The hours passed by, and I didn't even notice it. I can't deny that I kept thinking about what happened in the elevator earlier. Our face is so close to each other that it makes me freeze and blush simultaneously.
Echo is such an honest man. He is straightforward and natural.
"Alright, everyone, that's it. gracias por hoy, nos vemos la semana que viene" I came back to my senses when the professor spoke. So, I started to gather my things.
"Gracias, professor," we said in unison as we stood and left the room.
"Hi, Jas." I looked up to see who it was, and it was no other than -- Echo.
"W-what are you doing here?" I'm so confused.
"Picking you up." He answered.
"But why?" I still asked. He shrugs.
"Why not?" I rolled my eyes at him as we headed to the elevator.
It's just the two of us inside of it.
"Jas, can I treat you to dinner?" I looked away. Should I go with him? I am somehow still guilty of leaving them before.
"A-ahm, I don't know. The kids are waiting for me, and the babysitter will leave in an hour, so..."
"I understand." I felt guilty again. I hurt him again.
He looked at me, "Hey, I am not upset. I truly understand. So, I propose I'll give you a ride home. Would that be fine?"
"I don't want to be a b--" he cut me off before I even got to say it.
"You are not a bother. You are always worthy, My Light." I looked away cause I could feel my cheeks turning red and tingling in my stomach. It's been years since I thought this. What do you call this? Butterfly in your stomach.
I cleared my throat and glanced at him; he was still waiting for an answer. "O-okay." Upon hearing my answer, he smiled from ear to ear and grabbed the books in my hand. "Let's go." He leads the way to his car.
"Wow, congrats for getting your dream car." I looked at him proudly.
"You still remember huh? Thank you." he opens the door for me.
I rolled my eyes at him. "Of course, you guys are my friends, and why would I forget that?" I entered his car, and He even put his hand on the top of the door to ensure I would not hit my head.
Even though it's small, I can't even remember the last time someone cared for me. I am flattered and overwhelmed.
He sighed, so I looked at him, "I don't know, Jas, since the day you left. You never really contacted us. It seems like you erase us from your life." We drove off in silence.
He is right. I completely forgot to message them because of Kevin–The ex-boyfriend. He doesn't want me to communicate with them anymore, and I know I should not follow him, but I'm stupidly in love with him, and if I don't do that, he will be aggressive and hurt me.
"I am sorry, Echo. I know I should not listen to Kevin, but I'm just scared."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm just scared that he will beat you up and Tom. I am scared of what he can do to the both of you. My life with him is already miserable, and I don't want you guys to be in trouble because of me. So, I decided to resign and move away." I can't hold back my tears as I remember the painful and traumatic memories I've been through.
"You don't know how much I wanted to run to you. How much I wanted to ask for help. But I am not selfish enough to get you guys in trouble."
"You should've told us. It would be best if you let us know. We are willing to protect you. We are your best friend, and we are your family." He stopped the car and hugged me, "Please, let us protect you. Let us be part of your life again. You don't have to go through this alone. Let it all out."
And there it is, the hug that I miss. The hug that feels home,
"Thank you, My Comfy"
He wiped my tears, "You are a brave woman and a strong mother. You fought for your freedom and the safety of your kids. You are selfless and a true hero. You save your kids from misery. So, never doubt yourself and question your worth. Because you deserve everything." I cried more when I heard this. Savannah always assures me of my worth, but coming from Echo feels different. Maybe, all along, I was longing for them. My extended family- My best friends.
"Thank you, Echo. I - I need to hear that." I wiped my tears as we broke the hug. He fixed my hair and handed me water.
"I will never leave your side from now on. I - I mean We." I smiled as he stuttered.
"Let's go and grab something to eat?" he asked as we continued to drive.
"Sure, I want to bring home some Jollibee for the kids." We just talked about some random things about him and Tom. We go to a drive-through and order some food for takeout.
He grabbed our orders, and I gave him my money, and he just looked at my hand and ignored it. He puts the food in the back of the car and secures it before paying.
"Echo." I handed him the money, but he just looked at my hand and continued paying from his pocket.
"Echo," I called him to get his attention. "It's my order, too, for my kids."
"I know. Considered it as my gift to you and to the kids, okay? No, Buts Jas. Please?" I gave in.
