Hold on to the love .....

Driiiiin. Driiiiin. Driiiiin.

Amor will miss the sound of the old alarm clock for a few days since today is her last day before she will have her 4 days off. "I hope I will not be given any take-home tasks," she told herself. She chose to wear a pink floral ruffled halter top that features a ruffled detail on the neck paired with pearl earrings and white trousers.

Standing outside unit 1203, she straightened her trousers and lightly knocked on the door thrice then David opened the door.

"Good..... good morning Mr. and Mrs. Kim," Amor stuttered but Do Yun only gave her a glance and continued eating. She saw Mila sitting on the sofa thus she sat beside her. Amor just stared on the floor thinking about what to do when she meets Theo again, "He hadn't bothered to call," she thought while trying to hold back her tears. She didn't even notice that the Kim's have finished their breakfast and that the tutors have joined them in the living room already. Mila suddenly stood up and that brought Amor's senses back but before she could give her greeting Ae Cha headed out to the door thus Mila hurriedly followed. She then found out that she is alone in the living room and after letting a big sigh a tear fell from her eye. "No, this is not a good way to start my day what's important are my children," she told to herself out loud as she brushed the tear from her cheek and forced a smile to herself. A few minutes later Do Yun came out from their room wearing a Hayward flannel olive suit. Amor stood up and before she could give her greeting Do Yun headed out to the door thus she hurriedly followed.

As soon as they arrived in the office, Do Yun went straight to his desk closing the door behind him.

Her tablet rang and the caller ID says Mr. Kim, "Hello Mr. Kim," she answered the call right away. "Please get inside," and Do Yun ended the call. "What a waste of phone credit," she thought.

She lightly knocked thrice and slowly opened the sliding door, without waiting for an invitation she stepped inside and closed the door. When Amor entered his office, Do Yun is silently sitting on one of the black swivel chairs with his arms folded and his legs crossed. She slowly sat on the other black swivel chair opposite him.

"Are you all set for tomorrow?"

"Ah..... yes Mr. Kim, I will leave tomorrow and travel back here with Henry on Tuesday so I can report to work by Wednesday."

Do Yun gestured her to leave thus she got up immediately and closed the sliding door behind her.

Driiiiin. Driiiiin. Driiiiin.

Amor will miss the sound of the old alarm clock "It's time to leave," she told herself.

Waiting for the trip bound to Daanbantayan in the North Terminal 1st of April 2023 Saturday 10:33 am, there were fewer passengers today than the usual. It has been 3 months ago since she went home and she is anxious since she will be bringing Henry back with her to the city after her 4 days off. Seated at the 11th column 11th row on the right side of the driver Amor took the window seat. Clink clink clink. The bus inspector hits the bar handle of the door that signals the bus is now departing. Amor is wide awake for the whole trip and took notice of where they at during the travel. With a speed of 50-60kph, Amor did not even budge as the bus traveled down the cemented sometimes rugged zigzag road. Amor cringes at the thought of seeing her children being left behind when she travels back to the city with Henry.

For what seemed like an eternity, she finally arrived and can see her parent's house from the highway. "I'm finally home," she thought.

"Amor you're here, come in," greeted her father.

"Where are the kids, pa?"

"Come with me, your mother is preparing afternoon snacks for them."

"How have you been, pa?" worriedly ask Amor.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me."

"Amor!" greeted her mother. "You can stay in the kitchen while I take out the afternoon snacks."

Looking at her parents peacefully living together, she hoped to age gracefully with her children also.

"Ma, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Huh? Yes," Elizabeth's startled reply.

They left the kitchen so that the 2 of them can talk in the living room.

"How are the children dealing with the absence of their father?"

"Why are you asking me this?"

"Because I want them to spend at least overnight with their father before I bring Henry with me in the city by Tuesday."

"Why do you sound worried? After all, he is still their father."

"I might run into Evelyn if I bring them back there tomorrow."

"Are you still not ready to talk to her?"

"I have nothing good to say to her just yet."

"Don't worry about your children," assured Elizabeth.

"I don't know how the children will cope once they will stay with their father again and Evelyn will be there especially Henry," long-withheld tears have now been freely released and are dancing on her cheeks.

"I'm really sorry Amor if we cannot be of much help but still don't hesitate to ask and we'll sort things out together, okay?"

"Thank you ma I guess I need to tell the kids now so that they can be prepared," before Elizabeth can respond Amor stood up because her words have now turned into cries.

Going back to the kitchen brought her to reality again, not knowing where to draw her strength from she still managed to bring the afternoon snacks to her children.

"Ma, you're finally home!" Emma hugged her tightly.

"Henry, Olivia, Emma, Jacob, Michael!!!!!" she called all of them out one by one and they all ran toward her.

"Oh..... after our dinner we'll have a family meeting okay?"

"What are we going to talk about, ma?" asked Henry.

"For now I can't tell you yet, it's better if we have our dinner first, okay?"

Knowing how close her children are to their father, Amor couldn't imagine having to share time with them separately when they used to be together as one family.

All she knows is she wants to feel her children in her arms again.