I'll Be Back

8

Everyone woke up early to prepare their final breakfast together. Colet, Stacey, Gwen, and Maloi were already downstairs, while the others lingered in their rooms. Aiah woke up and saw Mikha sleeping on the couch in their bedroom. Guilt washed over her as she took in Mikha's tear-stained face.

"I'm really sorry, Mikha" she whispered softly.

Aiah quietly got out of bed and approached Mikha. Noticing Mikha's puffy eyes, she realized that Mikha had cried all night. She gently caressed Mikha's cheek before heading downstairs.

"Good morning, Aiks!" Sheena greeted Aiah warmly.

"Good morning, guys. Can I help you?" Aiah asked as she joined the girls in the kitchen.

"Okay ka na ba? Pahinga ka nalang muna" Colet suggested.

"No, no, I feel a little bit better na."

"Sure ka?"

"Yeah. Now, can I help?" Aiah insisted, earning a nod from Colet.

Colet noticed the pain in Aiah's eyes. The sadness was palpable, a heavy burden that seemed to seep from her very soul. Colet had seen Aiah go through tough times before, but this was different. There was a depth to her sorrow now that hadn't been there before, a raw wound that refused to heal.

The girls, sensing the tension between Aiah and Mikha, made concerted efforts to lighten the mood. Stacey cracked jokes and shared funny stories, hoping to draw out a smile from Mikha. Maloi suggested a game of charades, thinking the silliness might break through the quiet. Despite their best efforts, Aiah's distant gaze and Mikha's forced smiles made it clear that their minds were elsewhere, tangled in the unspoken words and unresolved feelings between them.

As the day wore on, the attempts to cheer them up continued. A walk along the shore was proposed, with playful splashing and attempts to draw them into sandcastle building. Colet even brought out a beach volleyball, trying to spark some friendly competition. But each laugh from the group seemed to fade quickly, unable to penetrate the heavy cloud hanging over Aiah and Mikha. The two moved through the motions, their interactions polite but strained. Mikha's eyes would occasionally flicker to Aiah, a mixture of longing and frustration evident in her gaze, while Aiah remained lost in thought, her face a mask of unreadable emotions. The girls exchanged worried glances, knowing that some wounds ran too deep to be healed with a day at the beach.

Next day

Everyone was ready to go home and settled in the car. This time, Mikha insisted on driving. Gwen agreed and took the passenger seat.

As Aiah approached the car, the unresolved tension weighed heavily on her. She knew she had to find a way to talk to Mikha, to explain everything and ask for forgiveness. However, she didn't have the courage to face Mikha yet.

Throughout the drive, the awkwardness was palpable. Aiah sat in the back, stealing glances at Mikha, who remained focused on the road, her expression unreadable. The other girls tried to keep the conversation light, but the tension between Mikha and Aiah was evident to everyone.

"Ang dami nating memories dito sa beach house" Jhoanna said, trying to break the silence.

"Oo nga, parang ayaw ko pang umalis" Stacey added, attempting to keep the mood upbeat.

Mikha nodded but didn't say anything. Aiah's heart ached with every mile they put between themselves and the beach house. She wanted to reach out, to say something, but the fear of rejection kept her silent.

When they stopped for a break, the girls got out, stretching their legs and grabbing snacks. Aiah saw her chance but didn't have the courage to approach Mikha directly. She stayed close to the car, watching Mikha from a distance, hoping for an opportunity to mend things but unsure how to start.