Chapter 12

Mikha POV

Location Mikha’s Condo

Tama pa ba ‘tong ginagawa ko?
Time is running. Kailangan ko na talagang sabihin sa kanya yung nangyari.

Pero paano? She has a wonderful life. Maayos, peaceful. I don’t want to ruin it. Ayoko ring mag-iba yung tingin niya sa’kin.

I need to have courage.
If walang nabuo, I’ll accept it.
If meron… and she decides not to continue, tatanggapin ko rin.

She doesn’t deserve this kind of problem. Wala siyang kinalaman sa mess ko. Pero wala rin namang may gustong mangyari ‘to.

Kailangan ko na talaga siyang kausapin.

Nandito ako ngayon sa bago kong condo, malapit lang sa unit nila Aiah.
And honestly… ang creepy ko na. Following her around? I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore.

Siguro instinct lang. I just want to protect her. And if there’s a baby… I don’t want her to get hurt.

Ring ring.

My phone is ringing

“Hello, Jo?” sagot ko sa kabilang linya

“Buddy, kamusta? Nakalipat ka na ba?”

“Yeah, last night pa. Pero ngayon lang ako dito mag-stay.”

“Ano balita? Nakausap mo na ba misis mo-este si Miss Aiah?”

“Shut up. Ano ba ‘yang sinasabi mo?” Napa hilamos ako ng kamay sa muka

“Actually, ilang beses ko na nakausap si Aiah. Pero about what happened? Hindi pa. Bud, literal na stalker na ‘ko ngayon. I feel so guilty.”

“Ligawan mo na lang kaya. Para kung maging kayo, instant may girlfriend ka na, may baby ka pa.”

“Ang dumi ng utak mo. Aiah is a nice person. Hindi ko gagawin ‘yan sa kanya. Gusto ko lang sabihin yung totoo, tulungan siya kung ano man maging decision niya. And I need to say sorry. Kasi nadadamay siya. Pero di pala ganun ka dali Jo”

“Chill take time. wag mo biglain, good thing nakakausap mo na siya kahit papaano. Don’t worry one of this day pupuntahan kita busy lang talaga lately sa office.”

“I understand bud don’t worry. Thank you by the way”

Biglang-

Ding dong!

Tunog ng doorbell..

“Bud, sandali lang. May tao.”

“Sige, ingat ka. Love you.”

“Ulol.”

Pinatay ko ang tawag at lumapit sa pinto.
Kinabahan ako, kaya sinilip ko muna sa door cam.

Si Aiah.

Agad kong binuksan.

“Magandang gabi, Janna,” sabi niya, smiling sweetly.

Nakasuot lang siya ng pantulog pero she’s still gorgeous but simple and cute.

Napakamot ako sa batok medyo nakakahiya kasi Naka-T-shirt lang ako at jorts. At medyo basa basa pa yung buhok ko.

“Oh-hi, Aiah. Good evening.”

Inabot niya sa’kin ang isang Tupperware.

“For you. Tinolang manok. Naparami kasi luto ko. Wala akong kasama sa bahay-yung dalawa nasa out of town. So naisipan kitang dalan.”

“Th-thank you. Sakto, hindi pa ako nagla-lunch.” nauutal na sabi ko

(Actually, hindi ako mahilig sa tinola… pero ? I’ll try nadin.)

A minute of silence.

“Ah… gusto mo pumasok? Coffee? Tea?” sabi ko, medyo awkward.

She smiled. “Sure, if okay lang.”

My heart literally jumped.

Hindi pako masyadong nakakapag linis

Actually I don’t expect na mag karoon agad ng bisita.

“Ah ano pag pasensyahan mo na medyo makalat pa-”

“It’s okay,” she said softly. “Hindi naman ako strict.”

Pumasok siya. Ang soft ng aura niya.

She doesn’t judge but she’s happy looking around my room.

“Tea?” tanong ko.

“Amm yeah Tea. thanks… healthy girl era,” she joke.

Napangiti ako. “So nakikinig ka pala sa’kin.”

“Aba syempre my free dietitian nako” she laugh.

We sat across each other.

Hindi masyadong malapit.
Hindi rin masyadong malayo.

Just enough space…

“So… neighbor na pala tayo,” Aiah said softly, blowing on her tea.

“Looks like it,” sagot ko. “Small world.”

“Or destiny?” Aiah joked lightly.

I smirked. “Hmm, hindi ako naniniwala sa destiny.”

“Ah talaga? Then what do you believe in?”

I paused for a second. “Timing.”

That word lingered.

Aiah tilted her head slightly. “Timing for what?”

“For things that are meant to happen.”

There was something in I said it just like the secret I want to tell.

Aiah smiled to break the intensity. “You’re deep pala, Doc- I mean Janna.”

“Depende,” Depensa ko. “You bring it out.”

Aiah blinked. “Huh?”

“I mean… depende sa kausap.”

Very smooth.

We both sipped our drinks.

Silence again.

