Reaching You My Sunset (COMPLETED)

Chapter 16: Goodbye?

NO ONE'S POV

"I didn't know, Aiah. Naramdaman ko na lang whenever we're together, there was something different in my stomach. I didn't know it at first because we were too young back then." Mikha explained after she stopped crying, her voice trembling slightly.

Nasa may bench pa rin sa likod ng library ang dalawang magkaibigan.

"Too young? What do you mean by that?" Aiah asked, her eyes filled with confusion and concern.

Naguguluhan itong nakatingin kay Mikha.

Aiah knows it's kinda awkward to ask about this stuff, at hanggang ngayon she can't believe that her childhood best friend is in love with her.

"Remember when we were playing in my room? 'Yong time na pinipilit mo 'ko mag-bahay-bahayan pero I refused kasi that time nag-aya rin sila Maki na pumunta kay Haze, remember that?"

"Oh my God, Mikha! we were only 8 years old that time!" Aiah said in disbelief, her eyes widening with the realization.

Kahit kinakabahan ay nakuha naman ni Mikha na samaan ng tingin ang kaibigan.

"Ano? do you want me to continue or not? wala rin naman silbi if sasabihin ko, alam ko naman kung saan punta nitong usapan na 'to knowing kayo na ni Jeremy?" Naiirita nitong sabi kay Aiah, her voice laced with frustration and sadness.

"Ang attitude mo!" Reklamo ni Aiah sabay suntok sa balikat nito, but her punch was softer than usual.

Hindi naman umimik si Mikha rito at umiwas na lang ng tingin, fighting back tears.

"I'm sorry, Miks. Y-you k-know I s-see you as a b-best friend, right?" Aiah mumbled, her voice cracking with emotion.

And by those phrases, Mikha could feel her heart breaking into pieces once again.

She knew na ganito ang sasabihin ni Aiah, she was expecting it.

But masakit pa rin pala.

Mikha smiled bitterly, trying to hold herself together.

"I'm sorry."

"I know you suffered a lot because of me, but I can't do anything about it naman." Aiah's voice was barely above a whisper, filled with guilt and helplessness.

"I-I..." Aiah didn't finish what she was about to say and swallowed the lump in her throat.

Her eyes were brimming with tears.

"I-I don't f-feel the same w-way." she stuttered, finding the right words para hindi na mas masaktan pa ang kaibigan.

Her heart ached seeing Mikha in pain, but she knew she had to be honest.

Both of them sat in silence, masyadong mabigat parehas ang nararamdaman.

Mikha could feel the tears threatening to spill over again.

Each word from Aiah felt like a knife that keep stabbing her wounded heart.

She couldn't bring herself to look at Aiah anymore, dahil sa sobrang sakit na nararamdaman.

"If only you knew how much I fucking tried to suppress this feeling." Mikha whispered, her voice barely audible, shaking with suppressed emotion.

Aiah tightened her grip on Mikha's hand, tears streaming down her own cheeks.

"Miks, I'm so sorry... I never meant to hurt you like this."