THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION
•errors ahead
•wrong grammar
•taglish
• This is a work of fiction, names, characters, events, incidents, and location are only the products of the author's imagination or have been used in fictitious manner. any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, and event's are entirely coincidence, if you found some mistakes or grammatical errors, improper used of works kindly correct it to me. Thank you.
Chapter 39
Aiah Arceta.
The night event was in full swing, the venue glowing with warm lights as people mingled and glasses clinked. Kakatapos ko lang sa runway, and while I should've been basking in the afterglow of the applause, my mind was elsewhere.
I held a glass of champagne, pretending to listen to my manager talk about upcoming campaigns, pero hindi ko maiwasang mag-scan ng paligid. My eyes searched for a familiar face-o baka isa lang talaga akong tanga na naghahanap ng isang taong hindi dapat pinag-aaksayahan ng atensyon.
Then I saw them.
Mikha and Sophia Laforteza.
Sophia was leaning a little closer than necessary, clearly enjoying the conversation. Mikha, on the other hand, looked calm, her usual composed self, pero may kakaibang ngiti siyang ipinapakita-hindi yung normal na 'agent mode' niya.
Parang may sumikip sa dibdib ko. Alam kong wala naman akong karapatan, but seeing them like that-Sophia smiling at Mikha as if she owned her attention-hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko. Jealousy was a strange, suffocating feeling, and I was drowning in it.
My grip on my glass tightened. What are they even talking about?
Bago ko pa napigilan ang sarili ko, lumapit na ako. My heels clicked against the polished floor, every step fueled by this strange mix of frustration and something I didn't want to admit.
"Hi," I said as I finally reached them, my voice sharper than I intended.
Both of them turned to look at me. Miss Sophia's smile widened, habang si Mikha naman ay parang nanatiling impassive, pero hindi ko ma-miss ang slight arch ng kilay niya.
"Aiah," Miss Sophia greeted, her tone warm and friendly. "I was just telling Mikha here about how impressive your walk was tonight. You were stunning."
I forced a smile. "Thanks. Didn't know you two were close."
"Ah," Miss Sophia said with a soft laugh. "We're not, really ang tipid nga niya sumagot. But I invited her to have a chat earlier since I'm interested in her background pa rin. She's quite impressive too, you know."
"Oh, I know," I said, my eyes flickering to Mikha. "She's full of surprises.'
Mikha met my gaze, her expression unreadable. Pero ang nakakainis, she didn't say anything-hindi man lang nag-attempt na magpaliwanag.
"Well, if you'll excuse me," Miss Sophia said, her smile as charming as ever. "I need to speak with one of the sponsors. Aiah, you were amazing tonight. Mikha, don't forget our date."
As she walked away, naiwan kaming dalawa ni Mikha. There was a heavy silence between us, one I wasn't sure how to break.
"Miss Laforteza seems... interested in you," I finally said, trying to keep my tone neutral but failing miserably.
"She's just being polite," Mikha replied calmly, pero hindi niya ako tinitingnan.
"Right," I said, crossing my arms. "Polite. That's why she's so eager to have 'date' with you."
Her lips twitched, as if she was about to smirk, pero nag-decide na lang siyang tumahimik. And somehow, that annoyed me even more.
"You know what?" I said, shaking my head. "Never mind."
Without waiting for her reply, I turned around and walked away, trying to ignore the sting in my chest and the nagging feeling that I might've just overreacted. But can you really blame me? Seeing them together like that-it felt like a slap to the face.
And the worst part? Mikha didn't even try to stop me.
:
:
I stormed off toward the far side of the venue, needing a moment to breathe. My chest felt tight, and every time I replayed the image of Mikha and Miss Sophia together in my head, it felt like I was going to explode.
I reached a quieter corner near the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city lights of Paris glowing in the distance. I set my champagne glass down on a nearby table, gripping the edge for support as I tried to calm my racing thoughts.
"Aiah..."
Her voice cut through the noise in my head. I turned around and saw Mikha standing a few feet away, her eyebrows slightly furrowed but her usual composed expression.
She followed me... I thought she wouldn't follow me..
"What?" I snapped, crossing my arms. "Did Miss Sophia send you to check on me?" i asked annoyed.
She sighed, taking a step closer. "Aiah, stop it. Ano na naman ang iniisip mo?"
"Stop it?" I laughed bitterly. "I wasn't the one getting cozy with some big-shot socialite during a fashion event."
Her brows furrowed. "We weren't getting cozy. She just wanted to talk." she even defended Sophia, which annoyed me even more.
"Talk? Mikha, I'm not blind!" my voice rose slightly, but I didn't care anymore. "Nakikita ko kung paano siya tumingin sayo, kung paano siya ngumiti-don't tell me that was just small talk!"
"Aiah-"
"Why are you even entertaining her?!" i cut her off, my frustration bubbling over. "Is this some kind of game to you? To string me along while you-"
"String you along?" she interrupted, her voice sharper now. "Ikaw ang nagdesisyon na tapusin ang tayo, Aiah. I'm not the one playing games here."
