Embracing Scars

11: breakeven

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Mikha sat in the dim room, the soft beep of the monitors and the rhythmic rise and fall of Aiah's chest the only sound cutting through the thick silence.

She held Aiah's hand gently, watching her face, hoping—praying—that she would wake up soon.

The woman was now free from the oxygen mask yet still asleep. Mikha with a very tear-streaked plea, rubs her hand, every whispered apology hung heavy in the air.

"Patawarin mo ako babi... babawi ako sa'yo. I won't let you down again." Her voice cracked, the guilt and desperation evident.

Aiah lay there, pale and fragile, her body a reflection of the emotional battles she had fought.

Mikha's heart clenched with every moment that passed, she was the reason of it —the weight of her past mistakes suffocating her.

She had spent hours recounting everything, begging the universe for another chance to make things right.

Suddenly, a small movement caught Mikha's attention. Aiah's fingers twitched slightly in her grip.

Mikha's breath hitched, her eyes widening as she leaned forward, hope flickering to life in her chest.

“Aiah...” She whispered, her heart racing.

Slowly, Aiah's eyes fluttered open, her gaze hazy and unfocused at first, until they settled on Mikha. Her expression, however, was far from the relief or warmth Mikha had hoped for.

Instead, Aiah's eyes filled with something else—pain. But this time, it wasn't just pain; it was the pain of heartache, of shattered trust, and wounds too deep to heal with words— Aiah's gaze quickly turned cold and blank.

"B-babi —” Mikha stammered, squeezing her hand gently.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" The latter was cut off by the sudden voice, Aiah's tone was bland and flat.

Mikha's heart shuttered "A-aiah..." She mumbled in regret, trying to reach her hand but Aiah moved it.

"What are you doing here Mikha?" She repeated, firmly this time. Her voice was shaky as she contemplated her teary eyes, Aiah was breaking yet acting tough.

"I.. I want to talk—"

"For what? To say sorry — again?" Aiah let out a dry painful chuckle.

"Aiks..." Mikha pleaded as she held Aiah's hand. "I know I messed up but b-babi— hindi ko kaya, I can't live without you "

"You can Mikha, you already did" Aiah blinked slowly, her lips parting, but the look in her eyes was distant, as if she was miles away.

She shifted slightly in the bed, pulling her hand weakly away from Mikha's grasp, her movements deliberate but frail.

"I'm so sorry for hurting you, I was—"

"Tama na Mikha” Aiah's voice was barely a whisper, weak but firm.

Mikha felt her heart sink, her pulse quickening with panic. “Please, don't say that. I'm here, and I'll stay with you—”

“I don't want you here anymore” Aiah cut her off, her voice shaking with effort, but the words landed like a blade to Mikha's heart. “I've had enough— nasaktan na ako ng sobra, Mikha.”

Tears welled up in Mikha's eyes as she desperately tried to hold onto her composure.

"Aiah, please... I know I messed up, but I never stopped loving you. Hindi ko kaya mawala ka ulit. I can't lose you, not after everything."