Neighbor ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #2]

12

—🐶🦊🐺🐼🐣🐱🐨🐰—

"This is so nice," Alana murmurs as she stares at the cold, gloomy sky from her seat. The rain pelts the window, drumming a soothing rhythm against the glass.

"I can't wait to go home and eat," she adds, her stomach grumbling audibly.

"Pagkain lang ba talaga nasa isip mo?" Cole asks, shooting her a judgy look from across the table.

Alana shrugs. "Most of the time, oo." She's unapologetically honest.

"Long lost sister ko ata si Ate Lana!" Sienna raises her hand for a high five, which Alana happily returns.

Jo, who has been listening with a sly smile, swings her arm over Alana's shoulders.
"What if dinner tayo? Today?" Jo winks, playful as ever.

"Oh, sur—"

"No." Cole swiftly smacks Jo's head with a spoon. "Nakain tayo tapos ganyan ka? Nakakasuka, ha."

"Ow!" Jo exclaims, rubbing her head, pouting. "Sakit nun, ha!"

"Hindi ko tuloy malunok yung lunch ko," Stella comments, clearly unimpressed by Jo's antics.

"Guys, hindi na matuloy-tuloy yung gala natin," Malia chimes in, trying to change the subject. "Tsaka hindi man lang natin ginala si Lana, eh kakabalik lang niyan ng Pinas."

"May gusto ka bang puntahan?" Sienna asks, curious.

"Kung saan may pagkain," Mikaela answers before Alana can speak.

"Wow, Miks, kilala mo na ako," Alana smiles at her.

"I think alam na ng lahat yan though," Cole adds, laughing.

"Kailan tayo gagala?" Malia presses, clearly eager.

"This weekend!" the group agrees in unison.

—🐶—

ALANA'S POV

"Grabe, may bagyo ba today?" one of my classmates asks as we walk out of our lecture room. Through the doors, we can see the downpour outside, rain pouring in torrents.

"Naamoy niyo ba yun?" I ask, taking in the scent of rain. The earthy smell always lifts my spirits. "It's nice."

"Parang ang sarap kumain ng sopas today," one of the girls adds, and I nod in agreement. Right?

"Lana, sama ka ba? Kakain kami." They ask, hopeful. "Sama ka na!"

"Sure!" I quickly nod.

"Lana, invite mo rin sila Cole!" one of them suggests.

It's not a bad idea considering Cole's friendly nature pero minsan napipindot si Anger. I'm sure she'll say yes.

"Sige, tanungin ko," I reply, pulling out my phone to text my cousin. Within seconds, she responds with a thumbs-up emoji.

"She said yes!" I announce, and my friends squeal so loudly that I'm sure people all over Quezon City can hear them.

"Sige, we'll text you the address where we'll meet up," one of them says before leaving with a wide smile.

"Okay! See ya!" I wave as I head out of the hallway, making my way toward my locker.

I close the locker door after putting away my books and grab my umbrella. It's still raining heavily outside. All I can see are umbrellas moving like colorful dots across the campus.

"LANA!" I hear someone shout.

I squint through the rain. "Miks?!"

Yup, that's definitely Mikaela, standing in the hallway across from me, waving.

"HALIKA DITO!" she shouts again.

"OKAY, HOLD ON!" I quickly open my umbrella and rush over, trying to dodge the rain.

As soon as I reach her, I shake the water off my umbrella. "Akala ko nakauwi ka na," I say, standing beside her.

"Sana, kung may payong ako," Mikaela replies with a sigh.

"Then go borrow one," I tease, flashing a grin.

She gives me a look. "Aight, maghanap na lang ako ng iba."

"Huy, eto naman, joke lang," I giggle.

"Ha. Ha. Nakakatawa mga jokes mo," she replies, feigning a laugh with a straight face.

I chuckle. "Eto na, hindi na ako magjojoke. Tara na." I open the umbrella, but just as we're about to leave, I catch sight of something—or someone.

"It's your Judy," I tell Mikaela, and she immediately looks up. Judy stands in the hall I just came from, looking stranded without an umbrella.

"Here." I hand Mikaela my umbrella, remembering the sinigang she made me.

"What?" Mikaela stares at me, confused.

"Eto, mahilig kaya ang mga girls sa mga gentlewoman. Go and walk her home. Huwag kang awkward. Be confident!"

"But paano ka uuwi?" There's a hint of concern in her voice.

"Don't worry, I have Cole!" I tell her with a grin. "Besides, gagala naman kami mamaya."

"But—"

"Dalian mo na!" I give her a little push, sending her out into the rain.

"Make eye contact and be confident!" I cheer her on from behind.

"Thank you!" Mikaela mouths back with a smile. She looks genuinely happy.

Well, tawagan ko na lang ang minamahal kong pinsan, Cole.

—🦊—

"Be confident," Mikaela repeats Alana's words in her head as she approaches Judy.

"Hi," Mikaela smiles, making eye contact with Judy, who looks surprised but happy to see her.

"Oh, hi, Miks! Ano ginagawa mo rito?" Judy asks, her eyes lighting up.

"You look like you're having some trouble. Maybe I can help?" Mikaela offers, her voice steady.

"Yeah, actually, nakalimutan ko dalin payong ko," Judy responds shyly.

"Halika na, sabay ka na." Mikaela says gently, her words making Judy's heart flutter.

"Are you sure? I don't want to bother you," Judy asks, but she's clearly touched.

"It's alright," Mikaela reassures her, feeling an unexpected calm wash over her.

"Alis na tayo?" she asks, her smile warm.

Judy nods, and the two move closer together as they step out into the pouring rain. Mikaela holds the umbrella over Judy, shielding her from the worst of the storm, though it leaves Mikaela partially drenched.

Despite the cold, Mikaela doesn't mind. Their small talk keeps them distracted, and with every step, they grow a little more comfortable. As they approach Judy's dorm, the rain continues to fall, but all Mikaela can think about is how right this moment feels.