Alynna's Hunch

Josh went back to their office after Xander and Amanda had left. He tried to focus on his work but his mind kept wandering off. He kept picturing how Amanda had hang on to Xander as the elevator closed. He imagined how Xander drove Amanda home and took her back home to her apartment.

He also wondered why Xander called her "Mandy" and not "Amanda". He figured they might have known each other for a long time for Xander to call her by her nickname.

"Josh, did you hear me?" Jane was speaking to him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just thinking about something. What were you saying?"

"I said, how come you didn't take Amanda home?"

"Ah, that. Well, we ran into Xander and he offered to take her home." Josh didn't elaborate on the details.

"Xander as in the new Marketing Director? They know each other? I knew it! Why would Amanda lie about it?" Jane said but she seemed to be talking to herself.

Josh didn't reply. He had the same question.

Jane started gossiping about it. Josh wanted to stop her but he decided to let her. She wouldn't listen to him anyway even if he tried. He went back to what he was doing. He busied himself here and there.

The rest of the afternoon went by slowly for Josh. He wanted to get out of the office so bad. He wanted to see Amanda but he didn't know where she lived. The only thing he has was her mobile number.

As he rode the bus going home, we thought of calling Amanda. He held his mobile phone, turning it on, dialing Amanda's number and then dropping the call. He did this a couple of times. He didn't realize he had already reached his bus stop.

He walked home from the bus stop, as always. He loved walking. It's his time alone with himself, to clear everything that had happened during the day and to prepare himself for what was waiting for him at home in the evening.

He was surprised to see Stella sitting at the front porch, waiting for him.

"Hey, pumpkin! Why are you out here alone? Where's Mommy?"

"She's inside. I was waiting for you. I wanted to show you this." Stella took a paper out from behind her.

"Wow! Did you make that? That's really beautiful." He stared at the artwork. Stella had drawn rainbows on the paper with green mountains at the bottom. At the center was a unicorn, with stars all over. On the unicorn rode a little girl and a woman. Stella handed it to him so he could see closer. She put her hands behind her and swayed from left to right, waiting for Josh to say more about the drawing that she was so proud of.

"Is this you on the unicorn?" Josh asked Stella who was staring at him.

"Yes - and Mommy. I told her someday we will both find a unicorn and when we do, we will ride it and go on top of mountains and find other unicorns! Do you think we will ever find a unicorn?"

"I'm sure you will."

"They say when you find a unicorn, you can make a wish and the unicorn will grant you your wish. Is that true?" Stella asked, her eyes so hopeful it hurt Josh.

"I think so," he answered and smiled at Stella.

"What will you wish for if you find a unicorn?" Josh asked, though he already had a very good idea of what Stella wants.

"I will wish for Mommy to get better." Stella said as she looked at the sky. The stars are starting to appear.

"We both wish the same thing." Josh hugged Stella.

"Now let's go inside. It's cold out here." Josh carried Stella inside.

"I'm home." Josh called out, as he usually did. It has become a habit for him, like he would automatically announce that he has arrived.

"Did you show your drawing?" Alynna asked Stella.

"Yes," Stella said as she went down from Josh.

"Her beautiful artwork must be displayed. We'll buy a frame to put it in and then hang it here. What do you say?" Josh told Stella who was already pulling a chair from the table.

Stella excitedly nodded. She ran off to put her drawing inside a drawer to keep it safe. She then washed her hands before returning to the table.

"Dinner's ready," Alynna told Josh, "you should change your clothes."

Josh obliged. He went upstairs and had a quick shower before going back down to eat.

"How was your day at work?" Alynna asked as they were eating dinner.

"Same old. Nothing exciting happened today," Josh said as he picked on his salad.

"I see," Alynna said as she helped Stella with her food.

"Oh, yeah, there's a new Director for Marketing. His name is Xander."

"Really? It seems the company is hiring people. Do you think I could work again?"

"Alynna, we've talked about this. It will be best if you stay home until you have fully recovered. Besides, Stella needs you here."

Alynna didn't reply. She had been wanting to go out of the house. She couldn't remember the last time she went out.

"By the way," Josh said after a couple of minutes of silence, "I will be late coming home on Friday."

"Why?"

"We're going out on Friday. You know, to hang out."

"You and everyone else on your department?"

"Yeah, I think pretty much everyone will be going. They already planned it."

"Can I come with you?" Alynna asked expectantly.

Josh almost dropped his fork. "Why would you want to come?"

"I just want to get out of this house, Josh, It's been so long…"

"And who's gonna take care of Stella?"

"We can get a baby sitter. It will only be a couple of hours."

Josh thought for a moment. He didn't want Alynna to come because if she did, she and Amanda will meet — and this could ruin his chances at Amanda.

"And how will you get to the office?" Josh asked Alynna after a few seconds.

"I'll take a cab. Easy."

Josh sighed deeply as he looked at Alynna.

"Please, Josh?"

Alynna looked so hopeful and so desperate at the same time. Josh felt sorry for her.

"Okay," Josh said before he could even stop himself.

"Yes!" Exclaimed Alynna like a teenager who was given a pass to attend a party. "Thank you, Josh! I'm so excited!"

Josh smiled. He has never seen Alynna so excited about something in a long time. He continued eating his dinner, hoping something will change Alynna's mind before Friday comes.

. . .

Josh had tucked Stella in and she is now fast asleep. Alynna was showering so Josh was alone. He debated whether to call Amanda or not. He wanted to ask her how she was. He started typing a message on his phone but was having second thoughts sending the message. He closed his eyes, mumbled something and tapped "Send".

He was so nervous, he started pacing in Stella's room.

A couple of minutes passed. There was no reply from Amanda.

Josh put down his phone and went down to drink some water. When he came up again, Alynna had already showered and was drying her hair. Josh went back to Stella's room and picked up his phone. There was a message notification. He unlocked his phone. The message was from Amanda. He read Amanda's reply.

"Thanks for checking on me. I'm okay now."

Alynna noticed Josh was smiling as he read the message.

"Who is it?" Alynna asked.

"Someone from work," Josh replied to Alynna. He then pocketed his phone.

"Okay. I'm gonna sleep now. Goodnight, Josh."

"I'll watch TV some and then I'll sleep. Goodnight, Alynna," Josh said and then he went down to the living room.

Josh turned on the TV on the news. He took his phone from his pocket and replied to Amanda's message.

"Glad you're okay. I was worried about you. I would have taken you home if we hadn't bumped into Xander."

"I know."

"You and Xander seem to know each other. Are you friends?"

"Yes and no. We're neighbors actually."

"That explains it. So, are you going to work tomorrow?"

"I hope so. I don't want to go on leave on my third day at work."

"How about Friday? Are you coming with us?"

"Yeah, I am." There was a smiley face at the end.

"Great. Hope to see you at work tomorrow."

"See you."

"Goodnight, Amanda."

"Goodnight, Josh."

Josh breathed a sigh of relief. He will have a chance at hanging out with Amanda. He leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes. He suddenly sat up when he remembered Alynna was also coming with them. Now he has a problem.

Meanwhile, Alynna had quietly followed Josh downstairs. She had been watching him while he was on his mobile phone, sending messages to what he said was his co-worker. She saw how he smiled while reading the messages. He looked so happy.

"He's seeing someone, I know it." Alynna said to herself. "It's just a matter of time before I can prove it." Tears suddenly welled in Alynna's eyes. She quickly but quietly climbed the stairs back to her room before Josh notices her.