Echoes of the Past // MIKHAIAH

Chapter 7: Into You

Matthias' POV

We arrived at the beach house and we decided to walk in the shore.

The night was peaceful. The light coming from the moon was the only light shining.

It was beautiful.

We sat down near the shore. The only thing you'd hear is the sound of the waves crashing.

"Alam mo ba I wanted to be a marine biologist?" she smiled. " Palagi akong pinapagalitan ni Mama noon kasi tumatakas ako para lang makapunta sa dagat."

"Pasaway ka talaga, noh?" I teased.

She smiled. But i could see that faint sadness in her eyes.

"I don't know if it's okay to ask you this, but I noticed na takot ka mag-commute. Did something happen?" I asked curiously.

Sa ilang beses na Jeremy stood her up, I always see her walking and I noticed Saige and Chris would be worried kapag alam nilang walang masasakyan si Aya.

"Well, I was 15 when it happened." she looked at me. "I was riding a bus. Galing kaming field trip noon. Sobrang pagod ako noon, i didn't even notice na nakababa na pala si Saige noon." she paused as if remembering something bad.

I held her hand. She looked at me and I smiled. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it."

"Nakatulog ako. I was at the back of the bus because that is usually my spot. I woke up and--" she was already crying.

"Hey, it's okay. " I pulled her closer into a hug. "We can just stay here, okay? Nobody will hurt you."

"I was sleeping, Matt. Why would someone do something like that? I was only 15. Natatakot ako. Every time I see a bus, I remember it. I feel dirty. " she sobbed.

"You are not. People are just evil. Kahit anong gagawin mo basta masunod gusto nila, gagawin nila. Don't worry, Aya. I'm here. Sasamahan kita palagi. Aawayin ko lahat ng dapat aawayin just to keep your precious smile." I lifted her chin up and our eyes met.

"You are beautiful, and you have a pure heart, Aya. What you experienced does not define how you turned out right now." I smiled. "Ngiti kana, hindi bagay sayo lumuha, Aya."

She rested her head on my shoulder. I did not move an inch. I want her to be comfortable. For someone who has been through a lot, she deserves every bit of comfort that she needs.

Bigla naman siyang tumayo at inilahad ang kaniyang kamay sakin.

"Let's swim?" she said grinning.

Paano ako hihindi sayo Alaiah Queen?

Queen nga diba? I thought.

I held her hand, and she ran, guiding me into the sea.

Before stepping into the cold water, she took off her dress.

"Teka, ba't ka naghuhubad?" I was shocked.

"Di tayo pwede umuwing basa, Matt! Hali ka na." she said as she dived in the ocean.

I had no other choice kundi sumunod.

Naligo kami and we were enjoying the company. We were playing and it was the most fun I had in years.

"Thank you, Matt." Aya said as she looked into my eyes.

"Thank you, Aya."

Nakatitig lang ako sa mga mata niya, and I felt like I was drowing.

She had the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen.

Nakatitig lang ako sakaniya and she was also looking at me deeply. The tension was too much.