THAT GIRL | MIKHAIAH

CHAPTER 10

Maraiah's POV

It's Sunday afternoon, kakatapos ko lang magsimba nang makita ko ang message ni Colet saying she's with the girls dahil nag-aya raw ng lunch si Maloi, her treat. I entered the restaurant and look for them.

“Ate Aiah! Dito!” Tawag ni Maloi.

“Pretty ng dress, pero mas pretty ka.” Natawa naman ako sa sinabi ni Jhoanna.

“Nakapag-order na kayo? Sorry I'm late, medyo traffic.” I sat at the empty chair beside Cols.

Andito na pala sila lahat. I catch a glance at Mikha and she smiled at me acknowledging my presence. She's wearing a casual oversized shirt and a baseball cap. I noticed she was seated next to Staku na halos nakadikit na sa kaniya. Ang bilis talaga nitong babaeng 'to. They seem to be having fun. Sometimes I wish I have the same courage as her.

“I ordered your favorite.” Sabi ni Cols. I thanked her.

“Jho, splook mo na kaya ang ganap ngayong Valentine's. Anong mga activities? May kissing booth?” Tanong ni Stacey.

“Waiting pa lang sa approval ng admin. We're expecting it today para maka-start na agad ng set up.” Sabi ni Jhoanna.

“I heard magpeperform daw si Maki.” Sabi ni Sheena sabay tingin kay Maloi, wiggling her eyebrows.

Napatingin kaming lahat kay Maloi.

“Anong real score niyong dalawa? Parang lately napapansin ko 'di na kayo nagkakasama.” Pang-uusisa ni Stacey.

“Kasi kayo kasama ko.” Maloi answered, rolling her eyes.

“Ba't parang kasalanan pa namin?” We laugh sa sinabi ni Jhoanna.

“Oo nga, alam mo tumawag si Maki kay Mikha kagabi. Hinahanap ka, 'di mo raw sinasagot mga messages niya. Diba, Mikhs?” I turn to look at Mikha who's taken aback at the attention shifted to her.

“Yeah.” Was her simple reply.

“Do you like him, ate Maloi?” For the first time, I heard Gwen speak.

Maloi sighs. “Ako bunot niyo today no?”

“Oo, si Mikha susunod.” Biro ni Sheena.

“Just answer them, ate Maloi.” Sabi ni Mikha.

“Fine...the truth is...hindi ko alam paano siya irereject ng 'di siya masasaktan.”

Jhoanna scoffs. “Pwede ba 'yon?”

“Kaya nga...so parang unti unti ko na lang siyang iniiwasan, lumalayo ako ganon.”

“Hoping na he will get the hint?” Tumango si Maloi sa tanong ni Sheena.

“Ba't 'di mo na lang sabihin sa kaniya ang totoo? Masaktan mo man siya, na mangyayari parin naman kahit ayaw mo. Gusto ka niya eh, pero mas mabuti na 'yong ganon kesa umasa siya sa'yo.”

I suppress a smile sa payo ni Colet. Proud of the way she thinks.

“Oo nga, no need to complicate things, Loi. Aminin mo na lang, para mas makafocus na siya sa mas importante at ikaw din.” Sabi ni Jhoanna.

We were silent for a moment. Hindi nagtagal at dumating na rin ang mga pagkain.

“Enjoy your lunch, ladies.” The waiter bowed and left.

We were in the middle of enjoying our meal when Sheena spoke.

“Ikaw, Mikhs. Sino date mo sa Valentine's?”

I watch as Mikha swallowed hard. “Sarili ko, Shee.” Sagot niya.

“Eto, seryoso. Wala kang jowa, Mikha?” Tanong ni Jhoanna. Nagtawanan naman sina Maloi at Sheena, ganon din si Gwen.