I'll Be Back

31

Aiah

I woke up feeling extra happy today, a lingering smile on my lips as memories of last night played in my mind. It was a night I didn't expect but one I would cherish. Being with Mikha again, laughing and talking as if nothing had ever come between us, felt like a piece of my heart had been put back in place.

Now, as the soft morning light streamed through the curtains, I busied myself with getting Jane ready for breakfast. Mikha had asked if we could have breakfast together, and she was excited to meet Jane again. I thought it was sweet of her to want to include my daughter.

“Are you excited?” I asked as I helped her into her dress. Jane nodded enthusiastically, her eyes bright with curiosity.

I left some money for the maid, along with instructions to enjoy herself while we were out. Maybe she could explore the local shops or have a quiet morning by the pool.

“Lets go na, baby” I said, holding out my hand. She slipped her tiny hand into mine, and we made our way out of the room.

As we walked down the hallway, my heart beat with a mixture of nerves and excitement.

We arrived at the restaurant where we’d agreed to meet, and I spotted Mikha immediately. She was already seated at a table near the window, looking out at the ocean. She turned as we approached, and her face lit up with a smile that made my heart skip a beat.

“Good morning!” she greeted, standing up. “Hi cutie” She knelt to Jane’s level, her smile warm and inviting. Jane looked at her shyly for a moment, then grinned, her little teeth showing.

“This is Mikha,” I introduced. “She's mommy’s... friend.”

“Hi, Jane! It's nice to see you” Mikha said softly. Jane giggled and nodded, clearly charmed.

We took our seats, and the waiter brought over menus. Mikha and I exchanged a look, and I couldn’t help but smile. The connection between us was still there, still strong.

As we looked over the menu, Jane pointed to the pancakes with strawberries.

“Pancakes it is” I agreed, closing the menu. “And you, Mikha?”

“I think I’ll go with the same,” she said, smiling at Jane. “Pancakes sound like a good choice today.”

The waiter took our orders, and soon we were chatting, the conversation flowing effortlessly. Jane babbled happily in her high chair, waving her tiny hands around and making soft, incoherent sounds that brought smiles to both our faces. Mikha leaned in, watching Jane with a warmth in her eyes that made my heart swell. She gently tapped Jane's little fingers, pretending to play along with her babbling, and Jane responded with a delighted squeal.

As we ate, I realized just how much I had missed this—being with Mikha and sharing these simple, beautiful moments. The way she interacted with Jane, her patience, and the joy she showed in these little things, warmed my heart. It felt so natural, like we were a small, happy family, simply enjoying a lovely morning together.

When breakfast was over, Mikha leaned back in her chair, her gaze soft as she looked at me. "Thank you for this" she said quietly. "It means a lot to me, being able to spend time with you"

I reached across the table, my hand finding hers. "Thank you also for making efforts to keep us up. I've missed this—missed us." I said impulsively.

She squeezed my hand gently, and for a moment, we just looked at each other, the world around us fading into the background. In that shared silence, everything felt right again.