"I am, Khun," the chef replied softly and respectfully. "Your cakes were delicious," Oom said, a warm, bright smile naturally breaking across her face. "I'm Oom." The chef stood perfectly still for a second, maintaining her polite posture as her fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the marble counter. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Khun Oom. My name is Bam," she answered quietly and politely. Just then, Bae Bee the cat trotted over, winding herself tightly around Oom’s ankles and letting out a loud, affectionate meow, her striking gray and blue eyes looking up at Oom with an unusually regal, almost knowing judgment. Oom giggled, leaning down to scoop the heavy white Persian into her arms. Bae Bee instantly purred, nuzzling her face into Oom's neck. "And the cat?" Oom asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "That is Bae Bee," Bam said politely. Oom looked back up at the graceful chef, her playful nature instantly taking over. "Bae Bee and Bam, that's too cute. In that case, I'll call you Bambi." The playful nickname hung in the air. Bam’s breath hitched silently. Her eyes widened, and for a fleeting second, the stoic, polite composure vanished entirely. Bam smiled, a soft, incredibly heartbreaking smile that carried a weight far heavier than the quiet room could hold. Tears pooled rapidly in the corners of her dark eyes, shimmering like clear crystal under the warm bakery lights. "Please excuse me," Bam whispered politely, her voice trembling slightly. Before Oom could ask what was wrong, Bam quickly turned around and hurried into the back kitchen, the heavy door closing softly behind her. Oom stood near the counter, holding the purring cat, staring at the closed kitchen door with a sudden, confusing ache in her chest. "Did I say something wrong?" Oom murmured to Lena, who looked away with a quiet, sympathetic sigh. Inside the back office, away from everyone's sight, Bam pressed her back against the cool surface of the wooden door. She slid down slowly until she was sitting on the floor, pulling her knees tightly to her chest. She pressed her palm over her mouth to muffle the quiet, shaky sobs spilling from her throat. Tears streamed down her cheeks, dripping onto the pristine fabric of her white chef’s jacket. She turned her head to look at the small oak desk in the corner of her office. Resting on top of it was a locked velvet box, and beside it lay a newly written letter, penned by Bam's own hand just that morning, resting beside a recipe book filled with notes on the special cake she had baked earlier: a masterpiece of dark Oreos, clear jelly, and pink strawberries. Bam pulled her knees tighter, her voice breaking in a quiet, tearful whisper as she stared at the ink drying on the paper, repeating the lines she had written earlier today: “SALAMAT SA PAGMAMAHAL, the home we shared, and for the life we have built together. If I were ever given the chance to choose all over again, isusugal kong ikaw pa rin at sana ay AKO pa rin. HAPPY 5TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, BABY!! Love, Saralee” Bam closed her eyes tightly, letting her head rest against her knees as tears fell freely onto the floor. "Happy fifth anniversary, my love," she whispered softly to the empty room, her heart aching with a pain only she carried. "I will wait for you, as long as it takes." #austory #oombam #bamsaralee #oomeisaya - @bae9779s