In the midst of the crowd, all I see is you

SPECIAL CHAPTER

MIKHA

"Breathe in, breathe out. That's good, one last push and the baby will be out. You're doing great, Mrs. Lim." The Doctor said.

I'm sweating profusely. She is currently giving birth at St. Luke Medical Center. With every push she makes, she squeezes my hand tightly. But who am I to complain? If I could just take away all the pain she feels, I would do it.

"Mikha Lim, I swear to all the saints, this is the last time I will carry your child." She screamed at the top of her lungs as she finally made her final push.

I was just in awe when the nurse placed my child in my arms. I can't explain what I'm feeling. Words are not enough to express the joy I feel. I no longer mind the pain in my hand; only he matters to me.

I can't stop looking at him. I bit my lips to keep myself from crying.

His cries were like music to my ears. His cheeks were too fluffy. He looks so small and fragile in my arms.

"Welcome to our life, Mikhael King Arceta Lim," I muttered.

---

After I proposed to Aiah, just six months later, we renewed our vows again. A year later, we decided that it was time for us to add a new bundle of joy to our lives.

A lot has happened in the past years. Did I mention that Maloi and Colet also have a child now? Stacey is currently in the first semester of her pregnancy with Jhoanna's child. While Sheena and Gwen are just about to get married next month.

We have gone through so many trials and hardships before we reached this point. And I'm glad I experienced all of that with them. Our group may have disbanded as PPOP, but our relationship goes beyond work. Our friendship remains stronger than ever.

"Congratulations to both of you, Aiah and Mikha. Baby Khael is very handsomely cute. His cheeks are so irresistible." Stacey happily said while softly kissing his cheeks.

They are here now, the six of them, in our house. This is one thing that hasn't changed in our group, our bond as friends. Every first Sunday of the month, we take turns hosting our gathering. And today, it's Aiah and I who are assigned.

"I'm getting jealous, Stacey. Your attention has been on Baby Khael for a while now." Jhoanna sulkily said.

"I'm definitely cuter than him." She added.

"You really can't keep quiet, can you, Robles? So what do you mean by saying you're cute? Where do you get the nerve to say that when you look like a mango?" Stacey shot back.

We were all just shaking our heads at the antics of those two. Even as time passes and we grow older, it seems that the teasing between Jhoanna and Stacey will never fade away. That seems to be really part of their life together as a married couple.

"I don't know about you, Stacey. Of all the cravings you could have and all the people you could conceive, you really chose Baby Khael to dote on when in fact, mangoes are tastier and chicks are cuter than him." Jhoanna childishly said.

"You two, just stop it already. You've been married and about to have a child on your own, but you both don't act according to your age. Why don't you follow the example of Nico and Ella?" Colet said, trying to stop the bickering of the two.

"Let them be, Uyab. Your anger button is being pressed again. Are you not used to them yet?" Maloi said while massaging her wife's furrowed brow.

"That's how it is when you're an only child, guys. Just let them be." It seemed like miracle do happen because Gwen was finally engaging in the conversation.

"Just stop it, all of you. Just, say Eyy." Sheena, being the youngest, jokingly said. She's doing her infamous hand sign.

"Mom, I also want a sibling. I'm envious of Ella." Nico said to Maloi.

We all laughed when Colet sprayed her beer on Jhoanna's face.

"What the fu-" Jhoanna was not able to continue what she was going to say.

"Go ahead and continue with what you were going to say. I swear, you're sleeping outside later, Robles. We have children with us, learn to be a good example." Stacey said.

"Fu-dgee bar." Jhoanna tentatively said.

I was so entertained watching them that I didn't even notice my wife was already beside me.

She just finished washing our dishes. Even though her hair is tied up in a messy bun and she's just casually wearing my oversized shirt without makeup, she is still the most beautiful woman in my eyes.

"What did I miss, Bubby?" She said and sat beside me.

"Nothing much, you know, just the usual bickering between those two," I said while pointing my hand at Jhoanna and Stacey.

"Anyway guys, why don't we play spin the bottle again while we're drinking? Just like before, you just have to choose between truth or dare when the bottle points at you."

"You're really cringy when it comes to thinking of games, Jho," Colet said.

"Hey, if it weren't for this game that I thought of that night, Aiah wouldn't have realized that Mikha is worth fighting for. And also, look at Sheena and Gwen. Their relationship is thriving. And mind you, I heard them that night confessing to each other."

Gwen and Sheena's faces immediately turned red.

"Seriously? That's how long has your relationship been?" Maloi said.

"Gwen and I, we're just playing it lowkey. At that time, there was just too much happening between Mikha and Aiah, so we decided to keep our relationship to ourselves."

"This apology was long overdue, but still, I'm going to say it. I'm sorry, guys. If it weren't for us, maybe we would still be complete as a PPOP group doing the things we love," I said.

"Are these your soft hour moments, Mikha? Anyway, you don't need to say sorry. In fact, we admire your courage to stand up and fight for your love for Aiah. If anything, we should be the ones to thank you because you broke the chain that was tied around our necks. You set us free, Mikha." Colet said.

"And also, we wouldn't trade everything we have right now for anything," Gwen added.

I looked at them one by one, and finally, I felt at peace. I feel contented.

These girls are my home.

And Aiah? She is my refuge.

I have so many regrets in my life. But choosing Aiah was the best decision I ever made.

---

Author's Note:

Writing this special chapter 'coz why not? HAHAHAHAHA. SALAMAT SA MGA NAGBABASA NITO. NAA-APPRECIATE KO KAYONG LAHAT💙🫶