sav and jessie
Sav and Jessie
i feel safe when i’m with you
"Doc?"
Nurse Sav peered curiously under the table, her eyebrows knitting together at the unexpected sight. There, crouched awkwardly, was none other than Dr. Jessie Robles, the surgery chief resident—looking every bit like someone caught doing something they weren’t supposed to.
"Nurse Sav..."Jessie greeted, flashing an embarrassed, lopsided smile. “Hi…”
Sav tilted her head, trying to make sense of the situation. "Um, lumilindol ba?”
Jessie let out a nervous laugh, scratching the back of her neck. “Ah, hindi, wala…,” she says, somewhat embarrassed as she scrambles to stand up.
“May atraso kasi ako kay boss. Ayoko muna siyang makasalubong.”
Before Sav could respond, Jessie’s eyes widened. She abruptly ducked back under the table. Sav turned her head, spotting Dr. Arceta walking briskly down the corridor, his perpetually stern expression more intense than usual. His eyes scanned the area looking for Jessie.
The sight made Sav stifle a laugh. Nakakatawa naman tong si Doc Jess, she thought.
“Doc?” Sav said, leaning under the table.
“Yeah?” Jessie replied, still smiling as if she’s not hiding under a table right now.
“Wala na, lumabas ka na diyan.”
Jessie, still under the table, whispered urgently, "Wala na? Safe na ba ako?"
Sav leaned under the table again, her arms crossed. “Wala na si boss. Pero hindi magiging safe sa dignidad mo kung may makakita pa sa’yo diyan.”
Jessie laughed softly, her face a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. She crawled out and stood up, brushing off imaginary dust from her white coat. “Pasensya na, nakakahiya naman. Thanks, Sav ha.”
Sav shook her head, smirking. "Halika, sundan mo ako."
Jessie blinked, confused. “Ha? Bakit?”
"Basta, sumama ka na lang."
Sav led Jessie down a hallway, past the nurse station and into a smaller, quieter wing of the hospital. They entered a room tucked away from the bustling main floor. Inside were a few lockers and three small beds.
Sav gestured around. “Ito quarters ng nurses dito sa floor. Ever since nag-implement ng eight-hour shifts, bihira na lang gamitin toh, so safe ka dito. Walang makakahanap sa’yo.”
Jessie looked around, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly. “Wow, parang secret hideout.”
She glanced at Sav, her sheepish smile returning. “Thanks ulit ha…pero, bakit mo ako tinutulungan?”
Sav crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Bakit, bawal ba?”
Jessie chuckled, recognizing Sav’s no-nonsense attitude. “Taray,” she mutters under her breath, although she was grateful for the help, “Hindi naman. Thank you ha.”
Sav’s lips twitched into a smile. “Basta doc, kung makita ka ni boss dito, wala akong kinalaman diyan ha.”
Jessie laughed, the tension easing from her body. “Oo na, salamat talaga, Sav.”
Sav just shook her head, amused at how even their ever-reliable chief resident had moments like this. It was kinda…
…cute?
*****
*****
“Oh my God!”
Sav spun around so fast she almost tripped over her own feet. Her heart raced as she realized what she’d just walked into—Doc Jessie, standing there in her underwear.
Behind her, Jessie’s voice came out in a flurry of apologies. “Sorry, sorry!” Sav could hear the sound of hurried shuffling as Jessie scrambled to put something on.
Sav’s cheeks burned. She squeezed her eyes shut as if it would erase the scene from her memory. “A-ano pong ginagawa niyo dito, Doc?” she stammered, her voice a pitch higher than usual.
Jessie, now sounding less panicked, replied hesitantly, “Um, sabi mo kasi pwede namang gamitin ‘to.”
Sav blinked. Oo nga pala, sinabi ko yun…
But still.
“Eh, bakit naman po kayo nakahubad…h-hindi naman sa may nakita ako! Wala akong nakita!” she blurted, words tumbling out of her mouth faster than she could think.
