The restaurant was louder than usual.
Everyone gathered around the tables, chatting while they ate the food that had been quickly prepared after the surprise. Laughter filled the room as Max told another exaggerated story that made half the staff groan.
Ayisha stepped away from the group and walked toward Simon.
"Here," she said, handing him a small box.
Simon looked down at it, then back at her. "What's this?"
"It's a gift, old man," Ayisha replied, raising an eyebrow. "It's pretty obvious."
Simon chuckled softly. "You don't have to be sarcastic."
"Just open it."
He started to lift the lid–
"Ah, wait!"
Ayisha suddenly reached out, stopping him.
"Open it when you get home."
Simon paused, still holding the box. "Huh? Why the sudden change?"
"Nothing," she said quickly, looking away for a moment. "Just do what I said."
Simon studied her face for a second, clearly confused, but didn't argue.
Before he could ask anything else.
"Hoy! Kayo diyan!" Max called from the table, waving a hand at them. "Come here and eat!"
Simon nodded.
"Let's go," he said, placing a hand lightly on Ayisha's shoulder and guiding her toward the table.
Then he added casually, "By the way… about your salary."
Ayisha sighed dramatically, already knowing what was coming.
"I won't pay you," Simon continued, "since you decided to close my restaurant."
Ayisha rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, I figured."
Simon chuckled under his breath as they joined the others.
Around them, the staff continued talking and laughing, the restaurant slowly filling with its usual warmth again.
But Simon still held the small box in his hand.
Simon turned the small box over in his hand once before setting it beside his plate.
Max noticed immediately.
"Uy boss, bakit hindi mo binubuksan?" he asked, leaning forward across the table.
Simon shrugged lightly. "Later."
Max squinted suspiciously. "Later? Birthday gift tapos later?"
"May instruction," Simon replied simply.
That only made Max grin wider. "Ay, may instruction pa. Special."
Ayisha, sitting across from him, kicked Max lightly under the table.
"Aray!" Max grabbed his leg. "Violence na naman."
"Tumahimik ka nga," Ayisha muttered.
Carla laughed. "Max, hayaan mo na. Baka personal."
"Oo nga," Mark added. "Mukhang serious."
Max raised both hands dramatically. "Okay, okay. I respect privacy."
No one believed him.
The conversation quickly shifted again when someone started teasing Mark about overcooking the rice earlier. The table erupted into laughter.
Simon leaned back in his chair, listening to the noise around him.
For a moment, he glanced at Ayisha.
She was laughing now, shoulders relaxed, arguing with Max again about something stupid. The tired look she had been carrying for weeks seemed lighter tonight.
Simon looked down at the small box beside his plate.
He tapped it once with his finger but didn't open it.
Not yet.
"Oh right!" Max suddenly spoke up, pulling out his phone.
"Group picture, everyone!"
A few of the staff groaned, while others immediately stood up, fixing their hair or straightening their uniforms.
"Dali, dali!" Max waved them over. "Boss, ikaw dito!"
Simon shook his head lightly but stepped forward anyway.
Ayisha hesitated for a moment before moving with the group.
They gathered close together, some crouching in front, others standing behind. The space tightened as everyone tried to fit into the frame.
Max raised his phone, adjusting the angle.
"Okay, ready!" he said. "Three… two, "
At the last second, Simon moved slightly closer, his arm brushing against Ayisha's.
She stilled for a brief moment but didn't step away.
"one!"
Click.
"Isa pa!" Max said quickly. "Ang pangit ng ngiti niyo!"
"Hoy!" someone complained.
They shifted again, laughter breaking out as Max kept taking more shots.
Later that night, the restaurant slowly quieted.
The others began cleaning up, stacking plates and wiping tables while still talking about the surprise party.
Max stretched his arms. "Okay, that was fun. Pero bukas trabaho ulit ha."
Carla rolled her eyes. "Ikaw nga ang pinaka-maingay."
Simon stood near the counter, putting his jacket on.
Ayisha approached him, wiping her hands with a towel.
"Are you heading home?" she asked.
"Yeah," he replied. "You?"
"Same."
Max suddenly appeared between them.
"Hatid na naman ni boss?" he asked with a knowing grin.
Ayisha sighed. "Max."
"What?" he said innocently. "Concerned lang ako."
Simon shook his head. "Go home, Max."
Max laughed and grabbed his bag. "Okay boss. Goodnight lovebirds."
"MAX!"
But he was already halfway out the door, still laughing.
Ayisha rubbed her temple. "I swear…"
Simon chuckled quietly.
"Come on," he said, picking up the helmet. "Before someone else starts teasing."
Ayisha grabbed her bag and followed him outside, holding Sunny's leash.
The night air was cooler now, the streets calmer than earlier.
Simon unlocked his motorcycle while Ayisha stood beside him and Sunny sitting waiting.
As he handed her the helmet, she noticed the small box still tucked in his jacket pocket.
"You didn't open it yet," she said.
"You told me not to," Simon replied simply.
She nodded once.
"Good."
Simon studied her for a second but didn't ask again.
He carried Sunny and placed him down on the motorcycle.
Ayisha climbed onto the back seat, holding onto the side of his jacket, sandwiching Sunny in the middle. They pulled away from the restaurant.
And inside Simon's pocket, the small box stayed unopened waiting until he got home.