Neighbor ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #2]

31

—🦊—

MIKAELA'S POV

I go through my stuff, doing last-minute check-ups, re-inspecting my backpack in case I forgot to pack something important for this trip.

I couldn't sleep last night. Not a single second of rest for my mind, all I could think about was Lana and how badly I want to see her. My stomach is already doing flips just at the thought of her face after days that feel like months.

I never thought I would want someone as much as I want Alana. Even when I had a little crush on Judy, I never truly desired to be with her.

Before I leave, I take a good look at the piece of paper that Jo gave me. This is it—my destination.

Lana, just wait for me a little more!

—🐶—

ALANA's POV

I quietly stare at my phone, scrolling through notifications of missed calls. Usually, I would grab my phone, check who the notifications are from, and reply as soon as I can. But now, I just neglect it like it's nothing to me.

I see who the missed calls are from, though.

Mikaela Alvarez.

But I don't want to listen to her or talk to her. I don't want to be a troublesome burden again after I suddenly ran away when I saw them kissing. I can't bear to hear her pitying voice saying how sorry she is that I saw the scene, as it would only remind me of what a burden I am to her due to my sensitive self.

Yet somehow, neglecting Mikaela feels so wrong. After all, she probably just wants to cheer me up.

Hindi ko na alam.

"LANA BUMABA KA DITO!" I hear my Lola yell from the living room of their house here at Batanggas.

"ANO NANAMAN!" I groan, getting to my feet and walking outside.

"Wag ka nga puro cellphone diyan at wag ka magkulong diyan sa kwarto!" she scolds.

"Bayaan mo muna siya, need niya rin magpahinga sa school niya." Yes, Lolo, ipamukha mo kay Lola!

"Anong pahinga? Magkakasakit lang yan kakaphone niya." my Lola argues.

"Ano ba gusto mo gawin ko?" I tiredly ask.

Here, she hands me a watering pot. "Lumabas ka at magdilig ka ng mga halaman ko dun."

"Tinawag mo lang ako kasi tinatamad ka eh!" I roll my eyes.

"Dali na, apo." My Lola is smiling now. "Magdilig ka na at para makapag-pahinga rin ako."

Dito ko siguro nakuha katamaran ko—kay lola.

"Kung ayaw mo, ako na gagawa." Lolo kindly offers.

"It's okay, 'Lo." I say, kailangan ko rin naman nang gagawin para mawala siya sa isip ko.

—🐶—

3RD PERSON

"Ano ba yan siya si Lola, bakit hindi na lang siya nagtanim ng magagandang plants like roses or something? Bakit mga ganitong itsura pa.." Alana tips the watering pot over, letting the drops of water trickle down onto the leaves and branches.

"OH—" She jolts when a presence creeps up behind her.

"Oh... ikaw lang pala." Alana speaks to the house's cat, which stares at her sullenly.

She knows the cat doesn't like her ever since she arrived here. The feline has always been cold and would turn away whenever she's around. However, Alana still loves this kitty despite its bad behavior toward her.

"Alam mo, Ming? Para kang yung crush ko." she says, ending up talking to it. "Ang lamig lamig, tamad, Plus, I love you, but you don't love me back."

"Ah..." Alana sighs, and the cat looks at her, perhaps curious about what she's talking about. "Ano kaya ginagawa niya.. Siguro kasama nanaman niya yung girlfrie—"

"ALANA!!"

Alana and the kitty look toward the direction from which the voice comes. From a short distance on the road leading to her house, she spots Mikaela smiling so brightly that she can see her sparkling eyes.

"Ayan, Ming! Siya yung sinasabi ko," Alana says.

"WAIT, WHAT?!" Alana yelps.

Alana gulps loudly in the thick silence as her quivering eyes lock onto Mikaela, who quickly runs toward her. Alana panics, but her body is too shocked to run away.

Totoo ba 'to, Lord? she thinks, wondering if it might be one of her hallucinations. But that thought quickly fades as she hears Mikaela's footsteps getting closer.

Her legs nearly give out, but then she feels herself being saved from a hard fall as a pair of arms wrap around her tightly. It's Mikaela, embracing her so fiercely that she has no chance of running away again.

"Nahanap din kita!" Mikaela's smile stretches from ear to ear.

Alana tries to shove Mikaela away, but the younger girl does not budge. She hugs Alana tighter, as if her life depends on it.

"Mikaela, I—"

"Shh." Mikaela cuts her off. She wants to keep Alana in her arms a bit longer. "Please stay like this."

"B-Bakit ka nandito?" Alana stutters, her face buried in Mikaela's chest. She can smell her familiar fragrance and realizes how much she's missed it, how much she's missed Mikaela's presence beside her.

"Nandito ako para sabihin na—" Mikaela's arms tighten around Alana's frame. "Please, wag na wag kang magm-move on sakin."

"Ha?... Ano pinagsasabi mo?" Alana is speechless and bewildered. Her brain is too slow to process what's going on.

"What I want to say for the past few days is—" Mikaela loosens her grip and stands straight, looking into Alana's eyes. Alana feels herself melting, gazing into the reflection of her own feelings within Mikaela's eyes.

"I want you to keep liking me." Mikaela stares at her with pure tenderness, her eyes sparkling with happiness as if Alana is the most precious gem in the world. "Because I, Mikaela, feel the same way too."

Alana can't believe her ears. Narinig niya ba ng tama yun? Her eyes widen, never leaving Mikaela's gaze. D-Did she just... confess to me?!?

Mikaela breaks into an amused chuckle at Alana's shocked reaction. She can feel her heart pounding against her chest as she eagerly anticipates Alana's response.

Finally, Alana's brain catches up to the situation. She opens her mouth to speak, feeling a hard twist inside her chest.

"Wait! No!"