In The Midst of The Crowd

Chapter 18: MikhAiah: Their Confession

Third Person's POV

"Mikha Janna, ano bang problema mo ha?! Akala mo ba hindi ko napapansin yang pag-iwas mo? Hindi ako tanga, Mikha."

"Aiah, please let's talk about some other time. I'm really tired right now." You can hear the desperation in Mikha's voice but that didn't stop Aiah from talking. Her emotion getting the best of her.

"No, we're gonna talk now whether you like it or not. For years I've been waiting for you to open up and tell me what's wrong pero it seems like you don't have any plans of doing so. Pagod na ako, Mikha. I thought you're my best friend." Aiah's lips stated to quiver as she tries to stop herself from crying.

"Yun nga, Aiah, eh. Best friend kita. Best friend mo lang ako, kaya kahit na parang pinapatay na yung puso ko hindi ko magawang sabihin sa'yo." The bitterness in her voice is very evident.

Aiah's heartbeat sped up, she's not dumb to get what her best friend is trying to say. Mikha may have indirectly said it, but she still knows there's so much more behind those words.

"Are you trying to say that?" She let her words linger waiting for Mikha to finish them for her. She still wants to hear it from Mikha.

"Yes, Aiah. I am in love with you, I always have been. Longer than I ever thought I was." Mikha admitted, she knows that one way or another she will have to tell Aiah about it or that the latter will find out, no secret can be kept forever, afterall. She just didn't expect for it to be this soon or this way.

"I'm sorry if this feelings that I have for you jeopardize our friendship. I tried to stop myself from falling, I tried to forget about it but I failed in doing both, Aiah. It was a lost case. You have to believe me though, I have no intention to ruin what you have right now. Kaya kong mag sacrifice for you. If losing you means making you happy, I would do it. Kahit na ikamamatay ko, basta para sa'yo." A lone tear fell from Mikha's eye, she wiped it quickly but that didn't escape Aiah's watch.

Her eyes softened but soon they are filled with regret and longing.

"What took you so long? Bakit ngayon lang, Mikha? Sa tagal nating magkasama, bakit tinago mo sa akin?" She asked staring at Mikha with those eyes filled with emotions.

"I was scared, Aiah! I still am, you thought it was easy for me? I wanted the whole world to know about my love for you. Actually, alam naman yata ng lahat, ikaw lang ang hindi." Mikha laughed bitterly.

"I thought ganon ka lang sa akin kasi best friend mo ako." Aiah said baffled.

"You should've looked more into my eyes, Aiah, they never lie." A sad smile crept up to Mikha's lips.

"I didn't want to put meaning to your actions. I was afraid too, Mikha, those feelings that I had for you were new to me." Mikha's eyes widen, she stared at Aiah. Her mouth opened and closes again, she can't find the right words to say.

"You also failed to look into my eyes." Aiah smiled sadly.

She took few steps forward to bridge the remaining distance between her and Mikha. She leaned forward and softly placed her lips on Mikha's cheek and mumbled, "I'm so sorry. We're a year too late."

They were both crying when Aiah started to walk away from Mikha, the latter stood still where Aiah left her.

Tears streaming down her face as she watch the love of her life's retreating form. She felt helpless.

Why can't universe be ever on their side? Is it too much to ask for Mikha to shower Aiah with love freely and be loved in return?

Colet who accidentally heard their conversation, hesitantly walked towards Mikha. She pulled her best friend into a hug who cried quietly on her shoulder. Not a lot of people knows that Colet aren't afraid to show emotion when they are together. Yes, the two always like to put on a facade but they both can see pass their tough exterior.

Their bond is like no other. Colet is like the sister Mikha never had and she's grateful to have her in her life.

Colet went to Mikha because she also want to confide something that only her best friend can understand. But she knows that she can keep it on her own for now and focus on comforting Mikha. Her best friend needs her and she will do everything just to help her.