo, noong namulat ako sa aksidenteng iyon ay pinagdudahan ko siya dahil bago siya sa akin. Pero siya ang pinili kong pagkatiwalaan. Hindi niya ako kailanman ginawan ng masasa, he is kind to me and I can feel that he really cares for me. Kaya hindi ko magagawang pag isipan siya ng masama.

Night had settled when I wandered into the garden. The air was crisp, the scent of earth and blooms curling through the stillness. Dim garden lights traced the pathways, casting golden halos on the petals. Somewhere in the distance, the lake shimmered under the moonlight.

“What are you doing here?”

I turned at the sound of his voice. Aaron stood there, hands

in his pockets, the faint light catching in his eyes.

“Nagpapahangin lang,” I said. “I couldn’t sleep. Azi’s been asleep for a while.”

He nodded slowly. “Can I sit beside you?”

I shifted on the wooden bench, giving him space. His long arm draped along the backrest, and though there was a gap between us, his presence felt close enough to touch.

“I checked on Azi earlier,” he said. “I also went to your room, but you weren’t there, so…” His voice faded, but the unspoken I looked for you hung in the air.

“Bakit hindi ka makatulog?” he asked after a moment.

I hesitated. “Maraming iniisip siguro,” I admitted quietly.

“Is there something bothering you? May masakit ba sa ’yo? Is your… head hurting?”

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Wala naman. I’m fine.”

“That’s good to hear. Just… tell me if you’re ready to sleep.”

“I’m not sleepy yet. Ikaw? Don’t you have work?”

“I’ll sleep when you do,” he said simply. “For now… let’s stay here.”

His gaze lingered, steady and unreadable. I turned back toward the garden, pretending not to notice.

“Why here?” he asked eventually.

“It feels relaxing,” I said. “The flowers, the plants… they make it feel almost magical. And from here, you can see the lake.”

I let my eyes roam across the space—the careful arrangement of blooms, the intricate fountain glistening in the dim light. Whoever had designed it had done so with intention and love.

“She made this garden,” Aaron said suddenly, his voice softer. “She chose the flowers, designed the fountain… everything you see here—she made it happen.”

I knew instantly who he meant. “You mean… your wife?”

His gaze stayed forward. “My wife.”

In all the time I’d been here, I had never met her. No one spoke of her except Aaron, and I never asked. Some stories weren’t meant to be pulled out—they had to be given.

“She has a beautiful taste,” I murmured.

“Hmm. You like it?”

I nodded. “This is my favourite spot here.”

His breath deepened, and when I glanced at him, I found his eyes already on me. There was something in them—an emotion that hovered between longing and restraint.

“This was her favourite spot too,” he said at last. That says it more. Kaya pala ganito ang lugar dahil paborito nito.

The words settled between us, heavy and unspoken. It explained why this place felt alive yet touched with sadness.

I looked back toward the lake, but my thoughts kept circling back to her—the woman who built this beauty, the woman he spoke of in a voice that carried both love and loss. Where was she now? What history lay between them? I can’t help but to think about his wife. Hindi ko maiwasan na pangunahan ng mga isipan ko.

Where is she? Maybe there is a deep history about her, that is why when it comes to her, only Aaron can make a sound about her.