Chapter 24

Aiah’s POV

After that incident in my room hindi kona nakausap si Mikha.

dumating na din yung sasakyan ni Jhoanna. We decided to head to a nearby beach here in Cebu para naman makapag-relax. Stacey and Maloi were so hyped, nagdala pa sila ng swimsuits, pero ako? I just wore my white shirt and shorts. Hindi rin naman safe for me na lumubog sa malalim na dagat.

Sa loob ng sasakyan, nauna na yung dalawa sa likod-Stacey and Maloi. Matutulog muna daw sila para may energy mamaya. While Colet and I, we sat in the middle row.

Grabe, I never saw this side of Colet na parang baldado ako kung maka alalay siya sakin. I didn’t know na ganito pala siya ka-soft pagdating sa mga buntis. Very protective.

While Mikha? Mailap pa rin siya, but she was there. Siya ang nagbukas ng pinto ng car for me, then she placed her hand on top of the car door frame para hindi ako mauntog habang sumasakay.

That simple gesture… it made me kilig then I remember what happened kanina. We almost kissed. Kung hindi lang talaga dumating si Colet..

Napabuntong hininga ako..

Not the right time, Aiah.

Napakagat na lang ako sa labi ko to stop myself from overthinking.

Umupo si Mikha sa harap, katabi ni Jhoanna. But I couldn’t help but look at her from time to time. There were moments na nahuhuli ko siyang tumitingin sa rearview mirror, our eyes meeting for a split second before she’d look away. My heart kept doing those annoying but wonderful flips.

Nakarating na kami sa beach. Since hindi naman kami magtatagal, we just rented a cozy table near the shore. As usual, Mikha was so asikaso. She readied my towel, my water Tumbler, and she even reminded me to put on some repellent cream.

“Put some cream on. Hapon na, baka kagatin ka ng lamok dito,” she said in her low, cool voice.

I’ll admit it, kinikilig ako sa mga simple gestures niya.

But then, she walked away and went to Maloi and Stacey to say the same thing

My smile faded instantly. Napasimangot ako.Ouch. Oo nga pala she’s a gentlewoman.

Maya-maya, Colet sat beside me. She was looking at the waves, very serious.

“Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala, Ate Aiah. You really accepted being a mother. I thought you never wanted one… are you really sure?”

Napatingin ako sa malayo, then I smiled. “To be honest, at first, ayoko. But when I saw the signs and heard my heart, ang dali ko itong natanggap with so much peace and gladness. So yes, Colet, hindi ako nagsisisi. Especially since Mikha is there… I thank God it’s her.”

Colet looked at me intently. I didn’t know if she was reading my eyes or the way I said Mikha’s name.

“Do you… do you like her?” she asked point-blank.

Napatingin ako sa kanya, then I nodded, my eyes sparkling. “And maybe more…” I whispered in my mind.

Mikha’s POV

I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me.

Simula nung dumating si Colet, parang hindi na ako masyadong pinapansin ni Aiah. It feels like her whole world revolves around that girl now. Biglang bumigat yung pakiramdam ko, and it’s a feeling I’m not used to.

This isn’t me. I am always the confident one. “Jealous” is not even in my vocabulary, but with Aiah, it’s different. Pakiramdam ko, dalawa ang inaagaw sa akin-yung anak ko at siya. I can’t imagine anyone else taking care of them. My soul was literally screaming, “Dapat ako lang.”

She’s not mine, but why do I want her to be? I had to pause.

Wait, Mikha. Wag kang padalos-dalos. You need to be sure.

But from a far, napatingin ako sa kanila. Aiah looked so cozy with Colet. Magkatabi sila sa upuan, skin-to-skin. The way they looked at each other… it felt like a shard was being stabbed into my heart. My face was literally burning in jealousy.

Kaya lumayo muna ako. I need space.

“Hey, Miks? Saan ka pupunta?” Stacey asked, catching up.

“Hahanap ng maiinom. I just want to chill,” I said, my tone flat.

“Huy! Gusto ko rin! Sasama ako!” Stacey ran toward me, and we walked away.

Nakakita kami ng mini-bar bungalow style sa dulo. We sat there and I immediately ordered a Long Island Iced Tea. I needed that mix of vodka, gin, rum, and tequila to drown out the irritation. Stacey ordered a Mimosa.

She was so madaldal, which was good because it distracted me,

but then hindi ko namalayan Jhoanna followed us.

“Hey, guys! Nag-sosolo kayo ah?”

Jhoanna said, joining the table.

