THAT GIRL | MIKHAIAH

CHAPTER 3

Maraiah's POV

I covered my face with pillow, screaming my heart out recalling what happened three hours ago.

Aiah, calm down. Hinga.

I sat on my bed, both my hands clasps over the pillow on my lap. Ang bilis nang pangyayari kanina. I runaway with Colet who was as confused as Sheena and probably the rest of the them. I was silent the whole ride, buti na lang hindi ako kinulit ni Colet. We just ate in silence, pero ramdam ko ang mga tingin niya sa'kin. She just asked me if I am okay, I lied when I said I was. She didn't push further and just drove me home.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganon na lang bigla 'yong naramdaman ko lalo na nang palapit nang palapit si Mikha sa amin. She looked so...fresh. She was wearing a muscle tee, paired with boyfriend shorts just above the knee. Her red hair — down with a cap. Ang cool niya tingnan, like the day I first saw her. When our eyes met, panic flooded me. I overreacted. Ni hindi nga siguro niya alam na andoon ako. I wasn't able to think straight. I didn't know what to do, sobra akong kinabahan. I tried to calm my nerves, but the thought of being near her...feels...I don't know. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko sa kaniya. If I'd be honest, there's a part of me that really wants to know her, to be close to her. I wonder what it feels like to be part of her life. I mean, she's like a mystery, and I find that interesting, but at the same time, I want to hold my ground. Ayokong lumapit o magpakilala. Gusto kong makuntento na lang sa ganito, I could stare at her from a far and wonder, pero hanggang don na lang 'yon. I feel like, even just being her friend would be too much to ask. I know we'd be seeing each other often these following weeks, and I've got to stop acting like a scared cat around her. Hindi na pwedeng maulit 'yong kanina. Baka ano pang isipin niya...nila.

I sighed.

Bukas ko na siguro iche-check 'yong group chat namin. It's been a long day. I should probably rest na.

—

It's been a week since that embarrassing day. I just received a message from coach Miya saying the practice will start tomorrow after class, which only means, I'd be seeing her again. This time, more often. I haven't really cross paths with Mikha since then, but I could hear her name all over the campus, and I'm not even exaggerating. Is she that popular? Bakit hindi ko siya nakikita o napapansin dati? Isang beses pa lang. Her image sprouts like a flower that suddenly blossomed out of nowhere.

My curiosity grew than I'd like to admit. I mean, who would not? I feel like she's everywhere. Just...not for me to see. How unfortunate is that?

“Ate Aiah.” Stacey spoke at my side, keeping her voice low while our professor was discussing in front.

“Hmm?” I hummed. Eyes on the white board.

“Uhm...anong oras practice niyo bukas?”

“Probably six.”

“Can I come?”

I give her a quick side glance, and I couldn't be mistaken to see a faint blush on her cheeks.

“Sige na ate Aiah, please?”

I waited for our professor to avert his eyes away from our direction before I faced Stacey.

“Staks, you can come naman. Everyone in our team, can. But don't you have boardgames to supervise?” Jho assigned her as the OIC for boardgames, and upon seeing our team's set of schedule for tomorrow, bukas din ang tryout nila, since marami ring participants. Most of us, especially those who participate in group activities and team sports, agreed to have their practices after class hours to ensure everyone's present. Para na rin hindi maapektuhan ang academic performance namin while we're preparing for the event.