CHAPTER 121: USED TO WAITING

The Next Morning....

"Good morning, Mom!"

The twins greeted me brightly before showering me with kisses. I immediately pulled them into my arms, hugging them tightly.

They seemed extra cheerful today, and for a moment, their warmth eased the heaviness that had been sitting on my chest since last night.

After visiting Cairo at the hospital, Bern and I had a long talk about what we should do next.

Out of fear that Cairo might recognize me, I had to force Bern to cover up my lie—for now. He hated the idea and we argued. But in the end, he agreed. Maybe because he saw I had already made a promise to Cairo.

And now, I’m bound by that promise. I have to see him every day, after I drop the twins off at their school.

Why did I choose this path, of all things? Why pretend, when there are a hundred other ways I could have approached him? I don’t know.

Maybe because the guilt still weighs too heavily inside me. Maybe because I still believe I don’t deserve to call myself his mother.

I wasn’t a good one—not to him. I abandoned him, ran away from the pain and responsibility, and chose to stay with his sisters instead. Every time I remember that decision, the shame eats me alive.

"Wow, it’s the first time you’ve cooked something that looks this good! Is it maybe because our birthday is coming soon?" Egypt said excitedly, bouncing toward the dining table.

I followed her, serving breakfast onto their plates, but her words froze me in place.

Their birthday. Of all the things I should never forget, how could I almost miss this?

Which means... Cairo’s birthday too.

Every year, I made sure everything was perfect. I saved money to buy the twins whatever they wanted, and I always set something aside to buy Cairo a gift even if I had to send it from afar.

But now... how could I almost let it slip from my mind?

Maybe I’ll need to work overtime. I can’t let myself fall short not on that day.

"Oh, am I that obvious today?" I teased Egypt, trying to lighten the mood. "Don’t worry, Mom will start cooking something nice for you every day for breakfast and for your lunchbox."

"Really?! Hehehe! Do you finally have some money now, Mom, to cook delicious food for us every day?"

"What do you mean by that?" I couldn’t help but pout at her teasing tone.

"Because you can finally afford to cook yummy food! That means you must have a better job now, right?" she said with a mischievous grin.

Oh, this cheeky kid. I couldn’t help but smile.

Now that I think about it, ever since I started working as a waitress at my new restaurant job, things have been a little better. The restaurant isn’t too strict, they even let me take a day off when I really need to without asking too many questions.

And the pay... it’s almost double what I earned before.

I couldn’t help but wonder if the restaurant’s management was just that lenient or maybe the owner was simply kind. Either way, I’m grateful. I can keep food on the table and give the twins the little comforts they deserve.

With these small changes, life isn’t as difficult as it used to be.

"Mom, why do you look tired? Did you sleep well last night?" Paris asked, snapping me out of my thoughts when she noticed my distant stare.

"H-huh? What makes you say that?" I touched my face without thinking. Maybe I still looked exhausted from the night before when all I did was think about Cairo.

Paris tilted her head, her little brows knitting together. "You always look tired when you overthink, Mom. Just rest more, okay? Egypt and I will be fine."

Her words struck me. Even my daughters could see right through me.

I forced a smile, leaning down to kiss both their foreheads. "Don’t worry about Mom. I’ll be fine."

But as I said it, I couldn’t help but wonder how much longer I could keep up this façade.

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After sending the twins off to school, I found myself standing in front of the hospital again.

My hands trembled slightly as I pushed open the glass doors. The sterile scent of disinfectant greeted me, instantly tightening the knot in my chest.

When I stepped into his room, Cairo was already awake. His little face lit up the moment his eyes met mine.

"You came back!"

His voice was full of relief, almost disbelief, as if he’d been clinging to that fragile hope all night.

I forced a smile, swallowing the sting in my chest.

"Of course I did. Didn’t I promise you?"

He nodded eagerly, patting the empty chair beside his bed. "Then sit here! I saved your spot."

I sat down, my heart aching at how naturally he welcomed me as if I belonged here all along. My fingers brushed over the edge of his blanket.

"Thank you, Cairo."

