Chapter 21

No one’s POV

Today was the day of the “Pamamanhikan.”

The long-awaited trip to Cebu. Mikha had suggested na dalhin na nila ang kotse nito at ang kotse ni Joanna, but the Joanna insisted na gumamit na lang ng iisang sasakyan. She wanted to use her Land Rover Defender para raw masaya dahil sama-sama.

Well, masaya nga ba? Kung kasama sa iisang sasakyan ang ex niya na si Stacey? No one knew what Joanna was planning, but with Stacey around, 

it was clear that the air would be thick with more than just travel excitement.

In this kind of travel, Mikha made sure na hindi ma-stress o mapagod si Aiah. She wanted her to feel like a queen, kahit na medyo mailap pa rin ito at  isang tanong, isang sagot.

“Wag ka na magdala ng maraming damit, Aiah,” Mikha told her softly, leaning in a bit. “If you want, I’ll just buy you new clothes in Cebu.”

Aiah just looked at Mikha with those cold, expressive eyes. Deep inside, she was struggling—she wanted to stay mad, but she couldn’t resist the way Mikha was looking at her. “No need. May mga naiwan naman akong gamit doon,” she said, her voice blunt, yet her gaze lingered on Mikha for a split second too long.

When Mikha picked her up at the condo, she didn’t let Aiah carry a single thing. She grabbed everything—even the smallest pouch—with a firm, protective grip. She even prepared a water jug and a small kit of safe medicines. Mikha was determined to be the best for Aiah.

“Sana all na lang talaga, Ate Aiah, may personal gentleman!” asar ni Maloi.

 “Kumusta naman kaya si Stacey?” sabay nguso sa likuran.

Si Stacey? Akala mo maglalayas. She was a total walking closet—wearing an all-pink outfit and oversized sunglasses,may dala siyang dalawang bag then struggling with a giant luggage.

“Do you need help, Staks?” Mikha asked, being her usual polite self.

“Okay lang ako, Miks. Papindot na lang ng elevator for me, please,” Stacey replied.

“Sure ka just let me know if you need help”

Mikha guide her she opened the door for her so she could pass through easily, but suddenly, the air turned cold. Mikha looked at Aiah and saw her staring so sharply. Aiah clearly didn’t like Mikha being “too” nice to others.

Biglang… 

POK!

Binato siya ni Aiah nang malaki nitong unan. 

“Hold that also,” she said coldly bago ito tuluyang lumampas.

Noong nakarating na sila sa sasakyan, Mikha was busy loading there bags her bag and Aiahs luggage.

Biglang nagparinig si Stacey habang nakatingin kay Joanna. “Sana all gentleman,” she said, flipping her hair.

Joanna helped her, pero halatang napipilitan. 

“Thank you, ha!” sarcastic na sabi ni Stacey.

“Wow, mukhang galit ka pa, madam? Ikaw na nga tinulungan!” Joanna retorted.

“Guys, tama na yan! Let’s go!” awat ni Maloi while the two exes were busy glaring at each other.

Joanna took the driver’s seat. 

Mikha was about to open the front seat door nang bigla siyang pigilan ni Aiah. She gripped Mikha’s jacket firmly.

“Sit with me.”

The authority in Aiah’s voice was undeniable. Kaya instead na sa harap, sa likod napadpad si Mikha.

“Ate Maloi, ikaw na lang sa harap! Ayokong may katabing cheater!” Stacey complained.

“Wow ha, parang gusto kitang katabi?” sabat ni Joanna. In the end, Maloi took the front to avoid the crossfire.

Along the way, Mikha was like a piyaya—siksik na siksik sa upuan. She didn’t mind; she shifted her weight just to give Aiah all the space she needed. 

Every minute, Mikha checked on her.

“Okay ka lang? 

“Do you need anything? 

“Gutom ka ba?”

Aiah remained silent, looking out the window with that same cold expression, but she was secretly clutching the edge of Mikha’s jacket.  