Her hands flew to her face, heat creeping up her neck. “Hindi sa ayokong makita... I mean…”
Ohmy god Sav, shut up, she muttered under her breath, mortified at her own rambling.
Jessie chuckled softly, the sound light and amused. “Galing kasi ako sa ER. May pasyente dun na nagka hacking injury. Medyo madugo kaya nadumi yung scrubs ko. Nagpalit lang ako dito.”
Sav, still turned away, nodded rapidly like a bobblehead. “Eh di ba may quarters naman kayo?” she shot back, trying to sound composed but failing miserably.
Jessie laughed again, this time more openly. There was something endearing about Sav’s awkwardness that she couldn’t help but enjoy. “Teka, hindi na ba ako welcome dito?” Jessie teased.
Sav rolled her eyes, willing herself to calm down. She finally turned around, intending to retort, but her words caught in her throat. “Hindi naman sa ganun—”
Jessie stood there in nothing but scrub pants and a sports bra, her toned arms crossed over her chest. The sight made Sav freeze mid-sentence.
Her voice trailed off as her eyes unwillingly roamed over Jessie’s physique. Tangina, saan nakahanap si doc ng oras para mag-gym?!
Jessie’s abs were well-defined, her arms looked strong enough to lift Sav with ease, and her whole presence radiated a confidence that made Sav’s mouth go dry.
Jessie tilted her head, clearly noticing the stunned expression on Sav’s face. “Nurse Sav? Okay ka lang?”
The sound of Jessie’s voice snapped Sav back to reality. Her eyes shot up to meet Jessie’s, and she swallowed hard, feeling like she’d just been caught red-handed.
“I-lock niyo po yung pinto next time!” she barked, her voice cracking slightly.
Before Jessie could respond, Sav spun on her heel and bolted out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her.
Once outside, she leaned against the wall, pressing her palms to her flushed cheeks. Lord, nakakahiya.
Her heart thudded in her chest as her mind replayed the scene over and over. No. She needed to focus on work—not on the fact that her brain refused to stop replaying Dr. Jessie Robles looking like a goddamn fitness model.
Sav resolved to avoid Jessie for the rest of her shift—if that was even possible.
*****
*****
Sav trudged down the hallway, her legs heavy and her eyes half-closed. “Ang toxic ng shift na yun ah, si Sam kasi nag pansit pa,” she muttered under her breath.
She was so tired that even the thought of commuting made her stomach churn.
“Baka makatulog na naman ako sa jeep…”
The quarters were her sanctuary tonight. She opened the door with a groggy hand and flipped on the light switch. The soft glow filled the room, casting shadows across the small beds and lockers. Sav preferred sleeping with the lights on—it was oddly comforting.
Without bothering to check her surroundings, she flopped onto one of the beds with a soft thud, burying her face into the pillow. Exhaustion wrapped around her like a warm blanket, and her eyes fluttered shut.
She was on the edge of sleep when a loud, rumbling snore shattered the silence.
Sav’s eyes snapped open, her grogginess momentarily forgotten. She slowly turned her head to the left, her heart racing.
And there, beside her was Jessie deep in sleep, her mouth slightly open, and—God help her—the snores were relentless.
Sav’s tired brain had the following thoughts in order:
1. Ano ba yan, parang tambutso kung humilik.
2. Bakit dito natutulog si Doc??
3. Ang haba ng pilik-mata niya, noh? Hindi fair.
She shook her head, trying to clear the absurdity. She should’ve just ignored Jessie and gone back to sleep, but her curiosity got the better of her. She leaned slightly closer, observing the way Jessie’s features softened in sleep. Her strong jawline contrasted with the peaceful look on her face.
Suddenly, Jessie stirred. Her eyes fluttered open lazily, locking onto Sav’s.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then—
"AAAHHHHH!"
Both of them screamed at the exact same time, the sound echoing in the tiny room.