But the moment Jhoanna sat down, Stacey’s mood shifted. Ininom niya ng mabilis yung cocktail niya then stood up.

“Sorry, Mikha. Mas gusto ko palang mapag-isa,” she said, her face serious. She walked away without even glancing at Jhoanna.

Jhoanna looked at me, “Miks?” She was asking for permission to follow.

I just gave her a quick salute-a signal that she should go. She ran after Stacey instantly. I sighed, taking a long sip of my drink. Itong dalawang ‘to, hindi pa mag-balikan. Halata namang hindi sila maka-move on sa isa’t isa.

Aiah’s POV

Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Colet sa table, but my mind was already elsewhere. My eyes were restlessly scanning the shoreline, looking for a specific shade of red hair.

“Nasaan kaya siya?” bulong ko. I tried to look for Jhoanna or Stacey, but they had vanished too.

I spotted Maloi a few meters away, busy recording a TikTok dance. I marched toward her, not even trying to hide the tension in my stride.

“Maloi… nakita mo ba si Mikha?”

“Ah oo, kanina nakita ko silang naglalakad ni Stacey. Baka naghanap ng bar,” she replied, not breaking her rhythm.

The moment she said Stacey, my chest tightened. My thoughts started racing-Why did she leave with Stacey? Why not me? And they two alone? The jealousy was like a slow-burning fire in my gut. I stood up, my movements sharp and calculated. I need to see them..

“Saan ka pupunta, Ate Aiah?!” sigaw ni Colet.

I didn’t even look back. I was already halfway across the sand, my chin up and my gaze fixed.

“Susunduin ko yung asawa ko!” I muttered under my breath. My voice was low but dripping with an alpha-female confidence. No one else was going to have her time tonight. Not on my watch.

As I approached the bar, I saw a familiar silhouette sa gilid, kung saan walang masyadong tao.

It was Stacey, and she was hugging someone tightly. My entire body went rigid. Everything in me assumed it was Mikha!

That bitch, I thought, my blood boiling. The sight of them wrapped around each other made my vision blur. I didn’t think twice.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING?!” I barked, grabbing them and pulling them apart with a strength I didn’t know I had.

Stacey stumbled back, gasping, “A-Ate Aiah?!” Gulat na sabi niya.

But pagharap nung kayakap niya… it was Jhoanna. She looked completely startled, her face flushed red. A massive wave of relief washed over me. Thank God it wasn’t her. My heart finally found its rhythm again.

“A-Ate Aiah! We-we are just… just!” Jhoanna stammered, looking terrified.

I didn’t stay to listen. I pushed past them. I didn’t have time for their drama-I needed to see Mikha.

Finally, I spotted her. She was sitting alone, nursing her drink, looking so calm and composed. Napangiti ako nang bahagya. Behave naman pala yung asawa ko, I thought. The tension in my shoulders relaxed as I began to walk slowly toward her. I wanted to surprise her, to just slip beside her and feel her warmth.

Pero bago pa ako makalapit, may biglang sumulpot na babae. Naka-two piece, leaning in way too close to Mikha.

“Ikaw ba ‘yan, Mikha?” the girl cooed, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. “It was me, Denise.”

I froze. That bitch, I whispered under my breath, my eyes narrowing. I stayed in the shadows for a moment, listening.

“Denise,” Mikha replied, her voice maintaining that professional yet charming edge. “Long time no see. Kumusta?”

“I’m good! Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about the restaurant supplies. Pero nagpalit ka na yata ng number,”

Denise said. She wasn’t just talking; she was blatantly flirting. I saw how she put her hand on Mikha’s shoulder, sliding it down slowly while leaning in, showing off that sexy two-piece.

My jaw tightened. I wanted to march over there and throw my drink at her. But Mikha gently shook her head, halatang naiilang na siya. “Actually, Denise… nag-sara na ako. I’m not in that business anymore.”

Denise’s face fell, but she didn’t stop. She pouted, looking at Mikha with those hungry eyes. “Oh… that’s sad. But maybe we can grab a drink instead? Para pag-usapan yung ‘ibang’ things? For future business.”

I had seen enough. This girl was too much, and the jealousy was now a full-blown storm inside me. Hindi ko alam mauubos yata yung buhok ko sa dami nang babaeng lalapit sa kanya. But I have no choice my heart choose her.

I stepped out of the shadows and walked directly behind them.

“Mikha,” I said, my voice soft but firm.

Mikha jumped slightly, her eyes widening in total shock. Pagkakita niya sa akin, she immediately looked worried.

“Aiah?! What are you doing here?” she asked, standing up quickly. “Mag-isa ka lang? It’s not safe for you to walk here alone.”

