Youth [MikhAiah] [Book #1]

33

—🦊—

The world buzzes with a single story. Headlines flash across screens, social media ignites with rumors, and every news outlet runs the same shocking narrative.

Pictures of Mikha's fiery hair and Aiah's raven-black hair scatter across the internet. Both girls, bruised and stained with blood from the wreckage, appear vulnerable yet defiant in the photo of the Prince's arm around the nameless commoner.

The world is asking: Who is this girl that the Prince risked everything for?

The media storm spins wildly outside the hospital, but for Maloi, Stacey, and Sheena, there's only one concern: getting to Aiah.

Inside the hospital, the air is thick with tension. They rush through the sterile lobby, hearts pounding in their chests, only to be met by a wall of royal guards. Their stern faces and imposing presence block the way forward.

"Excuse me, ha!" Maloi's voice cracks with urgency, her frustration barely contained as she steps forward. "Yung kaibigan namin jowa yun ng prinsipe niyo! Kailangan namin siya makita."

The guards remain unmoved, staring straight ahead like statues, as though her words had fallen on deaf ears. Their eyes fixed straight ahead. One of them, taller than the others, steps forward, his hand raised as if to block their path. "No one enters without royal clearance.

Stacey rolls her eyes, stepping up next to Maloi with a scoff. "Anong royal clearance? Mamamatay na yung kaibigan namin, kakailanganin niyo pa nun?!"

Sheena, calmer but equally determined, adds, "Please lang po, may karapatan naman kaming makita yung kaibigan namin eh!"

For a moment, the guards seem to consider her words, but still, they don't move. Their expressions are stone.

Just as the situation starts to escalate, a voice calls from down the hallway. "They're with me." It's Colet, striding toward them with Gwen and Jhoanna flanking her. The royal trio, still in their formal attire from the gala, look both relieved and exhausted.

Colet waves off the guards, who immediately step aside. "Pasensya na," she says with a tight smile. "Royal protocol and all that, specially yung nangyari kanina. But come on, Aiah's waiting for you."

At her words, the guards immediately stand aside, allowing Maloi, Stacey, and Sheena to pass. As they step through the threshold, Stacey, never missing an opportunity, sticks out her tongue at the guards with a cheeky, "Pfft!" Her moment of defiance doesn't last long, though—Jhoanna gives her a light smack on the shoulder, sighing, "Tigilan mo nga yan,"

They move quickly down the hallway, following the cousins through the hospital's private wing. As they approach the door, the anxiety they've been holding back hits them like a wave. When they finally enter, the sight inside leaves them breathless.

Mikha is lying in a hospital bed, her arm in a cast and bandages around her head as well., her face pale but peaceful. Next to her, Aiah is sitting upright in a bed of her own, bandages around her head as well. They both look battered and bruised, but they're alive.

Maloi's breath catches in her throat. "Aiah..." Her voice is a soft whisper, trembling as she rushes to her friend's side. She gently touches Aiah's hand, her fingers brushing over the uninjured skin, her eyes glistening with tears.

Gwen steps forward, her voice steady but gentle. "They're both okay naman. Mikha made sure she was safe."

Stacey, pale but trying to hide her fear behind a nervous laugh, steps up to the bed. "I swear, ante. Lapitin ka talaga ng mga weird scenarios. First, jowa mo yung prinsipe, ngayon naman na-aksidente kayong dalawa. Ano na ba next?" Her voice wavers, and she quickly looks away, blinking back tears.