The Closer I Get To You

LEAVE YOUR LOVER

Her mind was tired. Her heart was getting tired. Everything was just making her tired. Everywhere she goes, they ask about her. How they've become close, how much fun they had during and after the pageant, if she's planning on visiting the Philippines. Everything.

She smiles every time the topic is about her. But deep inside, Michelle could feel the crack inside was slowly getting larger. It hurts because she feels like she's losing every minute that Ann wasn't with her. She hasn't ended it with Irfan even after she had so many chances to do it.

Because she's not one to put pressure on something as delicate as that situation. She could give Ann all the time in the world, but if she doesn't do it, then they're probably just wasting time.

And it doesn't just end there. She had told her closest friends about their relationship, and it garnered mixed reactions and responses from Rhian and Sam.

Sam has been very supportive because she had seen it firsthand when she went to El Salvador with Michelle's family, how smitten they both were. But Rhian, it was hard to tell because she knows her friend wanted to give her support but it's Ann's situation with Irfan that's making her hesitant.

"Are you honestly going to settle over someone who's already taken?" She asked. She has always been so straightforward, always straight to the point. That's what she loves about her.

"Rhian," it was Sam. Shaking her head, asking her to stop interrogating their friend, because she could see how miserable Michelle looked.

"Didn't she say she's going to break-up with him when she arrives in Thailand?" The two girls in front of her nodded their heads. "And?"

Michelle remained quiet. It hurts to say that her girlfriend still had the engagement ring that Irfan had left for her. Sure, she ended things with him. But that ring could still make the man come back. So they're not out of the woods yet. And she'll hear from Rhian when she tells her they're not on speaking terms right now.

—

A week ago

She couldn't sleep, no matter how hard she closed her eyes. Because her mind was awake and it's thinking of different scenarios about Ann being with Irfan that night.

After hours and hours of waiting for Ann to update her, Michelle was about to go to bed when she saw her phone light up. She knew it had to be Ann. She reached for the device, arms stretching across her bed.

It was a message saying she's sorry for responding to her calls and messages so late and that everything was alright on her side of things. But none of it said that she and Irfan had broken up.

"He was still here. He stayed at my parents' house after the party. And I have to tell you something, but please, don't get mad. I love you."

Michelle stared blankly and unmoving at her phone screen before tossing the phone to the other side of her bed and turning her back on the device. Mentally blocking the message she just read.

She must have been right all along. They must've had sex, and Michelle could only clench her fist tightly because fuck, that hurt. And the alcohol on her system, plus the jealousy she was feeling, weren't an excellent combination.

It wasn't Ann's fault, and she knew it. It wasn't either of their faults, especially not Irfan. But it was her own fault for getting her hopes high and thinking this would be easy. She could only blame herself.

—

Thailand

Ann let Irfan sleep alone in her bedroom while she stayed in the other guest room of her parents' house. Her battery is running low. She needed to charge so she could call and talk to Michelle. Tell her what happened hours ago.