"You're welcome," Simon said lightly. "I did ask where you lived, but all you gave me was a hum." He chuckled. "Don't worry. I didn't do anything. I slept on the couch."
Ayisha stared at him over her mug.
"You should've put me on the couch instead," she said. "You're the owner of this house, not me."
She blew on the coffee and took a careful sip.
"You're my guest," Simon replied as he walked over to Sunny's bowl and poured food into it. "I should make you comfortable."
She sighed softly.
"Are you going home after this?" he asked, keeping his tone casual, hiding the weight beneath it.
Ayisha traced a finger along the rim of her mug, biting her lip as she thought.
"I don't want to go home," she admitted. "And besides… they're old enough to take care of themselves."
Something in his chest lifted.
"So," he said carefully, "you'll stay here?"
"No," she answered gently. "I'll stay at my friend's place."
The drop came instantly.
"But—" the word slipped out before he could stop himself. "I'm your friend too."
She froze.
The realization settled between them.
"Yes—" she started, then hesitated. "It's just… I don't want to disturb you."
"You're not disturbing me," he said quickly. Then he paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry."
'Why is he apologising?' she wondered.
Ayisha exhaled. "Fine," she said quietly. "I'll stay."
Sunny padded over and rested a paw on her knee.
She laughed under her breath. "Looks like Sunny likes me."
Simon watched the way her lips curved as she patted the dog.
"He does."
"Does your head hurt?" he asked.
"Yeah," she groaned. "Hurts like hell."
He sighed. "That's what happens when you drink too much." He was already reaching for the medicine. "Take this."
"Yeah, yeah, old man," she muttered, rolling her eyes.
He handed her the pills and a glass of water. "Here."
"Hm."
She swallowed them quickly.
Simon moved back into the kitchen and started cooking.
"Oh?" she asked, peeking over. "What are you making, old man?"
"Pancakes."
"Yum!"
A few minutes later, he placed the plate and syrup on the table.
"Kain," he said.
Ayisha's head snapped up. "Woah. Nag-Tagalog ka!"
He chuckled. "Don't make a big deal out of it."
"Bakit?" she said, already pouring syrup generously. "Nakakagulat kaya. You've been here ten years and you still speak English all the time."
Simon sighed and stopped her hand before she could add more. "I'm more comfortable in my own language. And do you want diabetes?"
She laughed. "I like it sweet."
He watched her grin and exhaled quietly. "Just drink plenty of water."
They ate in comfortable silence. Sunny chewed happily from his bowl.
Simon knew asking her to stay had been selfish.
But he wanted to know her slowly.
And more than anything, he wanted her to trust him.