Ghei put down her phone as she stared at the screen. Miro declined her offer today, she felt a small pang on her chest.
"Bakit ba kapag ako na ang dali lang tanggihan?" She smiled bitterly.
__
They sat there in silence, both are feeling suffocated due to the heavy atmosphere. It feels so hard to breathe for them. Miro's eyes look around but Cleir.
Neither do they want to break the silence.
A few more minutes later, Cleir gathered all her remaining courage left in her system.
"I'm sorry." The guilt her voice carries is too much to ignore. Miro just can't get her mind to register anything right now.
"I shouldn't leave you alone." Cleir's voice cracks and her tears slowly form in her eyes. Miro tightly closes her fist until her knuckles turns white but she keeps her mouth shut. No arguments. No hatred. She just listens intently.
"I was wrong. I have a choice yet I never chose to stay. I should have known better." Cleir can't help it anymore. Her shoulders started to shake and her hands trembled.
The guilt inside her from the past makes her want to explode right at this moment.
"Believe me, I-I really wanted to be there for you. Bunso kita... a-at hindi ko kayang nahihirapan ka." Cleir barely uttered the words.
"Kinaya mo." Miro let out a painful chuckle. It's not hatred anymore, just a plain pain from her heart.
"I was just..." A hesitant pause from Miro but eventually her words came that stung their hearts.
"a little kid, lost and lonely." Miro's lips tremble with so much emotion.
A soft cry came from Cleir that made the atmosphere heavier. Miro didn't move nor look at her.
"H-hindi ko pinili na iwan ka." Cleir muttered quietly.
"K-kung pwede lang na hindi na umalis, ginawa ko sana." She added as she hardly squeezed her own hands.
"Miro..anak lang ako ni daddy sa labas."
"W-what?" Miro uttered confusedly.
Cleir takes a deep breath and covers her face with her shaky hands and she cries her heart out.
Miro didn't know how to react, frozen.
"I-I had to leave with my mother but it doesn't mean I never wanted to stay with you." Cleir tried to speak clearly.
"I don't understand." Miro with a complicated expression.
"Your mother died the day you were born. My mom took care of you." Cleir calms herself to avoid further complications.
"I was mad at your mother for leaving me behind and now you're telling me that we're not even blood related?" Miro asked, still puzzled with everything.
"Are you for real right now?" Miro stood from the couch in disbelief.
Cleir shook her head.
"That's..." Miro throws her hands in the air.
"Miro..." Cleir winched slightly which made Miro worried.
"You know what? I think it's better if you take a rest first then we will talk about this kapag okay ka na." Miro dismissed the topic.
"I just want you to know that I still love you despite everything." Cleir smiles at her with a mix of sadness and hope.
Miro just nodded at her and assisted her towards the bedroom.
•••
Monday came, Miro still has a lot of things to do regarding the student government.
"Hi Pres!" Ethaneo greeted her with a smile.
"How was your vacation?" Miro asked casually as she sat down and opened her laptop. Ethaneo sat across her.
"Mind-blowing, hay naku kung alam mo lang. Sa bundok ako nagpasko pres."
Miro chuckled lightly.
"That's a bit- different." Ethaneo smile.
The door swings open and Sam walks in. Ethaneo and Miro turned their heads to her. Sam put down something on the table.
"Home cooked meal for you." Sam said and walked away. Miro and Ethaneo stared at the paper bag on the table then their eyes met.
"K-kayo ba?" Ethaneo asked , Miro burst out of laughter.
"Baliw." She muttered.
Ethaneo scratched his nape awkwardly as he decided to mind his own task.
A few moments later, Miro's phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Babi, you should eat breakfast. Nagluto ako para sayo kaya ubusin mo yan." Aliah utters from the other line.
Napangiti si Miro sa mga narinig niya.
"Of course. Ikaw ba kumain ka?" She asked.
"Uh yes, much better if sabay tayo pero hindi kaya ng schedule ko." Aliah complain.
"Let's eat dinner together then." Miro said as if it's not a big deal.
"We can't eat outside and you know that." The smile on Miro's face fell.
"Yeah right." She tried to make it sound casual.
"But we can eat together sa bahay ko. Ipagluluto kita." Aliah tried to lighten their mood.
"We'll see. Have a good day." Miro replied.
"You too." and the call ended.
YOU ARE READING
Behind Closed Doors
FanficA mikhaiah fictional story wherein; "How about us?" "There was never an us." What happens if the person we love is not meant for us? And what to do if we are not chosen even if we have given everything?
