Not Intentionally Cheating

Chapter 26 Ditching

Nayla checked Calista's body temperature using her palm. Then he put a thermometer to measure his daughter's body temperature.

"Thank God the heat has subsided" said Nayla, smiling with relief.

Calista's eyes slowly opened after feeling the touch of her mother's hand. Then he said,

"Mom.. water…."

"Before a while, Ca, Mama get some water to drink first," said Nayla as she hurriedly walked to get some water to drink to Calista.

With that quick step, Nayla returned to Calista's room with a glass of water.

"Ca, wake up, honey. It's a drink" said Nayla, gently rubbing Calista's hair.

Calista's eyes slowly opened. He tries to get up and Nayla helps him to lean on the head of his bed.

Nayla gives a straw to Calista's mouth to help him drink water in the glass he carries.

"Caca is better, Ma" Calista said, trying to smile at her mother.

Nayla smiled and gently rubbed her daughter's hair. Then he said,

"Thank God. Mama make porridge first yes, after that you take the medicine again."

"Ma, Caca is better now. Mama just go to work. Aren't you going abroad for seven days?" calista said in a limp and uninspired voice.

Nayla sat back in her seat. He smiled and gently rubbed Calista's cheeks as he said,

"Mama's not leaving. My mom doesn't work anymore."

Instantly Calista's eyes sparkled. He immediately sat up straight and smiled widely revealing his happiness.

"really? Why?" calista asked with a happy face.

"Mama apparently can not leave this favorite child Mama for a long time. Moreover, Mama's child is sick," answered Nayla while pinning Calista's nose.

Suddenly Calista's face was sad again. His smile faded and he said,

"So Caca was blocking Mama from leaving for work."

"No, that's not it, honey. My mother is no longer comfortable. She always wanted to be with Caca. Mama wants to spend time with Caca," Nayla said, smiling to calm Calista.

Calista's happiness is back. He was very happy with the presence of his mother who would accompany his day. But, instantly his face returned sad. He said,

"But Caca has to school Ma."

Nayla understands her son's feelings. She could not simply ignore her daughter's grief despite school being her top priority.

"Ca, what if today we all go for a walk. Caca is off for today. Let Mama ask permission from your homeroom teacher" Nayla said enthusiastically.

Nayla's enthusiasm made Calista infected. Instantly Calista felt her body was already strong and not limp anymore. With his joy he said,

"Can Ma? Caca wants to enjoy this day with Mama."

"Later if Caca is healthy, we go for a walk all day" said Nayla who intends to encourage her daughter.

Instantly Calista held both hands of her mother while smiling widely. His sparkling eyes seemed to radiate his happiness. Then he said,

"Caca is healed Ma. Caca is strong. Let's go for a walk all day."

Nayla scrunched her forehead hearing Calista's wish. Then he said,

"You sure Ca?"

"Very sure Ma. Come on Ma, we're ready now. All of us have breakfast outside" said Calista with great enthusiasm.

Nayla smiled looking at her daughter who looked very happy. Just this time he saw Calista as happy as it was just hearing if he would be taken for a walk with her.

Without a second thought, Nayla agreed to Calista's request. In his heart he said,

Mama's gonna keep that smile and that laugh, baby. You will do anything for your happiness. Mom promise.

After a while, Nayla and Calista were ready with their respective appearances.

Nayla was dressed casually along with Calista who wore matching color clothes with her mother. They look very compact and happy.

Nayla's appearance this time was very different from her usual. He looks younger than his age. Very beautiful and youthful, so no one would have thought if he already had a child the age of Calista.

"Where are we going now?" nayla asked Calista who was walking with her.

Calista seemed to be thinking. His eyes sparkled when he remembered something. Then he said,

"Emmm. Caca wants to ride some rides there."

Nayla looked at her daughter who looked very happy saying so. Now Nayla's guilt is growing. He nodded his head to approve his daughter's request.

"alright. Mama ordered a taxi first yes," said Nayla while fiddling with her phone.

"No need Ma. We better get on the bus. Let it be like we're recreation" Calista said with a big smile.

Nayla smiled and nodded her head. Suddenly she remembered her mother-in-law who was in the hospital.

"Ca, shouldn't we go see Grandma first? The operation's tomorrow, isn't it?" nayla asks Calista for her opinion.

"Mom want Grandma and Papa to scold Mama if you know Mama is no longer working and Caca ditching today?" Calista replied, intending to remind her mother.

Nayla shook her head at what Calista said. It is true that Calista was a child, but he was able to think more mature than his age because he had to understand the circumstances of his parents.

"Yes, we'll see Grandma later or tomorrow while she's in surgery" Nayla said, holding Calista's hand.

The two of them walked towards the bus stop that was around their residence. Not long after, the bus they were about to board arrived. Soon they boarded the bus and looked for a seat in the back.

Calista raved all the way. She told her mother a lot about all the friends at her new school. And of course he's back to remembering the unfairness of football club coaches at his school.

Nayla responded very wisely. He turns to be a friend to Calista. 

It turned out to be very easy to make Caca smile and get closer to me. Now I really feel if indeed he needs his parents to share his story and complain. Forgive Mama Darling, all this time Mama just obeyed your Papa's order to keep working and send you to school away from us, Nayla said in her heart and regretted everything.

After a while, the bus they were riding on had arrived in front of the amusement park they were about to visit.

With a carefree step Calista pulled her mama's hand as if she couldn't wait to get inside the place.

"Mama, Caca rides that, that, that and that" Calista said, pointing to several rides in front of him.

Nayla chuckled and nodded her head in approval to Calista's request.

It has been a few hours they spent there to ride almost all the rides of the game there.

Suddenly a phone ringing from Nayla's phone. Without seeing the name of the caller on the screen, Nayla immediately put the phone in her ear and answered the call.

"Hello" Nayla said to start a conversation on the phone.

Nayla, Caca's school contacted me and told me that Caca didn't come in today without notice. Where is he now? Why isn't he home? Is he ditching? beu asked repeatedly without giving Nayla a chance to answer him.