Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE QUIET BETWEEN US : Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

The moment she stepped into the city, Anne realized that nothing here was as calm as it seemed. She had worked hard for this transfer, submitting applications, waiting anxiously and now , finally, she had it: a new start in a new place. "Nothing about this city is quiet", she murmured. Anne had a feeling her life wouldn't be either. Anne stepped off the plane, her suitcase in one hand, a folder of hospital documents in the other, and the cold air of the unfamiliar city brushing against her face. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself, drawing a thread of comfort from the familiar wool against her skin. Every step she took on the bustling streets felt heavy with anticipation. Tall glass buildings stretched endlessly above, cars honked in rapid succession, and people rushed past her in every direction. Exciting, terrifying and liberating all at once.For the first time in years, Anne was truly on her own. No family. No familiar faces. No safety net. She had left behind her apartme

The following morning, Anne headed to the shared kitchen, her slippers making soft taps against the floor. She reached for the kettle to get some warm water before leaving for the hospital, still half-awake and thinking about the day ahead.A soft voice from behind made her jump.“Careful, you don’t want to burn yourself.”Anne turned to see a young woman leaning casually against the counter, arms folded, a playful smile on her face.“Oh! I… I didn’t hear you come in,” Anne said, cheeks warming.“I’m Joy,” the woman said, stepping fully into the light. “I live upstairs. Usually come down for breakfast before heading to my office at the beauty pageant company.”Anne smiled, relaxing slightly. “I’m Anne… just moved in. Nice to meet you.”Joy grinned, a little mischievous. “Finally! I’ve been wondering who the new tenant downstairs was. Don’t worry, I’m not one of those people who watches every move… mostly.”As Anne poured water and Joy brewed coffee, they chatted easily, the kitchen fil

The next morning was Anne’s off day, both at the hospital and at the care home.For the first time in several days, she woke up without the pressure of rushing somewhere. Soft morning light slipped through the curtains, filling the room with a gentle warmth.Anne turned slightly and noticed Joy still sleeping beside her. The tension that had filled her face the night before had softened. Her breathing was slow and peaceful now.Anne smiled faintly.A few minutes later, Joy stretched and slowly opened her eyes.“Morning,” Anne said softly.Joy stretched lightly before sitting up. “Morning… I actually slept well.”“I’m glad,” Anne replied.After getting ready, the two of them decided to step outside for some fresh air. The morning was calm, the streets still quiet as the city slowly came alive.They walked side by side down the road, enjoying the cool breeze brushing gently against them.At a small café not far from the apartment, they stopped to get coffee. Sitting across from each oth

Anne woke early the next morning, the soft glow of dawn spilling through her bedroom window. She had a morning shift at the hospital, and despite lingering fatigue from the previous night, she pushed herself up, determined not to be late. Joy had slept soundly in her own room, still carrying the weight of worry over the boyfriend she hadn’t heard from. Anne called out briefly to let her know she was leaving, but when there was no response, she sighed and left a small note on the table, hoping it would reach her later.The streets were quiet as she made her way to the hospital, the early morning air fresh against her skin. At the nurses’ station, she greeted the night staff with a polite nod. “Morning, everyone. Hope the night went smoothly,” she said with a smile. Their tired eyes brightened at her familiar cheer. Anne moved to the changing room and quickly changed into her scrubs, fastening her badge with precise movements. Today’s ward would demand focus and stamina, and she felt re

The morning sun filtered through the hospital windows as Anne clocked in for her shift, the familiar beeping of machines and soft murmur of voices creating the usual rhythm of the ward. She smiled at her colleagues, exchanged greetings, and moved through the changing room with practiced efficiency. Her scrubs were crisp, her badge fastened with precision, her movements automatic after weeks of settling into this new city, this new job, this new life. Everything about her appearance suggested normalcy, routine, just another day at the hospital. But beneath the surface, something felt different. There was a subtle heaviness in her chest that she couldn’t quite name, a whisper of exhaustion that clung to her despite having slept well the night before. She had been thinking about Jeff’s intensity the day before, the way his eyes had lingered on her as she left the compound. She had been thinking about Joy and her silent phone, waiting for a call that never came. Too many thoughts swirled