Behind the Scenes

Chapter 34

It's been four days since Mikha visited me in my condo. I messaged her everyday and I'm trying to talk to her about what happened that night pero sobrang tipid ng mga reply nya sakin. Maybe she's busy and tired from taping kaya hindi na rin ako nangulit pa.

Today, meron kaming biglaang kumu live and we are here sa Bini dorm, nandito na kaming lahat and just waiting for her. Maloi called her kanina and she said na Mikha's on her way na and now, we have five minutes nalang before the live.

We decided to start kahit na kulang kasi wala pa si Mikha. Ang alam namin wala syang taping ngayon and we are all free to do this short notice live for our new sponsor.

Mga fifteen minutes na kami nagkukulitan at tawanan on live when she came. Sheena announced her arrival and sumali na sya samin. Something is off, I can feel it. Yes, she's laughing with the girls and nakikisali sya sa conversation pero bigla bigla na lang din sya tatahimik.

After one hour, the live has ended and we decided to order foods nalang at nagkayayaan na dito na sa bini dorm mag dinner.

When she came out of the restroom, I asked her if she's okay and she just gave me a fake smile and said, yes. She is cold treating me and I don't know what to do, how to start and when to talk to her.

"Guys, sorry, I will not join you tonight. May pupuntahan kasi ako. Bawi ako next time." Mikha informed us.

"Naging artista lang yung kaibigan natin, di na natin makasama." Sheena teased.

"Mikha? are you okay? o masyado ka na napapagod sa taping?" Colet asked her.

"Don't worry Col, just not in the mood, but I'm okay. You have nothing to worry about, guys."

Napagkasunduan namin na mag movie after kumain at na-miss din namin mag bonding sa dorm ng magkakasama. Sana nandito din si Mikha.

"Who wants to drink beer? libre ko. Shee and Gwen, samahan nyo 'ko na bumili saglit. Kayo magaling pumili ng chips." Jho said and she's walking to get her car key.

The movie is playing on tv screen pero nung narinig nila yung libreng beer, ang bibilis lumingon.

"Bakit nanglilibre ng alak pag wala yung malakas uminom, Jho?" Staku asked while laughing.

"Lugi sya kay Mikhs e." Maloi teased and they all laugh.

Kanya kanya na sila ng sabi kung ano yung ipapabili nila na alak and I'm just scrolling sa phone when I saw in my newsfeed, a screen shot of a tagged picture of Mikha and a girl. Nakita ko yung name ng nag story and oh, so she's with that Denise girl?

She's being cold to me because she is busy with someone else. Right, just right. She should've inform me at least, that she's going MIA again for the nth time.

She told us that she's not just in the mood. Huh, not in the mood to be with us, but in the mood to be with her Denise girl in a bar!

Naiinis ako. Hindi ko alam kung ano yung nararamdaman ko. Akala ko we're having mutual feelings.

Akala ko lang pala talaga lahat.

"Wait! Jho!" I shouted.

I saw Jho stopped wearing her left shoes as soon as she heard me.

The girls are looking at me like I'm crazy but I don't care. All I know is that, I needed a drink more than anyone else in this room.

"Can you add three bottles of beer for me, please?"

I saw their jaw dropped. They maybe asking themselves if I'm the Aiah that they've known since trainee days.

"Aiah, are you okay? or should I ask, are you sure? you're going to drink?" Colet asked worriedly.

"Hey Colet, just let her. She's not minor." Staku said like she understand what I'm feeling right now.

I don't know what to say anymore so I just remained silent while staring blankly in a movie with the title I don't know that still playing on the screen.

"Aah!" I can't help but to make that sound after my first gulp on my beer. Why the shell they all love to drink this when it tastes like ew?

The girls laugh at me. Nahuhuli ko din silang nagkakatinginan ng makahulugan minsan. I don't know if it's because of my emotions are all over the place or what.

"So ate Aiah, care to share?" Gwen asked me and we all look at her.

"Gwenny, that add up to a 'not so normal things that happened tonight' is this because of the chicken we ate for dinner?" Jho asked looking like she's thinking hard.

"I don't think it's because of the chicken, Jho. I ate almost eat half of it and I'm still normal. Right guys?" Shee answered and we are all laughing.

"Shee, please. Stop making faces like that! Ang sakit na ng tyan ko kakatawa!" Maloi said, almost tearing up.

"Guys! Stop. Let's get back to the question. Ate Aiah, may problema ba?" Staku asked seriously.

"Why? Am I not allowed to drink beer?" I answered with the question.

"No, of course not. Just.. out of ordinary." Gwen is really shock that I'm drinking with them, I guess.

"So, if I'm going to bar, drink and dance with anyone, I'm not normal?" I don't know what I'm talking about.

"Is it because of Mikhs? I saw her pictures with Denise Julia in a bar. Nagtatampo ka ba ate Aiah kasi mas pinili nya dun kesa makasama tayo?" Jho asked and they were all waiting for me to answer.

"What about them? Whoever she wants to be with, is her choice, Jho. Maybe it's just that we're not at the top priority, anymore."

I felt the stab in my heart while saying it. How can I handle this pain if ever she will drop the news that she's having feelings with someone else? What if she is starting to catch feelings on that Denise girl?

"If you're ready, you can tell us anything, ate Aiah. You know that we always got your back. You can be the real Aiah to us." Staku said but it didn't registered in my head anymore.

I just found myself having staring contest on the third bottle of beer that I almost emptied.

I feel like I'm swaying. I feel hot all of a sudden and my eyes are so heavy it wants to close.

"That's enough for you, Aiah." Colet said. "I'll drive you home."

"Yeah, please make sure she's sleeping in her room before you leave her, Colet." Jho said.

What do they think of me? I don't need a baby sitter. All I need now is a certain someone but she is having a really good time with some other girl. Ouch.

No.

Mikha Lim, My M, please don't fall for her.

"Aiah! Jeez! don't you dare throw up in my car!"