Chapter 30

Mikha’s POV

Hindi pa rin talaga nag-sisink in sa akin ang lahat. I’m just staring at the ceiling, trying to process what just happened between me and Aiah. My mind is replaying it on a loop—the intensity of her eyes, the way she claimed me in the hallway, and then… what we did.

We did things that only lovers do.

I gulp, feeling my face burn a deep, scorching red. It’s already 2:00 AM and I still can’t sleep. I’ve been pretending to be asleep for a while now because honestly, hiyang-hiya ako. My heart is doing parkour inside my chest.

As I lay there, I can still feel the lingering heat on my skin. It feels like we shared fire together. It wasn’t just a kiss; it was like an explosion of everything we’ve been holding back. I was completely hypnotized and mesmerized by her. It felt like she was guiding me through a dance—a dark, beautiful, and intense dance that I never wanted to end. I was just following her lead, lost in the rhythm of her touch.

She’s now in my arms, hugging me so tight, as if she’s afraid I’m going to vanish in my own bed in my own room. As I look at her in the dim light, her face looks so peaceful—parang baby. Parang inosente. Looking at her now, hindi mo iisipin na na..Basta what she did a while ago.

Maya-maya, biglang bumukas ang mga mata niya.

“Mikha…” she murmured. Bigla siyang mas lalong sumiksik sa akin, burying her face in my neck. I can feel the searing heat of her body. Cozy and calming.

​I didn’t say anything; I just gently brushed her hair with my fingers para ituloy niya yung tulog niya. Nakatulog naman siya agad. I took a deep breath, looking at her one more time before closing my eyes.

​”I love you,” I whispered wholeheartedly into the quiet room before I finally drifted off.

……

The morning sunrays hit my face, waking me up. Beside me, naramdaman ko nang gising na rin si Aiah. My first instinct? Pretend to sleep. I don’t know what to say or how to face her.

But nahuli niya ako. My eyelids were flinching.

“Good morning, Mikha,” she said, her voice bright and steady, acting as if nothing happened between us last night.

Suddenly, she grabbed both of my hands and pulled me para mapaupo ako sa bed. I still acted like I was sleeping, keeping my eyes shut tight.

“Alam ko gising ka na,” she teased.

“Kapag hindi ka bumangon, ikikiss kita dyan.”

Agad naman akong napamulat, but I couldn’t look at her. Napa-baling ang tingin ko sa ibang side, sobrang namumula at nahihiya. 

I felt her move closer, and then, she cupped my face with her hands.

​Her palms were warm, her touch gentle but firm as she forced me to look at her. I was trapped in her gaze.

​”Pero kung babangon ka…” she said, looking straight into my eyes with so much affection it made my head spin. Then, she leaned in and gave me a quick, sweet kiss on the lips. Tsup.

​”Ikikiss pa rin kita,” she whispered, smiling. “I love you too… sorry late yung reply ko, inaantok na kasi ako kagabi.”

​Napatulala ako. She heard me. She heard everything last night.

…..

Matapos ang nangyari sa kwarto, mabilis akong tumayo at dumeretso sa kusina. I was silent. Dead silent. Not because I was mad, but because my brain was still short-circuiting. Every time I looked at Aiah, naaalala ko kung paano niya ako hinila kagabi, kung paano niya ako hinalikan, at kung paano niya sinabi na asawa niya ako sa harap ni Daniela.

Gosh, Mikha. Breathe.

I started cooking breakfast—pancakes, eggs, and bacon—yung mga favorite niya. I was focusing so hard on the frying pan, trying to act like a master chef, pero ang totoo, nanginginig ang mga kamay ko. I could feel her gaze on my back. I could feel the heat on my cheeks that just wouldn’t go away.

“Bakit ang tahimik?” I heard her walk closer.

I didn’t answer. I just flipped a pancake with unnecessary precision. I felt so shy. I’m usually the one who’s cool and in control, but right ngayon, I felt like a blushing mess.

Maya-maya, naramdaman ko ang pagpulupot ng mga kamay niya sa bewang ko mula sa likod. She leaned her chin on my shoulder, watching me cook.

“Sungit naman ng Cook ko,” she teased, her voice vibrating against my skin.

