My Only Secret

THE HEART SAYS WHAT THE MOUTH CAN'T

Raven felt his muscles protest as he leaned back in the chair, his exhaustion evident in his heavy sigh. He had been working tirelessly as an emergency room nurse, barely getting a moment to catch his breath.

He took a moment to stretch his limbs, trying to loosen the tension that had built up over hours of being on his feet.

Tinapunan niya ng tingin ang orasan at nakitang lagpas na siya sa oras ng shift niya na dapat hanggang alas onse lang ng gabi. Malapit ng mag-alauna sa orasan.

"Alcazaren, gusto ko ng umuwi. Fuck! Nakakapanghina naman 'tong pagiging ER nurse." Reklamo ng isa niyang kasama sa trabaho na kakaupo lang din sa tabi niya.

"Same, I miss my bed so bad." Sang-ayon ni Raven. "Overtime na nga ako, eh."

"Magligpit ka na, halos isang oras na OT mo, oh. We'll take it from here."

Raven nodded at his coworker and walked towards the desk where their things are placed. He was in the process of packing up his backpack, making sure nothing will be left behind, and when he had just zipped up his bag, a coworker approached him.

"Alcazaren, may mga poging lalaki na naghahanap sa'yo! Gagi." Ani nito na pinipigilan pang tumili.

Lumapit na rin ang isa pang katrabaho niyang babae at sinundot siya sa tagiliran, "Hoy! 'Di ka nagsasabi marami ka palang kilalang gwapo! Shitty talaga! Pakilala mo naman kami, oh!"

Sumilip si Raven sa labas ng ER para tingnan kung sino ba ang tinutukoy ng mga ito. Namilog ang mga mata niya nang makita si Hunt na kasama si Dashwin, Kei, Axel, at Cameron sa labas.

Oh shit. He forgot to inform Hunt he suddenly had an overtime. Siguradong hindi nanaman mapakali 'yong lalaking 'yon.

"Alcazaren, shet talaga! Sino 'yang nasa gitna? Yung pinakamatangkad tas malaki katawan?" she asked, her finger pointing towards Hunt. A hint of interest filled her voice as she took in his tall stature and imposing presence.

A proud grin tugged at the corners of Raven's lips, "That's my husband," he answered, his voice laced with a hint of ownership and possessiveness.

Napasinghap ang dalawa niyang katrabaho ng wala sa oras, na kahit ang ibang kasama nila sa station ay napabaling sa direksyon nila.

"You're married?!" Tanong ng isa.

"And to him!?" The other one added, their eyes darting back to Hunt, who had a small frown in his forehead outside.

Raven chuckled softly, a hint of satisfaction in his expression. "Yeah, I'm married to that 6'4 monster," he replied, his voice tinged with affectionate teasing.

"Oh my gosh! Akala ko ba may boyfriend ka lang?! Why didn't you tell us na kasal ka?" Pangungusisa ng isa.

Raven shrugged, "It was you guys who assumed that I'm not married. Akala ko alam niyo, it's not like I'm hiding my wedding ring." He held up his left hand, showcasing the sparkling ring on his finger.

"Shocks! Pasensya na, akala talaga namin may boyfriend ka lang. 'Yan kasi yung kumalat na balita noon. Congrats nalang pala." Napakamot ang isa ng batok.

The other one also nodded in agreement. Nginitian niya nalang ang mga ito at nagpasalamat sa pagbati sa kanya kahit na matagal na siyang kasal.

Mag-iisang taon na actually.

Everyone in the ER department was well-aware that Raven was gay, though he made no secret of it when asked. Word had spread throughout the entire hospital, reaching even the other departments. Naging sikat kasi ang presensya niya noon lalo na't anak siya ng dating presidente.