Bini: In Parallel Universe

LXIII: Instant Girlfriends

Mikha's POV

"Si Robles na teammate mo, 'yong ex ni Stacey na cheerleader, single ba 'yon? crush ko kasi."

Aiah, my ex girlfriend asked me that one random night when I visited her. Don't get me wrong. I've moved on at wala na sa akin kahit sino pa i-date niya. We remained friends after the break up and after we accepted that we're never going to work.

I smirked. She really likes Jhoanna. Noong kami pa, parati ko siyang nahuhuling nakatingin kay Jhoanna every time na may practice kami at nakikinuod si Aiah.

I've seen this coming. Nakakatawa nga lang dahil hindi ako nasasaktan ngayon.

You wanna know why?

Because in the process of moving on and seeing Aiah falling in love with someone else, I fell in love with another person too.

I secretly fell in love with her loud laughers — 'yong parang kapag tumawa siya, naririnig sa buong gym. I'm not into loud noises and all, I've always been so quiet that's why I fell in love with Aiah. But when I met her, tangina, gumuho lang naman 'yong mga standards and ideals na binuo ko para sa dream girl ko.

You see, she's not just an ordinary girl. She may be one of those annoying students who often play around the hallway but she's also that girl na kung pagtutuonan mo ng pansin, mahuhumaling ka talaga.

I glanced at my wrist watch as I waited for someone. Kilala niya ba ako? hindi ko rin alam. I just wanna talk to her to execute a plan.

Hindi na ako nagtaka nang makita ko siya with her best friend. Para silang nagtatalo tapos biglang tatawa.

They passed by pero bago pa siya mawala sa paningin ko, tinawag ko siya.

"Ms. Sevilleja?" I called out. I saw Sheena subtly elbowing her while she, she stiffened.

She didn't turn around so I called her again. "Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja."

Sheena was the one to turn around habang sapilitang kinaladkad ang kaibigan niya papunta sa akin.

"Hi, Mikhs! Tawag mo kami?" Sheena sheepishly smiled.

I scratched the back of my head. "Uh, siya lang." I said and pointed to Stacey.

"What do you need?" Stacey replied.

"Watch our game." I said.

"Why would I?" she asked.

"Kasi sinabi ko?" I sarcastically replied.

"Oh? Bakit kita susundin?" she asked again.

"Dami mong tanong." I shook my head. Si Sheena, parang sirang electric-fan na papalit palit ng lingon sa amin.

"Punyeta kayong dalawa! Nahilo ako. Bahala ka diyan , Stacey!" she said and walked out.

Akmang hahabulin sana siya ni Stacey but I gently held her hand.

"Watch our game. Please?" I said.

"At bakit nga? Give me a reasonable reason." she challengingly said.

"Kasi cheerleader ka." I said.

"Bwisit! Akala ko naman!" dabog niya sabay tulak sa akin pero bago ako matumba, I accidentally dragged her causing us to collapse in the middle of the hallway.

I heard murmurs and gasps.

Stacey Sevilleja is now on top of me. Hindi ko ramdam ang tigas ng sahig, sa mata niya lang ako nakatuon.

It's drowning me.

"Fuck." I whispered.

And because of that, she hurriedly get up kaya tumayo na rin ako para pagpagan ang sarili ko.

"Mikhaela Janna Lim! Bakit mo ba ako kinukulit na manuod!?" she rolled her eyes.

"Look, Aiah will watch Jhoanna's game. They're constantly talking now. Gusto mong pagselosin ex mo? Andito ako. Use me. Ganyan naman kayo." I smirked.

"Gaga! moved on na ako. Pero kung gusto mo makuha ulit si Aiah, sige, I'll help you." she said.

"Deal." I nodded my head and carefully clasped her hand to my hand. "From now on, you'll pretend to be my girlfriend." I said.

"Arte! Pero sige, basta may milktea ako everyday." she said.

"Damn, abuser." I commented as we walked hand in hand.

Ayaw ko naman na talagang balikan si Aiah but if this is the only way to be this close to Stacey, edi kahit araw-araw pa akong magpanggap na mahal ko pa rin ang ex ko.

We pretended as girlfriends up until this little crush grew into something much deeper. Hindi na ako sanay na hindi siya kasama.

She became my safe place and sanity.

I fell in love with Stacey in the process of seeing Aiah fell in love with Jho.

I wanted so badly to believe what people said about soulmates- that one day you meet someone who everyone would fall into place with, and you realize why it never worked out with anyone else.

And right now, all I can think of is her.

Stacey Sevilleja.

***********

Quick omen shot. Napanaginipan ko kasi si Stacey tapos jowa ko raw siya sa panaginip ko 😭