“Gutom kana ba?” I whispered, finally speaking, though my voice was a bit shaky. “I’m almost done.”

I plated the food and turned around, but I still couldn’t look her straight in the eye. Inilapag ko ang plato sa table and was about to get the coffee nang bigla niyang hawakan ang laylayan ng shirt ko.

“Mikha, look at me.”

I slowly looked up. She was smiling, that beautiful, teasing smile. Suddenly, she reached out and booped my nose with a finger that had a little bit of flour on it.

“Cute,” she giggled. “You’re blushing so hard, it’s turning the kitchen red.”

I bit my lip, trying to hide a smile.

 “Kumain ka na nga lang, Aiah.”

“Yes, Wife,” she whispered back, intentionally using the word she used yesterday.

I almost dropped the coffee mug. I quickly looked away again, my ears burning. “Aiah, stop…”

“Stop what? Stop loving my pogi but shy girl?” She sat down and started eating, but she didn’t let go of my hand under the table. She interlaced our fingers, squeezing gently.

I sat beside her, finally finding my courage. I looked at our joined hands and then at her. “Masarap?”

“Sobra,” she said, looking at the food and then at me. ​”But you know what’s better?” she whispered, her voice dropping into a low, husky tone that made my breath hitch. “You.”

​I choked on my water, almost coughing it out as my eyes went wide. “A-Aiah! Kumain ka na nga lang!” I managed to say, my nonchalant persona completely shattered.

She just laughed, a sound that felt like music after the storm of yesterday. Kahit nahihiya ako, I felt so happy. Looking at her like this, in my kitchen, wearing my oversized shirt… it felt right.
……

After breakfast, I decided na kailangan kong lumabas para mag-grocery. Ubos na rin kasi yung stocks ko, and honestly, I needed a distraction bago pa ako tuluyang matunaw sa tingin ni Aiah.

​”​”I’ll just go to the grocery” sabi ko habang nag-aayos ng gamit.

​”I’m coming with you,” she said firmly. Wala nang tanong-tanong. She just grabbed her bag and followed me out.

​The whole drive, I was silent. Gustong-gusto ko siyang tanungin. Official na ba tayo? Kami na ba talaga? Pero tuwing bubuka yung bibig ko, nawawala yung “pogi” points ko sa sobrang hiya. I mean, after everything that happened last night, dapat clear na, ‘di ba? Pero what if nag-aassume lang ako?

Pagdating sa grocery, it was different. She wasn’t just walking beside me—she was holding my hands tight. Yung tipong hindi na nagbibitaw, her body pressed against mine as we walked through the aisles. She was just busy humming a sweet tune, looking at the shelves like we were some long-time married couple.

​All of a sudden, she stopped in front of the snacks section and looked up at me.

​”What do you want? Love? Wife? Baby? Babi? Or Mine?” she asked so casually, as if she was just choosing between brands of chips.

​Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. My heart literally skipped a beat. “Did—you mean… tayo na?”

​Tinignan niya lang ako, then she dramatically rolled her eye looking so irate. “You’re so slow, Mikha Lim.”

​Binitawan niya ang kamay ko and started walking ahead. A mini walk-out! Kinabahan ako agad. Is she mad? Did I say something wrong? I quickly caught up to her, reaching for her hand.

​”Aiah, wait! I just… I just can’t believe it. I mean, everything happened so fast, and I’m just… I’m really, really happy. Hindi ko lang alam kung panaginip ba ‘to,” I explained, my voice full of sincerity.

​Nilingon niya ako. Her expression softened, and she reached out to take my hand again, interlacing our fingers tightly.

​”You know why?” she asked, her voice dropping into that serious but sweet tone.

​”Why?” I asked, my breath hitching.

​We were standing right there in the middle of the grocery aisle, surrounded by people, but it felt like it was just the two of us. 

She leaned in, squeezed my hand so hard it felt like she was marking it, and whispered directly into my ear. Her breath was hot against my skin, sending a familiar fire through my veins.

​”Because… you’re mine. Only mine, Mikha.”

