Simon lifted the lid of the small box.
Inside was a neatly folded piece of paper.
He unfolded it carefully.
«Happy birthday, old man.
I gifted this to you to replace the handkerchief I dirtied.
I appreciate that you're always here for me, and I'm sorry for causing you trouble.
My wish for you is good health, a successful business, and most of all, that all your wishes come true.
Again, happy birthday, Simon.»
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
Then he reached into the box and pulled out the gift.
It was a gray checkered handkerchief.
His name was sewn neatly into one corner.
For a moment, Simon simply stared at it.
The stitching wasn't perfect. A few lines were slightly uneven. But somehow, that only made it feel more genuine.
His fingers traced the letters of his name.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
"Thank you," he murmured.
The empty apartment felt a little less quiet.
---
"Kamusta ang party, anak?" Maricel asked.
Ayisha adjusted the blanket over her mother's legs before answering.
"It was fun. Everything turned out great."
"That's good."
Maricel studied her daughter for a moment.
"You seem quiet today."
Ayisha looked away.
"Did something happen?"
She shook her head.
"Nothing."
A tired smile appeared on her lips, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Maricel didn't push further.
---
7:41 p.m.
Before heading to the hospital, Ayisha's phone suddenly rang.
She sighed.
Why does it always happen when I'm about to leave?
Pulling out her phone, she answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Ms. De Leon? This is Dr. Marquez."
Ayisha immediately straightened.
"Good evening, doctor."
"I'm sorry for calling this late," he said. "But I wanted to update you regarding your mother's condition."
The seriousness in his voice made her stomach tighten.
"Her heart condition has worsened."
Ayisha didn't speak.
"She's beginning to show more symptoms. Shortness of breath even while resting, and pain that may spread to the neck, jaw, or back."
A pause.
"Hasn't she mentioned any of this to you?"
"No."
The word came out barely above a whisper.
"No, she didn't."
Dr. Marquez sighed quietly.
"Ms. De Leon, you already know how expensive a heart transplant is."
Ayisha gripped the phone tighter.
"I'm still saving money. I just—"
"I'm sorry," the doctor interrupted gently. "But realistically, you still have a long way to go."
The silence that followed felt endless.
Then a sob escaped her before she could stop it.
The doctor fell quiet for a moment.
"My apologies, ma'am."
His voice softened.
"Good night."
The call ended.
Ayisha lowered the phone from her ear.
The streetlights blurred.
Tears slipped down her cheeks one after another.
---
Tuesday
10:46 a.m.
"Well, you're late today."
Max's usual teasing tone faded when he got a better look at her.
"You okay?"
"Hm?"
Ayisha tied her apron around her waist.
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"You sure?"
She nodded.
Then walked toward the kitchen.
---
"Beth, store these groceries in the storage room," Simon called.
"I'll do it."
Before Beth could answer, Ayisha stepped forward and took the bags from Simon's hands.
She turned to leave.
But Simon caught her wrist lightly.
"Did something happen?"
She avoided his gaze.
"You seem off today."
"No."
Her answer came too quickly.
Simon frowned.
"You're lying to me again."
"I'm not."
Ayisha pulled her hand away and continued toward the storage room.
Simon followed.
The moment they stepped inside, away from the noise of the kitchen, he spoke again.
"Is it about your mother?"
Ayisha stopped.
Her shoulders slumped.
For a few seconds, she said nothing.
Then—
"Yeah."
Her voice cracked.
Simon immediately softened.
"What happened?"
"The doctor called last night."
She stared at the floor.
"He said her condition is getting worse."
The words trembled as they left her mouth.
"And I..."
She swallowed hard.
"I can't save enough money in time."
Tears welled in her eyes.
"I can't do anything."
Simon didn't know what to say.
There was no advice that could fix it.
No reassurance that would make it disappear.
So instead, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm sorry."
His voice was quiet.
One hand rested carefully against her back.
"I'm sorry."
Ayisha let out a shaky breath.
"It's not your fault."
"I know."
Simon closed his eyes briefly.
"But I'm still sorry."
For a moment, neither of them moved.
The storage room remained silent except for Ayisha's quiet sobs and the distant sounds of the restaurant continuing outside.
And for once, Simon wished he had something more useful to offer than simply being there.