BINI IMAGINES

Again : Part two | AIAH

The smile on your face felt both fragile and bold, a silent invitation caught between hope and uncertainty. You could sense your heart hammering against your chest as you maintained eye contact with Aiah. Her gaze was soft but layered, like she was searching for something-an answer, a sign, maybe even forgiveness.

But before either of you could speak, the moment was broken by Sheena's excited voice.

"Omg, ito na ba 'to?! Reunite na ba kayo?!"

Laughter erupted from everyone around you. They didn't know the depths of the feelings playing out between you and Aiah, how your heart had been in pieces since that day. And yet, here you were, standing in a moment that felt stolen from a dream.

Aiah looked away first, her cheeks flushing. She still hadn't said a word to you, not a single one since you arrived. You wondered if she was waiting for you to make the first move.

Did she want you to say something? Or was she afraid of what might come out if she opened her mouth?

Before you could overthink, your sister Maloi came over, her arm draped over your shoulders.

"Tara, Y/n. Kuha tayo ng drinks. Let's give everyone some space."

She gave a pointed look toward Aiah, who quickly looked down, pretending to be distracted by her phone.

---

In the kitchen, Maloi pulled you closer, her tone low and serious.

"What happened between you and Aiah? You look like you've seen a ghost."

You sighed, leaning against the counter. "It's complicated, ate. I don't even know where to begin."

Maloi nodded, her face thoughtful. "Ang tagal na rin, Y/n. 2 years ago, and I know you've both had time to think. Maybe kailangan nyo na talagang mag usap, kahit closure lang."

"Closure?" You echoed the word, feeling it settle heavily in your chest.

Was that really what you needed? Or did you still want something more? You couldn't tell

Fons suddenly entered the kitchen, grabbing a drink from the fridge. "Alam mo, Y/n, sometimes closure is just another way of leaving the door open a little longer."

You rolled your eyes at his cryptic words but couldn't help but smile. Fons always had a way of seeing through people, of knowing what they needed to hear, even if they didn't want to hear it.

Maloi patted your back. "Mag usap kayo, okay? The worst that can happen is... nothing changes."

You nodded, feeling a mix of courage and nerves. "Subukan ko, tagal ko na rin namang pinag iisipan eh."

---

As you returned to the living room, the mood had lightened again. Mikha was belting out another song, and everyone was clapping along. You scanned the room, searching for Aiah. She was now by the balcony, looking out at the ocean, her back turned to the room.

Your feet moved before you could think. You approached her slowly, your heartbeat quickening with every step. When you were just a few feet away, you cleared your throat.

"Aiah..."

She turned around, and for a moment, neither of you said anything. The air felt thick with words unspoken, memories unshared. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Oh...hi, Y/n"

You swallowed hard. "Can we talk? Just... for a bit?"

She hesitated, glancing back at the lively room, then nodded. "Yeah. Sure."

You both stepped out onto the balcony, the sound of waves crashing against the shore filling the silence between you. For a few moments, neither of you spoke. The weight of what needed to be said hung heavy in the air.

"Aiah," you started, taking a deep breath. "I... i hate to admit it...I've missed you. More than I thought I would."

She looked down, her fingers tracing patterns on the balcony railing. "I do too, Y/n...I've missed you too. Every day. Nothing changed"

Your heart leaped at her admission, but you tried to keep calm. "Napapaisip parin ako kung bakit eh... Bakit...bakit kailangan umabot tayo sa ganito?"

Aiah sighed, her shoulders slumping a little. "We were both afraid, I guess. Afraid to hurt, afraid to lose, afraid to fight for what we wanted. Ako? Sobrang natakot ako, Y/n..."

"Do you still... want us?" you asked softly, your voice barely audible above the sound of the waves.

Aiah turned to face you, her eyes meeting yours. "Y/n, I never stopped wanting us. But I didn't know if you did. You were always so distant, so unreachable."

You felt a tear slip down your cheek. "Buong akala ko, gusto mo na pakawalan na kita... "

She reached out, her hand brushing against yours, hesitant but hopeful. "Maybe I needed you to hold on, even when I didn't know how to ask."

You both stood there, holding each other's gaze, the world fading around you. You realized, in that moment, that this was it-the chance to rebuild or to finally let go.

But something in Aiah's eyes told you she was hoping, just like you, for another chance.

"I never stopped loving you, darling... Ikaw lang gusto ko, ang mahal ko... Let's give us another chance..."

Aiah's breath hitched at your words. For a moment, you thought she might pull away, but then her fingers tightened around yours, as if anchoring herself to the moment. Her eyes were shimmering with something-fear, hope, maybe even love.

"I want that too," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I've been wanting that for so long, but I didn't know if it was too late."

You shook your head slowly, a small, hopeful smile tugging at your lips. "Hindi pa huli ang lahat, darling... At hinding hindi ko hahayaang mangyari iyon. "

Aiah let out a shaky laugh, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Then let's start again. No more holding back, no more hiding... just us."

You nodded, a sense of relief and joy flooding through you. The years of confusion, regret, and longing seemed to fade away, leaving only this-this new beginning. You leaned in closer, your foreheads touching, and for the first time in years, you felt truly at peace.

"Just us," you echoed softly.

And with that, you pulled her into an embrace, holding her as if to make up for every lost moment.

The sound of the waves was still there, but now, it felt like a melody-a song of second chances, of love rediscovered, and of a future that, at last, seemed a little less uncertain.

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Sa sobrang kaba, napindot agad ang publish kahit hindi pa tapos.😭

Hope you like it guys, natuyot utak ko buong araw eh.🤧