​I stood there, paralyzed for a second. I was completely mesmerized. The way she said it—so possessive, so firm—it was better than any “yes” I could have ever imagined. She didn’t just agree to be my girlfriend; she claimed my whole soul.

​I didn’t care who was watching. I leaned down and kissed her forehead, my heart finally at peace. “I’m yours Aiah.. all yours”

…….

Aiah’s POV

It’s been three days since officially naging kami ni Mikha. It’s funny because I never expected her to be this way. In public, everyone knows her as the confident, cool, and bubbly Mikha Lim. Pero kapag kaming dalawa lang? She’s a total blushing mess. She treats me like a fragile porcelain vase—sobrang ingat sa bawat salita at kilos, as if one wrong move and I’d break.

She’s not the clingy type, and honestly, ako yung kulang sa pansin sa aming dalawa I’m always the one who tease, at Gusto ko laging nakasiksik o nakasandal sa kanya. I’m the one who always wants to be in her space, but Mikha? She is the definition of ‘Acts of Service.’ She doesn’t need to say “I love you” every second because her actions shout it.

Since it was dinner time, she picked me up at work and we went straight to her condo. She already cooked—something she’s been doing more often lately—and pagdating namin, she warmed it up and served me. She wouldn’t even let me reach for the pitcher of water. Sobrang asikaso ng Babi ko.

After dinner, she made some tea while I attacked my favorite pint of vanilla ice cream. Habang nakaupo kami sa sofa, bigla niyang kinuha ang isa kong kamay.

​”Nangangalay na naman ba ‘to?” she asked softly, her eyes full of concern.

​”A bit,” I whispered. Without a word, she pulled my hand onto her lap and started massaging it. Her warm fingers pressed into my palm so gently, hitting all the right spots.

​”Masakit pa ba?” she asked, looking up at me while her thumbs worked their magic.

​The way she asked—so tender and focused—made me pout. Bigla akong naging parang batang nag-susumbong sa kanya. “Opo Sobrang ngalay… kanina sa work, I couldn’t even take notes nang maayos kasi sumasakit na yung wrist ko. Even my feet… they feel so heavy.”

​I looked at her, feeling a bit emotional.

 “Getting pregnant is hard, isn’t it? I’m sorry Aiah.”

​Mikha’s expression softened even more, her face filled with so much care it made my heart ache. She kissed my knuckles before looking me in the eye.

​”Not at all,” I whispered back, smiling through the tiredness. “Basta ikaw yung nag-aalaga.”

​She let out a small, shy smile—yung ngiting sa akin lang niya pinapakita. “I’ll always take care of you, Aiah. No matter what.”

​I couldn’t help but hug her tightly. “Aww, my Babi pa hug nga nang gigigil ako sayo,” I cooed, burying my face in the crook of her neck. She smelled so clean, like fresh laundry and tea. She wrapped her arms around me, holding me like I was her entire world.

​​Maya-maya, hindi ko na alam kung saan na napunta yung kwento namin. From talking about the baby, napunta kami sa mga random things—like what if the baby grows up to be as corny as her, or if the baby will have her “pogi” genes. We talked and teased each other until we laughed like there was no tomorrow. Yung tipong sumasakit na yung tyan ko sa tawa at halos maiyak na ako. It was just so light, so perfect.

“May tanong ako” she said

“Hmm Ano yun?”

“Payag ka 7 million ang sahod mo sa isang buwan?”

“Ha? Sige ba saan ba’yan? sino bang aayaw sa 7 million?” sagot ko habang may ice cream pa sa bibig.

“Pero ang trabaho mo… taga-bantay lang ng baka.”

“Okay lang! 7 million ‘yun, kahit bantayan ko pa buong ranch!”

“Pero… pag umiyak yung baka, kakargahin mo.”

“MIKHAAA!!” I burst out laughing, hitting her arm playfully. “Sira ka talaga! Paano ko kakargahin ang baka?!”

We both giggled, but then she stopped. She reached out and gently wiped a stray drop of ice cream from the corner of my lips with her thumb. Her gaze softened, and gosh, that stare will be the death of me.