Startled, Sav flailed and promptly fell off the bed with a loud thump. "Aray!” she yelped, clutching her side.
Jessie scrambled to sit up, her messy hair sticking out in all directions. "Sav? Sav, okay ka lang?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Sav shot up like a spring, her embarrassment overtaking her pain, “Anong ginagawa mo dito? Tinakot mo ako, Doc!"
Jessie raised an eyebrow, “Ako? Ikaw kaya ang tumakot sa akin! Sino ba naman kasing nanonood ng taong natutulog?"
Sav’s jaw dropped, "Hindi kita pinapanood! Huwag kang feeling, Doc!"
Jessie smirked, clearly unconvinced. She leaned forward, crossing her arms, "Eh bakit ka tumabi sa akin?"
Sav huffed, throwing her hands in the air, "Hindi ko nga alam na nandito ka! Akala ko walang tao! Ugh!"
Without waiting for Jessie’s response, Sav stomped toward the door, muttering curses under her breath. She swung the door open and stormed out, leaving Jessie sitting there, baffled.
"Anong problema niya?" she muttered to herself, still confused but faintly amused.
In the hallway, Sav marched toward the nurse’s station, her cheeks still burning from embarrassment. But even so, the memory of Jessie’s messy hair and sleepy face lingered in her mind longer than she cared to admit.
*****
*****
When Sav opened the door to the nurse’s quarters, she was not surprised to find Jessie sitting on one of the beds. It had become a common sight—Jessie treating the quarters like her own personal hideaway.
Sav leaned casually against the doorframe, crossing her arms. "Alam mo, sinusubukan ko talagang tandaan kung kailan yung huling beses na binuksan ko tong pinto tapos wala ka dito," she teased, smirking.
Jessie didn’t respond. She sat hunched over, her elbows on her knees, staring blankly at the floor.
Sav raised an eyebrow, not used to being ignored. "Ano, sira na naman ba yung aircon sa quarters niyo? Ah hindi, alam ko na, nagtatago ka ulit kay boss noh?" she tried again, her tone playful.
This time, Jessie let out a soft, humorless laugh and slowly turned her face toward Sav. There were tears glistening in her eyes, her smile faint and forced.
"Sorry," Jessie muttered, her voice cracking. "Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta eh..."
The teasing smile on Sav’s face immediately disappeared. Concern replaced it as she stepped inside and shut the door behind her.
"Hey…anong nangyari?" she asked, her voice low and soothing as she walked over to sit beside Jessie.
Jessie sniffled, trying to compose herself but failing. “I fucked up sa OR,” she admitted, her hands trembling slightly. “Galit na galit si boss. Shit, Sav, ang bobo ko.”
Her voice cracked as she clenched her fists, lifting one to smack herself lightly on the temple. “Bakit ba ang tanga tanga ko—“
Before she could hit herself again, Sav grabbed Jessie’s hand firmly, stopping her mid-motion.
"Uy, tama na," Sav said, her tone firm but kind. She held Jessie’s hand tightly, grounding her. Jessie refused to meet her gaze, her tears spilling over.
Sav shifted closer, her free hand moving to rub soothing circles on Jessie’s back. "Tao ka lang…nagkakamali rin minsan. Lahat naman tayo nagkakamali eh. That doesn’t make you a bad doctor."
Jessie let out a shaky breath, her walls slowly crumbling under Sav’s gentle reassurance.
Sav tilted her head, trying to catch Jessie’s eyes. "At hindi ka bobo," she continued, her tone firm now, “Don’t ever talk about yourself that way.”
Something in the way Sav spoke—so sure, so genuine—made Jessie pause. Her breathing slowed as if Sav’s words had wrapped around her like a safety net.
Finally, she lifted her gaze to meet Sav’s. Her eyes were puffy and red, her cheeks damp with tears.
"Okay?" Sav asked softly, her eyes searching Jessie’s for even a flicker of relief.
