Lagi
08:37 pm
I know you won't see this but in case you look for me, I'll be working late at the office tonight. I miss you.
xx
I massaged the back of my neck as I tried to focus on the stack of papers in front of me. Nakakainis dahil ayaw makisama ng utak ko. I only had one case to work on, and yet it felt like an insurmountable task.
Alam ko naman bakit ako distracted. I had stopped accepting new cases five months ago, planning to take a break— a whole month-long trip with Damian after his exam and before his residency started.
The idea of it, of being free of responsibilities and spending uninterrupted time with him, had been the only thing keeping me going lately. Malapit na ako matapos sa kasong 'to eh, I just had to get through this final stretch.
A voice crackled through the intercom, pulling me from my thoughts. "Sigurado ka ba na dito ka lang, Attorney? Mauna na po ako," Mia asked.
"Yes, thank you. Ingat ka," I replied. The office felt so empty, mas ramdam ko na yung tahimik na walang aligaga sa paligid.
Minutes ticked by as I tried to refocus on my work, but the silence was suffocating. I decided na magpahinga muna saglit. I stood up from my desk, stretched my arms above my head, and walked out of my office.
Madilim na sa hallway, confirming that everyone had already left for the night. I made my way to the pantry, turned on the small light above the countertop para magtimpla ng kape.
Then I noticed something out of the corner of my eye— a silhouette slumped on the couch. My heart skipped a beat. I hadn't expected anyone to still be here this late. Malapit na mag-alas dose eh.
The figure had their head thrown back, a book covering their face. Definitely not a lawyer, judging by the casual clothes. Baka paralegal or an intern? But why would they stay so late?
I took a cautious step closer, squinting to make out the title of the book. It was too dark to see clearly, but as I got nearer, nakita ko na hindi siya libro na related sa law. It's a medical book.
My breath caught in my throat. Oh God.
Dahan-dahan ko nilapag coffee mug ko at lumapit sa couch, gently lifting the book away from the person's face. My heart swelled as I recognized Damian, sound asleep.
He looked so peaceful, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. A soft wave of relief and confusion washed over me. Bakit siya nandito? Hindi man lang niya ako sinabihan. He should be studying, eh?
I stood there for a moment, torn kung gigisingin ko ba or hayaan na lang matulog. But then he shifted slightly, and his eyes fluttered open, bleary and unfocused at first, until they settled on me.
"Hey.." I whispered, a small smile tugging at my lips.
"Hi," He mumbled, a sleepy grin spreading across his face despite how tired he sounded.
"Ano ginagawa mo here?" I asked softly, crouching down beside him. "You should've stayed home if nag-aaral ka."
He let out a quiet laugh and reached up, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me closer. His face nuzzled into my neck, his breath warm against my skin.
"I wanted to take a break from studying," His voice muffled against my shirt.
Hindi ko napigilang guluhin buhok niya, "You literally fell asleep reading a book," I pointed out.
