Ayisha pushed the door open and set her bag down on the chair.
"Good morning po, Mama," she said with a small smile.
Maricel looked up and smiled back. "Morning."
"How are you?" Ayisha asked, moving closer.
"I'm okay," her mother replied. "The nurse keeps checking my vitals every few minutes."
A knock sounded at the door.
Ayisha glanced toward it. "Speaking of the nurse, maybe—"
"Good morning, Tita Maricel."
Ayisha's head snapped up.
"Old man?!" Her eyes widened. "What are you doing here this early?"
Simon stepped inside, smiling like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Didn't I say last night I'd visit instead?"
Maricel laughed softly. "Good morning, Simon."
Simon took her hand and bowed slightly, pressing it to his forehead in a respectful *mano*.
"You didn't have to come," Ayisha muttered, crossing her arms.
Simon chuckled. "Have you had coffee yet?"
"Yes," she replied flatly.
"Ayisha," Maricel said with amusement, "don't be rude."
"I'm not being rude," Ayisha said. "I just didn't expect this old man to actually show up."
Maricel turned to Simon. "Why does she keep calling you that?"
"He's older than me," Ayisha mumbled.
Maricel raised an eyebrow at Simon. "Is that true?"
Simon nodded, smiling. "I am. I'm thirty-five."
Maricel's eyes widened. "Ay, you look like you're in your twenties."
"Don't flatter him, Mama," Ayisha said, rolling her eyes.
Maricel laughed.
"By the way," her mother said, turning serious, "how are your sisters?"
Ayisha's expression tightened. "Natalie packed her things and left. Honestly, it's fine. At least there's one less problem." She sighed. "Samantha's at school. After class, I'll bring her to my best friend's place. I'll be working overtime and staying with you."
Maricel shook her head. "Hay naku, that child…"
"Hayaan mo na po siya, Ma," Ayisha said gently. "She's old enough. Just focus on getting better."
"You should focus on yourself too," Simon added quietly.
"I'm fine," Ayisha replied.
Simon tilted his head. "Really? You have eye bags."
"I'll sleep later," she said, dropping into the chair and leaning back, arms crossed.
Silence settled.
A few minutes passed.
Then soft snoring.
Ayisha's head tipped back, mouth slightly open, completely out.
Maricel and Simon looked at her then at each other and laughed quietly.
Simon slipped off his jacket and gently draped it over Ayisha's shoulders.
"So much for later," he murmured with a chuckle.
Ayisha's breathing evened out, soft and steady. One arm slipped from her crossed position, fingers relaxing against the chair's edge.
Maricel watched her daughter for a long moment, her smile fading into something heavier.
"She's tired," Maricel said quietly. "She won't say it, but she's been carrying too much."
Simon nodded. "I can see that."
"She's always been like that," Maricel continued. "Strong on the outside. Inside…" She tapped her chest lightly. "She keeps everything here."
Simon glanced at Ayisha, the jacket rising and falling with each breath. "She doesn't like asking for help."
"No," Maricel agreed. "But she notices when someone stays."
Simon swallowed. "I'm just doing what I can."
Maricel smiled knowingly but didn't say more.
A nurse passed by the open door, glanced in, then quietly closed it halfway, leaving the room wrapped in softer light. The steady beeping of the monitor filled the silence.
Simon shifted closer, careful not to wake her. He crouched slightly, adjusting the jacket so it wouldn't slip. His fingers brushed the edge of her sleeve by accident.
She stirred.
For a second, Simon froze.
But Ayisha only frowned faintly, murmuring something unintelligible before settling again, her head tilting slightly toward him now.
Simon straightened slowly, heart pounding louder than the machines.
Maricel watched the entire thing, eyes gentle.
"You make her feel safe," she said.
Simon hesitated. "I'm not trying to do anything wrong."
"I know," Maricel replied. "That's why I'm not worried."
Minutes passed like that quiet, suspended. Simon stood nearby, scrolling idly on his phone but not really reading anything. Every so often, he glanced at Ayisha to make sure she was still covered.
Eventually, Ayisha stirred again. Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused.
"Ma…?" she mumbled.
"I'm here," Maricel said immediately.
Ayisha blinked, then noticed the jacket. She frowned, tugging it slightly. "Old man…"
Simon smiled. "You fell asleep."
She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. "I did not."
"You were snoring," Maricel teased.
Ayisha groaned. "Betrayal."
Simon chuckled softly. "You needed it."
She looked at him for a moment longer than necessary, then looked away. "Thanks," she muttered, pulling the jacket tighter around herself.
"For what?"
"For staying," she said quietly.
Simon didn't answer right away. He just nodded.