Chapter 16

Aiah’s POV

​I stood by my window, looking out at the city, but my eyes kept drifting to the unit next door. Kay Janna. For the past few days, her place looked… empty. Quiet. No lights, no sounds of her humming, no “accidental” meetings sa hallway.

It’s been three days since Janna stopped knocking. True to her word, she gave me the time I asked for.

​But instead of feeling relieved, I felt… empty.

​I looked at the corner of my living room. It was filled with flowers—lilies, sunflowers, and roses—all from her. Dahan-dahan akong lumapit at kinuha ang mga maliliit na cards na nakasingit sa bawat bouquet.

​“I’m Really sorry.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you. Sorry.”

“I take full responsibility. Sorry.”

“Please eat, even if you’re mad at me.”

She was a good friend to me. She was there when I was stressed, making me laugh when I don’t want too. She help me to stop my stalker. And all the good things she does for me.

The lie still hurts—it stings to know she kept such a huge secret—but then I remember her voice through the door.

​“I had death threats, Aiah…”

​Her voice echoed in my head. That part… that’s what hurts me the most. Knowing that while I was complaining about my “ruined” plans, she was literally fighting for her life. She was desperate. She was terrified.

​It wasn’t just her fault. It wasn’t just the hospital’s fault. It was just a cruel, messy mistake that tangled our lives together.

​I picked up one of the sorry notes.

​I closed my eyes, feeling a tear escape. She’s a victim of her someone’s greed, and I’m a victim of a medical error. We’re both just two people drowning in the same sea, trying to find a way to breathe.

I looked at my dining table, now covered with documents. Dumating na ang formal letter mula sa hospital and the IVF facility, representing Mikhaela Janna Lim.

​We deeply apologize for the catastrophic medical error… The facility and Miss Lim will provide full financial support for all check-ups and medical expenses… A 200,000 PHP penalty will be credited to you, along with a one-month paid vacation leave and access to a specialist for your mental health.

​Regarding your Reproductive Rights and Autonomy:

We recognize that this is your body and your life. Should the laboratory results return positive, the decision to continue or terminate the pregnancy lies solely with you. Miss Lim and this facility will support whatever choice you make, including all medical procedures and aftercare required, without question or pressure. Our priority is your peace of mind and your future.

​May nakalakip ding waiver. A paper I needed to sign to formalize the “support.”

​I took a deep breath, my chest feeling heavy. They were trying to pay for the mistake. They were trying to fix a life with money and documents. Napatingin ako sa tumpok ng mga bulaklak sa gilid. Kahit medyo lanta na ang ilan, amoy na amoy ko pa rin ang bango nila.

​I looked at the waiver one last time. If I sign this, it means I already accepted everything and move on…

​I picked up the pen, my hand trembling slightly.

​”I still hate that you lied, Janna,” I whispered to the empty room. “But I hate the thought of you being alone in this even more.”

With a shaky hand, I picked up the pen and signed my name.

​Aiah Arceta.

​I felt a strange shiver as I watched the ink dry. Dahan-dahan kong itinupe ang papel at inilagay sa loob ng bag ko. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I couldn’t stay inside the penthouse anymore. I needed to go somewhere where I could hear my own thoughts.

I needed to go to the only place where I could find silence.

​Pagpasok ko sa simbahan, It was so peaceful.

I started to pray and I asked God “why me and bakit nangyayare tong mga bagay na to?” and also all the burdens I’m facing all the heavy hearts.

nagsisimula ang sermon ng pari. I sat at the very back, clutching my bag. 

The priest started talking about the Annunciation—the story of how Mary became the Virgin Mother.

​”Mary was young, she had plans, and she was surely afraid,” the priest’s voice echoed. “Hindi niya hiniling ang responsibilidad na ito she about to mary Joseph but this things happens. It was a sudden, life-altering call. But she chose to trust the miracle, even if it meant her world would be turned upside down. She turned her fear into faith.”

​Napatigil ako. I looked up at the altar. Is my fear bigger than the possibility of this miracle?

​A soft, muffled sob from the front pews broke my train of thought. I saw a couple kneeling, their shoulders shaking as they prayed. Overheard ko ang bulong ng babae, “Please, Lord… kahit isa lang. Sampung taon na kaming naghihintay. We just want to be parents. Please don’t let our home stay this empty.”

