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Aiko
Aiko Nakamura clinked glasses with her friends, the bar's noise a chaotic symphony around them. The dim lights cast a warm glow, and the relief of exams being over was palpable. Summer vacation was just a day away, and tonight was for celebrating.
"Cheers to finally being free!" Milo, Aiko's sweet but slightly inebriated boyfriend, grinned as he raised his glass.
"Cheers!" everyone echoed, their glasses meeting in the center with a satisfying clink.
"Damn, I thought those exams would never end," Lucy, Aiko's best friend, groaned, taking a big sip of her drink. "I swear, I saw my life flash before my eyes in that anatomy final."
"I know right," Sam, another friend, laughed. "I think I wrote more bullshit in those essays than I ever have in my life."
Aiko laughed along with them, though her mind was elsewhere. The group fell into a familiar rhythm of jokes and reminiscing, but Aiko's phone buzzed in her pocket, reminding her of something she couldn't ignore any longer.
"I'm gonna step outside for a minute," she said, standing up and squeezing Milo's shoulder. "Need to make a call."
Milo gave her a lazy smile, his hand brushing against hers. "Don't take too long, babe. We'll miss you."
She rolled her eyes playfully. "I'll be back before you know it."
Outside, the cool night air was a stark contrast to the stuffy warmth of the bar. Aiko dialed her mother's number again, hoping for a different outcome this time. The phone rang, each tone a pang of anxiety in her chest. Voicemail. Again. She sighed deeply, feeling the familiar weight of worry settle in.
"Hey, Mom," she began, trying to keep her voice steady. "It's me. Just calling to check in. It's been nine days now, and I'm getting a bit worried. I know you're busy, but... well, I miss you. I've got a flight to Korea tomorrow. I want to surprise you. Hopefully, I'll see you soon. Love you."
Hanging up, she stared at her phone for a moment, feeling a pang of sadness. Her mother had been away for almost two years, and their conversations had dwindled from frequent chats to occasional texts. Her mother always said things were hectic and big stuff was happening, but this silence was different. It was unsettling.
Putting on a brave face, she headed back inside, sliding into the booth next to Milo. He immediately put his arm around her waist, and she could smell the alcohol on his breath. It made her stomach turn, but she forced a smile.
"Everything okay?" Lucy asked, concern in her eyes.
"Yeah," Aiko lied smoothly. "Just checking in with my mom. She's been really busy lately."
Milo leaned in, his voice slurred. "You worry too much, Aiko. Your mom's a badass scientist. She can handle anything."
"I know, I know," she replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "I just miss her, that's all."
