roilan. At a warm Japanese restaurant, they laughed, reminisced about college days, and shared their fee

sense of hope. Froilan's promise of support ignited a

presence of caring souls. As Froilan offered to walk her back, vul

ime. With Froilan by her side, Amelia faced the challen

xx

ring herself, both mentally and emotionally, for their reunion. As she got

rented a small apartment near the hospital to facilitate her treatment and hospital visits. As she step

er here. The journey from her hometown to Cleveland, Ohio, the unexpected encounter with Fro

ourage and determination. As she put the scrambled eggs

her phone. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Froilan's na

el

yesterday. My youngest had an asthma attack, and

izing that life's unexpected challenges cou

eed to apologize, family comes

er now. I apologize for any inco

rgencies are beyond our control.

rstanding. Now, let's talk about y

lenges she was facing with the hospital's restricted admissions due to Covi

y connections to see what can be done to expedite your admi

de, realizing that Froilan's willin

means to me. Your support gives me hope

e. It's the least I can do

compassion. The pain of their past began to recede, replaced by a sense

eans the world to me," Amelia sai

ll always be here for you, Amelia.

ment before asking, "Who i

panied me," A

her end of the line before Froilan

of surprise and emotion. "How about let's meet tomorrow for lu

offer. Despite the complexities of their past,

replied, her voice softening. "T

re. I'll see you tomorrow, and together, w

o meet again, to face the past and embrace the present, held the promise of healing and newf

XX

r, creating a serene ambiance that felt like a little piece of Japan in Ohio. It reminded them of their old days when they used to frequent Japane

s and sashimi in front of them. "I've always loved Japanese cuisine," she said, her ey

r how we used to come to Japanese restaurants all the t

hi, they reminisced about their college days, the a

r physical appearance-her pale complexion and frail frame-but her beauty, the same beauty that had captivated him all those years ago, rema

th and resilience, facing her battle with illness head-on. The memories of their college days came flooding back, and he

till there, buried beneath the weight of unresolved emotions. He had thought that he could bury his feelings

mentioned her current health condition. Her tone became

id softly, reaching out to hold her hand. "Please know that I am here fo

k you, Froilan. It hasn't been easy, but having you here means more to

faced with the hospital's restricted admissions due to Covid-19. F

do my best to help you navigate through this

and genuine care. "I know you will, and I appreciate

urant door opening. Carl walked in with a backpack slung over his sho

arl said, pulling out a chair

r son. "No problem, Carl.

" Amelia said, introducing the

rl. "Nice to meet you, Carl. Your mom has spoken highly

shy grin. "Hello, it's nice to me

th a friendly nod. "Hey

reat! I just had to finish

mfort to her heart. "Video games, huh? You're just lik

tly contemplating the boy's age and appearance. In the depths of his heart, he couldn't shake the fe

a connection that felt surprisingly natural. Carl seemed at ease with Froilan

n the faint resemblance he saw in the boy's features. The thought of being Carl's fa

himself to use the restroom, leaving

curious about you ever since I mentioned our pa

. "No, not at all. I'm actually glad to finally m

at Froilan. "Thank you for saying t

s we've spent together today. It's been a long time since we last saw each other, and I'm gr

the same way, Froilan. It's been a journey for both of

armth and camaraderie. Froilan was grateful for this unexpected reunion and the chance

rning inside him. While he knew it wasn't appropriate to speculate about Carl's paternity without concrete e

ce the exhaustion in Amelia's eyes. He knew she was putting

your apartment," Froilan offere

ively. "Thank you, Froi

Though her battle with illness was visible in her physical appearance, her beauty, the same beauty that had captivated him all those years ago,

d himself to finish his video game, leav

an," Amelia said softly, leani

ncern etched on his face. "I'm glad you did, Ame

lity shining through. "Thank you for being her

le. "I'll always be here for

. Froilan knew he couldn't change the past, and he didn't want to disrupt the life Amelia had built for herself and Carl. But in this m