Chapter 25

Mikha’s POV

The room was draped in shadows, the only sound being the rhythmic hum of the AC. I was drifting into a light sleep when I felt the mattress shift. Then, a soft, shaky sob reached my ears.

I sat up instantly, my heart already hammering. I saw Aiah she was crying 

“Aiah? What happened? Hey, look at me… may masakit ba sa’yo?”

She was sitting up against the headboard. In the dim moonlight, she looked like a dream—but a dangerous stunning. Her hair was messy, and her eyes were glistening, that look at me with an intensity that made the air in the room feel thin.

“I can’t sleep,” she whispered. Her voice was a low, honey-thick rasp that sent a shiver straight down my spine. “I crave for something, Mikha. Kanina pa ako hindi mapakali… parang- parang mababaliw nako.”

I moved closer, my hand finding hers. her skin was fever-hot. And I can’t help my self but to worry.

“You’re burning are you okay? Anong gusto mo sabihin mo lang,” I said, my voice cracking slightly. “Is it food? Do you want me to go out and buy something? Just tell me, Aiah. Bibilhin ko kahit ano, wag ka lang umiyak please.”

Aiah didn’t answer. She just looked at me—her eyes dropping slowly from my forehead, to my eyes, and finally settling on my lips. My breath hitched. I could smell her now—a mix of her usual scent and something sweet, like fresh, sun-ripened strawberries.

“Hindi pagkain ang gusto ko, Mikha,” she breathed.

Before I could even process the words, she leaned in. She grabbed the collar of my shirt, her grip firm and possessive, and pulled me toward her.

She kissed me.

At first, it was slow—her lips soft, testing, lingering against mine. But then, she deepened it, her tongue tracing the seam of my mouth with a sudden, passionate hunger. My brain completely short-circuited. Juice ko lord, help me, I thought, my eyes fluttering shut as I melted into her. She tasted exactly like strawberries—sweet, intoxicating, and addictive.

I was in total shock. The physical pull was so strong it was dizzying. I managed to pull back just an inch, my breath coming out in ragged, uneven gasps.

“Aiah, wait… mali ‘to, Maling ako yung I crave mo” I whispered, my face burning. 

“Shut up, Mikha,” she murmured. Her voice was different—deeper, like a total possessive baddie who knew exactly what she was doing to me.

She didn’t give me a chance to argue. She crawled onto my lap, her legs framing my waist. Her hands slid into my hair, her fingers tangling in the strands as she pulled my face back to hers with a dominant grip. I let out a low, helpless moan. My hands found her waist, pulling her body flush against mine, feeling every curve, every bit of heat radiating between us.

The tension in the room finally snapped. The heat was rising, moving toward something more, something I had been secretly wanting but was too afraid to admit—

“Mikha? Mikha?”

Someone was calling me so gently, the voice like a soft velvet pull dragging me back to the surface.

I suddenly napabalikwas ng bangon, my lungs burning as if I’d just surfaced from a deep sea. My heart was thundering so loud against my ribs I thought it would break through my skin. I was drenched in sweat, my breath coming in jagged, desperate gulps.

“Panaginip lang pala…” I whispered, my voice sounding thick and shaky.

I blinked, trying to clear the haze from my eyes, only to find Aiah right in front of me. She was sitting on her side of the big bed, leaning over me with a look of pure confusion. Her face was inches from mine—the same distance as in the dream—but her eyes were filled with concern, not that possessive fire.

“Nananaginip ka?” she breathed, her hand hovering near my shoulder. “Gigisingin na sana kita, you were moving so much and… parang may sinasabi ka habang tulog.”

I felt the blood drain from my face, only to come rushing back twice as hot.

“Did you just say my name?” she added, her head tilting curiously. “Parang may tinatawag ka kasi…”

“No! Why would I?” I practically barked, scrambling backward until I almost fell off the opposite side of the king-sized bed. “I mean—panaginip! Nightmare! Sobrang nakakatakot na nightmare… Wala akong sinabing Aiah… basta nakakatakot!”

“But I heard—”

“It’s nothing! Maliligo na ako!” I didn’t even give her a chance to finish. I scrambled out of the covers, my face a deep, agonizing crimson. I bolted for the door, my heart still thundering from a dream that felt way too real.

………

Later that morning, I found myself in the backyard with Aiah’s father. I needed a distraction—something physical to burn off the restless energy and the sheer embarrassment of that morning.

“Ganito ‘yan, Mikha,” Aiah’s Dad said, handing me the heavy axe. “Focus lang. Isipin mo lahat ng stress mo, d’yan mo ibuhos sa kahoy—pero ingat ka lang baka tumalsik.”

