Three months.
It's been three months since I last stepped out of my condo. I couldn't even remember the last time I had a proper meal. I ignored all my events, all the calls from my manager, and even my mom's messages asking if I was okay.
I wasn't.
But I didn't want anyone's pity either. I didn't want anyone to see me broken like this.
Because honestly, I wasn't used to being the one left behind. I was used to being the one who walked away first. The one people chose. The one they came back to.
But him?
He left with a promise that he'd "come back."
The nerve, right?
So I did the only thing I could think of to try and forget everything—hiking.
It may not seem like it, but hiking had long been my escape. Whenever the noise in my head became too loud, I turned to nature—that's where I could breathe.
I didn't even tell anyone where I was going. I just drove.
I needed to escape and disappear, even if just for a few days—to get away from everything that reminded me of him. And maybe, after this, I'd find the version of myself I lost in the middle of it all.
That's how I ended up here—on a trail I just planned yesterday. I was two hours into the climb when I stopped near a flat rock beside the path. I took a deep breath and sat down. My legs were sore, and my back was damp with sweat.
I looked up at the sky, squinting at the thin streaks of light that peeked through the trees. It was so quiet—just the sound of leaves swaying, birds chirping, and my own breathing.
I glanced around. I was alone—just me and the silence I used to run from.
I took a shaky breath and closed my eyes.
"Lord…" I whispered. "If You can hear me right now, even though we're not that close… please."
I shut my eyes tighter, almost afraid that any movement would shatter the emotions I was trying so hard to hide.
"Give me a sign on how to forget the pain..."
I bit my lip, trying to hold back the tears. "I just don't know how to be okay anymore. I don't know how to trust again… or love again."
I let out a sigh.
"Bold of me to even ask for a sign, right? I've told myself so many times that I can do this 'cause I'm strong. But at this point, I'm not so sure anymore."
I looked up at the sky, hoping for anything: a bird landing nearby, a shooting star, or even gusts of wind carrying an answer would do. But minutes passed, and nothing happened.
A few seconds later, I stood up, brushed off the dirt from my leggings, and went back to walking.
And barely five steps later—
"Shit!"
My foot twisted awkwardly on a hidden rock, and before I could catch myself, I dropped to the ground with a painful thud.
"Just great," I groaned, clutching my ankle in pain. "This is not the kind of sign I meant, Lord…"
I tried to move it but ended up crying out in pain. I couldn't. It was throbbing too much. I think I sprained my ankle. What's worse was the fact that I was alone. Damn.
Then I heard footsteps coming toward my direction.
"Miss?" It was the voice of a man.
I looked up slowly and saw someone approaching.
He was tall and had broad shoulders. His hair was messy. He was wearing a black shirt soaked in sweat. But even though he looked tired, the first thing I noticed was his face. He was drop-dead handsome.
"Lord, I asked for a sign, not a ridiculously handsome human being," I whispered to myself.
"Hey, woman. Are you okay?" he asked.
"Do I look like I am?" I snapped. "I sprained my ankle. Help me," I ordered.
He stepped closer and crouched beside me. He checked my ankle.
"Why are you alone?" he asked.
"Why? Isn't it allowed?"
Suddenly, he tilted his head in my direction. I froze as our faces got so close that I stopped breathing for a moment. One wrong move and our lips would definitely touch.
I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to stay calm even though my chest was already pounding like crazy.
"If you want to kiss me, just say so," I said, one brow raised.
He frowned. "What? That's not what I was thinking. You're too assuming."
"You sure? You're kinda close, mister," I smirked.
He pulled back a bit.
"I was just checking if you were really fine."
"Wow, so that's your way of checking? By breathing on my face?"
He stood up and offered his hand.
"You're such a drama queen."
"Excuse me?" I glared at him, ignoring his hand. "I'm injured, not deaf."
"Maybe it's easier to just carry you than argue."
"Then go ahead, carry me like the queen I am."
"I really hate overconfident women," he mumbled, then crouched beside me again.
As he tried to help me up, I winced. "Wait, wait—easy!"
"You're seriously dramatic," he snapped, but he moved more carefully this time.
I rested one hand on his shoulder and looked up at him. His jaw was clenched, and his brows were furrowed as if he hated every second of this.
"Are you really okay?" he asked as he supported my back.
"Physically? No. Emotionally? That's a mess too."
"Okay, over-sharer."
"Sorry, stranger," I said sarcastically. "Didn't know you were allergic to feelings."
"I'm not allergic. I just don't have time to listen to the drama of some diva who decided to climb a mountain alone."
I gasped, offended. "You're so harsh!"
He shrugged. "Truth hurts."
I bit my lip, annoyed—but I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.
This guy… I don't know if I want to punch him or kiss him.
And that's when it hit me.
Was this the sign I was asking for?
I suddenly fell silent. I looked at him closely.
"Are you… the sign?" I whispered, more to myself than to him.
He looked at me, looking so confused. "What?"
"Nothing." I shook my head with a small smile. "Never mind."
"You're weird."
For a second, our eyes met. It was not the usual kind of glance. It was… intense. There was something in the way he looked at me—he was annoyed, yes—but he also looked like he was trying to figure me out.
His gaze dropped to my lips. It was too fast, but it was enough for me to notice.
"What? Is there something on my lips?"
"Nothing. Just get your face out of mine," he said annoyingly.
I didn't move. Instead, I leaned a little, just enough to close the distance he created earlier.
"If you don't like my face, then why haven't you walked away?" I whispered.
He didn't answer.
I don't know what came over me, but a second later, I just saw myself kissing him. I didn't plan it. I just did. It was a quick press of my lips on his, but it felt like I went a little crazy for a second. His lips were warm and soft.
He was a little shocked at first, but after a single second, he kissed me back. It wasn't gentle—it was a hungry kiss. Then suddenly, he pulled away.
"Don't do that again," he warned.
I blinked. "Why not?"
"'Cause I don't like you. I just got caught up in the moment, but that doesn't mean I liked it."
I laughed, even though what he said kind of stung.
"Wow, feeling much? It was just a kiss. As if that was your first or something."
He didn't answer. He just started walking ahead, slow enough for me to limp beside him and keep up.
As I watched his back leading the way, I couldn't help but smile.
I asked God for a sign, and He gave it right away.