"Fine. Thank you. But I will treat you tomorrow instead, alright?"
"Okay, ssob!" I laugh at him.
Minutes later, we reached my home.
"Can you stay there?" he asked.
"Why?" I gave him a confused look.
He smiled, "I want to open the door for you." I laughed at him. I shake my head in disbelief. He opens the door for me and grabs the food we bought.
"You know you don't need to do that. I have hands." I told him while walking to our porch part of the house.
"I know, but I will not let you do it, and –"He just stopped me before I could say a word, "I will not let you help me bring this food inside of your house, so let's go." I just rolled my eyes at him. I'm proud to say His parents raised a good man.
I open our door and see my kids playing in the playroom.
"Oh, hi, bestie, and I see you brought someone." And she gave me this eye look asking who. Yes, she hasn't seen Echo personally before, but I did mention it to her.
"Savannah, this is Echo, my workmate in my first job, and Echo, this is Savannah, my best friend since high school. She is helping me out to babysit the kids during the weekend." They shake hands, and Savannah is just smiling but meaningful.
"I think you are familiar. I think I heard your name before. Is he the one who- ouch!" I pinch Savannah's arms to stop her.
"I'm sorry, Echo. I think she is just confused. But yeah, I did mention him to you and Tom. Right?" I gave her a look. Echo just laughed at us.
"Hi, nice to meet you, Savannah. Yes, I'm the one who confessed to her before." And he looked at me with a big smile, "and I don't regret it."
I looked away. Why is it so awkward? He confessed his feelings before, but I rejected him because I had Kevin then and didn't want to ruin our friendship. We remain good friends after that.
"Yeah, I see that's why you are familiar. Nice to meet you, finally! But wait, what's going on? Why are you two? You know?" Savannah asked
"We just ran to each other earlier in the building. Tom and I were working there while she was on the 5th floor taking her training." Echo answered.
"Wow! Destiny. I think destiny is leading you guys back together." Savannah answered
"And I think we should prepare this food before it gets cold." I stopped them before it got more awkward.
"And I think you are just avoiding the idea! You are such a killjoy!" she walked past me and got the kids from the playroom.
I shake my head; sometimes, I wonder why Savannah is my best friend.
"Jas, where should I put this?" Echo asked, and I gasped,
"Oh my! I forgot. I'm sorry. Here, follow me!" I led him to the dining room. Once he put all the food down, I grabbed his hand, and I saw it was red, and the plastic had already marked her hand. Which makes his hand numb, so I massage it.
"Jas, You don't have to do that. I'm okay!" I ignored him and still massaged his hand.
"You know, this is one of the reasons why I like you. You are very caring, even if it is a tiny thing." I looked at him, and he was smiling at me. I got shy, so I looked away and stopped massaging his hand.
"I think you are already good." I turned around and unloaded the food from the plastic bags, which made him laugh.
The kids ran and hugged me, and they eventually felt the presence of Echo.
"Mommy, who is he?" Jennifer asked.
"This is Mommy's friend, Echo. Echo, these are my kids: Jennifer and Jacob." Echo kneels to be at the same level as the kids.
"Hi, it's so nice to meet you finally." He offered his hand to my kids, which they gladly take and shake.
"Same." Both my kids answered at the same time.
"You guys are very cool and adorable," Echo said.
"Do you think we can play later?" Jennifer asked. Echo looked at me and smiled.
"Of course, I would love to." They jumped in excitement.
"And that's why you must sit and eat. So you can play with Tito Echo later." I helped them sit on their chairs and give them food.
The kids thank Echo for the food, and we continue eating our dinner with a laugh and endlessly sharing stories. Echo had a soft heart with kids. He has been adorable with kids since I met him, so I'm lucky to be one of his best friends. Of course, the same with Tom. They are the best buddies you can get. They are one in a million! It makes me feel bad when I ignored them for so many years!
"Hey, is everything okay?" Echo holds the back of my hand. I didn't notice that I spaced out and let out a big sigh.
"I'm sorry. Yeah! I'm okay. I just got a thought, and I didn't mean to sigh loudly." I continue cleaning the table.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"I don't know. I just felt bad how I ignored our friendship just for Kevin. You and Tom are the best of friends I've got, and I throw it away."
