Chapter 26

Mikha POV

After a few drinks and a quick catch-up with Jhoanna, I headed back to the parking lot. My head was spinning a bit, but not because of the alcohol—it was more about the “Ligaw Checklist” I have wrote down a while ago.

Everything felt different tonight.

I was about to head up to my unit, still caught up in my own thoughts, but to my surprise, I saw her.

Aiah was there, arranging her trash and itatapon na sana sa basurahan. 

I stopped in my tracks. Seeing her right now, especially after finally admitting my feelings to myself, felt… different. Everything about her seemed more radiant.

For a few seconds, we just stood there, staring at each other in total silence. There was this heavy tension between us—yung tipong I wanted to approach her, but I was so scared na she’d hear my heart thumping against my chest. It was awkward, quiet, yet somehow… electric. Neither of us moved, just holding each other’s gaze in that dimly lit parking area.

“Aiah…”

“Mikha…”

Sabay pa naming tawag sa isat isat. Gosh, I felt my face heat up instantly. I broke the eye contact and stepped forward, firmly taking the heavy bags from her hands.

“Why are you here? let me help you with that,” I said, my voice a bit deeper than usual because of the nerves.

“Wala kasing umikot to take our garbage kaya ito ako nalang yung nag tapon,” she explained, her eyes following my every move.

“You should’ve texted me…” I muttered. I looked at her again, and God, she’s so beautiful. Kahit naka-pambahay lang siya and she’s not wearing any makeup, she still looked breathtaking. Every little thing hits different.

“It’s okay Miks. I know you’re busy lately and magaan lang naman ‘to,” she replied softly.

The silence returned as we walked. It was quiet, but you could feel the weight of everything we weren’t saying. Habang naglalakad kami, I found myself getting lost in the rhythm of our steps. I was so caught up in her presence and the scent of her perfume na hindi ko namalayan na nasa tapat na pala kami ng pinto ng unit niya. 

The walk felt too short, like the hallway had suddenly shrunk because I didn’t want the moment to end.

I snapped out of it when she stopped. Aiah just nodded, her expression unreadable. We both stood there for a second, the atmosphere still thick with that unspoken energy.

“So… goodnight… Thank you, Mikha,” she smiled, her eyes lingering on mine for a second too long.

“Goodnight, Aiah…” I smiled back, but I didn’t move. I was literally fighting the urge to just stay there and keep looking at her.

Papasok na sana siya when I suddenly called her. “Aiah…”

“Miks?” She turned back.

“Ano—next time, let me do it. Just text me. I really don’t mind,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck, feeling like such a dork.

She nodded and smiled again. She was about to open her door, but my courage suddenly spiked. “Aiah!!”

“Miks?” she asked, looking confused but amused.

I felt so shy, my hands were literally trembling inside my pockets. “Amm… tomorrow is Saturday wala kang pasok diba. Pwede ba… pwede ba kitang yayain lumabas?”

I finally said it. I felt like I just ran a marathon.

Aiah paused, biting her lip as she looked down, then looked back at me with a soft glow in her eyes. “Ammm… tomorrow? Sure.”

I couldn’t hide my grin. “Thanks, Aiah. Goodnight!”

“Goodnight, Miks,” she whispered before finally heading inside.

…….

Aiah’s POV

The moment the door clicked shut, I leaned my back against it and just… breathed. My heart was literally racing so fast, parang sasabog na ‘yung dibdib ko sa sobrang bilis ng tibok! I had to press my palms against my hot cheeks because, oh my God, they were burning!

Like, calm down, Aiah! Pero hindi ko talaga mapigilan! I was literally biting my lip to keep from squealing out loud. My toes were curling inside my slippers and I felt this sudden rush of energy na parang gusto kong mag-jump around—pero syempre, bawal.

Did she… did she just ask me for a date?! Paulit-ulit na nag-e-echo sa utak ko ‘yung boses niya. “Pwede ba kitang yayain lumabas?” Oh my God! The Mikha Lim just asked me out! As in, a real date! I felt so kilig na parang lumulutang ako.

“Lah lah! Si lola mo, kilig na kilig ka dai? Sino naman ‘yan? Para kang teenager dyan kung kiligin,!” hirit ni Maloi na biglang sumulpot sa sofa kasama si Stacey.

