The Quiet Before the Storm
The hum of the office was barely audible, the low murmur of conversations and clinking keyboards filling the otherwise quiet space. Jhoanna sat at her desk, her gaze fixed on the documents before her. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the edges of the papers as her thoughts drifted, something she couldn’t afford to do during work hours. But today was different. The weight on her chest had nothing to do with the paperwork; it had everything to do with the new project she was leading, and more importantly, with the woman who had been assigned to work alongside her.
Her name was Aiah, a doctor renowned for her expertise and compassion. Jhoanna had first met her at a conference months ago, and she’d been captivated by her calm demeanor and sharp intellect. Aiah was someone who seemed to possess an aura of serenity, something that Jhoanna longed to be near but never dared to chase. Their professional relationship had blossomed quickly after that, their mutual respect for each other creating a seamless collaboration on several projects. But lately, Jhoanna had noticed a shift—an unspoken tension that seemed to simmer between them. A tension that Jhoanna couldn’t ignore, even if she wanted to.
She had tried to dismiss it at first, chalking it up to nothing more than the pressures of work. But the more she saw Aiah, the more her heart ached in ways she couldn’t explain. There was something about the way Aiah looked at her, something that made her feel seen in a way no one else ever had. The kindness in her gaze, the gentle smile she wore when their eyes met—it all felt like a promise, a subtle connection Jhoanna didn’t know how to handle.
Focus, Jhoanna, she told herself, snapping out of her thoughts and back into the present. But it was easier said than done. Aiah’s presence lingered in her mind even when she wasn’t around.
At that moment, the door to her office creaked open, and Jhoanna’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t need to look up to know who it was. Aiah had that way of entering a room without a sound, her soft steps always precise, never intrusive. Her presence was calm, but to Jhoanna, it always felt like a quiet storm.
"Good morning, Jhoanna," Aiah said, her voice as soothing as ever, carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken thoughts.
"Morning, Aiah," Jhoanna replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She didn’t trust herself to say anything else, so she let the silence stretch between them.
Aiah smiled, and Jhoanna could’ve sworn it held a hint of something more—something fragile and fleeting, like it was meant just for her. But before she could process the thought, Aiah cleared her throat.
"I’ve finished reviewing the final draft of the proposal," Aiah continued. "I wanted to go over a few points with you before we send it off."
"Sure, of course," Jhoanna said, trying to mask the flutter in her chest. She stood up, brushing her chair back as she gestured for Aiah to take a seat. "Let’s go through it."
They sat across from each other at the desk, the proposal open between them. Jhoanna’s mind was only half on the document, her attention divided between the words and Aiah’s proximity. It was hard to focus on anything else when Aiah’s presence seemed to fill the room. She could smell the faint scent of lavender, the same fragrance that lingered on her clothes after every shift at the hospital. It was comforting, but it also made her heart ache in ways she couldn’t explain.
Aiah pointed to a section in the proposal, and Jhoanna nodded, leaning in slightly to listen. Her breath caught when she realized how close they were, the soft rustle of paper only amplifying the stillness of the moment.
"Here," Aiah said, her voice low. "I think we need to adjust the timeline. We’re pushing it too much."
Jhoanna nodded again, her heart racing. She could feel Aiah’s warmth even though they weren’t touching. It was the smallest thing—a shift in the air—but it felt significant, like a crack in the dam that had been holding back emotions Jhoanna hadn’t allowed herself to acknowledge.
"Okay, I’ll make the changes," Jhoanna said, her voice hoarse. She quickly made a note on the document, avoiding Aiah’s gaze as much as possible. But when she glanced up, their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to slow. Aiah’s eyes were soft, the warmth in them unmistakable, and Jhoanna found herself lost in their depths. It was as if they were communicating without words, a silent understanding passing between them.
"Jhoanna," Aiah’s voice was barely above a whisper, yet it seemed to resonate deep within Jhoanna’s chest. "Can I ask you something?"
Jhoanna’s heart stuttered. She nodded, unsure of what to expect. Aiah’s gaze softened further, and for a fleeting moment, Jhoanna could see the vulnerability in her eyes.