Pero this time… comfortable.

“So California?” Aiah said. “Na-miss mo?”

“Sometimes,” I answered honestly.

“But I think… I needed to be here.”

“Why?”

I looked at her.

“Personal reasons.”

Gladly she didn’t push.

She just nodded. “Gets. May mga bagay talaga na kailangan balikan.”

“Yeah.. amm bakit pala mag isa ka? Where you’re friends? Hindi kaba natatakot mag isa?” Tanong ko

“Out of town you know team building.. hindi nako sumama mapapagod lang ako”

“And to be honest I don’t want to be alone pero andun naman si Honey my dog”

“You have a Dog? Nicee I love dogs”

“Oo, next time punta ka sa bahay. Mabait siya… sweet… maharot nga lang,” she added, a little grin forming at the corner of her lips.

I noticed the way her fingers wrapped around the tea cup, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about Honey. I felt this quiet pull… this careful curiosity.

“You know,” sabi ko leaning slightly forward, “if you want, I can accompany you sabihan mo lang ako next time… para hindi ka mag-isa?”

Her cheeks instantly flushed a soft pink.

“aamm yeah sure sure,” she murmured, looking down at her cup, twirling it slightly with her fingers.

I smiled to myself. “And hey… you have my number naman. You can call me anytime you need help. Seriously.”

She blinked, slightly stunned, her lips parting in that innocent, hesitant way.

“Maybe… next time,” she whispered, still playing with her cup.

We talked for a while, just the two of us, laughing over small things, sharing some deep thoughts too. Hindi namin pinipilit ang usapan, pero somehow it felt… comfortable.

Every time she laughed softly or tilted her head while thinking, medyo tumigil yung mundo ko ng konti.

Eventually, she glanced at the time.

“Ah… I should probably head back na,” she said softly.

“Of course,” I replied. “Pwede rin kitang ihatid hanggang sa door mo.”

She nodded, a faint blush still lingering on her cheeks. Naglakad kami together.

When we reached her door, she paused, fingers brushing her keys.

“Thank you so much for today Janna. I really appreciate this, having new friend makes my heart so happy” she said, her voice soft and sincere.

I smiled, leaning slightly closer without being overbearing. “Walang anuman.”

Her eyes softened at that. “Well… thanks again. And thank you for assuring me that I have helping neighborhood. Well sorry in advance Ikaw talaga yung una kong tatawagin if something happens,” she added, a small smile tugging at her lips.

“Please do,” I said. “Anytime. You have my number naman, you can call me anytime you need help.”

She gave me a quick, shy smile, then turned and slipped inside her condo. I stood there for a moment, watching her go, feeling… oddly content. Somehow, just knowing she was okay made everything else feel lighter.

And as I headed back to my own place, I couldn’t help but think… this is going to be interesting. Very, very interesting.

No One’s POV

Aiah came into her room smiling from ear to ear.
Hindi niya namamalayan, pero para siyang batang kakagaling lang sa playground-yung tipong may bagong kaibigan tapos sobrang gusto mo yung vibes niya.

“New friend, huh?” bulong niya sa sarili habang yakap yakap yung unan.
“Interesting, Doctor.”

She’s never been this excited over a new friend before. Usually polite, civil, sakto lang. Pero kay Janna… iba.
There was something light. Something calm.

Parang ang gaan ng pakiramdam niya every time kausap niya ito.
Hindi pilit. Hindi awkward.
Just… natural.

Napabuntong-hininga siya, then flopped gently onto her bed, staring at the ceiling.

Kinuha niya ang phone niya.
Binuksan ang SMS.

Doc Janna:

Her fingers hovered over her phone key.

Typing…
Good night, Janna-

Delete.

Typing again…
Had fun today. Thanks again.

Delete.

“Ano ba ‘yan, Aiah,” she whispered, biting her lower lip. “Baka isipin niya sobrang clingy mo.”

She placed the phone on her chest, heart beating a little faster than usual.

Why am I this happy?

She closed her eyes for a second and replayed the day-
The elevator.
The teasing smile.
The way Janna said “You have my number. Call me anytime.”

Her lips curved unconsciously.

There was something about that girl.
Hindi lang basta bagong kaibigan.
There was peace. Safety.

Parang kapag andiyan si Janna, everything feels a little more steady.

A little more… okay.

And Aiah didn’t understand why that thought made her smile even wider.

“Hay naku,” she murmured softly, turning to her side and hugging her pillow.

New friend…

But somehow…
she fell asleep with a lighter heart than usual.

……

Mikha’s POV

Next day, I woke up early and went for a jog around the building, hoping to bump into Aiah.

Ayoko na hintayin siya sa elevator-baka mahalata na ako. This time, I just jogged around, keeping it casual. If I see her… well, I’ll figure it out.

I also packed a small healthy meal for her. Productive day, I tell myself: 4k jog and keep an eye on Aiah. Multitasking, right?