"Hey! It's okay! We completely understand and hope you are doing well until we hear what happened. We are sorry for not being there when you need us! You have us now, and we won't leave by your side. We will support and help you in any way we can. Okay?" He held my face to assure me, and I nodded in response. Somehow, I felt relieved. Aside from Savannah, it's nice to know you've got another friend to be there for you.
For many years, I shut my door to everyone to focus on the family I was building with, which didn't end well.
I have to be strong for my kids! I tried to hide my pain and struggle every day for my kids! But having a support system helps me to get out of this heavy feeling in my heart. I feel safe and at ease.
Jacob and Jennifer run to us, grab Echo's hand, and ask him to play with them in the playroom. I smiled as he let himself be dragged by my kids and play silly things.
"You okay?" Savannah asked while we were still cleaning the plates.
"Yes, just a little overwhelmed. Bestie! Thank you so much for being there for me." I hugged her.
"No problem. As I always say, I will be the single auntie with money that will spoil my bestie kids!" and we laughed.
"What would I do without you?" I sighed
"I don't know. Maybe you are pulling your hair and counting it?" I slapped her arm.
"You are so mean! Hahaha! Well, white is my least favorite color to keep my craziness inside," I jokingly said.
Once we finished, Savannah went home. I look at the clock. It is still 8 p.m., and the kid's bedtime is 9 p.m. So, I went to the playroom, where they enjoyed playing with Echo.
"Hey guys, I think Echo is tired now." I worriedly say.
"No, I'm fine. I love it! Don't worry, okay? And I think-" he pauses,
"Mommy is the monster right now. Let's go and hide!" They all run and hide!
"Wait! What? That's unfair!!" I jokingly say, "Come and find us, Mommy!" Echo said. I paused upon hearing that, but I shook the thought and started to join them.
"Fine, where will you guys be? Hmmm? In the slide? Or here on the shelf? Oh, wait, I think they are in the tent! " I walk slowly to the tent to give an intense play. I heard them giggling inside.
I opened the tent door, "Peek a boo!" the kids shouted, laughed, and ran outside the tent.
We keep playing until the time past 9 p.m.
"Okay, kids! Sleep time!" They both make sad faces.
"Still want to play, Mommy!" Jennifer said.
"Sorry, baby. It's already late, and we have to sleep, and Tito Echo needs to go home, too." I lead them outside of the playroom.
"Don't worry, guys, me and Tito Tom will return, and we will play again, okay?" Echo said. I smiled at him.
I turned to Echo while Jennifer was drinking milk, "I have to put them down to sleep. If you like, you can go home now?" I said.
Jacob holds Echo's hand, "Tito, story time?" Echo looked at me and asked if it was okay.
"Ahm, Baby." I bend down to talk to Jacob, but he speaks again,
"Please, Mommy? Please, Tito?" I can't stand my baby's begging eyes.
"I would love to tell some bedtime stories. Would that be okay, Jas?"
"Yes, sure. So, go to your room, and we will be right there in a minute." So, I guided my kid to his room.
"Echo, I am sorry for the hassle. I feel like they are longing for a father." I looked down as I was shyly saying this to him.
"You and your kids are not a hassle. So, would you like to join us for some bedtime stories?" I nod in answer to him, and we enter my kid's room.
Echo starts telling stories with action, which makes me and my kids laugh.
The kids enjoyed every part of it, and a few minutes later, they fell asleep.
We quietly get out of the room and walked down the stairs.
"Thank you for everything, Echo! Thank you for making my kids happy!"
"No biggie! Always at your service." We laughed and awkwardly stopped.
I looked at him. "So I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow?"
"Sure, I will not keep you awake as well. It would be best if you had slept. Ahm, can I have your updated number? Are you on WhatsApp by chance?" he took his phone out and checked. I grab his phone and put my number down.
"Here!" I handed back the phone to him.
He smiled, "Thank you, Jas! It's nice seeing you again, and let's meet for brunch?" he said. I nodded. He smiled at me,
"Good night, Jas!"
"Good night, Echo."
I waved at him and waited for him to leave. I hurriedly locked the door and activated sensors that would keep me alert, and of course, it would also alert the nearest police if there was any break-in. Leaving alone with two kids needed extra safety precautions.
It's a perfect day for me, and I thank god for this day!