"Do you ever feel… like you’re just waiting for something to happen? Like there’s this moment you can’t control, and no matter how hard you try, it comes anyway?"
Jhoanna blinked, thrown off by the question. She hadn’t expected something so personal. But Aiah’s honesty was disarming, and she found herself opening up in a way she hadn’t anticipated.
"I think… we all feel that way sometimes," Jhoanna said carefully. "Like we’re standing at the edge of something, waiting for the world to shift. But I guess we don’t always know what’s on the other side."
Aiah’s gaze dropped to the table, and for a moment, she looked lost in thought. Jhoanna wanted to say more, to comfort her, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, she just sat there, hoping Aiah would let her in, even just a little.
Before she could speak, a knock interrupted the moment.
"Jhoanna?" The voice belonged to Stacey, Jhoanna’s closest friend and colleague. "You still need help with that report? Or is Aiah keeping you busy?"
Jhoanna’s face flushed, the moment evaporating as quickly as it had come. She stood up, relieved for the distraction, and gestured toward the door.
"Come in, Stacey," she said, trying to compose herself. "We were just finishing up."
Stacey stepped into the room, a grin on her face as she glanced between the two women. "You two are working so hard, I thought I’d better check in before you get too caught up in all that paperwork." She paused for a moment before turning to Aiah. "You’re not wearing her down, are you?"
Aiah chuckled softly, the tension in the air dissipating slightly. "I’m trying not to."
Jhoanna couldn’t help but smile, even though the lightness of the conversation did little to ease the knot in her stomach. Stacey’s presence was a welcome distraction, but Jhoanna knew the conversation with Aiah wasn’t finished. There were things left unsaid, things she wasn’t sure she was ready to confront.
Stacey sat down across from them, opening her laptop. She didn’t seem to notice the undercurrent of tension that still lingered between Jhoanna and Aiah. Or maybe she did, but chose not to acknowledge it.
"So," Stacey said, clicking a few buttons on her laptop. "What’s the plan for tonight? Another one of those late-night brainstorming sessions?"
Jhoanna shook her head, trying to focus. "Not tonight. I’m heading out for a dinner with some clients. I’ll be out for a few hours."
Stacey raised an eyebrow. "And you, Aiah? Any exciting plans?"
Aiah hesitated, glancing at Jhoanna before answering. "I’m just finishing up a few things at the hospital. Nothing too exciting."
The conversation shifted, but Jhoanna couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted in her, too. Aiah had said something earlier, something that felt like it wasn’t just about the project. Something that felt too personal, too intimate.
She could feel the weight of it—the quiet storm brewing just beneath the surface.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur. Stacey continued to work through the details of the project, her fingers tapping away at the keyboard as she multitasked between emails and schedules. Aiah quietly observed, offering her thoughts when needed, but mostly staying in the background. Jhoanna couldn’t shake the feeling that something was just out of reach—something unspoken, lingering in the air like a storm waiting to break. Every time her eyes flickered to Aiah, she found herself lost, caught between her own growing feelings and the unvoiced tension that clung to them.
At last, as the office lights flickered, signaling the end of another long day, Jhoanna stood up, pushing her chair back with a sigh. The work had been intense, but her mind was elsewhere. She felt a twinge of relief that the day was over, though it wasn’t because of the workload—it was because she could finally step away from Aiah, if only for a moment. She needed distance, needed to breathe, but that was impossible when her thoughts kept returning to the doctor.
"I should get going," Jhoanna said, gathering her things, though the words didn’t feel quite right. She didn’t want to leave yet. The desire to stay, to linger, was undeniable. But the mix of confusion and longing swirling inside her made it impossible to stay longer than necessary.
Stacey looked up at her from her laptop. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice softer now, no longer distracted by her work.
Jhoanna paused, her fingers on the strap of her bag. "Yeah. Just tired, I guess."
Stacey didn’t buy it. Her keen eyes could always see right through her. "You sure? You’ve been acting a little... off. You can talk to me, you know."
Jhoanna forced a smile, shaking her head. "I’m fine, really."