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat! I tried to fix my hair and act all poised, pero huli na ang lahat. “Ayy… hehe. Nandyan pala kayo?”

“Malamang! At malamang din si Mikha ‘yun, ‘no?” asar ni Stacey habang winawagayway ‘yung throw pillow. “Aminin! Anong ganap sa labas? Bakit parang sasabog na ‘yang mukha mo sa pula?”

I couldn’t hide it anymore. I leaned against the wall, biting my lip with a massive grin. “She… she asked me out tomorrow.”

“WAAAAAAAHHHH!!!”

Halos mabingi ako nang sabay na tumili ang dalawa na parang mga high schooler na nakakita ng idol! Nag-yuyugyugan sila sa sofa sa sobrang excitement.

“Ito na ba ‘yun?! OMG, Aiah! Mutual na ba?! Confirmed na ba ang nararamdaman?!” sigaw ni Maloi habang tili nang tili.

“Mga kasama may nang yayare na!” dagdag naman ni Stacey habang tumatawa.

Biglang natigil si Maloi sa pagtili at nanlaki ang mga mata. Agad siyang lumapit sa akin at hinawakan ako sa balikat, looking super concerned.

“Huy! Hoy! Slow down, ate Aiah! Chill lang tayo!” bulyaw ni Maloi, biglang naging seryoso ang mukha. “Hoy Stacey, tumigil ka kakahampas! Baka duguin ‘tong si Aiah sa sobrang kilig?! ‘Yung pamangkin namin, baka mahilo sa loob!”

Napatigil din si Stacey, gulat na gulat. “Ay, oo nga pala! Hala, sorry baby! Sorry, ate Aiah! Shocks, nakalimutan ko sa sobrang kilig! Upo ka muna, dali! Relax lang tayo, baka kung ano mangyari!”

“Grabe kayo, okay lang ako!” tawa ko sa kanila, pero pinilit nila akong paupuin sa sofa na parang babasaging kristal.

“Anong okay lang?! Baka mamaya ‘yung kilig mo lumabas pati si baby! Chill lang tayo, okay? Hingang malalim,” sabi ni Maloi habang pinapaypayan ako gamit ang kamay niya.

“Ewan ko sa inyo!” I laughed

Maya maya pumasok nako sa  kwarto ko—pero dahan-dahan na dahil baka pagalitan na naman ako ng dalawa—and the moment I hit the bed, I buried my face in my pillow and let out another muffled scream. I was literally kicking my feet under the covers! I looked at my phone, biting my lip while staring at her name on my contacts.

Tomorrow. Saturday. With Mikha.

…….

Mikha’s POV

It was already late at night, pero heto ako, nakatitig sa kisame ng kwarto ko habang pilit na pinapakalma ang utak ko. I rolled over and reached for the small notebook on my nightstand—ang “Official Ligaw Checklist” na binuo namin ni Jhoanna kanina.

Seryoso ko itong binuklat, my eyes scanning every bullet point as if I were studying for the most important board exam of my life.

 * Be attentive to her needs. (Check. Palagi ko naman siyang tinatanong kung gutom siya o pagod.)

 * Make her feel safe. (Check. I always make sure she’s on the inner side of the sidewalk.)

 * Consistent communication. (Check. Halos bawat galaw ko, alam niya.)

Napatigil ako. I leaned back against my headboard, feeling a bit frustrated.

 “Ghad… something is wrong here,” I whispered to the empty room.

I looked at the list again, then thought about everything I’ve been doing for Aiah these past few months. I’ve been her driver, her grocery partner, her midnight snack delivery person, and her constant companion. I realized na almost all of these? I’m already doing them.

“Does that mean… nililigawan ko na siya dati pa?” I muttered, feeling a bit innocent and confused.

To me, being responsible for her and the baby was just… what I was supposed to do. I didn’t realize that the line between “being a partner” and “making ligaw” was so thin. 

But tomorrow is different. Tomorrow isn’t about the vitamins or the check-ups. Tomorrow is a date. A real, intentional date.

I gripped the pen, my hand slightly trembling. I need to do this right. Hindi pwedeng “basta-basta” lang. If I’m going to do this, I have to be the best at it.

I looked at the bottom of the page and bit my lip. 