He tilted his head, eyes wide with curiosity.

"For what?"

"For waiting for me."

"You promised yesterday that you’d come back, right? So I waited for you," he said softly. "Good thing you didn’t ignore me... unlike my mom."

His voice trailed off at the end, but I still caught it. His words were quiet yet heavy. My chest tightened as I looked at him.

I disappointed him once again, and it hurt to see him like that.

The faint bitterness in his tone, the loneliness behind his small smile... it was something a child his age shouldn’t have to carry.

"I would never ignore you," I said gently, crouching to meet his eyes. "I’m sorry if I made you wait too long."

He shrugged, pretending it didn’t bother him, but the way his fingers fiddled with the edge of his blanket said otherwise.

"It’s okay," he mumbled. "I’m used to waiting."

That simple line struck me.

Used to waiting.....

How many times had this boy waited for me?

I hesitated for a moment before reaching out to brush his hair away from his face.

"W-well, this time, I came back, didn’t I? I won’t disappoint you... Didn’t I make a promise?" I smiled softly, trying to make him believe it and trying to convince myself too.

He finally looked up at me, a small light flickering in his eyes.

"Then... you’ll come again tomorrow too, right?"

My heart skipped. That question again, the same hope, the same fear hidden behind it.

I forced a smile and nodded. "Yes... I’ll come again tomorrow."

Even if I wasn’t sure how many more promises like that I could make.

Cairo’s lips curved into a small, contented smile. The kind that could melt away all the guilt pressing on my chest.

"Then I’ll wait for you again." he said softly, his voice already growing sleepy, maybe because he had just taken his medicine.

"By the way Syl, you smell nice like the food Uncle used to cook for me."

My breath hitched.

Uncle? My grip tightened around the food container I was holding for him.

"Uhm..m-may I know who this uncle is, the one who used to cook for you?"

I saw his brows furrow slightly. "Why are you asking that? Even if I tell you, you wouldn’t know them anyway."

I fell silent for a moment, my heart pounding

. "U-uhm... I’m sorry for asking. I just thought you seemed close to your uncle, that’s all." I said awkwardly, trying not to let my voice tremble.

"I’m very close to my uncles and grandpa," he continued, his tone softening a little. "They always check on me and make sure I take my medicines so I’ll get better. Unlike my mom... they’re more attentive to how I’m doing." His voice dropped.

I wanted to ask more about his grandpa and uncles because I was curious but I stopped myself. He didn’t know that I am his mom.

"I see..." I whispered, forcing a small, awkward laugh that even I knew sounded strained. "Anyway, I brought you some lunch. I’m sorry I came a little late—I had to cook this myself. I hope you like it."

I carefully opened the container in front of him. He straightened a bit against the headrest, his face lighting up with curiosity.

"Really? You cooked for me? What is it?" he asked eagerly, leaning forward as I lifted the lid.

The aroma of shrimp sinigang filled the air. It was the twins’ favorite soup dish.

"Is that shrimp?" he asked, his expression changing almost instantly as he wrinkled his nose in disgust.

I blinked, a little surprised. "Y-yes... do you not like shrimp?"

He shook his head, a frown forming. "No, I don’t. It makes me feel itchy, and it makes my chest tighten."

"Oh..I-I’m sorry.." I murmured softly, guilt washing over me.

How could I have forgotten to ask Bern first about what foods Cairo wasn’t allowed to eat? I just assumed he would like the same food his sisters loved.

What kind of mother doesn’t even know her own son’s favorite food or what could make him sick?

Trying to hide the sting in my chest, I smiled faintly and said, "That’s okay. I can bring you something else tomorrow. You can tell me what you like, and I’ll make it for you."

His eyes flickered up to meet mine again, the disappointment fading just a bit. "Then... can you bring me chicken soup instead? That’s what Uncle usually cooks for me."

My heart clenched.

I forced another gentle smile, pushing down the ache building inside me. "Alright. Chicken soup it is."

His lips curved into a small smile again. "Then I’ll wait for you tomorrow."

I swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes. Tomorrow."