Simon handed her a handkerchief.
Ayisha accepted it and dabbed at her tears. As she wiped her eyes, she noticed the familiar gray fabric in her hand.
Her eyes widened.
"This—"
Simon smiled.
"You noticed?"
She looked down at the handkerchief again. The embroidered name in the corner made it unmistakable.
"You know I really like it."
"Then why did you let me use it?" she asked.
Simon shrugged.
"Because you needed it."
His voice softened.
"Did you think I'd just let your tears dry on your face?"
He gave her back a gentle pat before stepping away.
"Excuse me. Am I interrupting something?"
Both of them turned.
Max stood at the doorway, leaning against the frame with a grin.
Simon sighed immediately.
"So I really am?" Max's eyes widened dramatically. "Ohhh. Get a room."
"What do you want?" Simon asked flatly.
Max pointed toward the shelves.
"Well, this is the storage room."
He spread his arms.
"What do you think I need?"
Ayisha quickly stepped back.
"Right..."
She handed the handkerchief back to Simon.
"Thanks."
Then she turned and began stocking the groceries on the shelves.
Simon accepted the handkerchief and shook his head.
"Good way to kill the mood, Max."
"Not my fault."
Max walked past them and grabbed a bottle of cooking oil.
"You two decided to have a serious conversation in the one place every employee visits."
Simon couldn't even argue with that.
As Max headed toward the door, he glanced at Ayisha.
"You look better now."
His voice was quieter this time.
Then he left.
A small smile tugged at the corner of Ayisha's lips.
---
12:46 p.m.
Simon glanced outside the window.
Rain continued to pour steadily.
"Want me to deliver you there?"
Ayisha blinked.
"Deliver?"
A laugh escaped her.
"Why deliver?"
Simon rubbed the back of his neck.
"I was trying to make you laugh."
"It was corny."
"Yeah, I figured."
She chuckled.
"Was that a real question or a joke? Because my answer is yes."
"It's real."
Simon immediately stood.
"Wait."
He disappeared into his office and returned a moment later carrying a helmet.
"Here."
Ayisha took it.
"Why am I getting déjà vu?"
"Because this isn't the first time."
"Fair."
She slipped the helmet on.
"Let's go before I get late."
As they headed toward the door, Carla waved from behind the counter.
"Careful, you two!"
Both of them waved back before stepping out into the rain.
---
The rain had eased by the time Ayisha arrived at work, but she was still soaked.
Her sleeves clung to her arms and droplets of water continued to slide from her hair.
Ezekiel looked up from the counter.
"You're late."
His arms crossed over his chest.
"Sorry, boss," Ayisha said. "Traffic. And the rain."
Ezekiel looked her over from head to toe.
Then he rubbed his forehead.
"Go change."
A bright smile immediately appeared on her face.
"Thank you, boss."
She pointed at him dramatically.
"You're actually nice."
Ezekiel sighed.
"Go."
Ayisha laughed and hurried toward the employees' room.
---
"Hey, girl."
Ayisha turned.
Maria tossed a folded set of clothes toward her.
"Take this."
Ayisha caught them.
"Salamat."
"Walang anuman."
Maria smirked.
"Your boyfriend is really caring."
"Oh, stop."
Ayisha rolled her eyes.
Maria laughed.
Mary Joy shook her head.
"Leave her alone."
"You're no fun."
Ayisha chuckled as she changed.
"Yeah, yeah."
A few minutes later, she emerged wearing the spare clothes.
"Okay, guys."
She clapped her hands once.
"Back to work."
---
"Ayi!"
Mark called from the kitchen.
"Can you bring me the chicken legs?"
"Sure."
She headed toward the refrigerator.
Josh was already standing there.
"You need something?"
"Chicken legs."
Without another word, Josh opened the refrigerator and grabbed a tray.
"Here."
He handed it to her.
"Thanks."
Josh hesitated.
"Uh..."
Ayisha looked up.
"Hm?"
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Would you like to hang out on Thursday?"
The question came out more nervous than he intended.
Ayisha thought for a moment.
"I'll have to check my schedule."
Then she smiled.
"But I'll try."
Josh's face brightened immediately.
"Sure. No pressure."
Before she could respond, her phone buzzed.
A notification appeared on the screen.
Mom's meds.
Ayisha's expression softened.
She handed the tray to Mark before dialing her mother's number.
The call connected almost immediately.
"Ano 'yun, anak?"
"Ma."
Ayisha balanced the phone between her shoulder and ear.
"Inumin mo na po yung gamot mo."
A pause.
"Ay, oo nga pala."
Maricel laughed sheepishly.
"Nakalimutan ko."
"Good thing I remembered."
"Salamat, anak."
"Sige po. Babalik na ako sa trabaho."
"Okay. Ingat."
"Ikaw rin."
Ayisha ended the call and slipped the phone back into her pocket.
Then she returned to work.