THAT GIRL | MIKHAIAH

CHAPTER 14

Maraiah's POV

I zip my jacket and wrapped myself feeling the cold windblow. It's a cloudy Friday, at nakakatamad talaga pumasok pag ganito 'yong weather. I roam my eyes to the park where the girls told me to meet. 12 noon na pero parang 6 AM pa lang.

I saw them near the swing. Binilisan ko ang paglalakad ko dahil tila ako na naman 'yong nahuli, lagi na lang.

“Andito na si ate Aiah.” Rinig kong wika ni Maloi nang papalapit ako.

“Sorry medyo late na naman.” I said, sitting on the grass. I noticed wala pa pala si Mikha.

“Gusto mo, MQ?” Tanong ni Cols hawak-hawak ang burger.

Taking it from her hand, I said, “Thanks, Cols.”

“May frappe dito, ate Aiah. Pila ka anong gusto mong flavor.” Sabi ni Shee.

“Sige, Shee. Later. Kumain na ba kayo? Ba't parang ang dami pang foods?” I ask, confused. It appears like they haven't touched much of their foods yet.

I furrowed. Anong meron? Stacey, Jho, and Sheena are strangely quiet today. Na usually naman hindi tahimik 'yang mga 'yan. Laging may kwento at nasasabi.

“Himala ang tahimik yata na'tin ngayon.” I started, hoping to get them speak up.

I only hear them sigh.

“Saan si Mikha, Gwenny?” I ask.

“Hindi raw makakapunta, ate Aiah.” Sagot ni Gwen.

“Bakit daw?” Tanong ko ulit, dahil baka kaya nagkakaganito 'tong mga 'to dahil hindi na naman kami kompleto, just like yesterday.

Although today's different. The mood is off. Sobrang tahimik. Nakakapagtaka.

“Hindi niya sinabi.” Aniya.

Hindi na muna ako nagsalita. I chose to observe them. Nang makalipas ang ilang minuto na wala paring nagbabago, that's when I decided to speak what's in my head.

“Girls...what's going on? Is there something I need to know?”

Silence.

I glance at Jhoanna who's comforting Stacey. Sheena moves close and embrace her.

Mas lalo lang akong naguluhan.

“Ay, ganon? So, wala talagang magsasalita sa inyo?” Medyo naiirita kong tanong. Kahit ang totoo concern lang ako sa nangyayari.

“Mikha rejected Staks.” Maloi said to me, forlorn.

Ano? I'm having a hard time processing the information. I open my mouth to speak but nothing came out.

“Sorry, Staks ha. Ako pa naman 'yong push nang push sa inyo ni Mikhs.” Sabi ni Sheena.

“That's okay, Staku. At least you tried, diba? Sabi mo nga para no regrets.” Jho consoles her.

“Oo nga, Staks. Alam mo? Ang tapang mo. Hindi kaya lahat kayang aminin ang nararamdaman nila sa taong gusto nila.” Sabi ni Maloi.

Stacey remains head down. It honestly breaks my heart to see the always comic Staku that we know, now feeling blue and despondent.

“Pakiramdam ko hindi na niya ako gustong makasama ulit matapos ang nangyari. Siguro nga masyado akong nagmadali. Mikha probably hates me now.” Wika ni Stacey.

“Staks, wala namang masama sa pag-amin. At saka, ano ka ba? Hindi ka naman siguro iiwasan ni Mikha, magkakaibigan parin tayo dito. Siguro, bigyan na lang muna na'tin siya ng time. Baka hindi lang din niya alam how to approach you after your confession.” Mahinahon kong sabi.