Tired and stressed, Pavel still looks out for his little bun named Cheza. She is his niece which is under his custody. He's young for having a child to take care of but no choice because his sister left Cheza to him after giving birth and they have no parents anymore. His source of income is his part time job and the money left by his parents. His sister just sends money every month as Cheza's allowance. Pavel is mad at his sister until now because she just gave away Cheza like a puppy. Her sister's husband has a new family now so was she.
It is hard to take care of a child but enjoyable at the same time. Good things, he has Aki on his back—his best friend who's older than him.
He closed his eyes to have some rest. After looking for Cheza in the mall, he got a headache due to nervousness and stress maybe. He thought that he lost her, he was scared. He drowned his body on the bed and felt the peace in his room.
"Phi?"
Pavel slowly opened his eyes when he heard a soft tone. He saw Cheza peeking on his door, only her head can be seen. He gestured to her to come inside. With a hesitant and feared face, she walked towards him and suited herself on the edge of the bed—with her hands tightly clenched.
"What is it, little bun?" He tried to sound cool because he knew that Cheza is scared right now for what she did earlier.
Cheza bit her lips and her eyes began to water up. He instantly rose up and wiped his niece's tears.
"Why are you crying?" He asked even if he already knew the reason. But still, he wanted her to know that what she did was wrong.
"I am sorry, Phi. I will never do that again." She sniffs.
"Hmm, what did you do?"
"I—I went around without your permission and talked to a stranger which is wrong. Sorry, Phi." She said with her fingers crisscross.
Pavel smiled and patted her head. "That's good that you know it is wrong. Don't do it again, hm? Come here, little bun." He enveloped her to his big arms and kissed her hair.
"You're still mad?" She asked and looked up on him.
"I am not mad. I just got scared because I thought I lost you. And I can't imagine losing you, little bun."
Silent fell between them after. Until he heard her snore. He slowly picked her up and tucked to her own bed.
Pavel went back to his room only to remember the boy he encountered earlier. A small smile formed on his lips. The boy seemed annoyed because he suddenly brought up his balls on their argument. He likes how the boy's irritated face and voice lingers on his mind. He won't mind if he encounters him again and planned to still annoy the boy with pale skin.
***
Pavel woke up and realized it's morning already. His phone stated that it's 6 a.m. He walked outside and prepared their breakfast.
He walked inside her niece's room and found her still sleeping. "Little bun, wake up. You need to get dressed because it's almost time to get you to your Aunty Aki's store." Pavel tickles Cheza when she doesn't respond.
"Phi, it tickles! Stop it. I will wake up now." She giggles after.
"Fix yourself and have breakfast with me. We need to hurry because I still have work." Cheza lazily nodded and went to the bathroom.
After eating the usual foods he cooked and got dressed, he walked with Cheza to Aki's store. Which is their daily routine. He will work while Cheza is playing with Aki's daughter. He works at her store and she let her niece go with him. Pavel has free time to look for minutes for his niece. And when he's at university, Aki is the one who takes care of her.
"Still coping up?" Aki's voice startled him. He smiles lightly and nods. Many customers come and go because it's the weekend.
"You only have one week left before school. You can tell me if you need anything. You don't have to worry for Cheza again, you know how I love her and treat her as my own." She taps Pavel's shoulder for assurance.
"Thank you, Aki. Without you, I don't know what to do with Cheza."
"You can always count on me, yeah?" Aki said.
Pavel nodded. Silently thanking that he has someone like his best friend. Small talks and chuckles ended their day of work.