Anthologies {MIKHAIAH AU}

june gloom pt 3

The nurse frowned, glancing down at her clipboard. "Mikha Lim? Ah, na-transfer po siya. Wala na siya sa room na 'to."

Aiah blinked, her mind racing. "Na-transfer? Saan? What does that mean?"

"I'm sorry, ma'am, I'm not sure of the details," the nurse said politely. "Pero baka sa ICU or sa recovery ward. I suggest you check with the front desk for more information."

Aiah's breath hitched, her chest tightening as a thousand thoughts flooded her mind. Was Mikha worse? Had something happened overnight?

She fumbled with her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Colet's number. It rang twice before Colet answered.

"Aiah?" Colet said, her voice calm but slightly curious.

"Colet!" Aiah blurted, her voice shaky. "Nasa hospital ako, pero wala si Mikha sa kwarto niya. Ano'ng nangyari? Na-transfer daw siya?"

Colet's voice softened. "Relax ka lang, Aiah. Everything's okay."

"Okay? Anong ibig mong sabihin?" Aiah pressed, her heart still pounding.

"She was moved to a private recovery room kaninang umaga," Colet explained. "Her vitals improved a lot these past few days, so the doctors think she's ready for the next stage of care."

Aiah slumped against the wall, relief washing over her in waves. "Oh my God," she muttered, pressing a hand to her chest. "Akala ko kung ano na..."

"Sorry, hindi ko nasabi agad," Colet said apologetically. "I was going to text you later, pero naisip ko magugulat ka pag wala siya sa room."

"Grabe, Colet, halos ma-heart attack ako," Aiah said with a shaky laugh. "Akala ko kung ano na ang nangyari sa kanya."

Colet chuckled softly. "She's okay, Aiah. Actually, if you go to the new room now... you might want to sit down for this, pero..." She paused for dramatic effect. "She's starting to wake up."

Aiah froze, her breath catching. "What?"

"She's been more responsive since this morning," Colet said, her voice warm. "The doctors say it's a good sign. Maybe today or tomorrow, magising na siya ng tuluyan."

For a moment, Aiah couldn't speak. Her mind raced with the implications, her chest tightening with emotions she couldn't even begin to name.

"I'll send you the room number," Colet added. "You should be there when she wakes up."

Aiah nodded, even though Colet couldn't see her. "Sige," she said softly, her voice trembling. "Salamat, Colet."

As the call ended, Aiah stared down at her phone, her heart pounding. Mikha was waking up.

And for the first time in weeks, Aiah realized just how much she had been waiting for this moment.

//

Aiah's legs carried her forward before her mind could even catch up. The rush of anxiety she'd experienced just moments ago, standing in Mikha's empty room, had left her rattled, her heart pounding so hard against her ribs that it almost hurt. Her feet hit the linoleum floor of the hospital hallway in rapid, half-jogging strides as she weaved through nurses and visitors, following the room number Colet had sent her.

Her mind was spinning, replaying the panic she'd felt when she thought something had gone horribly wrong. It had only been a few minutes since Colet had reassured her that Mikha was okay, but that didn't stop the what-ifs from lingering.

What if she hadn't been okay? What if Mikha had disappeared from her life before she'd gotten the chance to say what she really felt?

Because now, with the fear still fresh in her chest, there was no denying the truth anymore.