Neighbor ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #2]

35

—🦊🐶—

3RD PERSON

Neither of them notices how quickly time flies by. It feels like just yesterday Mikaela arrived in Batanggas, but now, they're already on their way back to Quezon City, with school starting tomorrow.

Alana finds herself sitting next to Mikaela on the bus, gazing out at the sky through the glass window. The seat feels closer than she remembers—actually, it's because Mikaela is sitting very close.

"Ah.. Mamimiss ko Batanggas," Alana says aloud with a slight pout, wondering when she'll return next.

"Me too," Mikaela admits softly. She'll miss Batanggas, not for the place itself, but for the time they spent there together.

Mikaela blinks, her eyes droopy with fatigue. "Umh..."

"Umagang umaga, inaantok ka?" Alana teases, giving her a playful look.

"Yeah." Mikaela chuckles shamelessly. "Aga natin nagising eh, para habulin yung bus.""

"Okay then go sleep muna."

"Okay." Mikaela closes her eyes, and before Alana realizes it, Mikaela's head is resting on her shoulder. Alana is taken aback by the unexpected move, but a warm smile spreads across her face. Mikaela looks so cute when she's asleep.

"Since wala girlfriend ko ngayon, gamitin ko muna balikat mo." Mikaela mumbles.

The word 'girlfriend' wipes the smile off Alana's face. Girlfriend? Judy? Akala ko nakipaghiwalay na siya? Her thoughts spiral.

"Girlfriend?" Alana grimaces slightly.

"Ah oo, yung neck pillow na binili ko," Mikaela clarifies. "Nakalimutan ko dalhin eh."

"Oh..." Alana lets out a small chuckle. I should've known.

—🦊🐶—

Later, Alana sighs in relief as she plops down on her bed after a refreshing shower. The 4-hour bus ride exhausted her, especially since Mikaela had been asleep on her shoulder the entire time. Of course, Alana didn't miss the chance to take secret pictures of the sleeping beauty.

Even though her body is tired, her heart races with excitement. She places her hand over her chest, replaying all the little moments they shared in Batanggas. Ano kaya ginagawa niya? Alana muses to herself.

As if on cue, the doorbell rings, making Alana gasp in surprise. She quickly gets up and leaves her room, accidentally slamming the door behind her. When she swings open the front door, she's greeted by Mikaela's bright smile—so wide Alana wonders if Mikaela can still see with her eyes crinkled like that.

"'Lika, nagluto ako." Mikaela says, her tone warm.

"Real?" Alana is surprised; it's only been a few hours since they got back, and she has no idea where Mikaela found the energy to cook.

"Yup," Mikaela replies simply.

"Okay!" Alana quickly puts on a pair of slippers and follows Mikaela, closing the door behind her.

"Ano niluto mo?" Alana asks as they walk into Mikaela's dorm and head toward the kitchen.

"Ramen!"

—🦊—

MIKAELA'S POV

"Ah.. Nabusog ako dun," she groans, patting her stomach while lounging on the sofa. "Thanks for the meal, Miks."

"Hm." I nod slightly, sitting beside her on the couch. I hand her a cup of water.

"Thanks." She takes a sip before setting it down on the table.

Thank you, too.

For making my wish come true. I always dreamed of cooking for someone I liked. I didn't think that day would ever come, but here she is—sitting beside me, making me believe it's possible.

"May something ba sa mukha ko?" Alana asks, her eyes wide with curiosity as she swipes the corner of her lips, probably thinking there's a residue of the soup stuck.

"Nope." I lean in closer, and just as I expect, she's taken aback. Her eyes widen slightly, her cheeks flush pink, and she looks at me nervously. I never thought teasing a girl could be this fun—it's too cute.

"Ang ganda mo lang,"

Mikaela Alvarez, hindi ako makapaniwala na sinabi mo yun, this girl really is special, isn't she?

"Wag ka nga magbiro." Alana diverts her gaze, blinking rapidly.

"I'm not." I keep my gaze steady, watching as she bites her bottom lip shyly, clearly flustered.

This is it.

No more distractions. No more interruptions.

It's finally the right time.

"Alana," I call her by her real name, making her look up at me. The way she gazes into my eyes gives me the courage to say the words I've been holding back for so long.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

The feelings have never felt so right before. She looks shocked—I knew she wouldn't see this coming. And that's okay. If she says no, I'm ready for it. I don't want to rush her. If she says no, I'll wait for her. I'll wait until the day she says—

"Yes."

Wait... What?

"Ano sabi mo?" My voice cracks as I try to make sense of what I just heard. It was so quiet, I must've misheard it.

Alana looks embarrassed—no, flustered. Her cheeks are flushed a deep red as she avoids my gaze. "I said yes!"

My heart pounds so hard I swear it's going to burst. I've never felt this weak in my life, like my knees might give out at any second. Ah, so ganito pala maging in love.

"Thank you—"

Before I can finish, her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me in until her lips meet mine. The touch of her lips sends electricity coursing through my veins, lighting up every inch of my being.

Goosebumps rise on my skin as I respond to her kiss with all the love I have to give. Her lips make my world spin, and I know in this moment—I'll never forget this kiss for the rest of my life.