Embracing Scars

9: unspoken truth

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MIKHA

The area felt heavy with tension, as if the weight of our past was pressing down on me.

The soft hum of the air was the only sound, broken by Aiah's sudden, unexpected question.

"If there was an accident where both your mother and I are included, you as the only person who could help — who would you save first?"

"Sinong uunahin mo Mikha?" Her voice was soft but carried a weight that made my chest tighten.

I stared at her in disbelief, completely bewildered, the question making no sense.

"What kind of question is that? Why do I have to choose when I can save both of you?" I blurted out, but confusion laced my words. Aiah's expression grew more pained as she shook her head, tears pooling in her eyes.

"It's a question, Mikha. Answer it. Who would you save... me or your mother?" She repeated, her voice breaking, tears now falling freely down her face.

"Anong kahibangan 'to Aiah, pinaglalaruan mo ba ako?" I accusyly pointed, my heart started racing. "Was this some sort of emotional trap?" I added in narrowed eyes.

I couldn’t believe she’d ask something like this.

"Do you think I have time to play?" She scoffed bitterly, wiping her tears. "It’s just a question, a fucking question! Why can’t you answer it?!" She snapped and made my anger return.

"Because it’s not fair!" My voice rose, echoing off the open area we had rented out for this moment. Our friends, stood at a distance, perked up at the commotion, worried.

"Mikha!..." Colet's voice interferes, almost shouting too in protecting manner— I watched her try to take Aiah but the woman in front of me didn't move as she just shot her a look of disapproval.

"Aiah, let's just go already...." Jhoanna uttered

"Please, Ate. Huwag na" Sheena spoke this time

"No!" But Aiah didn't care anymore as she turned to glance at our friends before refocusing on me, her eyes filled with so much pain it felt like she was burning a hole through my heart.

She wiped her tears harshly and let out a small, bitter laugh. "Tama ka, it’s not fair..." She stared deep into my eyes, and I could see something break within her.

"Kaya ako na ang pumili para sayo— I chose for you Mikha" She added, her voice cracking.

"Ai..." One of the girls whispered from the corner, but Aiah didn’t stop, she put her eyes on and what she said next thorn me apart

"I chose for you... I surrendered my love, Mikha. I chose to let go of my happiness so you could be with them." Her voice shook with each word, and her tears kept falling.

"T-them? Hindi kita maintindihan..." My gaze was in disbelief for the revelation. Aiah shook her head as if she was breaking before she spoke again.

"The night you told your family you wanted to marry me..." She stopped, struggling to speak, and I held my breath, dreading what would come next and what she said shuttered me.

"Your mother came to see me the night before your proposal." Her voice broke again, but she forced herself to continue.

"S-she told me that I had to reject you... for your family’s sake. She even offered me money—a million—to stay away from you, Mikha" She cried, her sobs were painful.