separation

Ismael's awakening was accompanied by a symphony of low, guttural moans escaping his lips, a disoriented melody of discomfort. Flashed on by the intrusive rays of sunlight which assaulted his vision, compelling his eyelashes to clamp down, shielding his eyes from the abrupt and intense exposure. A puzzling haze enveloped his mind, and within the recesses of his consciousness, Ismael grappled with the disconcerting question, "Where am I?" Slowly, the shape of his surroundings materialized before him—a window, an armrest, the familiarity of his car. A realization dawned with the force of a revelation: he had spent the night nestled within the confines of his vehicle, parked just outside his residence.

"Ohh fuck," Ismael muttered softly, the detonation of a sudden headache accompanied by elusive fragments of the previous night invading his thoughts. His gaze, once sharp and alert, softened, and a tightness gripped his chest, momentarily interrupting the rhythm of his breath against a sud