My Last And My Only

Chapter 135: Between the Waiting

The interview was over.

For the first time in weeks, Maraiah wasn't carrying a folder, rehearsing answers in her head, or refreshing her inbox every hour.

She had shown up.

She had answered every question as honestly as she could.

Now all that was left was waiting.

And waiting, she realized, was its own kind of ache. It left too much room for doubt to settle in. She kept replaying her answers anyway, searching for mistakes she might have missed, for some hidden expression on the interviewers' faces that would tell her whether she had done enough.

"We'll be in touch soon, Ms. Arceta."

The interviewer's words had followed her all afternoon.

Soon.

It was a strange word.

It could mean tomorrow.

It could mean next week.

Or it could mean nothing at all.

"Earth to Aiah."

A slice of pizza appeared in front of her.

She blinked and looked across the table.

Khae was trying very hard not to laugh.

"You've been staring at that slice for a full minute."

"I was thinking."

"I could tell."

"Were my thoughts visible?"

"They looked hungry."

Aiah laughed, finally picking up the slice. The sound came easier than she expected, and with it came a small rush of relief. She hadn't realized how tightly she'd been holding herself together until now.

"I didn't realize interviews burn this many calories."

"They do if you spend the whole morning convincing yourself not to panic."

"I only panicked a little."

Khae tilted her head.

"A little?"

"...Fine."

Aiah took a bite before continuing.

"I panicked enough to consider pretending I got on the wrong elevator."

"Baby, there were only five floors."

"I would've found a way."

That earned a genuine laugh from Khae.

"There she is."

"Who?"

"The Aiah who makes jokes when she's finally relaxed."

Aiah smiled. It was easier now, sitting across from Khae, with the noise of the restaurant around them and the warmth of the pizza in her hands. Easier to breathe. Easier to believe the day hadn't gone entirely wrong.

"I guess she's back."

"Good."

Khae lifted her paper cup.

"To showing up."

Aiah gently clinked her cup against it.

"To free pizza."

Khae laughed.

"I should've known that's what you'd remember."

"I'm kidding."