Bound by Destiny: The MikhAiah Chronicles

Chapter 3: Falling In Love (5)

Aiah paced around her living room, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. For what felt like hours, she had been calling Mikha over and over again, but the line just kept ringing. No answer. Worry gnawed at her chest, tightening with each unanswered ring. Normally, Mikha would always pick up—especially now, when they were on the verge of something deeper, something real. What if something happened to her?

"Come on, Mikha, pick up!" Aiah muttered to herself, tapping the screen for the hundredth time. Still, nothing. She sat down on the couch, her leg bouncing with anxiety, her mind running wild with worst-case scenarios. The last few weeks had been so intense—Mikha with her gigs, interviews, and fan events, and Aiah dealing with her own emotional turmoil as she finally began to understand her feelings for her.

As the phone went to voicemail yet again, panic began to bubble in Aiah's chest. "That's it!" she whispered, grabbing her keys in one swift motion. She couldn't sit there worrying any longer. She needed to see Mikha, now.

The drive to the hotel was a blur. Aiah barely registered the streets passing by, her heart hammering in her chest the whole way there. What if something had happened? What if Mikha was hurt? She cursed herself for not calling sooner, for not checking in more often.

When she arrived at the hotel, she didn't even bother with formalities, rushing straight through the lobby to the elevator. She frantically pressed the button to Mikha's floor, her mind spinning in a thousand different directions. When the elevator doors opened, she practically sprinted to Mikha's room, knocking hard, her heart pounding louder than the sound of her fists against the door.

"Mikhaela! Open up!" she called, knocking again. She pressed her ear against the door, hoping for any sign of life inside, but there was nothing. "Mikha, please!" she called out, her voice cracking. Desperation took over as she tried the doorknob, shocked to find it unlocked.

She pushed the door open and rushed inside, her breath catching in her throat when she saw Mikha lying face down on the bed, motionless.

"Mikhaela!" Aiah shouted, panic surging through her veins as she ran to the bed. She grabbed Mikha's shoulder, shaking her hard. "Mikha, gising! Please, gumising ka!"

But Mikha didn't stir. Panic turned to terror, and in her desperation, Aiah slapped her across the face—harder than she intended.

"OUCH!" Mikha groaned, her eyes snapping open, clearly startled as she sat up. "What the hell?!" she mumbled, rubbing her cheek and blinking rapidly, still groggy from sleep.

Aiah exhaled a sharp breath of relief, her heart still racing but now for a completely different reason. "Why weren't you answering your phone?!" she half-shouted, her voice filled with exasperation. "I've been calling you non-stop! Akala ko may nangyari na sa'yo!"

Still disoriented, Mikha rubbed her eyes. "I'm sorry..." she muttered, glancing at the clock. "I didn't mean to freak you out. I was just so tired from yesterday's gig... I passed out as soon as I got back." She looked at Aiah with sleepy eyes, still confused. "I didn't hear my phone. It won't happen again, I swear."

Aiah pressed a hand to her chest, her heart finally slowing down as the panic ebbed. She closed her eyes for a second, trying to calm herself. "I didn't know you had a gig yesterday... sorry for slapping you." She let out a small, embarrassed chuckle, feeling slightly foolish now that she knew Mikha was fine.

Mikha laughed softly, still rubbing her cheek. "It's fine. I think I needed that slap to wake up," she said, her lips curving into a small smile. "But... what are you doing here?"

That question brought Aiah back to reality, and suddenly, the nervousness she had been feeling earlier came rushing back. She hadn't just come here because she was worried. No, there was something else—something she had been avoiding for far too long. Her heart began pounding again, this time for a different reason.

"Uh... kasi..." Aiah stammered, looking down at her hands. She fidgeted nervously, her throat suddenly dry. She had to say it—she had to, but the words stuck in her throat.

"Kasi?" Mikha prompted gently, her brows furrowing as she studied Aiah's tense posture.

Aiah took a deep breath, forcing herself to look up and meet Mikha's gaze. There was no turning back now. No more excuses. No more running.

"Mikhaela..." Her voice trembled as she spoke, her heart racing faster with every word. "I'm ready. Oo na ang sagot ko."

Mikha blinked, clearly caught off guard. "H-ha?" She sat up straighter, the grogginess vanishing as she stared at Aiah in disbelief. "Ano 'yon, Maraiah? Ano ang oo na?"

Aiah bit her lip, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. "Oo na." she repeated, her voice firmer now, though her heart was still pounding. "Ready na ako sa'ting dalawa."

The words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. Mikha stared at her, her eyes wide, as if trying to comprehend what Aiah was saying.

"Teka..." Mikha breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Seryoso ka ba, Maraiah? Totoo 'to?"

Aiah nodded, feeling her throat tighten with emotion. "Oo, Mikhaela. Mahal kita. And I'm ready now." Her voice cracked slightly as she continued. "Ready na akong mahalin ka at tanggapin ang nararamdaman ko para sa'yo."

Mikha's mouth fell open slightly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. For a moment, she just sat there, staring at Aiah as if she couldn't quite believe what she was hearing. Then, slowly, a smile spread across her face—one so radiant, it made Aiah's heart ache with how much she loved her.

"Maraiah..." Mikha's voice was thick with emotion as tears began to spill down her cheeks. "Oh My Gosh... Hindi ko alam anong sasabihin ko! Paki-sampal nga ako ulit."

Aiah smiled, her own eyes watering as she stepped closer to Mikha. "Sorry kung natagalan ako," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I know I hurt you before... but I'm here now. Kaya ko na. Gusto kong mag-commit sa'yo."

Mikha laughed through her tears, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "Mahal mo ako... finally! Isa pa nga? Paki-ulit ang sarap kasing pakinggan." she exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Akala ko... akala ko hindi mo na sasabihin 'yan. I thought I was going to wait forever."

"Puro ka talaga biro Mikhaela! Oo na, mahal kita. Mahal na mahal." Aiah reached out, gently taking Mikha's hands in her own. "I'm so sorry na pinaghintay kita, but I had to be sure. And now I am. Mahal kita, Mikhaela, and I'm ready for us. Ready to be with you."

Mikha let out a soft sob, her smile growing wider as more tears fell. "Mahal din kita sobra pa sa sobra, Maraiah." she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Matagal na... I've loved you for so long, and now, finally... tayo na."

Aiah's heart swelled with love and relief, her own tears flowing freely now. "Tayo na, Mikhaela." she whispered back, her voice full of joy.

Without another word, Mikha pulled Aiah into a tight hug, burying her face in Aiah's neck as she cried softly. Aiah held her just as tightly, feeling like a weight had finally been lifted off her shoulders. It felt so right, so perfect, to be here in Mikha's arms—exactly where she belonged.

When they finally pulled back, Mikha cupped Aiah's face in her hands, her thumbs gently brushing away the tears. "Thank you, Maraiah." she whispered, her eyes filled with love. "For choosing me."

Aiah smiled, leaning into Mikha's touch. "You've always been the one for me, Mikhaela. I just needed time to realize it."

Mikha laughed softly, her heart full as she pulled Aiah in for another hug. "I'm so happy, Maraiah. Finally, tayo na."

Aiah chuckled, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time. "Oo nga, finally."

And as they held each other, the world seemed to fall away, leaving just the two of them. They had waited so long for this moment, for the chance to be together without fear or hesitation. Now, finally, they were ready—ready to face whatever the future held, together.

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