Tainted Love: Beast's Redemption

CHAPTER 4

Aiah's POV 
New Beginnings

My mind kept wandering back to everything that happened lately—job interviews, late arrivals, and Maloi. Especially Maloi.

The past few days felt like a blur, but there was always something constant, si Maloi. She's been my roommate for almost three years, and she's seen me through all my ups and downs. And somehow, she never fails to lighten my mood even during stressful days like these.

“Tara, let’s just pick this one,” I said randomly, choosing a horror movie we haven’t watched yet.

Sheena came back just in time with the beers and snacks. “Ate Aiah, ready na ang refreshments!” she said cheerfully, placing them on the table.

“Nag-decide na ba kayo anong movie?”

“Oo, pinili ni Aiah ‘tong The Conjuring,” sagot ni Maloi, taking a can of beer. “Ikaw na bahala sa lights, Sheena.”

Sheena complied and dimmed the lights, creating the perfect horror movie atmosphere.

---

We were about halfway through the movie when I started feeling uneasy. It wasn’t because of the scary scenes—it was the strange tension between me and Maloi. She was sitting right next to me, her hand resting dangerously close to mine. I didn’t mind it before, but for some reason, ngayon ko lang napansin na she’s been fidgeting a lot.

I shifted slightly, hoping to ignore the awkwardness. But then, Maloi suddenly spoke.

“Aiah…” she whispered, almost hesitant.

“Hmm?” I responded, keeping my eyes on the screen, trying to act casual.

“Bakit… bakit kaya lagi kang nalelate sa mga interviews? Is it really just because of the Netflix binges? Or… something else?” Her voice was serious, not like her usual playful tone.

I turned to look at her, and there was this look in her eyes—something I couldn’t quite figure out. “Bakit mo biglang natanong yan?” I asked, surprised.

“Well, you’re smart, you’re qualified, pero laging may something na nagpapatigil sayo,” she said, avoiding my gaze. “Baka… baka naman may ibang dahilan?”

I sighed and paused the movie. “Honestly, Loi, di ko din alam. Feeling ko kasi kahit gaano ako kahanda, laging may mali. Siguro pressure? Or maybe, iniisip ko lang na baka hindi ko talaga kaya. Parang laging kulang.”

“Pero kaya mo,” she replied softly. “You always say you’re a ‘strong independent woman,’ pero I think you’ve been too hard on yourself lately.”

I was taken aback by her words. It wasn’t like her to get all serious like this. Usually, she’d just tease me or make a joke, but this time, it felt different.

“Loi, hindi lang basta yun eh,” I started. “Moving out, living on my own, it's all harder than I thought. I thought I'd be okay, pero sometimes I feel like I’m failing—at everything. Yung mga interviews na yan, parang reflection lang ng insecurities ko.”

“Hey, that’s not true,” she said, finally looking at me. “You’ve been doing great, and you’ve been making it work. Kailangan mo lang maniwala sa sarili mo more. Alam mo, if you want, I can help you practice para hindi ka na malate or matense.”

I smiled at her attempt to make me feel better. “Thanks, Loi. Alam ko namang andyan ka palagi.”

Sheena suddenly interrupted, her voice loud and playful, “Uy! Ano yan, heart-to-heart talk? Mag-bestie ba kayo o mag—”

“SHH! Nakikinood kami dito!” I quickly cut her off, throwing a popcorn kernel at her, laughing to cover up my embarrassment. “Tsaka naman, wag kang OA diyan!”

But despite the interruption, I felt something shift between me and Maloi. There was a comforting silence after that—a silence that spoke more than words could. We didn’t have to say anything else.

---

The movie ended after a couple more jump scares, and by then, Sheena was fast asleep on the couch. I checked my phone—it was already past midnight. Napaisip ako if may na-receive na akong update from the company, but again, no new messages.

“Magpahinga ka na, Aiah. Mukhang sobrang pagod ka na rin,” Maloi said, her voice soft again. “Ako na mag-aasikaso kay Shee.”

“Thanks, Loi. Ikaw rin, okay ka lang ba?”

She nodded. “Oo naman. Wala akong pasok bukas, remember?”

“Alright,” I stood up, stretching my arms. “I think I’ll call it a night na rin. Thanks for today, ha?”

“Anytime,” she replied, smiling.

As I headed to the room that Sheena prepared for us, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Grateful for Maloi’s company, for her words, and for her presence. Pero at the back of my mind, something was nagging me—something I couldn’t quite figure out yet.

---

Morning came, and I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. The sun was peeking through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room.

As I stretched and checked my phone, I saw a notification—a message from the company I interviewed yesterday. My heart raced. This could be it, finally!

I opened the email, holding my breath.

Dear Miss Arceta, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted...

O M G

Accepted. I got the job.

I let out a huge sigh of relief and shouted at the top of my lungs, “I GOT THE JOB!”

Moments later, I heard footsteps pounding down the hallway. Maloi burst into my room, her face lit up with excitement. “What happened? Totoo ba?!” she gasped, almost out of breath.

“YES!!!” I yelled, jumping up and down in excitement.

She rushed over and hugged me tightly. “I knew it! I’m so proud of you, Aiah. Sabi ko na nga ba, you’d get it.”

I grinned, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “After all those nerve-wracking interviews, I finally did it.”

Maloi’s eyes sparkled. “This definitely calls for a celebration! Let’s go out later, my treat.”

I laughed. “G, let’s do it!”

In that moment, with the sunlight pouring in, it felt like everything was finally falling into place.

Maybe this was the fresh start I’d been waiting for.