"Can you pick up Kai for me? I'm sorry I just got too much on my work lately" The voice from the other end of the phone plead. It was kind of raspy and sounded like he was in a hurry. Win sighed and nodded along. "I will, don't worry."
Win turned off his phone and placed it on the table, It was still early for pick up kindergartners and he already finished up his work around the house- He has nothing to do for now. Win slump down on the couch with a bored look as he sighed and closed his eyes. Perhaps a good nap will kill his time.
It was a fail, Win cannot sleep even if he tossed and turned, even if he puts himself into odd positions. He can't either way, It's almost time to pick up Kai from school. He stood up with a groan and lazily got himself ready.
As he started walking, Win suddenly got a message from Bright. He peeked for a moment and turned it off. It wasn't that important, just the same school as his daughter- Oh?
"Wait what-" Win stopped for a moment and turned his phone on again to check if he's right. Kai's school was the same as Miyara's. "Perhaps they're classmates? But I don't see Kai that much" Win thought to himself. He once again turned off his phone and continued walking as the possibility of seeing Miyara with Kai in their school bugs Win.
He continued to walk and then rode a bus, Soon he finally reached the school. "This is Miyara's school. Also Kai's?" Win tell to himself as he passed through the gates and through the numerous of children running around him and parents walking through.
Win finally stopped on Kai's classroom- it was familiar. He looked around and saw the section's placard. "This is also Miyara's classroom, that means-" Win thought and peeked on the windows, His thoughts didn't fail him.
Win saw Kai with Miyara
"So they're classmates huh?" Win said to himself. They were a few students that are still in the classroom, Kai and Miyara being one of them. He looked around once more before backing up.
Win was lost in his thoughts when suddenly a light tap made him flinch. His heart dropping from shock when he turned around- It was only the teacher. The teacher just smiled at Win as both of them bowed politely. "Are you here to pick up Miyara?" The teacher asked to Win.
Win, who was still in the state of shock, nodded quickly. "Yes, I'm here to pick up Miyara" He said to the teacher Ashe tries to calm himself down. The teacher just nods with a smile as she turns around to go back in the classroom. As Win finally calmed down, he reflected on what he said and panicked a little. He was also going to pick Kai up by Bright's request.
"Uhm Excuse me. I'm also here to pick Kai up if I may? His father is busy so he asked me to" Win explained, he immediately thought that the teacher won't release Kai without the parent's permission. "Did Mr. Vachirawit ask you to? I cannot release the child without their permission" The teacher said, exactly what Win thought.
Win nodded and showed him the messages, surely this is enough right? "I can call him for you if you're not convinced" Win continued as he dialed Bright's number, hoping that the man isn't busy this time around. Win and the teacher waited until Bright picked up. "Hello? Win, Is there any problem?" Bright said in the other line.
"No, I just want to confirm if I can pick up Kai? They won't do it unless they hear you say yes" Win said and looked at the teacher with a nervous smile. They waited for Bright's response, It was not directly to Win but to the teacher. "Win can pick up Kai, I'm too busy so I asked him to do it. Please let him, Thank you" Bright confirmed, The teacher nodded to Win.
As Win tells his goodbyes to Bright and ended the call. The teacher looked at Win with a apologetic look "I'm very sorry for doubting you. It's just the school's policy, Please understand us" She smiled and bowed slightly. Win just shook his head and smiled small "It's alright, I understand your actions. May I now pick the two up?" Win asked again which the teacher complied and walked in the classroom.
Win looked in the window briefly and sighed before leaning on the wall. As he waited for the two to come out, Win couldn't help but notice the clouds darkening. "Is it about to rain?" Win asked himself as he waited.
"Papa!" A joyful shout caught Win's attention. He immediately smiled and looked down to see Miyara running towards him. Win crouched down to her level and welcomed her with a hug. "Hello Miyara, How are you? Did you o well in school?" Win asked which made Miyara giggle.
Miyara looked at her father in glee "Yes! I got five stars today!" She said proudly as she showed her star stamps on both of her wrist. Win just smiled and pat her head gently. "That's nice of you" Win smiled again and pulled away from the hug as he looks for the other kid.
Miyara looked at Win with slight confusion. "Who are you looking for Papa?" Miyara asked as she also looked around. Win kept looking around as he answered "I'm looking for Kai. Have you seen him?" The answer made little Miyara more confused.
"Why are you looking for him? Isn't his own Papa going to pick him up?" Miyara said and she looks around. Win shakes his head "No, Kai's papa asked me to pick him up" he answered then after a few moments, Kai finally walked out of the classroom and into Win. His face remained expressionless but innocent. "Hello" Kai greeted with a small wave.
"Kai! You're here! Papa said he's the one who will pick you up! We're together again!" Miyara said happily as she held Kai's hand with glee, Kai in the other hand was confused and looked up to Win. "Really? Where's Dad?" Kai asked which made Win smile awkwardly as he rub his nape.
"Your Dad is just busy today so he doesn't get to pick you up but he did say that he'll come home early today" Win explained, seeing Kai's demeanor, He panicked a little and started to think for another excuse. "But he also said that he'll bring home fried chicken! That's your favorite, right? He'll bring home fried chicken for dinner!" Win said in slight enthusiasm as he tries to cheer the tension up.
