Echoes of the Past // MIKHAIAH

Chapter 6: Reality

Matthias' POV

It was a tiring day. I was drained. I can't lie, I am affected.

But, who am I to complain? Friend lang ako.

I was lying on the floor of our practice area when Chris entered the room.

"Here's the food and water, guys!" she announced, and everybody gathered up.

I got water for myself and sat in the corner. Mich sat beside me.

"Okay ka lang? Kanina ka pa bad mood." she asked.

"Okay lang naman. I just have a lot to think about."

"Opening na bukas, ah. We should go out." I looked at her. "I mean, tayo kasama sila." she avoided my gaze.

"That's a good plan, pero. We can't drink naman. Knowing bukas na. We should have dinner lang." I suggested.

"Uy! Anong dinner? Sama ako." Chris chimed in.

"We should go." Mich said.

"Sige. Invite ko sila Saige ha?" Chris said and hurriedly looked for her phone.

"Di nabubuhay yon pag wala si Saige, noh?" I said.

We practised one more time before deciding to go home. As we were walking towards the gate nakasalubong namin sina Saige with Alaiah and Jeremy.

"Sai! Sama ka mamaya ha? Hi Aya." Chris said, obviously feeling the tension between her and Jeremy.

I stepped a little bit closer to Chris, slowly trying to get in between her and Jeremy.

"Yes, I'll go. Isasama ko si Aya." Saige said and smiled. "Sasama ka Aya, right?" she looked at Aya.

My gaze fell to her. She looked at Jeremy and then back to Saige. "Pass muna ako, I'll be with Jer. Alis na kami Saige."

She looked at me and showed a faint smile. I saw how Jeremy was holding her, and I saw that it was tight.

I stepped in front of them.

"Loosen that hold you got there, dude. Di mo ba nakikita nasasaktan na girlfriend mo?" I said firmly, looking directly into Jeremy.

He let her go, and Saige immediately pulled Aya near her, looking at her arm, which was red because of Jeremy's tight hold.

"Heroic, ah? That's my girl. You can't do anything about it."

"Better hold her properly, because all things slip, kahit gaano mo kahigpit hinahawakan mahuhulog yan, lalo na kung di naman tama yung pagkakahawak mo."

He smiled. "Akin naman."

I was taken a back as he took Aya by her hand and walked out.

Well, it's true. He is the boyfriend. As long as Aya chooses him, my desire to protect her will never prevail.

Take care, Aya. Don't be like Mom.

We decided na pumunta nalang directly sa restaurant that we talked about.

Mich was riding with me while Chris and Saige were together.

"Gusto mo ba si Aya?" she asked out of the blue.

I looked at her. She was serious.

"Well, I am attracted to her, but I can't say I like her like that."

"But, the way you act shows totally different things, Matt. You act protective of her, and you always find a way to somehow be close to her."

"She reminds me of my Mom. The way she loves someone, it pisses me off. I don't believe in love, Mich because that kind of love ruins someone."