“Should I bring her flowers?”

Is that too much? Baka isipin niya masyado akong mabilis? But then again, a date without flowers feels… incomplete? I want her to feel special. I want her to know that I’m not just here because I have to be, but because I want to be.

“Tulips? Or maybe Sunflowers? Kasi she’s like my sun…” I groaned, covering my face with the notebook. “Gosh, Mikha! Ang corny mo na! Focus!”

I spent the next thirty minutes researching the “language of flowers” on my phone, making sure I wouldn’t pick something with a weird meaning. Seryoso ko talagang sinusulat sa gilid ng notebook ‘yung mga meanings. This is serious business.

I finally closed the notebook and hugged it to my chest. Please don’t let me mess this up tomorrow.

……..

The drive to Antipolo was literally just a blur of winding roads and green trees, but honestly? My entire world was concentrated in the few inches of space between me and the passenger seat. 

I kept my eyes on the road, trying so hard to look composed, but every fiber of my being was, like, hyper-aware of Aiah.

I stole a glance at her while she was looking out the window, and gosh, for a second, I literally forgot how to breathe. The 10:00 AM sun was filtering through the windshield, catching the soft, stray strands of her hair and turning them into threads of spun gold. She looked so ethereal, so soft… there was this undeniable feminine grace in the way she sat—the way her white sundress draped over her knees and the delicate way she rested her chin on her hand.

But then, she turned her head toward me, and her face was just… lethal. Like, how can someone be that beautiful? It was almost painful to look at her because she looked so incredibly soft, like an actual angel that just decided to stay on earth for a bit. Her skin was glowing, and her eyes had this warmth that felt like home.

Every time she shifted in her seat, a faint scent of jasmine and vanilla—her scent—filled the car, and it made my head spin. It wasn’t just that she was beautiful; it was the way she seemed to radiate light. When she turned to me and gave me that small, spontaneous eye smile, I felt a physical jolt in my chest. Like, grabe, it wasn’t just a crush anymore.

Seeing her like this—so peaceful, so radiant, and so perfectly herself—it hit me with the force of a tidal wave. I realized right then and there that I was falling head over heels for this girl. Like, shucks, I’m so in love. And it’s not just because we’re connected by our situation, but because of the way she laughs, the way she smells, and the way she makes the entire world feel so quiet just by being in it.

The realization felt so heavy and serious. It wasn’t just a I have a crush on her; it was this deep, grounding emotion that made my chest tighten. I felt this sudden, manly urge to protect her, to provide for her, to be the person she can always lean on. Ito na talaga ‘to.

I was so nervous, my palms were actually sweating on the steering wheel, but I forced myself to stay steady. I needed today to be, like, super perfect. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali. Everything had to be seamless—from the way I drive, to the flowers, to the words I’m about to say. She deserves nothing less than my absolute best. She deserves the version of me that is sure, stable, and completely hers.

I will make this day perfect for her, I whispered to myself, my grip on the wheel tightening with determination.

Mikha, focus. Don’t mess this up. This is for Aiah.

Aiah’s POV

The drive to Antipolo was… quiet.

Masyadong tahimik! I kept glancing at Mikha while she was driving, and honestly, my brain was just one big mess of “Ano kayang iniisip niya?!” Ever since we got back from Cebu, something was definitely up. She’s been acting… different. 

Hindi ko ma-pinpoint kung umiiwas ba siya o sadyang mailap lang.

Is it because of the kiss I gave her back then? I mean, I know it was sudden, but the way she’s been acting—so attentive yet so nervous—makes me wonder.

 Baka na-awkward-an siya? Baka she’s mad?!

Pero she didn’t look mad at all. In fact, she’s been nothing but a total gentleman since we left the dorm. At aminin ko man o hindi, it was so hard to focus because she looks lethal today. Ang pogi niya sa suot niya, I swear! Every time she shifted gears, I could see the slight tension in her arm, and I just had to look away before I started blushing for no reason.

I caught her stealing a glance at me, and when our eyes met, she immediately looked back at the road, her ears turning a cute shade of pink.

I leaned back, a tiny, playful smirk forming on my lips. “Is this about the kiss, Mikha Lim? Kasi kung ganito ka ka-affected… I guess that kiss was totally worth it,” I thought to myself. I couldn’t help but giggle internally.

