Every Heartbeat

Book1 Chapter2 : Hope Springs

And all at once, I can find myself tripping head over heels into a new adventure.

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PRESENT DAY

I can hear the voices of my classmates and their families all around me, but my eyes are glued to the video message Mikha sent me.

"Hey Aiah. If  you're seeing this, that means I'm not at graduation. Which is a huge bummer. But I want you to enjoy the moment anyway. I know it's cliche, but you have your whole future ahead of you! That alone is something to celebrate." Mikha winks at me, and my heart aches at the familiar gesture. She's recording herself at her hospital room.

"When I look back on the day we met, I can't help but think it was meant to be. And I know this message doesn't make up for me not being their today... But maybe you can pour out a chocolate pudding for me, eh?"  she said while smiling a little bit.

I smile at the memory...

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My first day of school is over, and Mikha Lim is about to give me a ride to PNP General Hospital... But I just got caught eavesdropping on her arguing on the phone!

"Aiah! How long have you been standing there?" she said panicking

"Uh.... Long enough to hear you fighting with your dad." I said panicking too. "Is everything okay?" I said looking sad

Mikha rubs the back of her neck, looking sheepish.

"You heard that huh? Yeah, everything's fine. I've just got a classic case of 'overprotective dad'. Nothing I can't handle." she said

But she's a little too casual in her reassurances as the two of us get in the car.

Mikha pulls out of the school parking lot, and soon we're driving through the streets of Metro Manila.

"So... tell me about this volunteer work you're doing." she said

"The Hope Springs foundation just opened up a new office at the hospital. Some sort of deal to bring them closer to the people they're trying to help. I'm gonna be an intern, so I'll probably be doing a lot of photocopying and coffee runs." I said

"And your mom got you the gig? You said she's a doctor at General Hospital, right?" she said

"A pediatric surgeon, yeah." I said

"That's awesome. Is she cool? I mean, as much as any parent can be?" she said amusingly

I shrug. Mikha looks at me as she stops at a red light.

"You sure keep your cards close to your chest." she said

I think back on the argument I overheard between Mikha and her dad...

(You're one to talk.)

"We don't really know each other yet." I said

"Even after that conversation at lunch?" she said

"Well..." I said

"Either way, we can still know each other better. Let's play Plead The Fifth. And if you don't wanna answer, you plead the Fifth, which means you lose." she said

"What happens if you lose?" I said

"Eternal shame. Since it's your first time, I'll let you go first. You can ask me literally anything." she said

"Okay... Uhh... What's the worst thing you've ever done?" I said

"Diving right in, huh? I love it." she said. "One time, I told my dad I hoped he died." she said looking sad.