♡

In the fast-paced world of Accenture, Jona and Melvin’s paths first crossed in June 2015. Melvin had already been at the company for a few weeks, known for his sharp intellect and always willing to lend a hand. Jona, on the other hand, was brand new—shy, eager to prove herself, but struggling with the intricacies of her new role.

The first few days were difficult for Jona. Without access to the secured bay room keycard, every time she needed to step out, she had to rely on someone else to let her in or out. More often than not, that someone was Melvin. Jona felt embarrassed each time she had to ask, and yet, Melvin was always patient, never making her feel awkward. She would hesitate before speaking, calling him "Sir," her voice barely above a whisper.

As the days went by, Jona found herself reaching out to Melvin more frequently, especially for help with the complex testing tasks. She started messaging him with questions or approaching his desk, asking for clarification. Over time, what began as professional interactions grew into something more comfortable.

Jona began calling him “Bhouszx”—a playful nickname, short for “boss.” It was a habit at first, but slowly, she realized that the term of endearment held more meaning than she initially thought. He had become more than just a colleague; he was someone she trusted deeply.

Their lunch breaks, once an occasional affair, became a routine. They would sit together in the cafeteria, chatting about work and life. Melvin was easy to talk to, and Jona felt a quiet connection growing between them. They would stay late in the office together, finishing tasks, but there was something unspoken between them—a feeling that was slowly growing, something more than friendship.

Months passed, and their bond deepened. They became seatmates, sharing an office space, and their once professional relationship began to blossom into something special. But as much as Jona enjoyed their connection, she began to feel conflicted. The feelings she had for Melvin were more than just friendship, but she was unsure of how to handle them. She feared that if she expressed how she felt, it might ruin everything.

Then, after a year at Accenture, Jona received an offer from another company. The day she left, she and Melvin shared a quiet farewell, both hesitant to admit what they had grown to feel for each other. However, even after she left, their connection didn’t break. They continued to text, call, and keep in touch, even though they were no longer colleagues.

But as time passed, Jona grew distant. Something was weighing on her—she didn’t know if it was the complexity of her emotions or the uncertainty about their future. One day, she made the decision to stop talking to Melvin. She stopped replying to his messages, avoided his calls, and distanced herself from the friendship they had built.

Melvin, confused and hurt, tried to respect her space for a couple of days, but the silence between them was unbearable. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, and he knew he had to fix it. After two long days of not hearing from her, he made a decision.

He showed up uninvited at her building's office, determined to reconcile.

Jona’s colleague informed her that Melvin was waiting outside the building, and though surprised, Jona chose to ignore it and continued walking to Market Market. At Dairy Queen, trying to clear her head with ice cream, she sensed Melvin's presence behind her.

She turned slowly, and there he was—Melvin, standing a few steps away, his eyes locked on hers with a mix of determination and concern. It was as if he had been waiting for this moment, and now, he wasn’t going to let her slip away again.

He stepped closer, his expression gentle as he reached out and took her hand, his touch warm and reassuring. His eyes spoke volumes, conveying the care and understanding he had for her. He had always been there for her, and now he wanted to make sure she knew he was still there, no matter what.

Overcome with emotion, Jona finally let her guard down, her tears spilling as she realized she had been afraid of opening her heart. Melvin reassured her with a smile, and together, they decided to face whatever came next, no longer separated by silence or distance.

And with that, Melvin and Jona knew that whatever the future held, they would face it side by side. The love they had built—quietly, carefully, and with time—was worth fighting for.

Proposal