I gripped the handle until my knuckles turned white, took a deep breath, and swung. THWACK. The wood split perfectly. I didn’t stop. I grabbed another one. Then another. I was doing it seriously, my muscles tensed and my jaw set tight as I poured all my frustrated energy into every strike.

“Uy, ang seryoso naman niyan!”

I froze mid-swing. I turned my head to see Jhoanna and Stacey walking by, with Aiah walking right between them. They were laughing, but they all slowed down when they saw me working.

“Grabe, Mikha! Akala ko ba bakasyon ‘to? Bakit pang-pro-athlete na ‘yang galaw mo?” Jhoanna teased, giggling.

“Kaya nga! Look at her, pawis na pawis na naman. Ate Aiah, punasan mo nga,” Stacey added, nudging Aiah meaningfully.

I didn’t say anything. I just wiped the sweat from my brow with my forearm, trying to keep my “cool” exterior.

 “Kailangan lang ng exercise,” I said, my voice deep and steady.

Aiah didn’t join in the teasing. Instead, she walked closer, a small, soft smile playing on her lips. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, clean towel. Before I could move, she stepped into my personal space. She reached up and gently wiped the sweat from my forehead and neck.

Her touch was light, but it felt like a brand. I stood there, frozen, as she focused entirely on me—looking at me with that same soft expression she had when she woke me up.

“Basang-basa ka na ng pawis,” Aiah whispered, her eyes meeting mine for a split second.

I nearly dropped the axe.

“Ah… tha—thanks,” I muttered, trying to maintain my cool facade while my ears turned bright red. “Baka gusto niyo ring sumubok?”

“Huwag na! Baka maputol pa kuko namin,” Stacey laughed, pulling Aiah away. “Tara na, baka ma-distract pa lalo si Mikha!”

As they walked off, I could hear them whispering and giggling. I only caught Aiah’s soft, melodic laugh. I took another swing at the wood, harder than before. Damn dream!

….

I really tried my best to keep my distance. Medyo umiwas ako because I didn’t want to think those things about her. It felt wrong, but at the same time, I was spiraling. I was questioning myself—bakit ba ako sobrang affected? It was just a dream, a trick of the mind, but the ghost of her touch felt like it was burned into my skin.

And that kiss… the way she acted lately ..I kept trying to find a logical excuse. Is it because of her pregnancy hormones? Is she just being extra clingy because of her condition? I needed a reason to anchor myself, because I swear to God, I’m going insane. She’s in my head 24/7, like a song I can’t stop playing.

Inaasikaso ko pa rin siya. I made sure she felt taken care of, making sure she was comfortable and well-fed. But every time we were together, para akong napapaso. Every time our skin brushed or she smiled at me, iba na yung kaba sa dibdib ko. I was seriously questioning my feelings—if this was still just “friend” duties or if I was already way over the line.

After how many days, bumalik na rin kami sa Manila. I thought the busy streets and the familiar walls of the city would snap me out of it.

……

No One’s POV

Isang gabi, hindi na talaga nakayanan ni Mikha ang gulo sa loob ng kanyang isip kaya minabuti niyang i-invite ang kanyang best friend na si Jhoanna sa kanyang unit. She really needed someone to talk to because her thoughts were already spiraling out of control whenever Aiah was around. Technically, they were just friends co-parenting—Aiah was carrying the baby through IVF using Mikha’s cells—but the boundary was starting to blur.

 Nakaupo lang sila sa sahig, leaning against the sofa habang may bote ng rum sa pagitan nila pampakalma sa gulo ng isip.

“And that dream… Jho, napapanaginipan ko na siya. It’s so vivid. This is wrong, I need to do something before I lose my mind,” Mikha admitted, her voice barely a whisper as she stared at her glass. 

Inimbitahan niya si Jho specifically because she needed a reality check bago siya tuluyang malunod sa nararamdaman niya.

Sumandal si Jhoanna and her eyes widened after knocking back a shot of rum. “Ghad, Mikha! You’re obviously in love, Ano paba?!”

Napatigil si Mikha, the word ‘love’ hitting her like a physical blow to the chest. “Do you think so? This is Love already? We’re just co-parenting, Jho. Is it even allowed to feel this way?”

“There’s nothing wrong with that, Mikha. Single ka, single siya. Walang bawal doon,” Jhoanna pointed out, shrugging her shoulders. “It’s the most natural thing to happen given your situation.”

“But Jho… she’s straight,” Mikha countered, the weight of that realization making her heart sink. “Paano kung hanggang friends lang talaga ang tingin niya sa akin and I’m just assuming things?”

“Straight? Are you sure? For me ha I don’t think so” Jhoanna laughed, waving a hand dismissively. “Anyway, to confirm, let me ask you this,” seryosong humarap si Jhoanna, acting like a pro evaluator while maintaining her hyped energy.