Napansin ni Mikha na inaantok na ito. She leaned in and whispered, 

“Gusto mo bang kunin ko yung unan mo sa likod so you can sleep?”

Aiah looked at Mikha, and for the first time that day, the ice in her eyes softened. Instead of taking the pillow, she leaned her head directly on Mikha’s shoulder.

Gay panic.

Mikha froze. 

She felt like a human sofa—stiff and barely breathing, trying not to disturb the woman on her shoulder. 

Her face felt incredibly hot, and her ears turned bright red. 

Ghad why she like this? I can smell her floral hair scent and her body heat in me. Mikha thought, her heart thumping so loud she was sure Aiah could hear it.

Malakas yung aircon pero feeling pag papawisan siya.

Nang makita ni Mikha na parang nahihirapan si Aiah dahil sa sobrang pagka-tense ng balikat niya, she forced herself to relax. She adjusted her posture to give the best support and slowly placed her arm around Aiah’s shoulder, pulling her a bit closer.

Mikha tried to look tough on the outside, but inside, she was a blushing mess. They looked like real lovers—the silence between them no longer just about anger, but about a tension that neither of them could escape.

….

Matapos ang mahabang byahe, sumakay sila ng eroplano. For most people, it was a time to rest, but for Mikha, it was another round of heavy lifting. She handled the suitcases, the carry-ons, and the logistics without a single complaint.

Every time Aiah tried to reach for a bag, Mikha’s hand was already there. “I got it, Aiah. Relax ka lang.” She didn’t mind the muscle ache—as long as Aiah didn’t have to lift a finger, Mikha was content.

Buti na lang, Joanna had connections at the airline, kaya naging mabilis ang check-in. Binilin na rin ni Joanna ang sasakyan niya na dadaan pa sa RORO; it would take two more days bago makarating sa Cebu.

After a 1-hour and 20-minute flight, they finally touched down. Since wala pa ang kotse, they rented a private shuttle to take them to the Arceta estate.

Pagbaba nila sa tapat ng bahay, everyone was in awe. It was a vintage classic hous, sprawling, with a “Luna” interior design that felt both nostalgic and Elegant. The property was surrounded by a peaceful, wide farm, the air smelling of fresh grass and earth.

Agad silang sinalubong ng Mama ni Aiah. After the respectful blessings and warm greetings, pumasok na sila to meet Aiah’s father they are so happy. The reception was surprisingly warm, despite Mikha’s nervousness. They were assigned to their rooms to freshen up.

Room 1: Mikha and Joanna

Room 2: Stacey and Maloi

Mikha’s POV

I’ve faced boardrooms full of intimidating CEOs. I’ve closed deals worth millions. Pero bakit ngayon, parang hihimatayin ako sa kaba?

I wasn’t wearing anything flashy—just a clean, white t shirt . I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the mirror. Hindi ako mapakali. I was practicing every possible sentence I could say to Aiah’s parents.

“Dude, relax. Mukha namang cool parents ni Aiah, hindi ka naman nila kakainin nang buhay,” Joanna said, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

“I know, Jo… I just can’t help it. This is different.”

A soft knock interrupted us. The door creaked open, and Aiah stepped in. She hadn’t changed yet, looking a bit tired but still effortlessly beautiful. She looked at us—me and Joanna sitting close on the bed.

“Mikha… can you accompany me to my room?” Aiah asked softly. “Naninibago kasi ako… I’m not used to being here alone anymore.”

She said it with such an innocent, vulnerable look that my heart melted instantly.

Si Joanna naman pakunwareng umubo. “Cough!” “Ahh pre, samahan mo na si Kumander. Mukhang kailangan ka niya,” Jo whispered with a playful wink.

I pinched her side to shut her up.

“Gagu” bulong ko

Then turn to Aiah “A-ahh, yes. Sure. Susunod ako.”

…..

Entering Aiah’s room was like entering a dream. It was so feminine—the soft lighting, the scent of her favorite perfume, the walls filled with her pictures.

