THAT GIRL | MIKHAIAH

CHAPTER 8

Napailing na lang si Aiah nang may dumating na namang mga grupo ng kababaihan sa gym na suot pa ang school ID nila. Hindi na siya nagtaka kung paano nila nalaman ang location ng practice, lalo pa't karamihan sa mga nagpunta ay gusto lang makita si Mikha. Ika nga, kung gusto may paraan.

"Buti na lang napapayag mo si Colet, tingnan mo lumalabas pagiging leader niya." Sabi ni Maloi na nasa tabi ni Aiah.

"Nadala sa pakiusap at libre kamo." Natatawang sabi ni Aiah.

"Angas niya no?"

Napatingin si Aiah kay Maloi dahil parang may iba sa pagkakasabi nito. 'Yong tipong may halong kilig. Nakatuon lang ang buong atensyon ni Maloi sa court, sinusundan bawat galaw ni Colet. Abot tenga ang mga ngiti nito sa tuwing nakakapuntos si Colet, mamula-mula na rin ang mga pisngi niya, hindi niya napapansin.

However, the one she's been eyeing to had her full attention on the court. Colet had a serious face with an eye of a tiger, but she never fails to give her teammates a praise and a tap with every points they score. Both her and Mikha are now playing together as starters. Hati rin ang mga hiyawan ng mga tao sa dalawa.

"Teka, crush mo ba si-"

Aiah didn't get to finish her sentence when coach Miya calls for a timeout, kaagad bumaba si Maloi sa bench para puntahan si Colet, leaving Aiah who could only sigh in confusion. Sa pagkakaalam niya may manliligaw si Maloi, pero kung sabagay, manliligaw lang naman 'yon.

"Hi." Aiah turns to her left to see Mikha who's catching her breath but was smiling at her nonetheless, as she was closing the bottled water in her hand.

Aiah's breath hitch. There goes that feeling again. She grab a tissue in her bag and unconsciously wipe the sweat on Mikha's glistering forehead, leaving the red hair utterly shocked at the warm and unexpected gesture. Colet who noticed the proximity of the two knitted her brows, momentarily forgetting Maloi's presence in front of her. While Mikha's fans seated from the bench afar, were overacting to have their hearts broken at the sight. And if it's anyone else, they would've had drag Aiah away from Mikha, but guess what, they couldn't do that. Truth is, there's nothing they can do especially because it's Maraiah Queen Arceta they're against with, after all. She has this image in most people's eyes that she can easily pull whoever she wants if she wanted to. That's the power she holds. Although, Aiah never seems to be the type to enjoy the chase, you would still not want her to vie with. She's simply just not your typical Queen bee.

Aiah stops when she realized her actions. She opens her mouth to speak but words — when you need them the most, it's when they can't be found.

She hides her hand that was holding the tissue on her back, and smiled apologetically. Mikha didn't seem to mind, she was just shocked.

"Thanks..." Mahinang sabi ni Mikha.

"No problem...pinagpapawisan ka kasi." Aiah managed to say, stating the obvious.

The loud sound of the buzzer almost made them jolt. Humakbang paatras si Mikha saka bumalik sa court. Sinundan ito ng tingin ni Aiah na kalaunan ay umupo na rin sa pwesto niya, ganoon din si Maloi nang magsimula na ulit ang laro.

Maloi cleared her throat at bumulong kay Aiah. "Ate Aiah, ano 'yon?"

"Huh? Alin?"

"Kanina." Mukhang wala paring ideya si Aiah. "Yong sa inyo ni Mikhs." Dagdag ni Maloi.

"Ahh 'yon? Anong meron dun?"

Maloi shrugged. "Wala lang, sweet lang tingnan."

Aiah loudly scoffs, shaking her head. "Sweet pshh." In denial. "Eto ang ano yon, Loi." Panimula niya at humarap kay Maloi. It's her chance to change the topic. "Magsabi ka nga ng totoo sa'kin, crush mo si Cols no?"