Ang opisina ay abala sa karaniwang galaw habang ang aking atensyon ay nakatuon sa tambak ng mga sketch at notes na nakakalat sa mesa ko. The preliminary designs for the private resort needed to be perfect. My pencil flew over the paper as I fine-tuned the angles of the villas and made last-minute adjustments to the pool's positioning. Paminsan-minsan akong tumingin pataas upang matiyak na parehong naiintindihan nina Troy at Jamie ang mga inilalatag kong detalye para sa renderings. Magiging mahaba ang araw na ito.

Sa gitna ng pagpapaliwanag ng isang partikular na layout, may isang galaw sa may pintuan na nakakuha ng aking pansin. Dumating si CL, hawak ang apat na malaking kahon ng S&R pizza. I instinctively met his gaze for a split second before looking away, pretending to be absorbed in my notes. I could feel his presence, the way he moved with an effortless calm that had always intrigued me, but today I kept my eyes down, avoiding him like he was just another visitor.

The sound of laughter and chatter filled the space as Jaron's voice rang out. "Hey everyone! CL brought pizza, tara kuha na kayo at kumain tayo!" Chairs scraped against the floor as the team surged forward, their excitement palpable. But I stayed where I was, keeping my head bent low and my pen moving, as if the urgency of my task could shield me from everything else.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas, at muntik na akong mapatalon nang mapansin kong may anino na bumagsak sa aking mesa. Tumingala ako at nakita si CL na nakatayo doon, may hawak na plato ng pizza at inumin. His eyes were searching, puzzled. He held out the plate, and I took it reluctantly, forcing a polite nod. "Thanks," I mumbled, returning to my papers with a pointed determination.

Hindi siya gumalaw. Sa halip, humila siya ng upuan sa tabi ko at umupo, nakatitig sa akin. "Shan, okay ka lang ba?" tanong niya nang mahinahon. "Did I do something to upset you? You've been... different."

Tumingala ako sa kanya, humigpit ang lalamunan ko. Ang kanyang ekspresyon ay bukas, tapat. Pinag-igting nito ang buhol sa aking dibdib, at wala akong ibang nais kundi ang kalasin ito, magkunwari na lahat ay maayos. But the memory of his phone call a week ago, the way he said I love you with that effortless ease, flashed through my mind.

I swallowed, trying to muster my voice. "No, CL, I'm fine. Busy lang talaga," I replied, my tone clipped, eyes darting back to the safe familiarity of my sketches.

He stayed silent for a moment, the air thick with unspoken questions. Finally, he leaned in a little, dropping his voice. "You know, if there's something bothering you, you can tell me."

The sincerity in his voice almost broke my resolve, but I forced myself to smile briefly, a practiced gesture that didn't reach my eyes. "I appreciate that, but really, I'm fine," I said, dismissively, before shifting my focus back to the plans spread out before me.

CL exhaled, a soft sigh that spoke volumes. After a moment, he stood up, but the weight of his concern lingered as he walked away. As I watched him retreat, a pang of guilt mingled with the familiar ache in my chest. I hated how easily I could shut him out, how much simpler it was to push people away than to risk the inevitable disappointment.

As CL exited the office, I felt a pulse of determination pushing me forward. I stood from my desk, the adrenaline mixing with a lingering embarrassment, and followed him outside. Ang malamig na hangin ay humaplos sa aking balat no'ng inabutan ko siya, pinigilan siya bago pa man siya makarating sa sarili niyang sasakyan.

"CL," sabi ko, bahagyang nanginginig ang boses ko. He turned, his brow furrowing with concern as he looked at me.

"Hey, Shan, what's going on?" he asked softly, his eyes scanning my face for answers.

Humugot ako nang malalim na hininga. "I need to apologize. For the way I've been acting... for being distant and cold," I admitted, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I thought I was handling it, but it's obvious I wasn't."

He blinked, surprised. "Shan, you don't have to apologize. Pero hindi ko maintindihan—ano ba ang nangyari?"

Isang bahagyang lamig ang tumagos sa akin, pero pinilit kong magpatuloy. "Akala ko single ka, at akala ko... something was happening between us," sabi ko, namumula ang pisngi ko habang lumalabas ang pag-amin ko mula sa bibig ko. "But then I saw you take that call last week, and I heard you say 'Love' and 'I love you,' and I just assumed—"

"Wait," CL interrupted, eyes widening as realization dawned on him. "Akala mo may girlfriend ako?"

Tumango ako, humigpit ang aking lalamunan. "In-assume ko na agad, sorry. It was wrong of me to jump to conclusions."

Sa isang sandali, tanging ang tunog ng trapiko sa malayo ang naririnig. Pagkatapos, sa aking gulat, tumawa si CL—isang mainit, tunay na tawa na nagpaluwag sa tensyon.

"I can't believe this," he said, shaking his head with a soft smile. "You thought I had a girlfriend because of that call?" He sighed, the relief clear in his voice. "Shan, 'Love' is my younger sister's name. Tumawag siya no'n para sabihin sa 'kin na pauwi na siya. Nagbakasyon kasi siya sa Japan, and I was supposed to pick her up from the airport the next day. And... I said I love her because she's my sister."

I stared at him, stunned as the pieces clicked together. The embarrassment I'd been holding onto melted into a mix of relief and disbelief. "Your sister?" I whispered.

He nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Yes, my sister. Akala ko talaga may nagawa akong hindi mo nagustuhan para iwasan mo ako, at hindi ko malaman kung ano 'yon."

Isang mabagal, nahihiyang ngiti ang sumulpot sa aking mukha. Ang tensyon na matagal nang nakabalot sa akin ay sa wakas ay naalis. "Sorry talaga, nag-assume agad ako. I just... I didn't know."

Lumapit siya nang kaunti, ang kanyang ekspresyon ay lumambot. "I'm glad you told me. I was worried something serious had happened."

I laughed lightly, the sound tinged with newfound ease. "Well, I guess we cleared that up."

He nodded, his gaze holding mine with a warmth that sent a reassuring flutter through me. "Yeah, we did."

At sa unang pagkakataon sa loob ng ilang araw, naramdaman kong nawala ang bigat sa aking dibdib habang ang ngiti namin sa isa't isa ay nanatili sa pagitan namin.

The hesitation in my voice surprised even me. "Are you really leaving?" I asked, glancing at CL with a hint of vulnerability I couldn't quite hide.

He paused, reading my expression with a softness that caught me off guard. "I can stay if you want," sagot niya. "Actually, pumunta ako dito para makita ka. Akala ko ayaw mo akong makita, so I was ready to go."

I swallowed, feeling warmth creep up my neck. "Could you... maybe stay until I'm done? I should be finished by 5 PM."

Isang ngiti ang sumilay sa mukha ni CL, at tumango siya nang walang pag-aalinlangan. "Siyempre. Free naman ako buong araw, at ang susunod kong shift ay bukas pa ng hapon."

As we headed back inside, I could feel the curious eyes of my colleagues on us. Their surprised expressions turned to knowing smiles when CL walked past them and sat at my desk like he belonged there. I caught Troy's raised eyebrows and Jamie's amused grin as I made my way to Architect Jaron's office for a quick consultation.

Mula sa bahagyang nakabukas na pinto ni Jaron, nakita kong nakatitig si CL sa akin nang matindi. Sinundan ng mga mata ni Architect Jaron ang mga mata ko, at ngumiti siya nang may pang-aasar, binuksan ang pinto nang mas maluwang. "So, CL," he called out, catching everyone's attention. "You're here for Shan, aren't you?"

CL laughed lightly, a sound that made something in my chest tighten. "Yeah, I'm here for Shan. Just waiting for her to finish work."

A ripple of surprised murmurs spread through the room, followed by playful remarks. Troy joked, "Man, there goes my shot," while others chuckled and exchanged glances. The atmosphere felt suddenly warmer, buzzing with a kind of energy that was new but welcome.

Back in Jaron's office, he turned to me, raising an eyebrow. "You know, Shan, he's a good choice. CL's a good man."

Napangiti ako, naantig sa sinseridad ng kanyang boses. "I know he is."

Nagbago nang bahagya ang tono niya, may pang-aasar na kislap sa kanyang mga mata habang idinagdag niya, "Just don't break his heart, or I might have to fire you."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Nagbibiro lang ako, siyempre," patuloy niya, kahit na ang boses niya ay lumambot, naging seryoso. "Marami nang pinagdaanan si CL. He's like a brother to me. I can't watch him go through that again."

The weight of his words settled over me, a mix of intrigue and guilt pulling at my mind. But I simply nodded. "I promise, Jaron."

Satisfied, he smiled, patting my shoulder before I walked out. From across the room, CL caught my eye again, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.

When the clock finally struck 5 PM, a wave of relief and anticipation washed over me. I gathered my things and met CL by the front entrance. We made our way to his car, and I hesitated for a moment, glancing at my own car parked a few spaces away. Before I could voice my thoughts, CL spoke up with a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry about your car," sabi niya. "Puwede ako bukas ng umaga. Susunduin kita sa condo mo at ihahatid kita dito."

I found myself nodding, a small smile forming as I accepted his offer. Before I could take another step, CL moved ahead and opened the passenger door for me. My heart fluttered, a simple gesture that felt like it held more meaning than I was ready to admit. I slid into the seat, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the late afternoon sun.

We drove to SM Mall of Asia, the city lights flickering on as dusk settled around us. Ang tabing-dagat ay buhay na buhay sa ingay ng mga tao, ang tawanan ay humahalo sa ritmo ng pag-alon ng tubig.

Pumili kami ng puwesto malapit sa dagat, bitbit ang mga platong puno ng pagkain, at naupo sa isang usapan na dumaloy nang madali. Ang hangin ay nagdala ng maalat na lasa ng dagat, na humahalo sa tunog ng aming tawanan.

It was a cliché, I knew it. The city skyline glittering behind us, the soft glow of the moon reflecting on the water as we talked about everything and nothing. But somehow, this time, it felt different. Comfortable, even. I found myself sharing the little details that made up who I was—the kind of details I hadn't talked about in years. My favorite color, white, as always, and childhood memories I hadn't thought about in ages.

And as I sat there, looking at CL's face illuminated by the soft, shifting lights, I realized I was taking a leap I hadn't planned for. I was telling my story all over again, letting someone new in. The thought was terrifying, but it felt right. Maybe this time, starting over wasn't just a risk—it was the beginning of something worth holding on to.