"Hindi ka pa uuwi? Matagal pa 'ko dito, 'ga.."
"It's okay, I'll wait nalang. Para namang hindi pa ako nasanay na palagi kang nag o-overtime.." Theresia said as she sat on the chair across Leonor's desk.
"Are you sure? Hindi ka pa ba gutom?"
"Hintayin nalang kita. Let's have dinner after mo dito.."
"Sure, Ma'am Hontiveros.."
"Good," A smile formed on the younger woman's lips. "Should I help you with your work, Ma'am Gerona?"
Leonor sat in her office, gazing at the empty chair where Theresia used to sit everytime she visits her in her office. Her smile was tinged with sorrow as memories of their past flooded her mind, bittersweet and achingly real. The pain was a persistent companion, whispering the "if onlys" and "what could have beens" that refused to fade.
******
As Leonor lay down on her bed, exhaustion weighing heavy on her body, she felt a tender touch graze her hair. The caress was light and gentle, familiar in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply, allowing the sensation to wash over her.
"Come here.." Theresia said as she placed her girlfriend's head on her chest. "Napakasipag naman kasi ng Chairperson ng Filipino dept. Sinabihan na ngang bukas na ituloy ang trabaho eh.."
"Bawal magpahinga, pangga." Leonor closed her eyes as she felt Theresia's gentle caresses on her hair. "Maraming gagawin.."
"I know you have a lot of work to do but don't forget to rest kahit saglit lang. Hindi mo matatapos 'yan kapag pagod ka.." Theresia said, still caressing Leonor's hair. The older woman just buried her face on the younger woman's chest and hugged her tightly.
For a moment, it was as if Theresia was there again, comforting her after a long day. Leonor's eyes opened again, her vision was greeted by an empty space beside her. Before she could fully process her feelings, tears began to stream down her face.
******
Leonor paused in the doorway, her eyes falling on the figure sitting on the couch. The woman was reading, glasses perched on her nose, a book in her hands, and a 90s song playing in the background. Leonor's breath hitched at the sight.
"Good morning, pangga.." Theresia gave her a warm smile. "Nagising ka ba sa music ko? I'm sorry.."
"No, hindi naman." Leonor let out a chuckle before sitting beside Theresia. "It's just that.. paano ka nakakapagbasa habang nagpapatugtog ng music? Hindi ba nakakadistract?"
"No? Why? Hindi mo ba ginagawa 'yon?"
Leonor stood silently in the living room, the weight of reality sinking into her chest. The room was unusually quiet, the sound only filled by the steady beating of her heart. The realization hit her hard-she could never take back the time that had slipped through her fingers, nor could she bring back the love that she had lost.
******
Leonor slumped into her swivel chair, the weight of exhaustion and heartache heavy on her shoulders. She took a long, deep sigh, trying to calm her thoughts. The pain was unbearable, and Leonor was tired of living like this, trapped in a cycle of memories and longing.
It had been five years since their separation, and every day felt like an eternity. Leonor was still living as if frozen in time, struggling to move past the memories and pain that haunted her.
"Five years.." Leonor took a deep sigh. "Five years and still-"
Leonor's voice trailed off when her eyes fell upon the envelope, sitting innocently on her desk. She reached out to pick it up, her fingers trembling slightly. As she opened it, a mix of sorrow and bittersweet happiness washed over her.
Theresia's wedding invitation stared back at her-a painful reminder of the love she had once shared with her former lover. Leonor's heart ached knowing that she had found happiness with someone else, but beneath that pain was a flicker of joy for her former lover's happiness.
Time had dragged on, but her heart still yearned for what she'd lost.
_________________
- think of this chapter as part two of Ma'am Theresia and Ma'am Leonor / Theresia, Leonor hehe.
