Scented Claudia

I sat at my desk, fingers tapping the armrest, trying to focus on the budget approvals in front of me.

But the numbers might as well have been a foreign language.

All i could hear was Raphael's voice that morning at breakfast:

"We have a medical mission. I'll be gone for a week. I don't even know if there'll be signal there. But if there is, I'll update you."

One week.

Seven days without him.

No late-night conversations.

No sleepy smiles over coffee.

No falling asleep with my head on his chest.

I sighed, leaning back in my chair.

Claudia, please. It's just one week.

But the truth was... I hated it.

My chest felt heavy.

I tried to shake it off and sign the last few documents, forcing myself to get it done.

As soon as i finished, I packed up and left the office.

-

When i got home, it felt... wrong.

Quiet.

Too quiet.

Raphael was usually the first to greet me, teasing me for working too late, telling me dinner was ready.

Today? Nothing.

I dropped my bag on the couch and walked to the kitchen, half-expecting to see him at the stove, humming while he cooked.

But it was empty.

I rested my palms on the countertop, staring at the silent space.

A small laugh escaped me, but it was humorless.

Get it together.

I took a deep breath, opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and tried to act normal.

But even eating dinner alone felt off.

I poked at the food i'd ordered, appetite gone.

Eventually, I left it half-finished, got up, and went to the bedroom.

I sat on the edge of the bed, running my fingers over his pillow.

Clingy, I thought to myself with a bitter smile.

I lay down and hugged it anyway.

It was pathetic.

But it was all i had tonight.

I tried distracting myself, scrolling through photos on my phone.

Pictures of us at the beach.

Laughing at a café.

Him asleep on the couch with my head in his lap.

One video played automatically, him rolling his eyes as i narrated dramatically about our grocery trip.

I smiled.

Then felt my eyes sting.

I turned the phone off.

I couldn't do this.

I needed people.

Before i changed my mind, I grabbed my purse and keys and drove straight to my parents' house.

The moment i walked in, Mom turned from the dining table, brows raised.

"Claudia? Anak? What's wrong?"

Dad looked up from his book. "Is everything alright?"

I tried for a casual shrug. "Raphael's on a medical mission for a week. I thought… I'd stay here for a while."

They exchanged one of those silent married-couple looks.

Mom put her hands on her hips. "Are you two fighting?"

"No!" I said quickly.

Dad raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you look like you lost your best friend?"

I huffed and dropped onto the sofa. "I just don't want to be alone tonight."

They didn't push.

My brother Samuel wandered in from the kitchen, holding a banana.

He looked at me and squinted.

"You're here."

"Very observant."

"Why?"

"Raphael's out of town."

Samuel snorted. "Wow. You really can't survive one week without him?"

I glared. "Shut up."

He raised his hands in mock surrender, but grinned.

I stayed quiet most of dinner.

Mom tried to make conversation.

"How's work? Any new projects?"

I picked at my rice. "We're pushing the Dubai perfume launch. Nothing too exciting today."

Dad watched me carefully. "Raphael will be back before you know it."

I nodded, but it felt hollow.

Samuel couldn't help himself. "Honestly, Claudia, you're acting like he left for war."

I gave him a withering look. "Thanks for the empathy."

He snickered. "I'm just saying. Chill."

Mom clicked her tongue. "Samuel."

He winked at me. "Cheer up. At least you have us."

After dinner, I headed to my old room.

It hadn't changed much.

Same curtains, same shelves of books and old knick-knacks.

I sat on the edge of the bed, feeling oddly small.

I lay back slowly, staring at the ceiling.

It felt strange being here.

Not with him.

Eventually, I pulled my phone out again, scrolling through our messages.

Nothing new.

I debated texting him.

But he'd warned me there might not be signal.

Stop it, Claudia. He's just doing his job.

Still.

I typed "I miss you. Be safe."

And hit send.

Even if it wouldn't go through.

I turned off the light, curled up under the blanket, and closed my eyes.

It took a long time to fall asleep.

When i did, it was with one thought echoing in my head:

This is going to be the longest week of my life.

—

The next morning, I woke up disoriented.

For a second, I thought i was home.

That Raphael would be there making coffee.

But the room was too quiet.

No low hum of the kettle.

Just me.

I pushed myself up with a sigh, blinking against the early light coming through the curtains.

My phone was on the nightstand.

I grabbed it immediately, checking for any messages.

Nothing.

No signal from wherever he was.

Downstairs, Mom was already in the kitchen, humming while she cooked.

She glanced over when she saw me.

"Good morning, anak. Did you sleep well?"

I shrugged. "Kind of."

She studied me for a second, then reached out to ruffle my hair.

"You'll get through this week. One day at a time."

I nodded, biting back the urge to argue.

Samuel was already at the table, scrolling through his phone.

He looked up and smirked.

"Oh look, the lovesick wife emerges."

"Shut up," I mumbled, dropping into a chair.

He just laughed and went back to his screen.

Breakfast was simple, eggs, fried rice, some leftover adobo.

I forced myself to eat, even if i didn't really want to.

I tried to pay attention as Mom talked about errands she needed to do and Samuel complained about work, but my mind kept drifting.

At some point, Dad wandered in, holding a mug of coffee.

He looked at me, then gestured with his chin.

"You okay?"

I nodded quickly.

He didn't push.

Just sat beside me and handed me a cup of coffee.

"Drink. You'll feel better."

I took it from him and offered a small, grateful smile.

The rest of the morning was slow.

I helped Mom watering her garden.

Samuel teased me mercilessly until she told him to knock it off.

I even dozed a little on the couch while Dad watched TV.

It was... normal.

Almost comforting.

But every quiet moment, my mind went back to Raphael.

Was he eating properly?

Was he exhausted?

Was he safe?

I wanted to call.

Even just to hear his voice.

But there was nothing i could do.

That night, in my old bedroom, I lay there staring at the ceiling again.

I turned on my side and pulled the blanket tighter around me.

I whispered, like he could hear me somehow.

"Good night, love. Be safe. Come home to me soon."

I closed my eyes.

Willing myself to sleep.

And hoping tomorrow would feel just a little easier.