Behind Closed Doors

nineteen

"Nakausap ko na yung mga president ng mga department. They agreed to help us to make this event possible." Shei explained.

Miro and Ashie nodded as they listened attentively.

"Sure ka ba Pres na ikaw ang sasagot ng mga expenses?" Ashie turned to Miro, uncertain.

"500k would be enough for this or more?" Miro asked casually.

"True ba ang rumors na mayaman kayo?" Ashie asked, surprised.

"How about 800k?" Miro asked again.

Ashie's eyes widened at what Miro said. She approached Miro and shook her.

"Are you still sick? Nabagok mo ba ulo mo?" Ashie asked worriedly. Shei laughed at Ashie's question and patted her on the shoulder.

"Stop that, maybe you'll change your mind later." She said laughing.

"Just please don't bother me during preparation okay?" Miro said.

"What do you mean? Ikaw kaya president namin." Ashie flips her hair in a sassy way.

"Right." Miro mummered.

In the middle of their discussion, Miro's phone rings.

She stared on the screen blankly.

She turned to the two who were also looking at her. After a while her phone stopped ringing.

"Why didn't you answer it?" Ashie asked, confused.

Miro just gulped and looked at her phone again.

"Sagutin mo na." Shei said with encouragement.

Miro shook her head as she turn off her phone.

_

"I love your smile." Jens compliments.

"Keep smiling, Miro." She added.

"Corny." Miro playfully said.

"Ihahatid kita sa bahay mo or sa bahay ko muna?"

Jens asked as she opened the door for Miro.

"Sa bah-

"Miro." A familiar voice called.

Miro was stunned when she heard Aliah's voice.

Jens tap her gently on her shoulder. Aliah stood behind them waiting patiently.

"Can we talk?" She asked, hopeful.

Miro glance at Jens.

"I'll wait for you here?" Jens smiled encouragingly.

Miro smiled.

Jens went inside the car while Miro step back and face Aliah. They stood there as they look at each other.

"How are you?"

Despite the thick atmosphere lingering around, Aliah gathered her courage to ask.

Miro sighed sharply as she look down. Aliah fiddles her fingers while waiting for Miro to respond.

"I'm sorry." The only words that come out from Miro. Aliah's face softened.

"I was hurt kaya ko nasabi yun pero I know that's not right." Miro said, her voice cracks and her eyes became teary.

"It's okay, I understand. I was wrong also, I shouldn't kept everything from you. I just don't want you to see being hurt." Aliah went closer to her.

"Why are you doing this do to me?" Miro asked, trying to prevent her tears from falling.

"Why are you making me feel like you care then the next day you don't. You are pulling me closer just to push me away. You're messing my mind." Miro said, weakly almost desperate.

"I-I... Hindi na ba pwedeng gaya lang noong dati? Hindi ba pwedeng masaya tayo? Can we not ask for more?" Her voice cracks as she utters the words, her eyes gaze at Miro with a mix of sadness and longing.

"That's unfair, gusto mo akong kasama kapag convenient for you. Paano naman ako? Nagmumukha naman akong tanga. Minsan masaya tayo tapos bigla na lang hindi.  What are-" She stops as she shakes her head, she struggles to hold back her tears, showing nothing but vulnerability.

'What are we?' Miro sobs as her thoughts echoes in her mind. No matter how much she tries to hold back her feelings, she just can't.

Aliah lifts her hands as she gently caresses her face.Miro's sobs intensified, her body trembled, and her heart ached with a mix of sadness and longing.

Aliah's hands held Miro's face, her thumbs rubbed against her cheeks. "I'm sorry." she whispered, her voice barely audible over their painful sobs.

Miro's eyes locked onto Aliah's, searching for answers. "What makes that sorry different?" she echoed, her voice cracking.

Aliah closed her eyes, her own tears streaming down her face. "Let's be happy again please? Come back to me."

Jens sits still, averts her gaze, her expression reflects uncertainty, feeling uncomfortable and unsure how to react.

_

As they drive their way home, the air is filled with an awkward silence. Miro and Jens are lost in their own thoughts, the tension between them lingers.

Miro breaks the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. "Jens, can I ask you something?"

Jen turns to her, a mix of curiosity on her face. "What is it?"

Miro hesitates, choosing her words carefully. "What did you think... back there? With Aliah?"

Jen's expression is unreadable, but her voice gives away a hint of emotion. "Honestly? I don't know what to think. I feel like you have a lot of secrets, Miro."

Miro's eyes drop, her heart aching at Jen's words. She knows she's been drifting away, unsure of how to bridge the gap between them.

"I'm sorry, Jen," Miro whispers, her voice cracking. "I don't mean to keep it from you."

Jen's face softens, and she reaches out to gently brush her hand. "I know, Miro. I just wish... I wish you could trust me enough to share it with me."

Miro's eyes meet Jen's, a deep sadness reflected in both their gazes. They both know that things are not that easy for now.

Miro pulls her hand away, feeling a mix of guilt, uncertainty, and sadness. She can't bear the thought of keeping it from Jen, but she can't deny that she's afraid to share her feelings for Aliah either.

Jen's eyes widen, a hint of hurt and rejection flashing across her face. "Miro, nandito lang naman ako. I won't judge, makikinig ako."

Miro looked out through the window, putting some distance between them. "I'm sorry, Jen. I just need some space."

"Okay, Miro. Kahit gaano katagal, take your time." Jen's voice carries through the evening air, laced with  sadness.

As they drive the rest of the way home in silence, the gap between them feels like suffocating.