Neighbor ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #2]

27

—🦊—

The words keep echoing inside Mikaela 's head.

"May gusto ka kay Miks, no?"

She had overheard Judy asking Alana this just before opening her door earlier. Now, it's haunting her, the uncertainty gnawing at her. Mikaela doesn't know what Alana's answer had been, but Judys next words offer a clue.

"Ah kaya pala gusto mo mapalapit sakanya."

Did Alana said yes? Mikaela's mind races. "No way," she mutters to herself, pacing in her dorm. "Imposibleng gusto niya ako."  But deep down, she isn't sure. She wants to know the truth. For the first time, Mikaela feels impatient—desperate even.

Later, Mikaela spots Alana walking out of the elevator toward their dorms. She looks exhausted, her face pale, eyes empty, as though the weight of the world is pressing down on her.

"Lana.." Mikaela calls softly, her concern evident. Alana stiffens at the sound of her voice, trying to hide how drained she feels by standing up straighter, her gaze avoiding Mikaela's.

"If pag-uusapan natin yung nangyari kanina, wag na please." Alana says flatly, brushing past her. She doesn't want to think about Judy, about Mikaela being taken, about how she might be ruining their relationship by just being around.

Mikaela steps forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hindi, hindi ko naman ibbring up yun."

Alana's heart clenches when Mikaela continues. "Iniisip ko lang if totoo bang..." Mikaela hesitates for a moment, then meets Alana's eyes. ".....may feelings ka sakin?"

Alana freezes, her breath catching in her throat. She wasn't prepared for this. Mikaela's directness sends her into shock. Her heart pounds painfully, and her hands tremble at her sides. Narinig niya ba lahat? Alam na ba niya?

Alana swallows hard, trying to find the words, but they come out small, fragile. "I'm sorry."

Mikaela stands still, processing her words.

"Alam kong mali and it's not supposed to happen, Miks. But it did." Alana bites her lower lip, struggling to contain her emotions. "I do see you as more than just a friend."

Mikaela is speechless. The silence between them is deafening, thick with unspoken thoughts. She's shocked. How did she not realize this earlier?

Alana forces a small, broken smile. "But I'll get over it naman, so wag mo 'ko isipin, okay?"

Her voice wavers, and Mikaela can see the pain in her eyes. Alana's brown-rimmed eyes shimmer with unshed tears, but she holds them back with all her strength. She doesn't want to break down front of Mikaela , doesn't want to be pitied.

Mikaela feels a knot tighten in her chest. Her mind is a mess of conflicting emotions. She can't deny the pull she feels toward Alana, the way her heart stirs whenever she's around. But she also knows she's with Judy. She doesn't want to be selfish, to hurt anyone, least of all Alana. But the confusion in her heart is growing, and she's terrified of losing someone she might truly care about.

Alana can't sleep.

Normally, sleep comes easily for her, but tonight, hours pass, and she's still wide awake, staring at the ceiling. Her mind replays the conversation over and over, each word haunting her. The way Mikaela had looked at her, the concern in her eyes—it breaks her heart.

"She must feel so uncomfortable because of me." Alana's thoughts spiral, guilt and sadness twisting inside her.

Little does she know that just beyond the wall, Mikaela is wide awake too, staring at her own ceiling, equally lost in thought. Unlike Alana, Mikaela hasn't yet recognized her feelings. But they're there, stirring restlessly beneath the surface.

Unable to bear the turmoil any longer, Alana reaches for her phone, squinting through blurry eyes as she finds Nicole's name in her contacts. She hits the call button, and it rings only once before Nicole answers.

"Hi pinsan, may need ka ba?" Cole's gentle voice brings Alana a small sense of comfort. Of course Cole would know something's wrong.

"Yeah..." Alana's voice cracks slightly. "Alam na niya. Alam niyang gusto ko siya."

"Ano sabi niya?" Cole asks, her voice full of concern.

"Wala naman." Alana says with a sigh. "But I think she pities me. Yung tingin niya kanina- parang hindi ko kakayanin. I don't think kakayanin kong makita siya ulit."

Cole is quiet for a moment. "Okay, sasabihan ko siya na lumayo siya sayo."

"No!" Alana quickly protests. "Hindi naman niya kasalanan na gusto ko siya."

"So, ano gusto mo mangyari?" Nicole's voice softens, sincere in her desire to help.

"Malapit na rin naman yung holiday break." Alana says, her voice tired but determined. "Iniisip ko if aalis ako ng maaga paputang Batanggas. Siguro by the end of the week, makaka-move on na ako."

Cole lets out a small sigh on the other end. "Okay, kung ayan gusto mo."

Alana closes her eyes, trying to block out the pain. "Thanks, Cole. Sana nga gumana."