Falling For Mikhaela Janna Lim

Chapter 45: Troublemaker

NO ONE'S POV

Aiah woke up groggily, her alarm blaring beside her.

She had stayed up late last night, finishing a chapter of the book she had been writing.

Matagal-tagal na rin kasi mula noong huli siyang nag-publish ng bagong storya dahil naging busy siya sa trabaho.

Writing had become her outlet ever since Mikha died.

Hindi niya alam kung paano maka-move on.

Everything had fallen apart.

Lahat ng mga dating gusto niyang gawin, wala na siyang mahanap na motivation para ituloy.

Napabayaan niya ang mga responsibilidad bilang council president, pati na rin ang pag-aaral niya.

She locked herself in her room for months-grieving, blaming herself.

The guilt consumed her every day, making her feel like she didn't deserve to step out of the room.

Dito rin kasi madalas silang tumambay ni Mikha.

This room held memories of the two of them-long talks, shared laughter, and the secret moments whenever Mikha would sneak in through her window just to spend time with her.

The sound of the window sliding open late at night had always been a sign that Mikha was there, ready to make her smile after a long day.

Now, the same room felt suffocating, filled with all the "what ifs" and the weight of regret.

Aiah could still picture Mikha standing by the window, laughing softly as she tiptoed in so her parents wouldn't notice.

Those were the nights she cherished most-when it was just the two of them, away from everyone else, and everything felt right.

But now, that window stayed closed. Mikha would never sneak in again, and Aiah couldn't bring herself to open the curtains.

As she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the familiar pang of guilt struck her again.

Every regret, every doubt, weighed heavy on her chest, as if she could have somehow changed things.

For months, Aiah barely left her room.

She couldn't face the world outside or the memories that haunted her inside.

Aiah eventually stopped studying.

Her friends never failed to comfort her during those dark times.

Lagi siyang binibisita nina Maloi, Sheena, at Stacey, constantly reminding her na hindi niya kasalanan ang nangyari.

Pero paano niya papaniwalaan iyon kung si Jhoanna mismo ang sinisisi siya sa pagkawala ni Mikha?

Jhoanna had been consumed by hatred, to the point that she never let Aiah attend Mikha's funeral.

Even Colet and Gwen-her closest friends-distanced themselves.

The bond they once shared instantly vanished, shattered by Mikha's death.

The funeral was private.

Wala naman kasing ibang nakakaalam sa tunay na pagkatao ni Mikha, bukod sa kanila.

Mikha's family chose to grieve in silence and away from public eyes.

Hindi rin masisi ni Aiah si Jhoanna.

The guilt gnawed at her, and she couldn't do anything but cry.

She cried until she had no more tears to shed.