Collection of Mikhaiah Oneshots

The One That Got Away

MIKHA

"Aiah, what is your ideal type?" I randomly asked her.

We are here today at an overlooking spot in Angono, Rizal. This is where we often go when we want silence from the noise of Manila.

The comfort brought by the stars and lights coming from the city helps me to temporarily forget the weight of my feelings.

The cold breeze coming from the surrounding trees was somehow, helpful to ease my mind.

And of course, nothing can beat the feeling of peace and contentment that the person I'm with brings.

She looked at me curiously before sighing and answering.

"I want a person who I will feel at peace. The one who I can consider my safe place. The one who is willing to listen to me without judging me. The one who will still choose to stay by my side despite the problems. The one who won't give up on me no matter what. I'm sorry, am I making any sense? But yeah, even if she has many reasons to leave me, the fact that she loves me is more than enough for her to stay."

I didn't answer anymore. I just smiled and looked at the stars, silently memorizing every word she said.

---

"Aiah, do you have an ideal age to get married?"

"Your question is very random, Mikha Lim."

We are here now in a park near our village. This has been our go-to place since we were kids. She was riding on the swing while I was gently pushing it.

"To answer your question, I don't have an ideal age to get married. Do you know why? Because I do think that age doesn't matter but the person whom I truly love does matter to me when it comes to settling in life. So more than anything, only the person I love is important to me and the rest, I don't care anymore."

I didn't say anything but asked her to go home since it was getting late already.

---

"Aiah, what is your ideal type of wedding?"

"What's with you and your random question, Mikha Lim?"

She looked at me, weirdly. It was just a typical Sunday for us. We are now here in my condo, lying on the couch while her head is comfortably resting on my right arm.

"Anyway, to answer your out-of-the-blue question, I think I want a beach wedding. I want the guests to be few. Only those who are dear and important in my life. I want it to be as intimate as possible. It's been my dream ever since. Maybe because there's something about the sounds of the waves. It soothes my innermost self and it's very therapeutic. Somehow, it brings calmness to my heart."

As usual, I didn't answer again. But I have imprinted everything she said in my heart.

---

And now, we are here in Palawan. I nearly cried as I looked at her walking down the aisle. She is wearing her dream wedding dress while holding a bouquet of blue tulips.

She smiled at me. Her most genuine smile. The smile that reached her eyes. The smile that made me fall in love with her.

When she was in front of me, I couldn't stop it anymore and the tears that I had been holding back started to fall.

I hold both of her hands. Gently caressing it with my thumb. I mumbled the words I've been meaning to say for the longest time since I've known her.

"I love you, Aiah. It's time for you to be with the person you love the most. Please know that I will always be here no matter what. Always in all ways, Aiah." I kissed her forehead before handing her hands to Colet.

Colet smiled back at me, assuring me that she could take care of Aiah from now on.

By the time she turned her back on me, that was also the time I let go of the hope that we would be together.

While she was saying her wedding vows for Colet, my heart was breaking even more with pain. I didn't know it was possible to feel this way.

The agony gnaws at me. A lot of things are running through my mind right at this very moment. So many questions, but doesn't have answers. The what could have been and what should have been. The what ifs when it comes to her.

But more than anything, it's my regrets that haunt me the most.

If loving her could be this painful, then I'm willing to be broken just for her to be happy. I love her that much.

For the last time, I let my heart feel the pain before accepting the fact that there wasn't an us in the first place nor will ever be an us in the future.

I was the one who built her when she was broken but sadly, I built her not for me but for Colet.

I'm the one with her through highs and lows but sadly, that's not enough for her to choose me.

I may have known her earlier and better but sadly, I am not her last.

I may be able to love her more than the others could but sadly, I am not the person she loves.