ด้วยรักตลอดไป (With Love, Forever)

Jeff

I was at work around 8.30 am, when Xinxin came bounding up to me!

"Mr Jyff! Mr Jyff!"

"It's Mr Jeff baby. How are you today, Xinxin?"

"I am good. How you?"

I smiled to myself at Xinxin's adorable way of speaking. She just started becoming more fluent in the last 6 months, so she was still working a lot on her speech and the right way of speaking.

"I am good. Are you ready for class today?"

Xinxin nodded excitedly. I was her music teacher. In fact, I was the music teacher for the entire school. I was hired solely for my musical capabilities and worked as the school's only music specialist. Post school, around 5pm, I headed off to send dinner to my mom.

As I was walking towards the entrance, I saw the guy from yesterday, shit I forgot his name! He was rushing out and as he did, he called out to my mom.

"I will come back later and lock up Ms. Luo! It's ok! I need to go see Xinxin first!"

The irony of it, like how many Xinxin's are there in this world. I just shrugged my shoulders carelessly as I watched him run off. I passed my mom the dinner and asked her on what was going on with that dude. She told me his daughter was having a high fever suddenly. I just clocked in that information but did not pay much attention to it. I went home after that and was prepping for my lessons the next day.

The next day at school; I was busy with my classes. The last lesson was at 1pm with Xinxin's class; however I realized she was not around. I registered her absence and decided to check in with her class teacher post my lesson. Once the lesson was over; I checked with her teacher who told me that Xinxin had a viral fever and would not be in for the rest of the week. She said her father would come by later to pick up any activity kits for her. I just clocked in the information and went to gather my things to head back home. As I was packing my things, the irony of the situation was not lost on me. So weird that I came across 2 Xinxin's who both were sick with a fever at the same time. [A/N: AH THIS DUMB ASS ISNT MAKING THE CONNECTION]

I was about to leave when I saw the guy from my mom's workplace walk towards the school. He saw me and just greeted me politely but surprised to see me there before continuing. I cocked my head, watching him as he went up and was greeted by Xinxin's teacher. He spoke to her, collected some stuff and then headed in my direction. As he walked past me, I saw the folder and it had Xinxin's name on it.

"You are Xinxin's father?" the words shot out of my mouth before I even realized it. He turned to look at me stunned and then nodded minutely.

"How do you know my daughter?"

"I am her music teacher."

"Her music teacher? You are Ms. Luo's son, right? She said her son was a music specialist in a preschool. It's this school?"

I nodded, smiling. He then broke out into a smile, shaking his head. "The world is indeed so small.

I laughed. I checked on how Xinxin was doing and he filled me in. I nodded somberly, asking him to send her my regards. He agreed and went off. I went back home, and was cooking dinner when my mother came home around 6pm. She went to get a shower and came out dressed in a dress.

"Mae, are you going out?"

"I want to send some dinner for Mr Wang. He had been looking after his daughter and just went back to work again to finish up. I know he wouldn't have eaten so thought of bringing him something."

"But you must be tired after work... why dont you stay here? I go."

"It's ok. Mr Wang may not even want to accept the help. He's very independent like that and doesn't like inconveniencing people. But I know he respects me a lot so he may listen."

I nodded; just quietly packing some food for my mom to bring to Mr Wang. She went off and returned an hour later, smiling.

"I'm assuming he took the dinner."

My mom nodded cheerfully and went off to change, settling down for dinner herself. Over dinner, I asked her about Mr Wang and how come I didn't hear about a wife. She mentioned that she wasn't in the picture and hasn't been for a while. She said Mr Wang takes care of Xinxin himself with a helper. I nodded thoughtfully as I ate, my thoughts going back to the frazzled man I had bumped into today, in 2 different settings.

He may seem cold, but going by how sweet and adorable Xinxin was, I doubt he was as cold and impassioned as he put himself out to be.

Like they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.