That day, at the airport, she was shocked to see him — but what unsettled her was the confusion that followed.
She followed Shasha and Ian without a question — though her mind wanted to ask about her mother, but her mouth refused to speak.
As if it had been glued shut by the tension between them.
She questioned herself —
Was he here for me, or is it just a coincidence?
Like counting imaginary petals of a rose, tearing them away one by one.
She sat in the back seat of the car. He drove, and Shasha sat beside him in the passenger seat.
For a fleeting moment, her heart flickered — seeing her as his "passenger princess"
But her thoughts shifted immediately.
It's not the time to think about these things. I just wish Mom gets well soon... She'll be fine, right?
And then —
an unintentional glance met through the rearview mirror —
and that alone was enough
to make Aira turn back to the window, holding away from any interaction.
But his eyes stayed on her.
Watching the redness in her swollen eyes, the dullness resting on her face.
His heart ached — Words came to him, but none of them felt allowed.
Shasha didn't know how to comfort her — especially about her mother. Being an introvert, Ian chose silence and simply kept driving.
Three minds. Different thoughts. The same action — silence.
The silence grew heavier.
Yet even within it, something inside her refused to stay quiet.
The echo of the call she missed lingered, ringing again and again in her head.
On one hand, she worried about her mother; on the other, questions about him pressed against her thoughts — restless, unresolved, refusing to fade.
Shasha gauged the silence inside the car.
As she tried to find a way to break it,
suddenly, something caught her eye.
"Aira, look... that ice cream parlor. Would you like your favorite Rocky Road sundae?
Maybe it will help you feel better. And we can grab some breakfast for Uncle from the bakery nearby," Sha sha said, rolling down the window and pointing towards Aira's favorite place.
Aira was lost in the battel within her, and without even realizing it, she nodded.
Then, as if snapping out of it, she came to her sense.
She wanted to say no, but by the time her lips could catch up with her thoughts, Ian already pulled the car over.
She almost spoke... but didn't.
She wanted to see her Mom as soon as possible.
"Stay here, we will bring everything. Let me know if you need anything specific" Sha sha said.
Aira, shook her head. Shasha could see the reluctance in her silence, but there was nothing she could do to help.
As Ian and Sha sha went to the shop, Aira rolled down the window and watched them from behind.
That familiar zephyr of her hometown almost brought her into tears again, but she held herself back.
I can't cry now. It will only worsen the redness and swelling in my eyes. I have to stay strong for Dad.
In no time, they returned, and the drive resumed — wrapped once again in awkward silence.
She took a few bites of the sundae, and for a brief moment, it felt lighter — as if the sweetness was fighting against the bitterness of the moment.
She paused.
"Wait... which hospital are we going to ? Why are we taking the route home?" she asked, a sudden realization hitting her.
"Uncle asked us to take you home first so you could freshen up. Then we'll take you to Aunt," Shasha said, hesitating slightly.
Her breath hitched.
"Why? I'm not here to rest — I need to see my mom. Turn the car," she panicked. "Why would Dad do something like this ? Why would he say that?" she added, her voice trembling.
Shasha felt the helplessness in Aira's words.
"I know. We may not fully feel your pain, but panicking won't change the situation," Shasha said, gently. "We need to stay calm and composed — for each other... and for Aunt"
Aira's exhaustion took over and she fell silent, trying to make sense of her father's decision.
"Then take me to my apartment. I can't go to an empty house knowing my Mom won't be there" she said, giving in to the situation.
No further argument followed.
The closer they got to her apartment, the clearer the memories of that night became for both of them, while Shasha remained unaware of everything.
A sudden phone call on Shasha's mobile broke through their thoughts.
"Hi Mom."
"Yes, she's with us. Don't worry, I'll take care."
"Right now? Oh... okay, I'm nearby. I'll come"
They both overheard Shasha and the overthinking began.
"I have to go to help Mom. She donated blood for Aunt and is feeling a bit dizzy now." Shasha said.
Though they already overheard and understood that they would have to face each other, Shasha's words only added weight to the realization.
"Thanks for today. Take care," Shasha said to Ian, then stepped out, closing the door behind her.
Ian waited for a moment before starting the car again, hoping she would speak — but he was met with silence.
The passenger seat remained empty.
She kept her gaze fixed on the clouds outside, as if her eyes could pierce through the window —
while his lingered, almost pleading for a single word through the rearview mirror.
He waited for few seconds.
Then the sound of engine starting filled the silence — and somehow, that was easier to bear.
For a second, the reflection blurred —
not because of the road, but because his mind slipped somewhere it shouldn't.
That night.
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel — then let his eyes drift back to her.
Though they finally had a moment alone, both chose silence —
even when their hearts expected otherwise.
Her heart was stubborn — it wanted answers without asking a single question.
That's how the heart works. The moment it feels ignored, the moment it decides to move on, it refuses to look back.
It takes time to reach that point — but when it does, it happens quietly
Amid all that stubbornness, her subconscious moved before she could stop it.
Her hand instinctively rested on her stomach — and she quickly pulled it back, as if even that thought was too loud.
The closer the got, the familiar the silence felt —
like something they had already lived once... and never spoke about.
She returned her gaze to the clouds outside.
Soon, they arrived.
Looking at the entrance, he felt déjà vu.
Then he tried, once again, to steal a glance at her.
He wanted to say something — anything — but the silence between them felt heavier than his right to speak.
Maybe he was carrying something even heavier than silence —
guilt... of leaving everything behind.
Taking the lift to her floor was another quiet challenge.
She shifted slightly, putting more distance between them —
even though they were already miles apart.
As they reach the door, the familiarity between them lingered —
She unlocked the door and let him in, almost like a stranger.
Then she followed.
He knew the way to sitting area and went straight there, while she brought water for both of them.
"I'll freshen up quickly, then we can leave. make yourself comfortable," Aira said, her tone carrying quite detachment as she walked to her room.
The faint sound of splashing water reached his ears.
She let the shower hide her tears — as if, somehow, she could hide from herself.
And yet, she forced everything else down, focusing only on her mother.
He was well aware of her mother's condition... and the situation between them.
But his mind kept wandering, his heart wanting to fix something that had been broken — perhaps beyond repair.
His gaze shifted here and there to distract himself, but everything he looked at in that room seemed to echo the story they shared.
The sound stopped, and a moment later — she returned, ready to leave.
As she picked up her keys and her bag, he gathered what little courage he had left.
"Wait, Aira... can we please talk?" he said softly.
To her surprise, for the first time, his voice irritated her.
She turned and looked at him — anger flickering in her gaze.
She took a breath...
And smiled.