I looked at her, pouting my lips just enough to let her know I wasn’t happy. “Kanina pa kita hinahanap,” I whispered, my voice sounding hurt and paawa.

“S-sorry… kasama mo naman si Colet kaya I thought why not get some drinks,” Mikha stammered, looking flustered.

“Matagal ka pa ba dyan?” I asked, looking at her with big, weary eyes. I needed a reason to get her away from Denise. “I came here to see you because… I felt tired and I’m not feeling well..”

I leaned slightly toward her, acting a bit weak. “It’s not good for our baby, Lets go home Mikha” I added softly, making sure I was loud enough for Denise to hear every single word.

Mikha’s entire demeanor shifted instantly. She completely forgot Denise was even there. Her hands were suddenly all over me, checking my temperature, holding me, and looking at me with pure devotion. I won.

“I’m really sorry Aiah? You should call me pupunta naman ako agad,” Mikha murmured, her voice thick with worry. She turned to Denise for a split second, her expression turning cold and professional. “Sorry, Denise. I have to go. Aiah needs me.”

She didn’t wait for a reply. Inakbayan niya ako nang mahigpit, guiding me away from that bar and that girl. I leaned my head against her shoulder, feeling her protective grip. I might have said I wasn’t feeling well, but honestly? I never felt better.

And I felt even better knowing she was all mine.

………

Sa sobrang galing kong umarte, we are now back in the house. Iniwan na namin yung apat sa beach—I didn’t care if they felt ditched. I just needed to get Mikha away from that bar, away from Denise, and back into a space where it’s just the two of us. Sumakay nalang kami ng taxi.

Since we arrived, Mikha has been incredibly attentive. Pinakain niya ako, hinanda ang pantulog ko, at inayos ang higaan. She’s busy doing everything for me, moving around the room with that focused, quiet energy. Watching her, I felt that familiar tug in my chest.

I think I’m the luckiest girl in the world, I thought. Pero biglang may sumaksak sa puso ko. What if ginagawa niya lang pala ‘to para sa baby?

The poison of those thoughts bumalot sa isipan ko. What if the only reason she’s being this soft, this caring, is because dinadala ko yung anak niya? It’s a painful thought. I haven’t even confessed my feelings to her yet, and here I am, acting like a possessive partner when in reality, baka kaya lang siya nandito is because of responsibility.

“Are you okay?” Mikha asked, snapping me out of my spiral. She was standing by the bed, holding a bowl of peeled fruits.

“Hmmm… okay lang ako,” sagot ko, pero pilit ang ngiti ko at bakas ang lungkot sa boses ko.

Umupo siya sa tabi ko sa kama. The bed dipped under her weight, bringing her scent closer—that signature mix of sea salt and her expensive perfume.

“Napagod ka ba sa kakalakad kanina?” She asked 

Ano ba… why so pogi? The way she looks at me, with those sharp eyes softened by genuine concern, makes my heart ache.

“Medyo,” I pouted, leaning back against the pillows. “Kung saan-saan ka kasi pumupunta. I had to look for you.” I rolled my eyes slightly, the jealousy from earlier resurfacing. “Bakit ba kasi lapitin ka ng mga babae?”

My eyes widened. My heart skipped a beat. Did I just say that out loud? my face instantly erupting in a feverish heat.

Mikha froze for a second. “Aiah?.”

​”I—I mean— I’m just curious… and kanina pa ako doon. I was just too shy to call you out,” I muttered, my voice dripping with a sarcasm that barely masked my insecurity.

​Mikha didn’t argue. She didn’t even give a witty comeback. Instead, she moved to the foot of the bed, As she pulled my feet onto her lap.

“Massage?” she offered, her voice dropping into a husky register.

“Yes, please,” I whispered, my heart hammering against my ribs.

The moment her skin touched mine, I felt a jolt of pure electricity shoot straight up my spine. Mikha’s hands were warm, her grip firm yet dangerously tender. As her thumbs began to knead the soles of my feet, a heavy, thick tension filled the room.

I swallowed hard, my eyes fluttering shut. Every press of her fingers, every slow slide of her palm against my skin felt like it was burning me. The heat between us was so intense, it was getting hard to breathe.

I looked at her through my lashes—the way her jaw was set, her eyes focused only on me. The physical pull was so strong it was dizzying. I wanted to believe that this—this touch, this care—was for me. Not just because of the life inside me, but because she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

But I stayed silent, letting the heat of her hands and the silence of the room drown out the doubts in my head for just a little while longer.