The next morning
Sara stirred awake to feel her little boy clinging to her chest in his sleep, his tiny body curled into her as if she were his whole world. His lips formed a small pout, his breathing soft and even. Her two-year-old baby. Her heartbeat. Her only purpose.
Smiling, she pressed him tighter to her chest, kissing his hair. For once, she didn't have to rush to the office, didn't have to leave him in that daycare he hated. But she knew this moment was fleeting. Bills didn't wait. Life never spared mercy.
She needed a new job. No matter how tired, no matter how broken, she had to keep going, for him. She could burn herself to ashes if it meant giving him everything.
Her gaze softened as she studied his peaceful face. He looked entirely hers. But she knew when he opened those eyes, green like the man she despised, her heart would ache again.
She hugged him tightly, whispering, "No… you're mine. You belong only to me."
As if hearing her, Zayn stirred. "Mumma…" he mumbled in his baby voice.
"Yes, baby, Mumma's here," she replied gently.
He blinked at her, then wrapped his little arms around her neck as if afraid she'd disappear. She kissed his head, whispering, "Mumma will stay today, baby boy. We'll eat together, play together… We'll even get icy. How about that?"
His eyes widened with excitement. "eeally?"
"Really," she nodded, smiling brightly.
He bounced with joy, and she laughed, already planning how to make his day full of warmth, just as she had promised.
That evening, while Zayn napped in her lap, Sara sat cross-legged with her laptop open, scrolling through job listings. Her eyes burned with exhaustion, but she kept filling out applications. She had to. She had no other choice.
As she was so focused, her phone buzzed.
"Hello, Nora," she answered, smiling faintly.
"Hey, babes… how are you doing? How's Zayn?" she asked excitedly.
Sara smiled a little, glancing down at her baby boy. "Zayn's doing fine."
"Give him the phone! I want to talk to him. I missed him so much."
Sara chuckled softly. "He's sleeping right now… on my lap. Finally, he had me all day."
"All day? Did you take leave? Wait.. You okay, darling?" Nora asked, concern in her voice.
Sara sighed. "Yeah… got fired from the office yesterday. Now I'm applying for new jobs."
"Dammit… what happened this time?" Nora asked.
Sara explained, "I just failed to submit an important presentation. Zayn wasn't feeling well at the care house, so I went there and couldn't finish it properly."
"That asshole of a manager probably gave you a long lecture before firing you," Nora roared.
Sara shook her head. "He's not wrong though… I was being irresponsible, even after they gave me flexible shifts."
Nora scoffed. "Flexible, my foot… He told you a nine-hour shift and sometimes made you work twelve… and paid nothing!"
"Leave it, Nora… I'm not working there anymore. I just need to find a new job," Sara said.
"Do you have money, Sara? If you need any help, please let me know," Nora assured.
Sara smiled softly. "Thanks, Nora… but I'm fine. I just don't want to burden you anymore. You already took enough care of me when I was pregnant with Zayn."
Nora's smile widened. "Don't thank me, babe. I'm glad I was there with you. And Zayn? He's the cutest blessing we've ever had. You have no idea how much his existence makes me happy… I love that little guy," she said affectionately.
Sara smiled, caressing her baby boy's hair.
"Oh, damn… speaking of him, I want to see him. I'm coming over! Let's party. I'm bringing lots of toys and chocolate to surprise my superstar…"
Sara giggled at Nora's excitement.
"Okay… come, but don't bring too many things, you'll spoil him," Sara warned.
"Let me spoil him, babe… just a little," Nora insisted.
Sara smiled. "Fine… come. I'll make your favorite pasta."
"Done… I love you, darling."
"I love you too," Sara replied, and with that, they hung up.
Sara couldn't help but smile at her friend's excitement. Nora loved Zayn more than anyone in the world; she literally spoiled him with toys and chocolates. To be honest, Nora was like a second mother to Zayn.
An hour later,
Sara's doorbell rang."Coming…" she called out, stirring the pasta on the stove before hurrying to open the door.
"Hey, babes!" Nora chirped as she all but threw herself at Sara. Both her hands were full, bags of toys, clothes, chocolates, everything for Zayn. She gave Sara a quick hug, handed her the bags, and went straight to the baby boy, who was already bouncing in excitement at the sight of his aunt.
Zayn rose over on his tiny legs and ran into her arms. Nora peppered his cheeks with kisses. "Missed you, my love…"
Zayn kissed her back, making Nora giggle. It was his cute little habit, if someone close to him kissed him, he always returned the affection. Sara smiled at the sight, her heart melting.
Nora gave him the new toys she'd brought. He squealed with delight, babbling gibberish in his baby language, making both women laugh. Nora played with him for a while, and Sara fed him, coaxing him with toys. He happily ate while playing with his new treasures and with his beloved Aunt Nora.
A while later, Zayn was fast asleep. The apartment was quiet now except for the soft sound of plates clinking as Sara and Nora sat down for dinner.
"You okay, Sara?" Nora asked gently.
Sara smiled faintly. "Even if I'm not, what difference does it make? Nothing will change… The only thing that changes is him. My baby. He's growing up, and right now all I want is to give him a better future… a good, meaningful life."
Nora reached over, pressing her palm over Sara's. "Everything will be fine one day, Sara. Don't worry."
Sara gave a bitter smile. "That's the biggest lie I've ever heard, Nora. Back then, my mom said the same thing, and what happened? She left me, left me alone in this world. Then he came, and he left too, destroying what was already a mess. Now… nothing is left for me to hope for. The only thing I have is him. And he's the reason I survive, the reason I fight every day." She stared down at her plate, her voice low.
Nora's heart clenched. She had known Sara for years; they were not from college friends, but from a random meeting in a convenience store, and from that day on, they had become close friends. Nora was the only person who had stood by Sara through every hardship. And Sara knew it. She was grateful to have Nora in her life.
"I'll see if there's any vacancy through my contacts. Don't worry," Nora said softly.
Sara nodded, giving her a small smile. Nora smiled back, and just like that, they finished dinner together in quiet companionship.