Her words hit me like a slap. For a moment, I was speechless.
She's right... Geeez Aiah? Ikaw lang din ang naglalagay ng kahihiyan sa sarili mo.
"That's not the point." i said, my voice shaking. "The point is-she likes you, Mikha. It's obvious. And you're just... letting her." mahinang sabi ko.
"Letting her what?" she countered, stepping closer. "Aiah, I'm here to work. I don't have time for... whatever it is you think is happening."
"Then why didn't you stop her?" i asked, my voice breaking. "Why didn't you tell her you weren't interested? Or is it because you are interested?" tanong ko pa.
Kung ano man ang magiging sagot niya.. Handa na kong masaktan.
Her jaw clenched, and for the first time, I saw frustration flash in her eyes. "You're being ridiculous."
Just as I expected...
I'm just being ridiculous.
"Am I?" I laughed again, hollow and bitter. "Kasi ikaw lang naman ang mahilig magbigay ng mixed signal, Mikha. Do you even realize what you're doing to me?"
She didn't say anything, but her silence spoke volumes. I could feel the tears stinging my eyes, and I hated that she was seeing me like this-vulnerable, jealous, and hurt.
"Forget it," I muttered, turning to leave again. But before I could take another step, she grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.
"Aiah," she said softly, her grip firm but not forceful. "I don't know what you want me to say."
I yanked my arm away, shaking my head. "I want you to stop confusing me. I want you to stop making me feel like... like I still matter to you when clearly, I'm not."
For a second, her face softened, and I thought she was going to say something. But instead, she just stood there, her hand falling to her side.
"Then stop running away," she said finally, her voice low but steady. "Kasi ikaw din, Aiah, you're confusing yourself."
Kapal mo talaga no? Sabay ako pa ngayon ang gumugulo sa sarili ko.
I stopped in my tracks, her words slicing through the haze of anger and jealousy clouding my mind.
"Aiah..." her voice was steady, but there was an undeniable weight to it. "Hindi mo ba nahahalata? Hindi mo ba nararamdaman?" mahinang tanong niya.
"O talagang sadyang manhid ka lang?" dagdag pa niya. "Or nag bubulag-bulagan?" sarkastikong sambit pa niya.
I turned slowly to face her, my heart pounding. Mikha stood there, her hands clenched at her sides, her gaze locked on mine. The tension in the air was suffocating, and I could see something raw and unguarded in her eyes.
"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She took a step closer, closing the gap between us. Her presence felt overwhelming, and I could feel my defenses crumbling the longer she looked at me.
"Aiah, mahal pa rin kita," she said, her voice soft but firm, each word laced with unspoken emotions. "Kahit matagal na tayong hiwalay, kahit na ilang beses mo akong sinaktan... walang nagbago sa nararamdaman ko para sayo."
I felt my breath hitch, my chest tightening as her confession sank in. I wanted to say something, but my throat felt dry, and my thoughts were a mess.
"Mikha..."
She shook her head slightly, as if anticipating my doubt. "Alam kong galit ako. Alam kong nasaktan ako noon. Pero kahit anong gawin ko, kahit ilang beses kong pilitin ang sarili kong kalimutan ka... ikaw pa rin, Aiah. Ikaw lang."
Her words hit me like a tidal wave, pulling me under. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.
"Alam mo ba kung bakit hindi na kita pinaglaban?" tanong pa niya. "Dahil iniisip ko noon na mas magiging masaya ka kung wala ako-ako na humahadlang sa pangarap mo." she admitted, her voice breaking slightly. "Pero ngayon, Aiah... hindi ko na kayang magpanggap. Mahal pa rin kita. And I'm tired of hiding it."
"Mikha, I..." My voice faltered, the words I wanted to say stuck in my throat.
She gave me a sad smile, as if understanding the storm of emotions I was feeling. "Hindi ko hinihingi na igive up mo yung dream mo. Pero gusto ko lang malaman mo. Kung anuman ang desisyon mo... I'll respect it."
And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with my heart in turmoil.
------
Mikha Lim.
I clenched my fists, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me, but it was impossible. I could still see Aiah's face in my mind-her expression torn between anger, confusion, and something else I couldn't quite place.
"Ang kulit mo kasi, Mikha," I muttered under my breath as I paced the empty corridor. "Bakit mo pa kasi sinabi?"
My jaw tightened as I recalled the confrontation. I thought admitting how I felt would make things easier, but it only made everything more complicated. Naiinis ako, hindi lang kay Aiah, pero lalo na sa sarili ko.
"Bakit ba ang hirap mong kalimutan?" I whispered to no one. My chest tightened as I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my breath. "Akala ko ba, tapos na ako sa'yo? Akala ko ba kaya ko na?"
Pero hindi. Alam ko naman ang totoo, kahit pilitin ko pang magpanggap. Mahal ko pa rin siya. And the worst part? I admitted it to her.
I closed my eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. "Tanga ka, Mikha. Akala mo ba madali lang 'to? Na kapag sinabi mo 'yung nararamdaman mo, maayos na lahat?"
