Chapter 15: Chapter 15

“Kamiah, I have approved your request for vacation leave. Please don’t forget to file it,” Sarah, the Front Office Manager, said.

“Thank you, ma’am!” Kamiah said happily.

Kamiah went home, excited to tell Acwell that her boss has approved her vacation leave. Now, they only need to save some more money so that they will have enough funds for their vacation and Kai’s birthday celebration.

“Hello, family!” Acwell said with a big smile.

“Hello, daddy!” Kamiah, holding a smiling baby Kai, said.

“How are you all?”

“We are both fine. Acwell, my vacation leave got approved by the Front Desk Manager.”

“Really? Mine, too.”

“Great! Then, we just need to save a little more so that we will have enough funds before we go for vacation.”

“Yes, that’s right! Which date does your leave start?”

“I forgot the exact date Sarah has written on the request for leave form, but I think it was a week before Kai’s birthday. What about yours?”

“It’s the same. I asked for my leave to start a few days before Kai’s birthday, so we have time to plan and prepare.”

“That’s right! Now, I have to tell my mom about this because she had been asking me if we are going home.”

“Tell her it’s confirmed. Even I have spoken to my mom before I arrived home and she is already excited to see Kai.”

“I think both grandmothers are excited.”

Acwell smiled. “Yeah! Is dinner ready? I am hungry.”

“Yes! Change your clothes I will prepare the table.”

Catrina was doing last-minute packing. She will take an early morning flight to Manila later. She is already excited to see and be with her baby. Her phone rang, and it’s her mom wanting to have a video call with her.

“Hi, mom! Hi Amira!” she said, waving her hands at them.

Amara smiled and said, “Mommy! Mommy!”

“Yes, it’s mommy! And mommy will go home to pick you up.”

“What time you will arrive at the airport?” Catrina’s mom asked.

“I will take Emirates flight and it will arrive at 04:15 PM. I still have to pass immigration and pick up my luggage. So, probably I will be out of the airport around 05:00 PM.”

“That is good, so you will here at home by dinnertime.”

“Yes! Are you going to pick me up with Amara?”

“I don’t think so because Amara might sleep by that time. It’s better for her to stay here and wait for you. Your brother will pick you up.”

“Alright!”

Amara started crying. “I think she is sleepy. We better go. See you tomorrow.”

“Bye, mom! Bye Amara! See you tomorrow. Love you!”

She was sad that Amara will not be there to meet her at the airport, but her mom is right. It is best for her to wait at home. It will tire her waiting at the airport.

Catrina was about to sleep when she remembered Acwell. She sends him a message informing him that she would travel by early morning.

“Acwell, my flight is at 03:10 AM later. I am going home to pick up Amara, then I will come back to bring her with me.”

“That is great! Travel safely then.” Acwell replied.

“Are you able to visit her when she arrives?”

“I am not sure, because I might be working. But I will try on her birthday.”

“Okay. Please come on her birthday.”

“I will do my best.”

“You still can’t promise. It’s sad that you can’t.”

Acwell did not reply. She sends him another message.

“Are you able to help me have enough funds for her birthday? I am not sure if my money is enough. I still have to pay for the babysitter.”

“I will send 1000 AED when you come back to Dubai.”

“Can you make it 2000 AED so I would have some extra in case of emergency?”

“Sorry, I can’t. I don’t make that much, Catrina. I also have other responsibilities and I want to save a little of what I am earning.”

“What are you talking about, other responsibilities, Acwell? You are an only son and your mother has your stepfather who can take care of her. What about your responsibility to Amara?”

“I am not doing my responsibility? As far as I remember, I have given you almost my entire savings, all for Amara. And you are still not saying that I am not giving for her?”

“It’s not enough Acwell! She is growing up. And you only have yourself to take care of. Why do you need to save?”

“I have a right on how I spend my money that I worked hard to earn. End of discussion, Catrina. I am not in the mood to be arguing with you.”

“But I don’t get it! Why do you have to be so selfish with Amara?”

“If I am selfish, I won’t give you even a dime, Catrina! You just can’t understand that I also have a life for myself.”

“I don’t understand what is more important than your daughter. How can you put yourself first over her?”

“I am not putting myself first. I think I have shared that sacrifice for her already. What I want you to understand is that it can’t be all about her.”

“Why? Because you have another woman!”

“And so what if I do? I also have that right. We are not together so I have every right to be happy.”

“Why can’t Amara be enough to make you happy?”

“Let’s end this argument. Just send me a message when you arrive back in Dubai so I can send you the money.”

“Amara is your daughter, so she should be your priority, not your other woman.”

“She is one of my priorities, but it can’t be all about her. I will not restrict my happiness all because her mother said so. If that is what you want, find someone else to be her father.”

Catrina was furious that she called him. Acwell was also angry that he doesn’t want to talk and argue with her.

“What is wrong Acwell? Why are you so angry? Who was on the phone?” Kamiah asked when entered their bedroom and Acwell was about to throw his phone.

“Nothing, honey! Just people at work that are so stupid,” Acwell answered and switch off his phone.

“Did something happen at work?”

“It’s just complaints because the staff can’t do their job right.”

“But are they blaming you?”

“Somehow. But it will be fine, honey. Let’s not talk about it, it’s just pissing me off.”

“Okay.”

“Let’s talk about what we will do on Kai’s birthday.”

They spend an hour talking about their plan for Kai’s birthday before they went to sleep.