Behind Closed Doors

twenty four

The night is still young and everyone is dancing with it.

Some are already tipsy, some are sober, some are active and some are not.

Miro and Jens came inside after some time. They went to separate ways. Jens went to her department and mingled with her classmates. Miro on the other hand,found herself in the corner. She sat there as she drank some whiskey.

"Who told you na pwede kang uminom?"

"Ha?" She asked, puzzled.

"Bawal kang uminom. Gusto mong mahimatay ulit?"

"Ah...h-hindi naman po." She chucked as she put away her glass.

She stared at her with amusement on her face.

'Ma'am duda na ako ah. Gusto mo ata ako.'

"Come here, sit with me." Miro tapped the empty space beside her.

Aliah raised her brows at her as she crossed her arms above her chest.

"I won't sit beside you, not when there's a lot of people around us."

Miro's face fell, her smile dropped as she gazed at Aliah in hurt and confusion. She seemed taken aback by Aliah's harsh words, her eyes searching for a reason behind those.

'Sensitive lang ba ako masyado o masakit talaga?' She thought.

For a moment, she looked hurt, before her expression turned curious. "Uh- that's fine." Miro said, her voice soft and gentle despite the sting in her chest.

Aliah looked guilty, she looked down to avoid Miro's stares. She uncrossed her arms, her shoulders stiffening.

The air around them seemed to thicken, the tension arises. The sounds of laughter and chatter from the surrounding crowd faded into the background, leaving only an awkward silence between them.

When Miro can't handle the emotions building up inside her, she hurriedly stood up and walked away.

Aliah recovered quickly and followed her.

"Miro! Wait!"

Miro didn't stop walking as her tears fell down on her face. She frustratedly wipe her tears away.

"Bullshit." she whispered.

"Miro sandali!" Aliah walked behind her.

Miro slowed down until she finally stopped walking. Aliah reach to hold her wrist.

"Look, I'm sorry." Aliah softly uttered.

"Don't.."

"Don't touch me." Miro shook her head as she removed Aliah's hand on her.

"Ginugulo mo lang ako e!" Miro raised her voice.

"No Miro, it's not like that." Aliah said as she tried to hold her arms again.

"I said don't touch me!" Miro pull her hands away.

"Ano ba ako sayo?"  Her voice cracked, the words barely louder than a whisper.

"Ano bang tingin mong sakin?"She let out a shaky breath, blinking away the tears that refused to stop.

" Mukha ba akong laruan sayo? Na every time na kailangan mo ako tatawag ka? At every time na malungkot ka magpaparamdam ka?"  Miro's voice broke on the last word. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks as she hugged herself, as if trying to hold together the pieces of her breaking heart.

Aliah's lips parted, but guilt stole every word before they could leave her mouth.

"Miro, I'm sorry please don't be like this." Aliah utters as she walked closer to her.