​Napatigil ako. My hand instinctively touched my bag where the signed waiver lay—the paper that could allow me to choose an abortion.

​Andito ako, iniisip kung paano itatapon ang “pagkakamali” na ‘to, while there were people like them na handang ibigay ang lahat para sa isang pagkakataon na maging magulang. To them, my situation wasn’t a catastrophic error—it was a miracle na sampung taon na nilang ipinagdarasal.

​Suddenly, the coldness in my heart started to melt. Is it a mistake? O baka blessing ito na dumating lang sa maling paraan? I realized then that if I’m having a child inside me was the only one who was truly innocent. Hindi naman nito hiningi ang gulo namin ni Janna.

​I felt a tear roll down my cheek—hindi na dahil sa galit, but because of a sudden, overwhelming sense of responsibility.

​Tumayo ako at mahigpit na hinawakan ang bag ko. I wasn’t signing for an abortion anymore whatsoever the result is. I was signing for a future I didn’t plan, but one I was no longer afraid to face.

​I walked out of the church and into the afternoon sun. I took out my phone and dialed Janna’s number. It didn’t even finish the first ring.

​”Aiah?” Janna’s voice was hoarse, halatang nagulat siya

​”Janna,” I said, looking up at the sky. “Let’s talk. I’m ready. I have the papers with me.”

……

Mikha’s POV

Nakatitig lang ako sa screen ng laptop ko, watching my King get cornered in four moves. Checkmate.

“Talo na naman?! My brain is not braining!” I groaned, slamming my palms against the desk. “Usually even the top-tier AI can’t beat me, pero ngayon, para akong naglalaro na may brain fog sa utak na kasing kapal ng usok sa EDSA!”

Normally, I’m the grandmaster. I’m Mikhaela Janna Lim—always ten steps ahead, always with a strategy. Pero ngayon? It’s not about the chess anymore. All the strategies in the world can’t help me win back the trust of the person I hurt.

Everything is a blur. Hindi ako makatulog. My guilt is eating me alive. I have my own mountain of problems—death threats left and right, failed business,the inheritance—pero mas lamang yung kaba ko para kay Aiah. I’m not a bad person. I really am not. I’m a lot of things—clumsy, desperate, a liar by circumstance—but I don’t want to hurt a girl’s heart. Lalo na ang puso ni Aiah.

I even moved back to my old condo. Iniwan ko yung unit ko na katabi ng sa kanya kasi baka paglabas niya ng pinto at makita ang pagmumukha ko, mas lalo lang siyang ma-stress. I’m trying to be a “responsible ghost.” Giving her space, even if the distance is killing me.

“AAAAAIIIIAAAHHH!!!” I shouted like a crazy person, grabbing my hair until it looked like a literal bird’s nest.

Sabi ko bibigyan ko siya ng oras. Pero my ADHD is making it impossible! My brain is like a browser with 50 tabs open, and 49 of them are just pictures of Aiah looking disappointed in me.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated on the desk.

I saw the caller ID. 

My heart skipped, hopped, 

It’s Aiah!

Sa sobrang pagmamadali ko, sumabit yung paa ko sa paa ng desk. “Ouch—anak ng—!” I went face-first into the floor, a full-on cinematic faceplant. Pero kahit masakit ang tuhod ko, I crawled for that phone like my life depended on it. I swiped ‘Answer’ before the second ring.

“Aiah?” I whispered, breathless, sounding like I just ran a marathon when I actually just fought with a piece of furniture.

She wanted to meet. Finally. She gave me the location, and I swear, I’ve never driven that fast in my life. Muntik pa akong maiyak sa tuwa, pero pinigilan ko baka akalain niyang nababaliw na talaga ako (well, more than usual).

When I got there, my heart sank. Her face… it was just unreasonable. This is not the Aiah I know. Her eyes, which used to be so bright and peaceful, were now full of anxiety. And the worst part? It’s all because of me. I’m the villain in her story, and I hate it.

Bigla akong nahiya. I couldn’t even look her straight in the eye. I felt like a kicked puppy.

Pumunta kami sa isang malapit na restaurant. I talked to the staff, trying to look cool despite my internal panic. I asked if they had a private area, even for an event, I would rent it. Luckily, they had a small, simple meeting room.

