I'll Be Back

15

A month later...

Mikha and Aiah were at a restaurant with the girls, happily chatting. The two sat beside each other, holding hands.

"Sobrang clingy niyo naman" Jhoanna teased.

"Bitter ka lang kasi" Stacey retorted with a laugh.

"Ayan, nag LQ na sila. Umamin ka na kaya kay Stacey, Jho." Maloi said impulsively.

The girls turned to Jhoanna, shock and confusion played on their faces.

"Crush mo si Stacey?!" Sheena nudged Jhoanna on the arm.

Jhoanna's face turned red with embarrassment. She had harbored a crush on Stacey for two years, and only Maloi and Mikha knew. The teasing felt uncomfortable at first, but as it continued, it became endearing.

While the girls were busy, Aiah and Mikha shared their own moment. They fed each other, lost in their little world, until Gwen interrupted.

"Aiks, diba three months ka lang dito? Paano na kayo ni Miks? LDR ba?" Gwen asked, continuing to eat.

"Baka di na'ko uuwi. Let's see na lang." Aiah replied coldly, gently letting go of Mikha's hand.

An awkward silence fell over the table. It was Sheena who broke it by redirecting the conversation to Jhoanna and Stacey.

Meanwhile, Mikha glanced at Aiah, her heart heavy with uncertainty. She gently squeezed Aiah's hand, trying to bridge the sudden distance between them.

"Babi, seryoso ka ba? Hindi ka na babalik?" Mikha's voice cracked slightly, betraying her emotions.

Aiah avoided Mikha's gaze, her eyes fixed on her plate. "I don't know, bub. Ang dami kasing nangyari."

Mikha's grip tightened. "Kaya nga andito ako, di ba? Para sa'yo."

Aiah finally looked at Mikha, her eyes filled with conflicting emotions. "I know, It's just... naguguluhan parin ako sa family situation ko."

Mikha felt an ache in her chest. She wanted to hold on, but she knew Aiah needed space. "Kung anuman ang decision mo, andito lang ako."

Aiah gave a small nod, her heart aching at the thought of leaving Mikha behind and that one night at the bar. The moment felt fragile, as if any wrong move could shatter their connection.

Mikha and Aiah returned home after the dinner, the silence between them thick and heavy. As they entered the house, Mikha couldn't shake the feeling that Aiah was distancing herself.

"Babi," Mikha began softly, "okay ka lang ba? okay lang ba tayo?"

Aiah didn't meet Mikha's eyes. "Uhm, yeah. Pagod lang ako."

Mikha watched as Aiah went to the bedroom without another word. She followed, her heart aching. "Bub, please... usap tayo."

Aiah sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Babi, wala naman tayong kailangan pag-usapan ngayon."

"Meron. Kanina sa dinner... bakit parang naging cold ka bigla?" Mikha's voice was laced with concern.

Aiah looked away, her fingers nervously fidgeting. "It's really difficult, okay? Iniisip ko lang kung ano ba talaga ang dapat kong gawin."