Tia
I stormed out of the company building, my chest tight and my thoughts spinning. The city lights blurred around me as I walked, but I couldn't go home, not now. Not with this weight pressing down on me.
Even though Jade and I were divorced, the guilt clawed at me like I'd betrayed him. That kiss… it felt like cheating. Like I'd crossed a line I wasn't ready to face.
I couldn't see him, I couldn't explain this. I needed space, and there was only one person I could turn to.
Didi.
I pulled out my phone with shaky fingers and dialed her number and she picked up on the first ring.
"Hello?"
"Didi," I said, trying to sound calm.
She paused. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I lied. "Are you home?" I asked
"Yeah, I just got in. Why?"
"I'm coming over."
"Okay," she said gently. "I'll be waiting."
I ended the call, flagged down a cab, and climbed in without a second thought. As the car pulled away, I leaned my head against the window, watching the city. My heart was heavy, my mind a mess, but at least I was heading somewhere safe.
After few minutes of driving, I finally arrived at Didi's house, the cab slowing to a stop in front of her gate. I paid the driver, barely registering his polite nod before I stepped out of his car sluggishly.
The walk to her door felt longer than it was. My chest was heavy, and my eyes still sore from crying. I reached her front door and knocked twice, hoping I could hold myself together just a little longer.
The door swung open, and there she was…Didi, with her usual bright smile lighting up her face.
But the moment she saw me, her smile vanished.
Her eyes scanned my face, taking in my teary cheeks, the red eyes, the broken expression I couldn't hide.
"Oh no," she whispered, stepping aside immediately. "Come in."
I didn't say a word, I just walked in, and the moment the door closed behind me, I felt my knees weaken and when I tried to fall down, she held me.
Didi didn't ask questions right away. She just pulled me into a hug, holding me tightly as if she could somehow squeeze the pain out of me. I didn't say a word, I couldn't. My throat felt tight, and my heart was still raw.
She guided me to the couch, handed me a soft blanket, and disappeared briefly into the kitchen. When she returned, she had a warm cup of tea in her hands and placed it gently in front of me.
"I don't know what happened," she said softly, sitting beside me, "but you don't have to talk about it if you're not ready."
I nodded, staring at the steam rising from the cup, with my lips trembling.
She didn't push. Instead, she wrapped her arm around my shoulder and leaned her head gently against mine. "You're safe here," she whispered. "Whatever it is, you're not alone."
And that was enough.
I didn't say a word, but I let myself cry again, quietly this time, while Didi sat beside me, her presence consoling me, she was the one thing in my world that hadn't turned upside down.
Didi stood up from the couch after a while, her eyes still watching me with concern. "Come into the bedroom," she said gently. "You'll sleep better there. It's warmer."
I shook my head, pulling the blanket tighter around me. "I'll be fine here," I murmured. "I just… I need space."
She hesitated, clearly wanting to insist, but something in my tone stopped her. She knelt beside me for a moment, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "You don't have to go through this alone," she said softly.
"I know," I whispered. "But tonight… I just need to be alone."
Didi sighed, then nodded. "Okay. I'll leave the door open in case you change your mind."
She stood, gave me one last look, and then walked slowly to her room. "Good night," she said quietly before disappearing down the hallway.
I lay on Didi's couch, wrapped in the blanket she gave me. I stared at the ceiling, feeling exhausted, my mind was full of everything that had happened, but my body couldn't keep up.
The room was quiet, and the soft sounds outside made it feel peaceful.
Before I knew it, I felt my eyes becoming heavy, and slowly I fell asleep.
~~~~~
The next morning, I felt a soft tap on my shoulder, and my eyes fluttered open, and I saw Didi standing over me.
"What's wrong?" I asked, still groggy.
She gave me a look. "Aren't you going to work?"
I stared at her in confusion, but when realization hit me hard, I sprang up from the couch, my heart racing. "Oh no!" I exclaimed.
Without wasting a second, I rushed into the bathroom and freshened up as fast as I could. When I came out, Didi was already holding out a set of clothes.
"We're almost the same size," she said with a small smile. "Wear these."
I nodded gratefully, quickly changed, and we both grabbed our bags. After a quick check in the mirror, we headed out together.
We arrived at the company, and at the entrance, Didi turned to me with a soft smile. "You'll be okay," she said.
I nodded, forcing a smile back. "Thanks for everything."
We hugged briefly, then bade each other goodbye and headed off to our separate offices.
As soon as I stepped into mine, I shut the door, took a deep breath, and sat down at my desk. I didn't want to think about Axel, Jade, or anything else. So I buried myself in work. For now, work was the only place I could hide.
I spent the entire day locked away in my office, completely focused on work. I didn't step out, not for lunch, or coffee, not even to stretch my legs. I kept my door shut and my mind buried in tasks, determined to avoid any distractions or unexpected encounters. Especially him.
The hours dragged on, but I didn't notice until the sunset in the office started to quiet down, I glanced at the time. It was closing hours.
Not wanting to make the same mistake I made the day before, lingering too long and getting caught in something I wasn't ready for.
I quickly packed up my things, grabbed my bag, and pulled out my phone. I typed a short message to Didi: "I'm heading out now."
Without waiting for a reply, I walked out of my office, down the hallway, and straight out of the building.
I was going home to sort things with Jade, I'd tell him how much I missed him. And how I was wrong for divorcing him. I'll tell him everything, that way…maybe we could start afresh and sort things out.