A/N: I recommend listening to the song whilst reading this chapter!
—
Aiah sat in the dining room, the soft ticking of the wall clock filling the tense silence.
Juancho sat across from her, scrolling through his phone absentmindedly.
Typical.
She cleared her throat.
"Juancho, kailangan nating mag-usap."
He didn't look up.
"About what?"
"About us. About Kaela."
That got his attention.
Juancho set his phone down slowly, his expression guarded.
"Ano na naman, Aiah?"
Aiah took a deep breath, keeping her voice steady.
"This isn't working. Hindi na talaga. And we need to figure out how to move forward—properly."
Juancho leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
"So, ano? Gusto mo na ba akong paalisin dito?"
Aiah closed her eyes briefly, forcing herself to stay calm.
"This isn't about you or me. It's about Kaela. She deserves better than this... this silence between us."
Juancho didn't respond, his jaw tightening.
"I'm not saying we need to solve everything overnight. Pero naisip ko... maybe we should see a counselor."
Juancho scoffed.
"Counselor? Para saan pa? Hindi ba malinaw na patapos na 'to?"
Aiah's chest tightened.
"It's not about fixing us, Juancho. Hindi na ako umaasa sa ganun. Gusto ko lang na maayos natin 'to—for Kaela. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipapaliwanag sa kanya kung bakit bigla ka na lang mawawala sa bahay."
Juancho ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
"Are you sure, Aiah? You really want na may ibang tao na nasa bahay natin para lang pag-usapan kung paano tayo maghihiwalay?"
Aiah's voice softened.
"Juancho, hindi ganun. May mga counselors na tumutulong sa mga pamilya through separation. Hindi lang para sa atin, but also para kay Kaela din. Para matulungan natin siyang maintindihan ang mangyayari."
Juancho stayed quiet, eyes flicking to the table.
"I don't know, Aiah. Parang over the top naman."
Aiah sighed, leaning forward.
"Kung ayaw mong gawin para sa akin, gawin mo para kay Kaela. She's already confused, and I refuse to let her grow up thinking this silence between us is normal. Please."
The word please hung in the air heavier than anything else.
Juancho stared at her, something unreadable in his eyes.
After a long pause, he exhaled sharply.
"Sige. One session."
Relief washed over Aiah, but she kept her composure.
"Okay. One session."
Juancho stood up, grabbing his phone.
"Pero Aiah, huwag kang umasa na magbabago pa 'to."
Aiah shook her head slowly.
"I'm not."
Juancho walked away, leaving Aiah alone at the table.
