That day was long, but not long enough for Aira to make a decision she could truly accept.
A lot had happened afterward, but somehow, she managed to get through it all.
There were moments when she questioned her decision, yet her heart never wavered.
Time flies faster than we realize, and we rarely get the chance to relive a single moment twice.
If I were given the choice, I would choose that night again without a second thought... because it gave me the most precious gifts of my life. My children.
The city had embraced her and her children when everything else had fallen apart.
Over the years, she had built a life here, one that had nothing to do with the past she had left behind.
Or at least...
That was what she believed.
---
"Mom, I know you've already accepted everything... but you know how Dad will react, right?" Aira asked with a weary sigh.
"I know," Vivian replied gently over the phone. "But these days, he's been missing you too. He may never admit it, but I can see it in his actions. I've lived with him for almost forty years, Aira."
"I know, Mom. I trust your judgment, but... I don't think it's the right time to bring the kids back."
"If not now, then when?" her mother asked softly. "It's been almost five years since I last saw you. I'm your mother, yet I don't know how you've been... or whether you're even safe. Come back, Aira. We all miss you."
Aira closed her eyes.
"Mom... let me think about it. It's not just about me anymore. My children come first."
She paused before continuing.
"The last time I visited, they were too young to remember anything. But now they're old enough to notice everything around them. I don't want the past to affect them."
Her voice grew quieter.
"You're a mother too. You know why I have to put my children first."
"Please... don't pressure me. I promise I'll think about it."
She didn't want to hurt her mother, but she couldn't risk putting her children through something they didn't deserve.
"Well... you promised," Vivian said with a reluctant smile. "Don't forget."
"I won't. I have to drive now. I'll call you later."
After ending the call, silence filled the car.
It's been almost five years since I left that city... and my children have grown up far away from it.
I can't let the past come back and destroy the life we've built.
A loud chorus of car horns pulled her back to reality.
The line of vehicles behind her had already begun moving.
As she drove, memories she had buried years ago slowly resurfaced.
The day she had brought her newborn twins home...
And the last time she ever returned.
She had never expected her parents to react calmly after learning about her pregnancy. In fact, she had chosen to keep it from them until it was far too late.
The argument that followed had driven a painful wedge between them.
For years, it had been just the three of them.
Her children had only ever known her...
And she had only ever needed them.
Fortunately, time had softened even the deepest wounds.
Little by little, the tension between the family had faded.
Her parents had begun reaching out more often.
Perhaps because they finally realized how much they missed their only daughter.
---
She had chosen to leave Ian behind.
To never look back.
That was the day she finally understood...
He could never give her the life she wanted.
So she walked away from it all... to begin again.
These five years had changed her completely.
The carefree young woman she once was had become a responsible mother raising twins on her own.
Her car rolled to a stop outside the kindergarten.
"Mamma!"
A cheerful little voice instantly made her smile.
Nova came running toward the car as soon as she lowered the window.
Behind him, Nyra walked much more slowly, struggling with her oversized school bag.
Aira immediately stepped out of the car and took both of their bags.
Seeing them always made the exhaustion of the day disappear.
They were her entire world.
But fate had never been kind to her little family.
Nyra had suffered from unexplained health problems ever since she was born.
Because the twins had arrived prematurely, Aira had spent years blaming herself for every illness her daughter endured.
Nyra frequently struggled with breathing difficulties and mysterious rashes that no doctor could fully explain.
Over time, they discovered that keeping her away from artificial fragrances greatly reduced the symptoms.
Aira carefully avoided scented products whenever possible.
Still, she couldn't shield her daughter forever.
School meant interacting with other children, and sooner or later, unavoidable situations triggered her allergies.
Some classmates teased Nyra for wearing a mask every day.
Others stared whenever she wore earmuffs, even during the middle of summer.
Unfortunately, the earmuffs weren't simply for comfort.
Loud sounds, especially the ringing of the school bell, caused sharp pain in her ears and occasionally triggered panic attacks.
Watching her little girl endure so much at such a young age while never once complaining shattered Aira's heart countless times.
Yet all she could do was stay by her side and hope tomorrow would be kinder.
"Nyra, Nova... how was your day, babies?" Aira asked with a smile as she glanced at them through the rearview mirror.
Usually quiet around strangers, Nyra became surprisingly talkative around the people she trusted.
Her small circle consisted of only four people.
Her mother.
Her endlessly annoying twin brother.
Her best friend, who had stubbornly refused to give up until Nyra finally accepted his friendship.
And...
"Uncle Ben!" Nova shouted excitedly as the car stopped outside a café.
"Were you waiting for us?"
Ben laughed.
"Of course, champ. Somehow your school timing always matches my schedule. Don't ask me how."
He easily lifted Nova into his arms.
"And where's my princess?"
"There she is." He smiled warmly at Nyra through the open window.
"How was your day, my little queen?"
Nyra lowered her mask and folded her arms.
"Uncle Ben, if I'm the queen, then why are you carrying him? Aren't you giving him the throne instead?"
Ben dramatically placed a hand over his heart.
"My deepest apologies, my lady."
He carefully set Nova down before bowing playfully.
"My lord, would you be so kind as to wait for us inside?"
"Yes, sure!" Nova replied proudly.
Then he turned toward his sister with a grin.
"I'm not petty."
He sprinted into the café before anyone could stop him.
Ben chuckled before picking up Nyra along with both school bags.
"Thanks, Ben... and sorry for leaving them here again," Aira said apologetically. "You know about Nyra's condition. I can't leave her at daycare."
"Aye, come on," Ben replied with a smile. "They're my little buddies. Besides, as your business partner, the least I can do is help."
He shrugged.
"You know I hate sitting through business meetings anyway. I'd much rather spend my afternoon with these two than stare at spreadsheets."
Aira laughed.
"Then they're all yours for today."
"Gladly."
She smiled gratefully before driving away.
As the café disappeared in her rearview mirror, old memories quietly resurfaced.
Back then, when Ben had first realized she was pregnant, he had never asked a single question.
Instead, he simply started bringing healthier meals whenever he visited.
He had waited patiently until she found the courage to tell him herself.
Maybe he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.
Or maybe he understood that some people needed kindness more than curiosity.
Without expecting anything in return, he had stayed beside her through one of the darkest chapters of her life.
Just like a true friend.