Bini High

6

The rooftop garden had become their unspoken sanctuary—a place where time seemed to slow down, where the chaos of high school was forgotten. It was where Aiah could breathe, and apparently, where Mikhael found peace too.

At first, Aiah had been unsure. Meeting him up there felt like a coincidence—just two people looking for solace. But now, after weeks of running into him, it felt different. Almost... intentional.

As the days passed, their rooftop meetings became routine. Neither of them ever talked about it, but somehow, they both knew they'd meet there. Aiah couldn't help but feel the anticipation building before she'd even climb the stairs.

One Friday afternoon, the sky was a watercolor of oranges and pinks as the sun began to set. Aiah sat on the bench, pretending to read a book, though her mind was elsewhere. The sound of footsteps made her look up, and there he was—Mikhael, with his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his basketball duffel bag slung over one shoulder.

His presence had a way of commanding attention without effort. Maybe it was the confidence in his stride, or the way his eyes always seemed to have a knowing glint. He stopped a few feet away, offering her a half-smile that sent an involuntary flutter through her chest.

"Ano, bookworm. Nagbabasa ka na naman?" he teased, eyeing the book in her lap.

She rolled her eyes. "Tama naman siguro 'yun, diba? Mas mabuti nang nagbabasa kesa gumala kung saan-saan."

He chuckled softly, moving closer. "Sabi ko nga, nagbabasa ka lang... pero hindi ka naman nakikinig sa binabasa mo."

Aiah bit her lip, trying to hide the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Excuse me? Nag-aaral ako kaya."

Mikhael sat down beside her, too close for comfort. The space between them was nearly nonexistent, and Aiah could feel the warmth radiating from him. She shifted slightly, but her body betrayed her, leaning just a little in his direction.

"Sure ka? Kasi mukhang mas interesado ka sa akin kesa sa libro mo," he said, a playful smirk forming on his lips.

Aiah's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

He grinned wider, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Am I wrong?" he added, his voice softening, more intimate.

For a second, Aiah was at a loss for words. **Was** he wrong? She'd never admit it. Not out loud, anyway.

"Kapal ng mukha mo," she muttered under her breath, returning her attention to the book. Or at least trying to.

Mikhael leaned in, his shoulder brushing hers. "Sige na nga, fine, ikaw na ang bookworm. Pero, Aiah..." His voice dropped into something almost like a whisper, his breath tickling her ear. "Alam mo bang ikaw ang pinaka-cute na bookworm na nakita ko?"

Her pulse quickened, but she forced herself to laugh it off, ignoring the heat rushing to her cheeks. "Ano ba yan, Mikhael. Napaka-corny mo," she said, shaking her head, refusing to meet his eyes.

He chuckled. "Corny, pero napangiti ka naman."

Aiah finally glanced at him, her expression caught between disbelief and amusement. "Alam mo, hindi mo ako matitibag sa mga cheesy lines mo."

"Challenge accepted," he replied without missing a beat, his grin deepening.

The air between them seemed to thicken, charged with something unspoken. Aiah could feel her heart racing, but she forced herself to act nonchalant, turning the page of her book even though she hadn't read a single word. Mikhael wasn't letting up though. His teasing had a way of getting under her skin, but in a way that made her feel alive, a little too aware of him.

He leaned back, his eyes studying her, and after a moment, he asked, "So bakit ka nga pala palaging nandito sa rooftop?"

Aiah shrugged. "Gusto ko lang ng tahimik na lugar."

Mikhael nodded, his eyes still fixed on her. "Kaya din ako nandito."

They sat in silence for a few moments, the only sound being the rustle of leaves from the garden trees and the distant chatter of students down below. But it wasn't uncomfortable. It was... peaceful.

After what felt like an eternity, Mikhael spoke again, his voice quieter, more serious this time. "Alam mo, Aiah, I'm not really the type na maraming kausap. Pero parang... gusto ko makilala ka."

Her heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his tone. She glanced at him, unsure of how to respond. Mikhael wasn't someone she ever expected to open up to her like this.

She cleared her throat, trying to keep things light. "Ewan ko sayo, Mikhael. Lahat ng girls dito gusto ka naman makilala."

He shook his head, his gaze unwavering. "Hindi sila ang gusto kong makilala."

There it was again—that intensity, the kind that made her want to retreat and stay all at once. She fumbled for something to say, but nothing came to mind. Instead, she felt herself leaning in, just a little.

Mikhael must have noticed because suddenly, his hand reached out, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. The gesture was simple, but it sent a shiver down her spine.

"Bagay sayo pag nakangiti ka," he murmured.

Aiah blinked, her breath hitching. The space between them felt dangerously small now, and before she realized what was happening, Mikhael had closed the gap just a little more.

Their faces were inches apart, so close she could see the faint freckles on his nose, the way his eyes darkened with something unreadable. Her heart hammered in her chest, every nerve in her body on high alert.

She tried to speak, tried to brush it off with a laugh or a joke, but the words stuck in her throat.

Mikhael's eyes flickered down to her lips, then back to her eyes. "Aiah..." he whispered, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine.

For a moment, the world stood still. Everything—Bini High, the rooftop, the school gossip—disappeared, leaving just the two of them.

Then, as if snapping back to reality, Aiah quickly leaned back, breaking the spell. Her heart raced, her cheeks flushed with heat.

"Uh... I—" she stammered, standing up abruptly, her hands trembling as she clutched her book to her chest.

Mikhael's lips curved into a knowing smile, though he didn't say anything. He just stood up as well, casually brushing imaginary dust off his jeans.

"Ayaw mo, ah?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.

Aiah shot him a flustered look. "Hindi. Ano ka ba, Mikhael!" She turned on her heel, heading towards the rooftop door. "Baka ano pa isipin ng mga tao."

Mikhael chuckled, his voice following her. "Sige lang, Aiah. Pero tandaan mo, hindi pa tapos 'to."

Aiah's heart was still pounding by the time she reached the door, but she couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face.

As she left the rooftop, Mikhael's words echoed in her mind.

*Hindi pa tapos 'to.*

And somehow, deep down, she knew he was right.