Have fun at work today, Doc :)
Aika pasted the post-it note on Tricia's lunch bag and set it on the dining table. Aika had woken up early today and figured that she'd be a good Ate by making Tricia lunch for her before going for a run outside.
"Magandang umaga po! " Aika greeted the security guard as she headed out of the condo gates. It had been a while since Aika ran outside because of the pandemic but Tricia had given her a pair of exercise masks and she figured it'd be a good way to start the morning.
Aika loved taking in the sights and sounds of the neighbourhood. Sometimes the traffic got a little too much and there were structural challenges but it was place filled with warmth, love and hopes.
Aika didn't want to venture too far so she decided to turn back just before the road connected to the expressway. The busy street she was running on happened to be the very one she spotted Nat and Jamie a few days back.
Aika found herself looking at the apartment blocks lining the road, wondering if Nat and Jamie stayed in any of them...Jessica Marie, what are you doing? Collecting her thoughts, she did a turn and headed back towards the condo.
"Aika?" Aika looked up and traced the voice calling out to her. It was a face Aika thought she'd never get to see again.
"Nat?" Nat smiled when Aika recognised him. He was pleasantly surprised to have bumped into her. Thank goodness his foolish smile was hidden behind his mask.
"Out on a run?" Aika nodded at Nat's question and realised that Nat was also in an workout outfit.
"Yep, I just sent Jamie to kindergarten and figured that I'll squeeze in a short cardio session before heading to the gym. I guess it's the same for you? Without the kindergarten part of course..." Nat added the last line hastily and Aika knew he was flustered.
That was cute......
"Are you heading back already?" Aika nodded her head towards the block of apartments that she just passed.
"Yeah...I suppose...Guess I'll see you around then?" Nat sounded a little disappointed at the fact that a goodbye was impending. They'd barely chatted for 5 minutes.
"See you around..." Aika noted the subtlety in Nat's greeting...not that she minded.
After what seemed to be a reluctant goodbye, the two crossed each other and went in opposite directions. After a few steps, Nat had stopped and turned back to look at Aika's disappearing figure. The street was a little crowded but Aika stood out to him clearly.
"Mind if I join you on the way back?" A familiar voice appeared next to Aika suddenly, making her jump a little in shock.
"Nat? I thought you were heading home?" Aika was surprised but kept her legs moving.
"If you don't mind my intrusion, I could use a bit more cardio?" Nat waited patiently for Aika's consent.
"I don't see a reason to say no...what better way to start the day with extra cardio?" Aika chuckled at Nat's floppy excuse.
Nat and Aika's pacing had been slightly offbeat for the first 100m but soon, Nat had successfully matched his steps to Aika and they were running side by side.
"I'm sorry if I'm slowing you down..." Aika noticed that Nat was definitely being considerate of her.
"Not if I run like this..." Nat did a 180° turn and started running backwards, maintaining a slight advantage so he could still speak to Aika.
"What if you bump into someone?" Aika let out a tickled laugh.
"You can be my eyes then...CAREFUL!" Nat was about to tease Aika when he saw a bicycle heading for Aika. The teenage rider was multitasking on his phone and didn't see the two in front of him.
YOU ARE READING
Beneath The Surface
RomanceAika Robredo was a poster child: with a Masters from Harvard, a respectable career trajectory and dependable eldest daughter of the Robredo family. Everyone was telling Aika that all she had left to do was finding her 'dream guy' to settle down with...