“Pasok ka, wag kang mahiya,” she smiled, pointing at the photos. “That’s me in high school… and that’s my dog, Chuwi.”

“He’s adorable,” I whispered.

“He died five years ago…”

“Ahh I’m… I’m so sorry..”

A comfortable yet heavy silence fell between us. She looked at me, her eyes soft. “You look so tense, Janna. It’s okay. Mababait parents ko. They will accept this baby… ”   “and you.”

Suddenly, she looked at the door, then back at the wide bed.

“Mikha… Pwede ba dito ka nalang matulog? Instead with Joanna?” she asked, her voice quiet but clear. “Malaki naman yung kama ko… if you don’t mind.”

My breath hitched. “Aiah, your parents— baka ano isipin nila”

“They won’t mind. They are not like that,” she said innocently. Before I could answer, she guided me by the arm and made me sit on the edge of her bed.

“Its getting late..wait for me here. Magbibihis lang ako.”

I thought she would go to the bathroom. But Aiah, in her pure innocence, started unbuttoning her blouse right there.

I immediately looked down at my shoes, my heart hammering against my ribs. I could hear the rustle of clothes, the soft sound of fabric hitting the floor. The air in the room suddenly felt thin.

“Janna? Can you help me?”

I slowly looked up. She was standing there in her undergarments, her back turned to me. She was trying to reach for a brown halter dress, but she couldn’t quite navigate the delicate straps and the back closure. 

She looked so ethereal, so effortlessly sexy without even trying.

“Ang hirap kasi abutin sa likod,” she murmured, looking over her shoulder with shy gesture.

I stood up, my legs feeling like jelly. As I stepped behind her, the warmth radiating from her skin made my head spin. My hands were trembling as I reached for the strings of the dress.

“Your hands are cold, Janna,” she giggled softly, a small shiver running through her.

“Sorry… I’m just…” I couldn’t even finish my sentence. I concentrated on the knot, my fingers occasionally brushing against the velvet skin of her back.

I cleared my throat to break the tension.

 “Aiah… hindi ka ba magkakapulmonya sa damit na ‘to? It’s a bit… open.”

She turned around to face me, the dress now secured but our personal space non-existent. She looked up at me with those wide, clear eyes. 

“It’s already summer, Mikha. Why would I?”

She adjusted the front of the dress innocently, unaware of how much she was testing my self-control.

“Let’s go?” she asked, tilting her head.

…

We went down to the dining hall, and I stayed close to her side. 

Throughout the meal, I was on autopilot—peeling her shrimp, refilling her water, making sure she was eating enough for the baby.

“Kumain lang kayo ng marami, alam ko napagod kayo,” Aiah’s mom said

“Thank you po tita” sabi Stacey 

“So, Mikha… gaano kayo kadalas pumunta sa hospital to check the baby?”

her Mom asked out of nowhere.

I almost choked. I looked at Aiah, eyes wide. I thought hindi pa nila alam..

“Don’t worry, Miks,” Aiah said confidenly. “I already told them everything earlier. . Kaya hindi ako agad nakapag bihis”

“I’ve never heard of that IVF, anak alam mo naman dito sa probinsya,” her Papa said, his voice deep. “But I’m happy. My only dream was for you not to be alone. I was so afraid when you said you didn’t want a family. But  noong sinabi mo you will be having a baby para akong maiiyak.. thats my dream for you. “

“Pa, don’t cry yet,” Aiah teased gently

“Oh siya, sige na. Kumain na muna kayo,” her Papa said, then his eyes landed on me. 

The warmth vanished, replaced by a serious, fatherly weight. “And mamaya, yayain ko ‘tong si Mikha sa veranda. We will drink and talk about the future she will provide for my daughter.”

I took a large gulp of water, nearly coughing it back up. The real challenge was about to begin.

…..

Ang akala ni Mikha, iyon na ang huling gabi ng buhay niya. She was already sweating buckets, waiting for the “Fatherly Interrogation” on the veranda. Pero biglang tumunog ang phone ni Tito Robert.

