Scented Claudia

Three days had passed.

Still no text.

No call.

No Raphael.

I missed him terribly, even though i tried to act normal.

Work was the same blur of meetings and reports.

But every time i was alone, I felt the ache.

I caught myself sighing too often, pinching the bridge of my nose to stop tears from gathering.

Four more days, I reminded myself. 

Four more days and he'll be home.

But even that felt too long.

I leaned back in my chair, trying to focus on the papers in front of me. Budget approvals. Supply chain updates. Nothing stuck in my head.

I squeezed my eyes shut and muttered to myself:

"Claudia, come on. Get it together."

A knock at the door snapped me out of it.

Vanessa peeked in, holding a folder.

"Ma'am? These need your signature."

"Yeah. Come in."

She walked over, looking slightly worried.

"You okay?" she asked quietly as she set the papers down.

I forced a small smile. "I'm fine. Just tired."

She nodded, accepting the lie politely.

After signing everything, I stayed at my desk a little longer than i needed to.

The office was too quiet.

I rested my head on my arms, letting out a shaky exhale.

I hate this.

Finally, I packed up for the day. I didn't want to be there anymore.

-

On the drive home, I tried to distract myself with music, but every song made me think of him.

So i turned it off.

By the time i got to my parents' house, the sun was setting.

When i walked in, Mom was in the kitchen.

She turned, surprised.

"Anak, you're here."

I set my bag down and tried to smile. "Yeah. I didn't want to stay at the condo alone tonight."

She wiped her hands on a towel and came over, giving me a hug.

"You miss him," she said softly.

I sighed, my shoulders sagging.

"Yeah. A lot."

Dinner was quiet.

Dad tried to make conversation about work.

Samuel cracked jokes to lighten the mood.

I appreciated it.

Even if i didn't say much.

At least i wasn't crying in my room.

Later, lying in my old bed, I stared at the ceiling.

The room felt too big.

I scrolled through my phone, looking at old photos of Raphael and me.

Us at the beach.

At dinner.

Just sitting on the couch, leaning against each other.

I missed all of it.

I missed him.

I must have dozed off at some point because i woke up with my phone still in my hand.

I blinked blearily, realizing the sun was up.

Groaning, I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

Three more days, I thought. Just three more.

When i went downstairs, Dad was at the table with coffee.

"Morning," he said, studying me.

"Morning," I mumbled back.

He slid a cup over to me.

"Drink. You'll feel better."

I managed a small smile and took it.

Samuel wandered in a few minutes later, eyeing me warily.

"You okay?"

I glared at him. "Don't start."

He held up his hands in surrender. "Just asking."

Mom sat beside me.

"Claudia, you know he'll be back soon. You can stay here as long as you want. No one's kicking you out."

I nodded, eyes stinging.

"Thanks, Ma."

She squeezed my shoulder gently.

I spent the day helping her cook and watching TV with Dad.

Samuel came and went, tossing snarky comments that weirdly helped.

It was ordinary.

Comforting in its own way.

But every so often, I'd catch myself staring at my phone, hoping for a message.

Hoping he'd somehow find a signal and let me know he was okay.

That night, back in bed, I lay awake for a while.

Listening to the house settling.

Hearing Dad's low voice from the living room.

It wasn't my condo.

It wasn't Raphael's arms.

But at least i wasn't alone.

Tomorrow will be better, I told myself, pulling the blanket tighter.

It has to be.

-

I woke slowly, blinking against the pale morning light slipping through the curtains.

For a moment i forgot where i was.

My old room.

The pale walls.

The bookshelf i never emptied.

It was quiet.

I turned over with a heavy sigh and buried my face in the pillow.

Two more days, I reminded myself, trying not to think too hard about it.

I closed my eyes again.

But then i felt it—

A shift in the mattress.

Warmth behind me.

Arms, strong and familiar, easing around my waist.

I froze.

My heart lurched.

"Raphael?"

His low voice rumbled close to my ear.

"Good morning."

I went completely still, not daring to breathe.

Was i dreaming again?

I squeezed my eyes shut tight. "Stop. Don't do this. I'm not falling for it."

He let out a small laugh and I felt it in his chest, solid against my back.

"Claudia. Look at me."

I didn't move.

His hand slid up gently, brushing my hair back from my face.

"Please," he murmured. "I came home."

I slowly opened my eyes.

My breath caught.

He was right there.

Messy hair. Tired eyes.

A hint of stubble on his jaw.

Real.

Warm.

"Raphael?" My voice cracked.

He nodded once, the corner of his mouth pulling into a soft, relieved smile.

"Yeah. I'm here."

My chest tightened painfully.

I turned and buried myself in his arms, pressing my face against his shirt.

He held me like he'd never let go.

I felt him exhale shakily, his hand stroking my hair.

"I couldn't stand being away," he said quietly.

"Mom called. She was worried. Said you weren't sleeping. That you wouldn't stop waiting for me."

I didn't answer at first.

My throat burned too much.

Eventually i managed a hoarse whisper.

"I missed you."

His arms tightened.

"I know," he said. "I missed you too."

We lay there in the quiet.

No rush.

No more words.

Just breathing each other in.

After a while, he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Can i take you home?" he asked.

I nodded against him, closing my eyes.

"Okay."

Because home, for me, had always been right here.