 “What will you do if someone knocks on Aiah’s heart? I mean, what if someone courts her? Anong mararamdaman mo?”

Mikha didn’t answer right away. Just the thought of it made her grip on her glass she started imagining it—some random person bringing Aiah flowers, making her laugh, or reaching out to touch her hand. The mental image alone sent a surge of pure fury through Mikha’s chest. It was a possessive, burning heat that she couldn’t control.

“I will not let that happen.. You know what.. actually…My heart says-say she’s mine… even if she’s not officially mine yet.”

“See! I told you! In love ka!” Jhoanna cheered while refilling their glasses.

 “Second question: What will you do if someone tries to kill Aiah in front of you? I mean, what if someone is about to shoot her dead?”

Mikha looked at her friend with a deadpan expression”What the fuck is that question, dude? Are you a psychopath or something! Hindi ako nakikipagbiruan dito, Jhoanna.”

“I’m dead serious! Trust me, part lang ‘to ng evaluation ko. Just answer it honestly!”

Huminga nang malalim si Mikha, her voice turning cold and serious at the dark thought of losing Aiah. “Alright. I will catch that bullet or even a grenade for her. I don’t care about myself, basta ligtas siya sila ng baby.”

Hinampas ni Jhoanna ang table sa sobrang tuwa, her energy peaking.

 “Then we’re done! 100% you’re in love, Mikhaela Janna Lim!” She raised her glass for a celebratory toast. “Cheers to your realization, buddy!”

Napailing na lang si Mikha sa kaibigan habang ang katotohanan ay unti-unting lumulubog sa dibdib niya. I think you’re right, Jhoanna, she thought to herself as she remembered Aiah’s soft, angelic smile. I think she’s the one..

In the middle of our deep conversation, Jhoanna’s phone lit up with a sweet message from Stacey. She smiled softly and told me na nagkabalikan na sila after she wooed her and talked about the past. They realized that they never really moved on because the love was still very much alive.

 “So… anong gagawin ko? Should I confess? Or should I ask her if she likes me too?”

“No! That’s not a good move at all,” Jhoanna wagged a finger, feeling a bit tipsy. “Since everything is new for you, let’s take it slow. Kailangan mo muna siyang ligawan.”

Napakunot ang noo ni Mikha, looking genuinely lost and confused. “What’s… ligaw?”

Jhoanna burst out laughing while looking at Mikha’s handsome but innocent face. She realized that this was going to be a long night of explanation.

Mahaba-habang paliwanagan ‘to, Jho thought.

“Don’t worry, buddy. I will teach you everything… like a pro!”

…….

Aiah’s POV

Nandito lang ako sa loob ng kwarto ko, staring at my own reflection sa harap ng malaking salamin. I was trying to see kung may pagbabago na ba sa katawan ko since I’m almost 3 months pregnant.

“But why is it so flat?” I whispered, tracing my fingers over my stomach. Bakit parang wala pa ring bakas ng baby bump? My reflection looked so small.

I felt a bit worried, so I quickly grabbed my phone and searched for answers.

  Google Search: I’m 3 months pregnant    but my tummy is still flat?

> Answer: It is perfectly normal to have a flat or barely noticeable bump at 3 months (12-13 weeks) pregnant, especially with your first baby. The uterus is still mostly behind your pubic bone, and factors like strong abdominal muscles, your height, or baby’s position often delay visible showing until 16-20 weeks.

>

“It’s fine… Hayss Aiah tigil tigilan mo yung pag ooverthink,” I let out a relieved sigh, but my heart still felt heavy. 

Dahan-dahan kong hinaplos ang tiyan ko, my eyes softening as a stray tear escaped. “Please be healthy for mommy, okay? “

I can feel my love growing for this child every single day. I promise that you will have a good future… with me, and with your other mom, Mikha.

Speaking of… Mikha.

Napabuntong-hininga ako, feeling my chest tighten. Lately, napapansin ko na she’s always there, but I felt like she’s not. She’s physically present, pero parang may pader sa pagitan naming dalawa. Is it just my mind? Or there something going on?

Kanina lang kami huling nagkita pero I miss her already. It’s a different kind of ache—the kind that makes you want to cry for no reason. How I wish she’s mine… but I’m afraid. What if mas lalo siyang lumayo? What if magbago ang lahat sa amin kapag inamin ko na gusto ko siya and I want her in my life forever?

I hugged myself, my shoulders trembling slightly. I feel so vulnerable. Carrying her child makes me feel so connected to her, yet so far away at the same time. It’s hard to love someone who might only see me as a “partner” in this journey.