I stepped inside and waited for her to enter. 

Binuksan ko yung pinto for her and pinauna siyang umupo. I was fidgeting with my fingers like a nervous wreck. I was ready for the verdict. Whatever she decided—even if she chose to sign those papers for the abortion and tell me to go to hell—I had to accept it. Because at the end of the day, I just want her to be okay.

“Amm… a-Aiah… ” Kabadong sabi ko

“I-I’m really, really sorry… I really do,” nauutal. I felt so clumsy and nervous in front of her. 

“I-I already arranged everything that you need.”

My hands were shaking as I laid out the documents, muntik ko pang mahulog yung ballpen sa sobrang kaba.

She didn’t react. She just sat there with a poker face, watching my every move. She wasn’t leaning back; she was sitting straight, looking at me as if she could see right through my skin and into my messy thoughts. Sobrang awkward, sobrang bigat. Ang lamig ng titig niya, parang may kung anong misteryo sa likod ng mga mata niyang pagod na pagod.

“W-we… we just need the pregnancy test first…”

” an-and after that, we will proceed with a-a plan,” I continued, feeling my throat go dry.

I was arranging the legal papers for removing the baby. My chest felt tight as I pushed the pen and the document toward her. It felt like I was handing her a weapon to kill a part of us.

“H-here’s the paper… just sign it so the hospital will—”

“I’m not going for abortion,” she cut me off.

Her voice was low, pero parang may weight ng isang bundok. Nabingi ako sa sinabi niya. I was in total shock.

“Aiah?”

“It’s my body, my decision,” she said. She wasn’t asking for my opinion. She was stating a fact.

“A-Aiah… wait,” I was literally trembling now. “You can take your time. You don’t have to carry this burden just because of my mess. I-I’ll handle the facility, h-hindi mo kailangang gawin ‘to—”

“If positive or negative, I will continue this. No abortion,” she said, her voice steady and sure.

“N-nabibigla ka lang, Aiah. You can think about it—”

“Shut up, Mikhaela Or Janna Or whatsoever”

I flinched. She didn’t raise her voice, but the way she said it made me stop breathing. She looked me straight in the eyes, her expression unreadable—mysterious and cold. Sa puntong ito, hindi ko na siya kilala. She was a stranger carrying my child.

“If I turn out positive, mark my words: no abortion,” she said, her tone final. “And I am the one who will make the rules. I am the one who will make the decisions from here on out. Not the hospital. Not the lawyers. And definitely not you.”

Napalunok ako. My heart was beating so fast it actually hurt. The girl I thought I could ‘fix’ things for just took the entire deck of cards and threw it in my face. No one was going to dictate her life anymore—not the mistake at the clinic, and especially not me.

“Yes, Ma’am,” I whispered.

Then silence. Ang tanging naririnig ko lang ay ang sarili kong kaba. In my mind, something was wrong. Parang may bago kay Aiah. I can’t read her. Why does she suddenly want a baby in the middle of this misery?

Napainom ako ng tubig, nanginginig pa rin ang mga kamay ko.

“So… you’re  real name is Mikhaela Janna Lim…” Inabot niya yung kamay niya. “Nice to meet you.” She said sarcasticaly 

“Aiah…” nasabi ko na lang.

Naiwang naka-waiting for a handshake yung kamay niya. Anong ginagawa niya? Feels like she’s playing mind game with me. Nung hindi ko inabot yung kamay ko, siya na mismo ang kumuha at sapilitan kaming nag-shake hands. Her touch was cold, devoid of the warmth.

“I will not introduce myself, Mikhaela. I’m sure you know me well because you’re my stalker, right? So tell me, gaano katagal mo na akong sinusundan?”

“Aiah, please…”

Huminga siya ng malalim.

Maya maya umiwas siya ng tingin na para bang she doesn’t want me to see those eyes. Her painful teary eye.

Pilit na pinipigilan yung luha niya

“I can’t believe it… naniwala ako sa’yo, Doc Janna. ” 

“Ay, hindi… Fake Doctor Janna.”

Napayuko ako. Pakiramdam ko, nilalamon ako ng dilim sa sobrang hiya. My face turned black and I felt so embarrassed. But deep inside, I have my reasons… reasons that were now buried under her misery.