But the way she looked at me... the disbelief, the hesitation-it stung. Parang hindi niya kayang paniwalaan ang sinabi ko. Parang hindi sapat ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya.
Kaya nga mas pinili niya yung career niya kaysa sayo.. Bobo ka talaga Mikha.
I kicked at the wall lightly, the dull thud echoing in the hallway. "Ano bang inaasahan mo, ha? Na yayakapin ka niya at sasabihin niyang mahal ka rin niya ulit?" inis na inis na tanong ko pa.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Of course not. I have a reason to push her away. She hurt me before, and no matter how hard I try, I can't change what happened before.
Pero mahal ko pa rin siya..
I gritted my teeth, hating how those words felt so real, so raw. It was the truth I couldn't run from. The one person I swore I'd let go of, the one I thought I could move on from... was still the one I couldn't forget.
And now, here I was, standing in the middle of a Parisian venue, realizing that no matter how far I went, no matter how much I tried to bury my feelings, they always led me back to her.
"Ang labo mo, Aiah," I muttered bitterly, shaking my head. "Pero mas lalo akong malabo. Mahal pa rin kita kahit alam kong sinaktan mo ko."
Bwiset! She immediately became jealous, she doesn't want me to explain first
I was still lost in my thoughts when I heard footsteps approaching. I didn't need to look up to know who it was. Ate Colet always had a certain energy around her-calm but commanding.
"Ang lalim ng iniisip mo, Captain," she said, leaning casually against the wall beside me.
I sighed, not in the mood for another lecture. "Kung sermon na naman 'to, Ate Colet, pass muna ako."
She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Hindi kita sesermonan. Pero mukha kang tanga, alam mo ba?"
I gave her a side glance, unamused. "Wow, salamat ha. Ang laking tulong ng sinabi mo."
She crossed her arms, tilting her head as if analyzing me. "Let me guess. Aiah?"
I didn't answer, which was enough confirmation for her.
Colet let out a small sigh and sat down on the bench across from me. "Alam mo, Mikha, ang hirap mong basahin minsan, pero ngayon, sobrang dali. Kung ano man ang nangyari, ayusin mo na. Hindi mo kailangang pahirapan pa ang sarili mo."
I scoffed, shaking my head. "Hindi ganun kadali, Colet. Alam mo naman ang nangyari noon. She hurt me!. And now? Parang ako pa ang nagmukhang kawawa!" inis na sabi ko.
"Edi kawawa ka talaga," she said bluntly, earning a glare from me.
"Salamat ulit, ang supportive mo talaga," I replied sarcastically.
She smirked. "Tanggapin mo na kasi. Mahal mo pa siya, di ba? Bakit ba ang hirap mong aminin sa sarili mo?"
I was silent, clenching my fists as her words hit too close to home. "Inamin ko na." I muttered. "Kanina. Sinabi ko na sa kanya."
Colet raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Sinabi mo na? Aba, progress!"
"Progress? Hindi mo ba naririnig ang sinasabi ko? Mukha akong tanga!" I snapped, frustration spilling over.
But Ate Colet just laughed lightly. "Alam mo, Mikha, minsan kasi kailangan mong magmukhang tanga para sa taong mahal mo. Ang mahalaga, sinabi mo. Yun naman ang totoo, di ba?"
I looked at her, unsure if she was mocking me or genuinely giving advice. "Ang dali para sayo sabihin, Ate Colet. Pero ikaw? Ganyan ka ba sa mga taong mahal mo?" tanong ko sa kanya.
Her smirk faltered for a moment before she leaned back, a wistful look crossing her face. "Ang mga taong mahal ko..." she started, then stopped abruptly and laughed softly. "Natawa ako."
I frowned. "Bakit?"
She met my gaze with an amused but somewhat sad smile. "Kasi isang tao lang naman ang minamahal ko e."
I blinked, stunned into silence. There was a depth to her tone I hadn't heard before, like a truth she rarely admitted.
I know that you only love Maloi, kahit na sinasaktan ka rin niya.
"Ate Colet... Pareho tayo.. Isang tao lang din ang minamahal ko."
Tapos yung taong yun, sinasaktan na naman ako.
Napatingin ako sa kanya, Hindi ko masabi kung tanga siya or hindi. O baka manhid na rin siya?
Nahawa na yata siya...
"Don't look at me like that," she said, waving me off. "This isn't about me. Ang punto ko, Mikha, kapag dumating ka sa puntong gusto mo pang habulin ang taong mahal mo, habulin mo. Kasi hindi lahat ng tao, may lakas ng loob na gawin 'yun."
I stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. "And what if it's too late?"
Colet stood, brushing imaginary dust off her pants. "Hindi mo malalaman kung hindi mo susubukan. Kung mahal mo pa siya, Mikha, make her see it. Hindi ka lang puro salita. Patunayan mo."
I watched as she walked away, leaving me alone with her words echoing in my mind. Patunayan mo.
I sighed, leaning back against the wall. One person, huh? Maybe Ate Colet wasn't as untouchable as she seemed.
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:))
sooo goodnight na! busy kasi ako:D
thank you for supporting my work 💛 lablotss xoxo