Jessie nodded slowly. "Okay," she whispered, her voice steadier this time.
A small smile tugged at Sav’s lips, satisfied. "Good," she murmured, reaching up to gently wipe the tear tracks from Jessie’s cheek.
Jessie watched her, unblinking, feeling something warm bloom in her chest. Sav’s touch was tender, her presence calming in a way Jessie hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Sav, meanwhile, became acutely aware of just how close they were. Her pulse quickened as she brushed a stray lock of hair from Jessie’s face, her fingers lingering for a moment too long. Their eyes locked, and suddenly the air in the room felt charged.
Ano toh? Sav thought, her heart hammering. Jessie’s gaze was soft but searching, like she was trying to make sense of whatever was happening between them.
Realizing she was still holding Jessie’s hand, Sav cleared her throat and quickly let go, pulling back slightly to put some space between them.
The sudden shift broke the moment, and Jessie blinked, startled. She fidgeted, her hands now clasped in her lap. "Um… puntahan ko na muna. yung pasyente ko," she stammered, her voice shaky.
Sav nodded, her throat too dry to respond verbally. “Mmhm,” her gaze fixed on the floor as she tried to calm the fluttering in her chest.
Jessie hesitated for a moment. "Thanks, Sav," she said softly.
Before Sav could respond, Jessie leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
The gesture was fleeting, but it sent shockwaves through Sav’s entire body. Her eyes widened as she turned to look at Jessie, her lips parted in surprise. Jessie looked equally stunned, as if she hadn’t planned to do it.
Neither of them spoke.
For a moment, they were frozen in place, staring at each other, wide-eyed. Then, as if snapping out of a trance, Jessie mumbled a quick, "Bye!" and bolted out the door.
Sav sat there, stunned, her cheek tingling where Jessie’s lips had been. Her heart raced, and her thoughts were a chaotic mess.
She let out a shaky breath. For all her teasing earlier, she hadn’t expected Jessie to leave her like this—flushed, flustered, and hopelessly distracted.
*****
*****
Sav was in the nurse’s station, her pen moving quickly across the endorsement sheet as she briefed Sam on their patients. “Ito si Mrs. Reyes, OR na niya bukas kaya may bowel prep siya mamayang alas dose. Wag mong kalimutang i-check ulit yung labs niya ha—”
“Huy,” Sam suddenly interrupted, nudging Sav and pointing towards the door.
Sav frowned, annoyed at the interruption. “Ano?” she asked, glancing up.
Sam’s smirk widened as she tilted her head toward the door. “Tingnan mo.”
Confused, Sav followed Sam’s gaze. Her heart fluttered slightly when she saw Jessie standing there by the door.
Since the incident in the quarters, things had been awkward between them—more so on Sav’s part. She’d been doing her best to avoid Jessie, hoping the memory of that kiss would fade. Yet here was Jessie, making that nearly impossible. Parang halik sa pisngi lang naman eh, bakit ka ba nababaliw dun Sav?
“Sav? Pwede muna kitang hiramin?” Jessie called out.
Sav blinked, glancing at Sam, who immediately raised her brows and grinned like she was witnessing the drama of the week.
“Ha?” Sav said, confused, her professionalism faltering.
Jessie gestured toward the hallway. Despite her reluctance, Sav sighed and followed her out.
The corridor was quieter, offering Jessie a little more privacy. Jessie glanced around before turning back to Sav, clearly gathering her courage.
“Ano po 'yun, doc?” Sav asked, slipping into a formal tone, hoping to create some distance.
Jessie winced at her formality. “Ang formal mo naman. Parang hindi tayo close…”
Sav didn’t bite. She merely raised an eyebrow, waiting.
Jessie shifted nervously. “Uh okay…gusto ko lang sana tanungin kung free ka ba mamaya?”
Sav stared at her, taken aback. “Ah, hindi eh,” she replied quickly, her voice almost too sharp.
