Should I Stay or Leave? novel Chapter 7

"She will be here in September. She will celebrate her birthday here. Will you come?"

"Is that already confirmed?"

"Yes! The company had bought the flight tickets. I will travel to pick her up on September 20."

"I will see if I can be free on her birthday."

"Yes, please! It will mean the world for Amara to finally met her papa. Aren't you happy?"

"Well, I am glad that I would finally meet her."

"I am so happy that we can all be together. I am lucky to land a job with a company that offers this privilege."

"That is good for both of you."

"I am so happy right now. I will be with my baby soon. And she will get to see you."

Acwell stops replying to her messages. He wanted to tell her that he is already married. But he doesn't know how to do it in a way that he would not hurt her.

After a week, Kamiah's maternity leave will be ending. They have hired a babysitter who will take care of Kai while Kamiah is at work. Everything is already in place and ready.

"Are you okay?" Acwell asked as he entered the bedroom.

"Yes, I am fine," Kamiah answered.

"You have been staring at the wall for how many minutes now before you could even notice that I am here."

"I just don't understand what I feel."

"What do you mean? Did something happen while I am gone?"

"Nothing happens. It is just I am excited to go back to work. I miss my job. I miss working."

"So, what is the problem? Why you look so sad?"

"I will be at work for almost 9 hours. Kai will be with someone he barely knows. And I feel sad and guilty about it."

"You have been with him for quite a while. It is normal to feel separation anxiety."

"Yes, I think that is why. I am used to being with him all day long."

"But almost all mothers go through it not only you."

"But, now, I understood it very well."

"Do you know that even me I feel the same whenever I live for work?"

"Do you?"

"I may smile whenever I leave but I also feel hurt leaving you two."

"I never expect fathers to feel that way most especially you."

"She is a smart girl. I hope for her to say mama soon."

"She will for sure."

"I missed her so much. It is hard to live her miles away just so you could provide for her."

"It is difficult for every parent, especially for a mother, to live their kids. But you have to be strong. You do that for her."

"I know. Every day she is teaching me how to be strong. But, at some point, I wish someone is there to help me out."

"You said she will be with you soon, right?"

"Yes. I can't wait for that day to come."

"Then focus on that. Be excited about it. Not every mother has that chance. Some have to wait for how many months or years before they could even see their children."

"That is true. I am lucky. We will see her soon. Are you excited?"

"Now, stop crying. Why won't you call her instead."

"I will do that. Thank you."

It is another sleepless night for Acwell. The two women in his life are suffering and he can't do much about it. It is hard for him as a father. He wanted to make them live comfortably. But providing them a little financial aid and sparing a few minutes to listen to them is all that he could do.

This time his heart aches for what Catrina is going through. Kamiah's feeling is valid but at least after she finished working, she will go home and see her son. He is there to hug her and kissed her whenever she would feel lonely. But as for Catrina, she had to wait for how many months before the next time she could see her daughter. She only has herself. Nobody is there to cheer her up during times like this. It is a more painful situation.