“Ano?! May nag-aaway na naman sa kanto dahil sa nawawalang manok? Susmaryosep!” sigaw ni Tito.

Turns out, Aiah’s dad was the Barangay Captain. Kahit nakakaluwagluwag sa buhay, he was a man of the people. Hands-on si Tito sa bawat sumbong, mula sa nawawalang tsinelas hanggang sa agawan ng lupa.

“Mikha, ‘yung baso natin, bukas na lang! Unahin ko lang ‘tong mga nasisiraan ng bait sa barangay hall!” bitbit ang kanyang jacket, nagmamadaling lumabas si Tito Robert.

Mikha slumped back in her chair, letting out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “Thank you, Lord. Salamat sa manok,” she whispered.

Habang si Mikha ay nag-aagaw buhay sa kaba sa loob, Stacey, Maloi, and Joanna were outside, enjoying the crisp, fresh air of the farm.

They were snacking on some local delicacies, but the atmosphere was anything but peaceful. Malala ang irapan sa pagitan ni Stacey at Joanna—halos mag-spark ang hangin sa bawat pagtatama ng paningin nila.

“Grabe, Joanna. I saw your car details sa google. You have a nice car… and ang mahal nun, ha?” Maloi commented, impressed.

Joanna shrugged, taking a sip of her juice like it was nothing. “Hindi naman, Maloi… It was actually two gives. I paid for it within one month.”

“One month?! Cash?!” Maloi’s eyes widened.

“Yeah. My bank restrictions kasi were only 10 million a month. So, I paid the first half in cash, then I had to wait for another month to settle the rest para hindi ma-flag,” Joanna explained nonchalantly, as if she were just talking about buying fishballs.

Maloi gasped. “I have no words… You really are big-time.”

Stacey, who was busy stabbing a piece of fruit with her fork, muttered under her breath. “Apaka-yabang. Sarap itapon sa farm.”

“Anong sabi mo?” Joanna asked, her eyebrows arched, a playful but annoying smirk on her face.

Stacey glared at her. “Wala! Sabi ko, apaka-anghang ng sawsawan! Bakit, may angal ka?”

“Wala naman. Masyado kang high-blood, baka mabulunan ka dyan,” Joanna teased.

Bago pa makasagot si Stacey, Maloi leaned in, her “Marites” mode fully activated. 

“So, Joanna… are you single?”

Choke.

Nagtama ang ngipin ni Stacey sa tinidor at halos makagat niya ang dila niya sa sobrang gulat. She tried to act like she was busy looking at the stars, but her ears were practically growing just to hear the answer.

“Amm, well…” Joanna chuckled, leaning back. “I’m open. There are some people na nagpaparamdam, but I’m not rushing.”

“So, are you with a girl or a boy right now?” sunod na hirit ni Maloi.

“I’m a lesbian, Maloi. I’m always with a girl,” Joanna answered confidently.

“Psh. Pano, babaero kang hayup ka,” bulong na naman ni Stacey habang nakatingin sa malayo.

This time, Joanna didn’t let it slide. She leaned toward Stacey, her voice dropping into that deep, annoying tone that always got under Stacey’s skin.

“Can’t you stop murmuring, Stacey? If you want to say something, at least make it loud enough for the people in the next barangay to hear.”

Stacey stood up abruptly, her chair screeching against the floor. 

“Say something your face! Bye! Wala na akong gana! Maiwan ko na kayo dyan!”

With a dramatic flip of her hair, Stacey marched back toward the house. “Bye, Ate Maloi! Matutulog na ako bago pa ako makapatay ng mayabang na babaero”

Joanna just chuckled, watching Stacey’s retreating back. “Ang cute niya no when she’s mad.”

“Huy, Joanna! Anong cute hindi pa naka move on yarn??!” Sabi ni Maloi, pero deep inside, kinikilig na ang lola niyo.