Jessie blinked, surprised at the curt response but pressed on, “Bukas?”
“Hindi rin po.”
“Sa weekend kaya—”
Sav cut her off with an exasperated sigh, “Doc, ano 'toh? May kailangan ka ba? Diretsohin mo na ako.”
Jessie bit her lip, hesitating, but then leaned in slightly, as if revealing a secret, “Sav, I’m... I’m asking you out on a date.”
The words hit Sav like a punch to the gut. Her brain scrambled to process what she’d just heard.
“Bakit?” she blurted out, her voice louder than she intended.
Jessie frowned, confused, “Anong ibig mong sabihin ng bakit?”
Sav immediately panicked, words spilling out in a rushed ramble, “Dahil ba 'to dun sa nangyari last time? Naku, huwag mo nang alalahanin 'yun. Alam ko namang nadala ka lang sa emosyon. Saka, wala namang meaning 'yun, ‘di ba? Wala lang 'yun sa akin. Promise, gets ko, doc. Hindi ako nag-eexpect or anything—”
Jessie blinked rapidly, looking more confused with every word Sav said.
Sav waved a hand as if to brush the entire thing away, “Anyway, kung wala ka ng ibang kailangan, babalik na ako sa trabaho. Huwag mo nang isipin 'yung nangyari. Alam kong wala naman 'yun, so okay na tayo.”
She turned on her heel, ready to escape, but Jessie’s hand gently caught her wrist.
Sav froze, glancing back at Jessie. Jessie’s grip was light but firm enough to stop her. Her voice, however, was soft when she spoke.
“Paano kung...may meaning pala 'yun? Para sa akin?”
Sav’s heart skipped a beat.
“Ha?” she whispered, unsure if she’d heard correctly.
Jessie let go of her wrist, stepping back slightly. Her cheeks flushed, but she squared her shoulders and looked Sav in the eye, “I like you, Savannah. At maiintindihan ko naman talaga kung hihindi ka sa date, pero sana huwag mong isipin na napilitan lang akong tanungin ka kasi…I genuinely, really like you…”
Her voice trembled slightly at the end, but her eyes held a quiet determination. For a moment, there was only silence as Sav stared at Jessie, trying to process what had just happened.
Jessie bit her lip, her confidence waning as she waited for a response. “Sav?” she prompted softly.
Sav blinked, and finally, a small, almost shy smile crept onto her lips. “Okay,” she said simply.
Jessie frowned, confused by the abrupt response, “Hmm? Okay saan?”
Sav crossed her arms and smirked, “Okay. Sunduin mo ako mamaya. 8pm. Tetext ko 'yung address.”
Jessie stood there, stunned for a second, before her face broke into a grin so wide it was almost embarrassing.
Without another word, Sav walked away, her heart thundering in her chest. She didn’t dare look back, knowing the silly grin on Jessie’s face would make her blush even more.
*****
*****
Sav sniffled, rubbing at her nose as she sneezed again. "Tanginang allergies yan," she muttered under her breath, glaring at the chart in front of her.
Her thoughts drifted—inevitably—to Jessie and their first date. That stupid date that should’ve ended with their first kiss, except her allergies had rudely interrupted the moment.
She could still picture Jessie’s face, leaning closer, her lips slightly parted—then the mortifying *achoo!* that followed. Sav cringed just remembering it.
“Shit,” she grumbled, half from embarrassment and half from annoyance. Nagtampo pa nga siya nun dahil hindi na siya pinansin ni Jessie. Nabusy lang pa.
It was mildly annoying how Jessie had been so nice to her trying to make up for the misunderstanding. Ang hilig pa naman ni Sav magtampo.
Sav sighed heavily, setting down her pen. Tonight was supposed to be their second date, but the mountain of paperwork in front of her said otherwise. She glanced at the clock, then at her phone. Still no message from Jessie. Hindi man lang niya ba ako hinahanap? Malapit na oras para magkita kami ah.