Maya-maya, nakita kona siya sa lobby. Agad kong kinuha ang kotse ko na pinark ko convenient store infront of our building at nilipat sa main entrance, loading/unloading area.

She looked… different today. Dirty white dress, simple -effortless, yet stunning. Parang… hindi ko maalis tingin ko sa kanya.

Maya maya lumabas siya, parang nag-aabang ng taxi. Kaya hindi kona pinalampas-umandar na ako at hinintuan ko siya agad.

Then I roll my tinted window

Sabay binusinahan siya.

“Good morning miss Aiah. Sabay kana sakin let me drive you to work. ,” sabi ko.

She froze for a second, then half-smirked. “Are you my stalker?”

My heart jumped out of guilt, but on the outside, I played it cool.

“Sorry, I can’t help it,” I joked confidently. “You’re too fine.”

Biglang namula siya, and I realized-oop! Is that too flirty? No no I’m not flirting it just slipped in my mouth:

“Sumakay ka na, ibebenta pa kita…” biro ko “Pero kidding aside, baka mabusinahan na tayo ng sasakyan sa likod ko,” I said, pointing at the car.

​She raised both hands in the air, shaking her head at her persistence. “Okay, okay! I’m going!” she said, smiling as she hurried in.

Nagulat nalang ako nang lumapit siya at bumulong bigla, “Ang ganda mo namang stalker.”

I was like Oh shoot! gay panic but I act normal.

I chuckled to myself. Aba, mukhang natututo na siya sa pagiging bolera ko. Fair enough. Walang malisya, just being playful.

“Ow, you’re learning, huh?” I teased.

“Of course. Hindi pwedeng ikaw lang, Janna,” she replied.

She so happy I can see it on her eye as I side gaze from time to time.

While I’m driving bigla nalang siya tumingin sakin..

Then she said something that caught me off guard. “You know… feeling ko we’re soulmates. Kasi… ewan. You’re so different. Sobrang gaan ng pakiramdam ko… feels like, basta I’m so happy around you, Janna. Thank you.”

“Aight… you’re welcome,” I said casually, trying to keep my tone normal, but my chest tightened.

“Ay wow, nonchalant ka ha? Seryoso ako, I think about it since first time na nag kausap tayo ng matagal you’re interesthing I don’t know why” she added, teasing yet sincere.

I laughed, letting the warmth settle in. And then… something in me nudged me to just ask.

“Are you free later tonight? I’m bored… tara, mag-dinner tayo?” I said.

Her eyes lit up, and she smiled so sweetly, parang lumiwanag pa ang mata niya.

“Seryoso ka? Yes! I’d love to,” she said, making my heart skip.

Muka naman siyang excited sa idea ko.

“Eight… deal text me nalang pag pauwi kana. Sunduin na lang kita sa office niyo?,” I said, feeling a rush of excitement.

The rest of the ride was full of kwentuhan tama nga si aiah theres something on us that felt different its quite lite and fun.

Medyo malalate na rin siya, kaya pagdating namin sa office niya, mabilis lang siyang nagpaalam at bumaba agad ng sasakyan.

I was about to drive off when I realized-naiwan ko pala yung lunch niya sa passenger seat.

“Sayang naman,” bulong ko sa sarili ko. Ayoko na rin siyang istorbohin at umakyat pa sa office niya. Baka nasa meeting na.

So I decided to just drop by Joanna’s office instead and give it to her. At least hindi masasayang.

I went straight to Joanna’s office. Tahimik lang sa loob, amoy kape.

Pagpasok ko, nilapag ko agad yung paper bag sa lamesa niya.

“Oh, kainin mo.”

Napatingin siya sakin, then smiled. “Uy, buddy ano to nag abala kapa. Thank you ha. Mahal na mahal mo talaga.”

“Yeah. Kesa masayang. Kay Aiah sana ‘yan. Nakalimutan kong iabot kanina.”

Bigla siyang napangiti ng kakaiba, sabay sandal sa upuan niya.
“NAKNANG… tatay na tatay ang dating natin ah, Mikha Lim?”

“Shut up,” sagot ko agad. “Kainin mo na lang ‘yan. Healthy ‘yan. Para umayos naman yang utak mong madumi mag-isip.”

“Aray,” kunwari niyang napahawak sa dibdib. “Ang sakit mo magsalita.”

Ngumisi siya tapos biglang nagtanong, mas casual.
“By the way, mamaya tara. May in-invite akong mga baddie chicks. Happy-happy tayo.”

Umiling ako. “Pass ako. May lakad ako mamaya.”

“Pass?” tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. “Siguro magde-date kayo ni Aiah, no?”

Napabuntong-hininga ako. “It’s not a date. Hangout lang.”

“Hangout mo muka mo sinong niloko mo. Aminin mo nga type mo ba si Aiah?”

Tumayo na ako para umalis.
“Kainin mo na yan madami pa akong gagawin.”

Tumawa lang siya habang palabas ako ng office-alam kong may binabalak na naman siyang asarin ako next time.