“Speaking of work…” her voice turned low and serious. “What if mag-stay ka na lang sa bahay? Ako na ang bahala sa lahat ng needs niyo ni baby. I want you to rest well. My side investments are doing well, and about that past loan… I’ll handle it. I’ll talk to my family soon. So what do you think?”

My heart swelled. “Hindi ko pa alam… but I can do a 15-day leave first, then I’ll think about it,” I said, taking another huge scoop of ice cream to hide how touched I was.

She agree pero maya maya napansin niya na napaparami nako nang kain ng ice cream.

“That’s enough. Too much ice cream is bad for you,” she said, gently taking the spoon from my hand.

“Okay po, Boss. Last bite na ‘to,” I teased.

She watched me, her eyes darkening as they trailed down to my lips. “Masarap ba ‘yan?”

“Oo, favorite ko ‘to… gusto mo?”

But Mikha didn’t take the spoon. She put it back in the container, her eyes never leaving mine. The air became thick with tension. She leaned in, her body heat pulling me in.

Pero hindi niya kinuha ang spoon. Inilapag niya ito sa container and pulled me closer until I could feel her body heat radiating against mine. 

“Let me taste it,” she whispered.

​Then she kissed me. Tsup.

​A quick, sweet kiss on the lips, tasting the vanilla ice cream. I was so shocked—did Mikha really just kiss me first? Aba, tumatapang na yung manok ko! I felt the heat rush to my face instantly.

“Mikhaa!” I stammered, holding my lips while blushing furiously.

Her ears turned bright red. “Ay… sorry, nadulas,” she joked, let out a nervous laugh. “Tatabi ko na ‘tong ice cream baka maubos mo pa,” she said, trying to stand up act like nothing happens.

But I was feeling needy. I didn’t want that quick sweet kiss. I wanted her. Hinila ko ang kamay niya back down, forcing her to sit and look at me. My heart was thumping, craving the taste of her lips again.

​”Yun lang ba ‘yun?” I challenged, my voice dripping with yearning.

​She gulped, seeing that I wasn’t playing anymore. We looking at each other enough to burn the place. Dahan-dahan, she leaned back in. At first, it was a slow, sweet kiss. It was so careful, like she was afraid she’d break me. Ang lambot ng labi niya, like velvet against mine. I could taste the faint sweetness of the vanilla, but it was being drowned out by the warmth of her.

​”Mikha…” I moaned her name against her lips, a soft sound of permission and surrender not to hold back.

​That was the trigger. Like she read what I want. The shy Mikha vanished instantly. She became confident, her hand sliding to the back of my neck, pulling me deeper into her.

​The kiss became longer and more passionate. She started to claim my mouth with a hunger that made my head spin. I felt my entire body ignite. It was deep, lingering, and possessive—like she was trying to pour every ounce of her love into that one kiss.

​Ganito ba humalik ang isang Mikha Lim? Ghad, this will be the death of me, I thought, my hands clutching her shirt as I completely melted into her. I was hypnotized by the way her lips moved against mine, firm yet so incredibly soft.

​But right in the middle of all that heat, a bitter thought suddenly forced its way into my mind. What if this kiss—this exact passion and intensity—was something she had already given to someone else in her past? Bigla kong na-imagine na ganito rin kaya siya humalik doon sa Latina girl na ‘yun.

​The thought hit me like a bucket of ice water. I went from being hypnotized and needy to feeling a sharp, burning surge of jealousy. Without thinking, natulak ko si Mikha ng di oras.

​”Aiah?” Mikha stumbled back slightly on the sofa, looking completely dazed and breathless, her lips swollen and red.

I just glared at her, my jaw tight. I was so irritated at the thought that I wasn’t the only one who knew this side of her. I wanted her to feel the weight of my jealousy, even if she looked completely clueless.

 “What’s wrong? Did I do something? Nasaktan ba kita?” she asked, her voice frantic with worry.reaching out to touch my shoulder.

​I pulled away from her touch, my voice sharp and laced with bitterness. 

“Did you kiss that Latina the way you kiss me,Ganyan ka rin ba humalik sa kanya?”

I glared at her, my breathing shallow. My heart was still racing from the kiss, but now it was thumping with irritation. I didn’t want her excuses; I just wanted to know if I was just another person she used that “confident” kiss on.