Neighbor ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #2]

23

—🦊—

MIKAELA'S POV

I pause for a moment, sighing heavily before heading toward the park where Judy is waiting. She spots me and immediately gets up from the bench, greeting me with a warm hug.

"Bakit natagalan ka, Miks?" She pouts, her arms still wrapped around me. Magagalit kaya siya kung sinabi kong tinatamad lang ako pumunta?

"Sorry, traffic." I say shortly, not feeling up to explaining more.

"It's okay, I'm just glad you're here now." Her smile is bright, but my mind is elsewhere.

'She told me she loves you.'

Alana's voice echoes in my head. Masaya dapat ako eh, My crush, Judy, loves me. Matagal ko na gusto 'to eh.

"So, the reason I asked you here is..." Judy's voice falters, her eyes dropping to her feet.

'You should ask her out.'

Alana's advice rings again in my head. She's always right—if I follow her advice, I'll be with Judy. But... gusto ko ba talaga 'to?

Of course, you do, Mikaela. If you don't take this chance, you'll regret it. You've been watching her for so long—now's the moment.

I try to convince myself. "Judy, will you—"

"Be my girlfriend, Miks!" Judy suddenly blurts out, cutting me off.

"Judy, I..." My words catch in my throat. I should say yes, right? So why does.. bakit parang ang mali?

Don't say yes, Miks. A voice I don't recognize speaks up in my mind. But why? Bakit naman hindi?

The thoughts whirl around in my head, but I need to answer her. Now. I open my mouth, intending to say yes, but no words come out. Instead, I just nod.

"Thank you, Miks!" Judy exclaims, throwing her arms around me, her chin resting on my shoulder. I laugh softly at her excitement.

Congratulations, Mikaela. You're officially taken by the girl you've had a crush on for a year.

I try to feel happy about it. But deep down, there's regret. I don't know why, but it's there—gnawing at me, even though everything should be perfect.

—🦊🐶—

3RD PERSON

"Isn't that... Miks?" Alana mumbles to herself as she sees the familiar figure walking toward the dorm building.

Something about Mikaela seems off. Her usual carefree attitude is gone, replaced by a frown and a heavy air, like something's weighing on her mind. Alana's chest tightens with concern.

Without hesitating, Alana rushes forward to catch up to her. "Miks, okay ka lang?" she asks, slightly out of breath.

Mikaela stops in her tracks and turns to her. "Ah, Lana...." She pauses, her voice low. "Yeah." Just a bit lost.

"Where were you?" Mikaela asks, changing the subject.

"Ah kasama ko si Cole, kumain kami sushi." Alana replies casually.

"Tumanggi ka sakin pero kay Cole, oo?" Mikaela teases, though there's a hint of disappointment.

"Mas pipiliin ko si Cole kesa sayo anyday, no!" Alana jokes, laughing as they step into the elevator together. But her heart isn't in it. "Anyway, where were you?"

"I was with Judy," Mikaela's tone is casual, but Alana's heart drops the moment she hears that name.

No way...

"We're officially dating now," Mikaela says, as if it's nothing, but to Alana, it's everything. The words feel like a punch to her chest.

"R-really?" Alana stammers as they step out of the elevator.

"Yeah. Thanks to you," Mikaela smiles, oblivious to the storm brewing inside Alana.

"Congratulations, Miks." Alana forces a smile, wide and bright, but her heart feels like it's shattering into pieces. "Good for you."

"Thanks," Mikaela says, returning the smile, but Alana bites her lower lip to stop it from trembling.

"I... I'll see you tomorrow na lang." Alana fumbles with the key to her dorm, avoiding Mikaela's gaze the whole time. She forces her hands to stay steady, even though everything inside her is shaking.

"May utang pa ako sayo na meal ha, anytime you want na lang." Mikaela reminds her with a playful nudge.

"Of course! Hindi ko nakakalimutan!" Alana chuckles, but the sound is hollow.

"Goodnight, Mikaela." Alana smiles again, but this time it's even harder to hold. She closes the door slowly, watching as Mikaela walks away.

Inside, once the door is locked, Alana takes a deep breath, trying to keep herself together. But it's no use. The moment she's alone, her legs give out, and she slides to the floor, tears streaming down her face.

"How funny," she whispers between choked sobs. "Tinulungan ko siya sa crush niya pero eto, naiiyak pa ako?"

The tears keep coming, each one heavier than the last, until her cheeks are soaked.

"But it's okay." She wipes her face roughly with the back of her hand, trying to convince herself. "One-sided love.. Hindi naman magtatagal 'to diba?"

Even as she says it, she knows it won't be that simple.