Behind Closed Doors

forty nine

Aliah just sat there, her mind kept on replaying their argument. Suddenly the door swings open then Sam goes in.

"You should stop treating her like that. Hindi lang ikaw ang tao sa buhay niya Aliah para sayo lang umikot ang lahat." Sam's voice was laced with a mix of frustration and concern as she stood not so far away from Aliah, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.

"Hindi mo ba nakikita kung gaano na siya nahihirapan dahil sayo?" She asked, her words dripping with emotion.

Aliah felt a sting of guilt as she looked away, her eyes drifting towards the floor. The tension in the air lingers.

"Hindi niya na halos unahin yung sarili niya para sayo! Eh ikaw? Minsan ba tinanong mo yang sarili ko kung may nagawa ka manlang para sa kanya?"
Sam took a step closer, her voice rising.

The sound of Sam's footsteps echoed through the room, making Aliah feel like she was trapped. She hates the fact that Sam is right, she's always been right but Aliah refused to listen.

Sam's words cut deep, and Aliah felt a lump in her throat. She could feel the weight of her mistakes bearing down on her, making it hard to breathe.

"Hindi pwedeng ikaw lang lagi," Sam continued, her voice firm but gentle.

"Ikaw ang malungkot. Ikaw ang nasasaktan. Ikaw ang may kailangan. Paano naman siya? Ang bata pa ni Miro para sa mga ganyan."

Aliah felt a tear roll down her cheek as she looked up at Sam. She saw the disappointment and concern painted on her face, and it broke her heart.

"Sana naman ayusin mo na yang sarili mo dahil hindi lang ikaw ang naaapektuhan," Sam said, her voice softening. "Nangdadamay ka pa ng iba."

The room fell silent but as she looked at Sam, she knew that she had to make things right.

Aliah's eyes look somewhere else, but tears began to fall down her cheeks. She knew Sam was right. She had been so caught up in her own emotions and desires that she hadn't stopped to consider how her actions were affecting Miro.

The pain inside her chest made it hard to breathe but Aliah knew she deserved them. She had been selfish and inconsiderate, only thinking of her own needs and feelings.

As she sat there, feeling the weight of her mistakes, Aliah realized that she had lost sight of what truly mattered. She had lost sight of Miro's happiness and well-being.

"You're right," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've been selfish and hurtful. I need to make things right."

Sam's expression softened, and she nodded. "It's not going to be easy, Aliah. But if you're truly sorry and willing to make everything right then be honest with them." Sam went beside her and envelope her in her arms.

"Miro will surely understand." Sam assured her as she gently rubbed her back.

"I don't know anymore Sam. They already set up everything. I was so mad at them but I can't do anything about it." Aliah whispered.

•••

"J-Jens...." Miro whispered as she tightly grips on her phone.

"Umiiyak ka ba? Miro?" Jens asked from the other line, worried.

"Jens.. umuwi ka please.." Miro finally let out a sobs.

"Ha? 3 days pa kami dito. Ano bang nangyayari. Sabihin mo naman sakin. I'm getting worried about you." Jens asked.

Miro shook her head and cover her mouth as she let out her sobs.