Beneath The Surface

Chapter 16: Confusion

"Is everything okay?" Aika looked at Nat worriedly. He had just picked her up from the airport.

"Huh...oh...everything's good. It's good because you're back." Nat was so lost in thought, he almost missed Aika's question.

Aika knew there was something bothering Nat but didn't know how to bring it up. Aika looked at Jamie in the backseat, who shrugged. The entire drive back to the house was silent.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong with your Daddy?" Aika whispered to Jamie as they entered the house. Jamie pointed to her room and Aika followed.

"Daddy's been moody since we met his best friend 2 days ago. I thought it was because he missed you but he looks the same now..." Jamie pouted, thinking about the sudden change in attitude of her father.

"I'll get your daddy back to normal soon, I promise. Anyways, it's time for your afternoon nap right?" Aika assured Jamie as she grabbed a pair of pajamas from her closet.

"I hope you make Daddy smile, ninang. He always does when he's with you." Jamie muttered as her eyes fluttered close.

"I'll do my best, sweetheart." Aika stroked Jamie's tiny hand before taking her leave.

Aika spotted Nat at the window, staring aimlessly outside. She approached him softly and placed her hand on his arm.

"Jamie's asleep." Aika found herself whispering.

"Sorry that you have to do all these after coming back...my mind has just been everywhere..." Nat sighed.

"Is something up? Anything I can help with?" Aika slid her hand into Nat's and clasped their fingers, pulling him to the couch to sit them down.

"It's about Jamie's mother. I met her 2 days ago." Nat confessed.

"How are you coping?" Aika was even more worried.

"She acts like nothing happened. She says that she wants us to go back to where we were before..." Nat recounted the conversation he had with Aly.

"What did you say?" Aika looked into Nat's eyes.

"I said no of course! You're the one I love now, there's no way I'll ever let you go! Trust me, I'm never getting back with her!" Nat was visibly frantic.

"Hey, I'm not doubting you. I trust you. I do." Aika cupped Nat's cheeks and stroked it with her thumbs to assure him.

"I just didn't want you to get the wrong idea..." Nat confessed.

"I won't. So don't worry about me and think about how you're going to move forward?" Aika probed.

"I want what's best for Jamie and if it means helping her build a relationship with her birth mother, then I'll do it." Nat would do anything for Jamie. Aika knew that very well.

"Have you thought about how you're going to tell Jamie?" Nat leaned back onto the couch and pulled Aika to lean on him.

"That's another challenge in itself...I'm not sure how to put it across. Even I'm having difficulties internalising it, what more a child who doesn't understand how her mother could suddenly appear after 4 years?" Nat sighed again.

"Maybe you'll have to discuss this with her mother. Make the decision together." Aika suggested.

"Maybe you're right. I know you are but I can't seem to control my feelings whenever I think about her. Heck, I don't know if it's anger, disbelief or even disappointment." Nat ran his hand through his hair.

"I won't ask you to forget these feelings because they are valid but perhaps think about how you are going to navigate these emotions while helping Jamie build a relationship with her. And don't forget that I'll be here for you." Aika patted her shoulders and Nat let out a tiny chuckle before leaning his head on her shoulders.