“I’m sorry, Aiah…” nasabi ko na lang. “I will take full responsibility and I will not get offended because it’s true.” She can drag me to hell if she wanted to. Tatanggapin ko.

“But you know what’s ironic…” She paused.

Then she look me into my eye sinusubukang ipunin yung natitirang lakas ng loob upang sabihin ang mga salitang…

“I still care for you. I still think of you… and every damn moment, I think of you. I don’t know why. Maybe you’re just too good at acting being good.”

Sapag kakataong yun tuluyan nang tumulo yung luha niya. It was the most painful thing I’ve ever seen—the sight of her giving up, her spirit slowly shattering in front of me. Parang balang tumatama sa dibdib ko ramdam ko yung sakit.

“I’ve been dealing with anxiety and fear… but for the first time, someone calmed me and did it well. But why, Janna? Bakit hindi ka totoo?”

The misery in the room was suffocating. I didn’t know what to say anymore. I was drowning in my own lies.

Napayuko nalang ako

“Aiah, I’m sorry… “

……

Matapos ang mahabang palitan ng salita at paghingi ko ng pasensya, unti-unting kumalma ang paligid, pero ang bigat sa dibdib ko ay hindi pa rin nawala. Aiah remained composed—mysterious, firm, and untouchable. Binuksan niya ang usapan tungkol sa hinaharap sa paraang hindi ko inaasahan.

“I’m choosing to keep this, Mikha. Not for you, but for the life itself,” direkta niyang sabi habang nakatingin nang diretso sa mga mata ko. “And if this turns out positive, I want a co-parenting setup. A legal and professional one.”

Napatitig ako sa kanya. I could feel the sincerity in her voice, but also the invisible boundary she was drawing between us.

“I won’t stop you from being a parent,” she continued, her voice devoid of any playfulness. “But I need to be sure. Gusto kong makasiguro na hindi mo kukunin ang bata palayo sa akin balang araw. I may not share the same blood, but I will be the one carrying and giving birth to this child. Ako ang ina nito.”

This wasn’t part of my strategy. None of my plans involved Aiah taking the lead like this. Pero nasa kanya ang lahat ng karapatan; siya ang biktima rito at siya ang mas nasasaktan. All I could do was agree. Oo na lang ako nang oo sa bawat kondisyon niya, because honestly, I’d give her the world just to make up for my lies.

Nang matapos ang usapan, tumayo na siya. The atmosphere was still thick with the irony—alam kong mahalaga pa rin ako sa kanya, yet she was clearly done with me. The bridge was burnt, and we were just two people standing on opposite sides.

“Tapos na tayo rito,” she said simply, picking up her bag.

Sumunod ako sa kanya palabas ng room. I felt the urge to reach out, to hold her hand, or even just to walk beside her, pero nanatili akong dalawang hakbang sa likuran niya. I was following her rhythm now.

“Aiah, hatid na kita,” alok ko nung makarating kami sa tapat ng restaurant. I already had my keys out, hoping for just a few more minutes with her inside the car. “Gabi na, and for your security na rin.”

She stopped and looked at me. There was no anger in her eyes, just a flat, professional distance that hurt more than any shouting could.

“No, thank you,” she replied calmly. “I already booked a taxi. It’s just a few minutes away.”

“Pero Aiah, mas safe kung—”

“Mikhaela,” she cut me off, her voice firm. “We agreed on boundaries. This is one of them. We keep in touch.”

Hindi na niya ako hinintay na makasagot. Sakto namang huminto ang isang taxi sa tapat namin. She opened the door, slid inside, and didn’t even look back as the car pulled away.

I stood there on the sidewalk, watching the red tail lights of her taxi disappear into the city traffic. It felt lonely, but at the same time, I thanked God we finally talked. At least now, the cards are on the table.

Pero dahil Gabi na, hindi ko siya hinayaang umuwi nang mag-isa. Just to make sure she was safe, sumunod ako sa taxi niya gamit ang sasakyan ko. Nanatili akong malayo para hindi niya mapansin.

I waited until she safely entered her condo building. Nang makita kong pumasok na siya sa loob, doon lang ako nakahinga nang maluwag. I turned the engine back on and drove home, my mind already racing for tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the day. Positive or negative, our lives will change forever.