12

"Please proceed to the Admin office ASAP." Aina read from her phone as she neared her apartment complex. At the door, Manuel, the guard and doorman, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Aina. "Good afternoon, Doc." Manuel said as soon as Aina walked through the doors.

"Good afternoon. What's going on?" Aina asked as Manuel lead her toward elevators nearby.

"Your Yaya..." Manuel began as he pressed the button on the service panel. But, as he was about to continue, a group of young people joined them. Aina just looked at Manuel.

Good thing, the Administration office was just at the first basement of the building. Everyone in Aina's elevator got out on the same floor. But the young people were noisily chatting away so Aina and Manuel could not really hear each other.

As they neared the office, Aina immediately saw Sarge sitting on the sofa by the glass doors. A young girl in scrub suit moved away with what looked like a first aid kit and Sarge put up his hand to touch the side of his face.

"What happened?" Aina immediately went to Sarge and looked him over. He had a plaster on the side of his cheek and the side of his head was red. Visible red marks were also on his arms and neck. Sarge looked toward the counter in front of them. Aina looked back and saw Yaya Dang covering her face with her hands.

"Yaya?" Aina said, standing up and moving toward Yaya Dang. "Didn't I text you my new door code?"

"I'm so sorry. So so sorry." Yaya Dang sobbed.

"Sorry for what?" Aina looked around the office lobby.

"...she saw Doc Sarge at your door and thought he was breaking in so she assaulted him." Maxwell explained. He invited Aina to view the CCTV footage in the control room.

On the video, Sarge was keying in the Aina's door code when something hit him on the face. When he glanced toward the assailant, Yaya Dang appeared, jumping on Sarge and putting her hands around his neck. Startled, Sarge turned and managed to get Yaya Dang off him. They wrestled on the floor, with Yaya Dang trying to scratch Sarge. Maxwell caught everything on camera and was able to send someone to break the scuffle. Doc Sarge and Yaya Dang were both able to explain both their sides once they got to the office.

"...I'll cook your favorite, what would you like to eat?" Yaya Dang said as she, Aina, and Sarge picked up the groceries that Yaya Dang brought from the hallway between Aina and Sarge's apartments.

"It's really okay. Just cook Aina's favorites..." Sarge chuckled, amused at how Yaya Dang suddenly turned very nice.

"I feel very bad. So sorry again." Yaya Dang repeated as they entered Aina's apartment.

Sarge just nodded and signalled to Aina that he was leaving first to change. Aina nodded and closed the door behind Sarge.

"Why didn't you tell me he was your boyfriend?" Yaya Dang asked when Aina returned to the kitchen.

"I was planning on introducing him to Mom and Dad soon. Things have just been busy at the hospital..." Aina explained. "...those were some serious moves back there...good thing Sarge didn't fight back..."

"...on TV...yeah, the girl, she jumped on the bad guy when he tried to get into her door..."

"...you've been watching your KDrama series' again? Which one are you watching now?"

They talked while Yaya Dang began preparing food. Aina went about her own activities while chatting. An hour later, Sarge joined them and they shared a meal together.

"Text Aina when you're coming back and I'll cook for you. I make the best French onion soup." Sarge said.

"Oh yes! And that Asian chicken salad, too, Babe! You should let Yaya try your baked spaghetti!" Aina gushed.

"Her Mommy and I have been trying to teach her how to cook for years..." Yaya Dang shared.

"At least I can now light the stove and boil an egg now." Aina said.

Sarge chuckled. Ever since Aina prepared their dinners, he just kept quiet about her take out food choices. "You made some, what was that? Stir-fried vegetables..."

"Oh. You're cooking now?" Yaya Dang turned to Aina.

"...does heating stuff in the microwave count?"

---

"We heard Yaya Dang caught someone trying to break-in to your apartment? Better change your door code right away and text it to us. I already spoke with your building's security. They promised to look more into the incident. Anyway, if you don't feel safe, you can always come home." Mommy Minerva called Aina.

"I'm okay mom. Nothing to worry about."

"Good. By the way, I met someone whose son also works at the hospital. I thought maybe you'd like to meet him."

"Mom?!"

"What? It's been months since what's his face broke up with you...you should start dating again."

"I am"

"You said that the last time, too. Anyway, I'll tell my friend that you're okay with meeting her son. You guys can meet at the hospital cafe so it wouldn't be too formal, okay? Anyway, goodnight. Love you."

"...love you...goodnight..." Aina replied. She was too tired to fight back.

---

"Who was that?" Sarge asked when Aina came to bed.

"My mom. She wants me to meet her friend's son."

"Hmm...so, she's still on the list of those we haven't informed yet about us..."

"Babe, it's only been a month. We've both been very busy at work, too. Even Naomi doesn't know yet...I think..."

"Hmmm...true...so, when do you plan to tell them?"

"I haven't been able to have lunch with my parents for a while. I was thinking that maybe next Sunday, we could go to church and lunch together with them..."

"...sounds like a plan..." Sarge replied, nuzzling his face into Aina's hair as he drifted off to sleep.