As the minutes ticked by, she finally gave in and sent a quick text:
“Hi, mukhang OT muna ako. Sorry, rain check?”
No response.
By the time she finished her tasks and finally clocked out, Jessie still hadn’t replied. The silence gnawed at her. She felt a sharp stab of annoyance building up at her…girlfriend? Hay, wala pa pala kaming label.
Sav sighed again as she trudged toward the quarters, her thoughts spiraling. Uuwi na nga lang ako.
When she reached the door and pushed it open, Sav froze.
Standing there was Jessie, her hair slightly disheveled, a nervous smile on her face. On the small coffee table nearby was a spread of food in takeout containers, and next to it, a bouquet of fresh flowers.
"Hi," Jessie said, her voice soft, almost tentative.
Sav blinked. "Hi..." she replied cautiously, her eyes darting between Jessie and the setup. “Ano toh?
Jessie smiled wider, brushing her hair behind her ear, "Date natin."
Sav raised an eyebrow, pointing at the food, “Hindi mo ba nakuha yung text ko?”
“Nakuha ko nga,” Jessie said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "Kaya naisip ko dito na lang tayo mag-date."
Sav chuckled, unable to stop herself from smiling. "Okay," she said simply.
Jessie tilted her head, teasing. "Okay?”
Sav rolled her eyes but smiled wider. "Okay. Okay na."
Tangina mo, Dr. Robles. Iba ka talaga magpakilig.
Jessie’s eyes twinkled as she motioned for Sav to sit, "Halika, alam kong gutom ka na."
Sav sat down as Jessie started putting food on her plate. The small quarters, usually so mundane, suddenly felt warmer, cozier. Watching Jessie move with such ease and care made something inside Sav soften.
As she picked up her fork, she couldn’t resist teasing, "Alam mo, ang hilig mo talaga dito sa quarters namin. Bakit ba?"
Jessie shrugged, her face half-serious, "I don’t know. I just feel safe here.”
Sav frowned, confused, "Safe? Diyos ko, ang luma na kaya ng kwartong 'to. Mas maganda pa yung quarters niyo noh.”
Jessie hesitated for a moment, fiddling with the edge of the takeout box. Then, in a softer voice, she muttered, “Ewan, basta…I feel safe when I’m with you.”
Sav blinked, caught off guard. "Ha? Ano 'yun?" she asked, feigning cluelessness, though her heart was already skipping a beat.
Jessie shook her head quickly, looking away, “Wala, wala."
“Ano nga yun?”
“Wala nga.”
Sav leaned forward, smirking, "Sige na, sabihin mo na. Ang arte naman nito."
“Wala nga akong sinabi, ba’t ka ba nagpupumilit?” Jessie said, laughing nervously.
“Eh kasi may sinabi ka talaga eh. Sabihin mo na kasi, maya maya kung ano pa yang sinasabi mo tungkol sa akin.”
“Wala nga! Ang kulit mo.”
Sav’s smirk widened, "Sabihin mo na. Isa... sige ka hindi ko kakainin 'tong handa mo!"
Jessie laughed harder, shaking her head, “Alam mo, ang OA mo!”
“Dalawa…”
Sav didn’t get to number three because Jessie suddenly leaned forward and kissed her. It was just a quick peck on the lips, but it was enough to shut Sav up.
Or so, Jessie thought.
Despite the heat rising to her face, Sav shot Jessie a playful glare, “Bakit ba kasi ayaw mo sabihin?”
Jessie groaned, laughing at Sav’s relentlessness. She leaned forward again, this time letting the kiss linger. Sav melted into it, her hand instinctively reaching up to cup Jessie’s face. When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless but smiling.
Somehow, whatever they were bickering about was soon forgotten. The taste of Jessie’s lips, the only thing occupying Sav’s mind.
Well, that and one other thought…
"Sayong-sayo na ako, Dr. Jessie Robles."