But Stacey didn’t press. Instead, she stood up, gathering her own things. "Well, if you’re heading out, I’ll walk you to the car. It’s getting dark, and you never know what kind of trouble a woman like you can get into on her own."
Jhoanna laughed softly, her heart a little lighter, but the weight inside her chest didn’t budge. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep pretending everything was fine.
The three of them walked to the elevator, the silence between Jhoanna and Aiah filled with an unspoken understanding that neither woman could fully address. Jhoanna stole a glance at Aiah as the doors closed, catching her in the act of looking back. Their eyes met, and for a split second, everything felt suspended—like time itself was holding its breath. The elevator ride was short, but it was long enough for Jhoanna to feel that familiar ache in her chest grow louder, threatening to overtake her.
"Well, looks like I’m in for another night of paperwork," Stacey said, her voice light, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes as she glanced at Jhoanna.
Jhoanna nodded, her throat tight. "Thanks for walking me out."
Stacey gave her a quick smile before disappearing down the hall. The moment the doors to the elevator closed, Jhoanna let out a slow breath, trying to release the tension that had built up in her shoulders. But as she stepped into the parking garage, her thoughts drifted back to Aiah.
She reached her car and paused, her hand on the door handle. A sudden thought struck her—Why hasn’t Aiah said anything yet? They had been working together for months now, and there had been plenty of opportunities for their bond to deepen, but Aiah remained reserved, always keeping a careful distance. But what bothered Jhoanna most was the way Aiah looked at her sometimes—like she was waiting for something, or maybe, hoping for something, too.
Jhoanna closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the cool air. She didn’t know what she was waiting for either. It was frustrating, this uncertainty. Maybe I’m just imagining it, she thought, though deep down, she knew she wasn’t.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was a message from Maloi.
Staying late at the office tonight?
Jhoanna smiled despite herself and quickly typed a response.
Nope. I’m heading home. Need a break.
Maloi’s reply came almost immediately.
Good. I’ll see you tomorrow, then. We need to talk about some stuff.
Jhoanna wondered what that "stuff" was. Maloi was one of the few people who really understood the pressure Jhoanna was under. She had a way of cutting through the noise, getting straight to the heart of things. Maybe tonight, Jhoanna would finally be able to unload the weight of the day, the weight of her heart, on someone who could make sense of it.
She slipped her phone back into her pocket and climbed into the car, pulling out of the parking garage and into the quiet streets. The evening air was cool, and she rolled down the window slightly, letting the breeze wash over her. It was the perfect kind of night for a quiet drive, but even as she drove, her mind never truly left the office. Her thoughts were still tangled in Aiah and the way the woman made her feel.
Back at the office, Aiah watched Jhoanna leave, a knot in her stomach. She wasn’t sure why she was always so drawn to the other woman—why every word, every glance felt like something more than just professional courtesy. She had noticed it months ago, the way Jhoanna’s presence seemed to fill the room, her quiet confidence wrapping around Aiah in a way that was both comforting and disorienting. It was like a magnet pulling her in, but she had learned to resist the pull, to keep her distance, especially now.
Why can’t I stop thinking about her? Aiah asked herself as she tidied up the desk.
Her thoughts returned to Colet. She had been avoiding her calls all week. But deep down, Aiah knew it was more than just a convenient excuse. She had always cared for Colet, but her feelings for Jhoanna had started to shift in a way she wasn’t ready to confront. She had always prided herself on being professional, detached, able to separate personal and work life. But when it came to Jhoanna, everything seemed to blur.
She could still see the way Jhoanna’s eyes had softened when their gazes met earlier. The quiet intensity between them had made Aiah’s chest tighten in a way she hadn’t experienced in a long time. I can’t keep doing this, Aiah thought. I can’t keep pretending that everything is just... fine.
With a sigh, Aiah grabbed her coat and headed for the door. The office was quiet now, the only sound the soft click of her heels on the polished floors. She had one more thing to do tonight—one more thing to face.
Jhoanna’s phone buzzed again, pulling her from her thoughts as she drove. She checked it quickly, her heart skipping when she saw the name on the screen.
Colet.
She took a deep breath, hesitant to open the message.