Kai's eyes brighten as he hears the words 'fried chicken?'. He stepped forward and asked in wonder "Fried Chicken? Dad will come home with fried chicken?" Kai asked again, wanting to confirm whether it's true or not. Win smiled small and nods to assure him. Kai smiled in happiness, a first of the day.
The clouds were beginning to darken much more than earlier which made Win worry. He looked down at the two little ones. "It looks like it will rain soon. Let's go home now, okay?" Win said and held both of their hands, right side was Miyara's and the left side was Kai's. They began to walk until light raindrops started to sprinkle, forcing Win to call a cab immediately. It wasn't long until it really poured.
As both kids were sitting besides Win, He brought out his phone and immediately messaged Bright. Win informed him that he already picked up Kai- and brought along another child as well. He was slightly nervous and embarrassed as he was bringing his own kid to his workplace. Win was praying and wishing that Bright won't mind, needless to say, Bright was a kind and understanding person. Win was sure he won't mind a guest.
Soon, They arrived at Vachirawit's lavish home. Win paid the fare as the two children quickly rushed in. The three of them went in and settled on the living room. "Kai! Your house is so big! Can we play here?" Miyara asked her friend, Kai agreed and immediately rushed to get his toy box.
"Miyara, This is not our house so behave properly okay?" Win reminded his daughter which she agreed. Miyara was a sweet and obedient child, she knows that it's also for her own good. It wasn't long until the two children were playing in the living room. The quiet house from before seems to be much more loud and lively now that the children are here.
Win looked at the clock, It was still early and the rain was pouring heavily. "I hope Bright is safe" Win whispered as he checked on his phone for any updates.
"Kai, You have so many toys! Did your Dad bought it for you?" Miyara asked while she stacked up the blocks. They were making some houses and everything they could imagine off with Kai's toys blocks. Kai nodded as he stacked his own "Yeah. Dad always buys me toys. How about you?" Kai asked, Miyara nods as a response.
"Is it okay for me and Papa to be here? Where is your Mama?" Miyara asked out of curiosity. She definitely saw the portraits hanged on the walls. It was either paintings, portraits of Kai, portraits of Bright, even portraits of both of them- but there wasn't any mother in them.
Win heard Miyara's question and immediately turned his head to them. He wasn't sure how to react, knowing what happened. Nonetheless, He was worried more on how Kai will react to this. Win was bracing himself for a tantrum or a crying mess yet Kai isn't like that.
Kai didn't stop playing and answered casually. "She's not here. She died" Kai said, not even an ounce of remorse or any kind in his tone. Win was stunned while Miyara looked guilty. "I'm sorry for that. I won't say anything now" Miyara said and motioned a zip on her mouth. Kai just giggle slightly while playing. "It's fine, I have my Dad with me so I'm happy even if he's always busy" Kai continued which made Miyara relax.
Win just watches the two children, not knowing what to react or say. He the wonders if Miyara will be that casual if she describes her mother. Perhaps not, Perhaps Miyara will avoid the question. Win was guilty, extremely guilty. Both of them haven't really talked about it but he knows he can't keep it forever.
The two then continued playing, running around the whole house. Trashing and playing every interesting toy Kai has while Win was in deep thought. He was still looking after the two but he just can't help but think about everything. Then a loud crash was heard on the second floor making Win flinch and look up.
Suddenly, Kai and Miyara walked towards Win and tapped his knees and shook his body to get his attention. Win was snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the both of them. "Hmm? What is it?" Win asked in slight confusion.
"We-" Miyara started hesitantly but Kai cut her off. "I broke a vase" The boy confessed and looked down. Miyara's eyes widen and looked at her father in a panic. "No! That's not true! I was the one that broke the vase!" Miyara confessed in her stead. Win, however, was just confused at this point.
"Hold on. I don't know who to believe if you two will say the same thing" Win said in confusion. "Tell me what happened" He asked and looked at the both of them. "We were just playing hide and seek and I was the seeker and Miyara was hiding then I saw her and caught her then we were running and then we both hit the table and then the vase fell" Kai explained continuously, Just like how a five year old kid will explain- Win didn't get it.
"Wait so... You two hit a table then the vase fell?" Win asked, a short version of Kai's explaination. Both of the children nodded quickly making Win sigh. "Did the two of you get hurt?" He asked again and the two shook their head in denial, Win nods and stood up. "I'll clean the mess but you two stay here" Win said and walked away to get a broom and a dustpan.
Win then walked upstairs and immediately saw the broken vase, It was a flower pot actually. The pot was shattered to big pieces but the plant was still intact. He then went straight to work and cleaned the mess up. The flower pot seems expensive which made Win worry. "I hope Bright doesn't deduct my salary in this. Or should I just let him" Win thought as he cleans.
It wasn't long when he finished, Win threw the shattered pieces in the trash and went upstairs once again to get the plant. He then walked downstairs holding the plant and saw Kai and Miyara sitting on the couch, in a behaved way this time.
The doorbell rang, following a knock on the door. Win immediately knew who it was but the children doesn't seem to have a clue. He then placed the plant behind him and opened the door.... It was Bright. Bright looks like he just got off work, even holding the promised fried chicken. He then looked at Win kindly- which turned into confusion.
"Hey Win" Bright greeted then looked down at the plant that Win was holding. "Why are you holding a plant?"
~•~
I swear to you all, I didn't forget about this book but hey, Atleast I'm back :>