“I’M SORRY. It’s all I could offer you tonight,” Reed said apologetically when he put the salad he made on the table.

Amaia smiled sweetly while her chin was propped on her hand. She was wearing his shirt, and she’d been watching him with awe as he made their dinner. She would not be surprised if she looked like an idiot in Reed’s eyes.

“Oh, Reed, this is not so bad,” she placated. “I’ll eat everything you make.”

“Wow, thank you for not breaking my heart,” Reed said with a chuckle and joined her on the table. “Let’s eat.”

“Do you eat meat, too?” she asked.

“I sometimes do.”

“Sometimes? Like, once in a full moon?”

Reed stared at her, and suddenly, they were already laughing. Amaia started eating her food. Flattery aside, it was good.

“These vegetables are from my patients. They give it to me as compensation. I don’t earn much, but I can get by,” he told her.

“Did you consider practicing your profession in Manila?”

“I’ve been there, Amaia. I earn much there, but… I found peace of mind here somehow. That is before I met you.”

Amaia pouted her lips.

“Reed, tell me it’s a compliment.”

Reed laughed heartily.

“Of course, it is a compliment.” Reed pinched her cheek lightly. Amaia’s heart fluttered. “By the way, how did you get here?”

“I used a portal.”

“Really?” he said in awe. “Then why did you let me take you home?” His tone was not reproaching at all.

“Well, I like traveling and long drives and doing things while driving,” she replied teasingly. “And in case you wanted to see me, you know where to find me.”

Reed smiled.

“I wonder what happened to my abductors last night,” she said.

“I saw them at the hospital this morning recovering. They were telling the police that a monster attacked them, but it’s hard to believe their story.”

“Really?” Amaia shifted on her seat.

“They were high on drugs. That’s according to their lab results.”

Amaia sighed in relief. She thought Reed was already in trouble though she won’t allow it to happen, of course.

AMAIA volunteered to wash the dishes while Reed fetched the stuff he left in his car. With just a snap of her fingers, the dishes began cleaning themselves. And that was the scene Reed witnessed when he returned with the rest of the vegetables inside the basket.

“What is the meaning of this, Amaia?” he asked sternly.

Amaia smiled sheepishly like a child being caught for stealing a cookie from the jar.

“What? Is magic not allowed in this house?”

“Magic is allowed. Laziness isn’t.”

She could not help making a face.

“Okay, fine.” She grabbed the sponge and the plate and started washing them with her hands... her precious hands.

“You’re doing great.”

Amaia jumped when Reed hugged her from behind. Then he kissed her temple. Amaia bit her lower lip and went on washing the dishes with a flushed face.

*

“DOC, you said it’s impossible for you to find love again. But don’t tell me Ma’am Amaia is just a friend to you. We’re not buying it,” Pasing teased. She was the mother of Reed’s patient, who was recovering from chickenpox.

Reed and Amaia looked at each other and looked away afterward.

Amaia blushed. She did not think it was still necessary to talk about it. They were happy with whatever they shared.

They were sitting on a wooden table while eating snacks. She accompanied Reed to check on his patients he was not able to visit yesterday. She did that because she wanted to spend more time with him. If only she could stop the time, she won’t let this day end.

“But Amaia and I are really friends, Pasing,” Reed said before sipping his coffee.

“But you’re going there anyway?”

Reed chuckled.

“I don’t want to rush things, Pasing. I made a mistake once.”

Amaia hid her disappointment. But she was surprised to find Reed’s hand over hers under the table and squeezed it. Her heart jumped, and she stared at him. He smiled at her.

Pasing giggled.

“Why not!”

*

BEFORE they left, Amaia went to Peter, who was playing his top in the front yard. There were scars on his skin left by the chickenpox, but the boy was obviously in sound health now.

“Peter.”

“Sister Amaia.” Peter picked up his top and ran to her. “Are you leaving now with Doc?”

“Yes. It’s almost sunset. Come, give me your hand,” she said and laid her palms.

“Why?”

“Just give me your hand,” she said with a smile.

Peter gave his dirty arms to her. She held him tightly and caressed the back of his hands in a circular motion and whispered something.

“What was that, Sister Amaia?” Peter asked in confusion.

She smiled at Peter again.

“Tomorrow… your scars will be gone.”

“Really? Would it be possible?”

“You’ll see. Your skin will go back to what it was before, but please keep it a secret, okay?” She winked at him.

Peter laughed.

“Okay, Sister. If you say so. Please come back sooner.”

“I’ll make sure of that.”

She went back to Reed, who was telling his farewell to Pasing.

“Come back sooner, okay? We’re going to harvest bananas next week. I’ll make you a delicious banana delicacy,” Pasing said.

Amaia was delighted to hear it.

“Will you come with me?” Reed asked.

Amaia’s heart skipped a beat.

“Of course. I want to taste Pasing’s other specialty,” she said happily.

Reed held her hand.

“We’ll go ahead, Pasing.”

“Take care… lovers,” Pasing replied with a giggle.

Amaia could not help laughing.