Beneath Lies [F reader / Aiah Arceta]

Chapter 3

3rd pov

As they reached Aiah's room, Y/n noticed it was smaller than hers, but still had a cozy feel. The walls were a soft shade of pink, adorned with drawings and notes from friends and family. A small bed with a lavender comforter was neatly made, and a bedside table held a collection of trinkets, including a music box and a few potted succulents.

Aiah placed the tray on the small table next to her bed and gestured for Y/n to sit in the only chair in the room, which had a fluffy cushion on it.

"Sorry, medyo masikip dito," Aiah said, taking a seat on the edge of her bed. "Pero welcome ka naman dito."

"Okay lang, mas cozy nga dito eh," Y/n said, looking around. She noticed a small stack of books and a laptop on the table. "Mukhang busy ka ah. Anong pinagkakaabalahan mo?"

"Mga schoolwork lang. Hindi ko kasi gustong maiwanan sa lessons," Aiah replied, shrugging. "Kahit na nandito ako, gusto kong matuto pa rin."

"Matagal ka na bang nandito sa hospital?" Y/n asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

"Almost three years na," Aiah answered, her tone shifting to something more serious. "Minsan nakakapagod na rin, pero kailangan magpakatatag."

"Three years? Grabe, ang tagal na rin pala," Y/n said, her eyes widening. "Paano mo kinakaya?"

Aiah sighed, looking down at her hands. "Mahirap, pero wala namang choice, di ba? Kailangan lang mag-focus sa mga maliliit na bagay na nagpapasaya."

Y/n nodded, feeling a pang of empathy. "Nakakabilib ka naman. Ako nga,  Dalawang taon pa lang dito, parang nababaliw na ako sa pagka-bored."

Aiah smiled faintly. "Sanayan lang din siguro. Tsaka, kailangan talagang maghanap ng mga paraan para maging masaya kahit na ganito."

"Parang masyado kang mature para sa edad mo," Y/n observed, tilting her head. "Ano bang kwento mo? Bakit ka nandito?"

Aiah took a deep breath before answering. "May sakit kasi ako na hindi basta-basta gumagaling. Kaya kailangan ng tuluy-tuloy na treatment. Pero ayoko naman na maawa yung mga tao sakin, kaya I try to stay positive."

"Ang tapang mo," Y/n said softly. "Sana magalingan ka na agad."

"Salamat," Aiah replied, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and sadness. "Pero alam mo, kahit na mahirap, may mga moments din na masaya. Like meeting new people and making friends."

"Katulad ng pag-meet natin," Y/n said, smiling. "Ikaw pa lang yata yung tao na nakapagpangiti sa akin ng ganito dito sa hospital."

"Eh kasi, sobrang corny mo," Aiah teased, laughing lightly. "Pero seryoso, mas okay naman na may kasama ka na nagpapa-lighten ng mood, di ba?"

"Tama ka diyan," Y/n agreed. "Kaya thank you rin, kasi napapasaya mo ako kahit papaano."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, each lost in their thoughts. Despite the seriousness of their conversation, Y/n felt a sense of relief. She was grateful to have found someone who understood what she was going through, someone who could bring a little bit of light into her otherwise monotonous days.

Aiah hesitated before speaking again, her voice soft. "Y/n, anong condition mo? Kung okay lang itanong."

Y/n's expression grew serious. "I have a rare neurological disorder. It affects my motor skills and causes chronic pain. Mahirap gamutin, at walang guaranteed na lunas."