 “What is this, Miks? Tumalab na ba yung gayuma ko sa’yo?” I joked in my head, feeling a bit smug. 

But seriously, feeling ko matutunaw na ako sa kilig watching her try to be so composed when I know she’s struggling.  seeing her look this soft.

Nang makarating kami sa parking lot, hindi muna siya bumaba. The engine was still humming, but the silence inside the car was so heavy with tension. I was about to reach for the door handle nang bigla siyang may kinuha.

She reached for the back seat, and my heart literally did a somersault. When she turned back, she was holding a gorgeous bouquet of White Tulips. My breath hitched. Like, hello? Answered prayer!?

“Flowers for you, Aiah,” she said.

Her voice was so low, almost a whisper, and so shy. She wasn’t even looking at me directly; she was staring at the steering wheel like it was the most interesting thing in the world, but I could see her jaw tightening. She looked so manly yet so adorable at the same time.

I felt a huge lump in my throat. The gesture was so simple, but it felt so big. I slowly took the flowers from her, and the fresh, sweet scent immediately hit me, calming my crazy nerves.

“Thank you, Mikha. Ang ganda…” 

I whispered, my face heating up until I felt like a human radiator.

Relax, Aiah. Enjoy this moment! I told myself. Remember, hindi ka nakatulog kagabi for this! I peeked at her through my lashes, and seeing her so flustered and “torpe” made me want to giggle. She’s usually so cool, so but right now? She’s just a girl trying to make me happy.

I hugged the bouquet closer to my chest, feeling so kikay and radiant in my white sundress. 

…….

No One’s POV

Pagdating sa venue, parang may magic na nangyari. It was like the moment they stepped out of the car and into that peaceful garden, the heavy tension from the drive just… evaporated. 

The awkwardness that had been haunting them since Cebu suddenly vanished.

Kusang nag-click ang lahat.

For the first hour, the atmosphere was unexpectedly light. 

Aiah was in full-on kikay energy, her laughter ringing out every time Mikha made a dry, witty comment. They talked about everything and nothing—the “chaos” in the dorm kung paano ubusin ni Maloi yung mainit na tubig everytime na maliligo and how the air felt so much lighter up here feels like bumalik yung dating sila when they are starting to know each other.

“Miks, look! You have a bit of… wait,” Aiah giggled, reaching across the table to brush a stray petal off Mikha’s shoulder. 

Her fingers lingered just a second too long, and for a heartbeat, they both stopped breathing. The world around them blurred, and for that tiny second, it was just the scent of tulips and the sound of their synchronized heartbeats.

As the coffee cups went empty, the atmosphere shifted. It wasn’t awkward anymore—it was deep. Mikha set her glass down, her gaze softening as she watched Aiah.

“Aiah,” Mikha started, her voice low and steady. She reached across the table, covering Aiah’s hand with hers. “I want to be honest. These past few days… I’ve been a mess. I know I’ve been acting weird, and I’m sorry if I made you feel unsure. Hindi ko lang talaga alam kung paano mag-uumpisa and how to find the answer to my question.”

She looked into Aiah’s eyes, her expression full of raw sentiment. 

“The truth is, ever since we got back… I haven’t been able to think about anything else. Remember when… The night in Cebu? That kiss?”

Aiah’s breath hitched. In her head, she was already screaming and her heart parang sasabog “Hala, binibigla mo naman ako Mikha Lim what is this?! Is she confessing right now? Gosh, ito na ba ’yun? Nagpapahayag na ba siya ng pag-ibig?!” 

Aiah says to her mind

“That moment changed everything for me,” Mikha continued, her thumb grazing Aiah’s knuckles. “I realized that I don’t just want to be ‘fine’ with you. I want to be the person who makes you smile like this every day… And I think I’m- I’m falling for you. Deeply. And because I want to do this right… I want to ask…”

Aiah’s brain literally exploded. She was so overwhelmed that her eyes actually started to well up. Through her teary eyes,The choir in her head was screaming Hallelujah.

“MIKHA, YES!” Aiah blurted out, her voice cracking slightly from the emotion. She was beaming through her tears, practically vibrating with kilig, leaning forward as if expecting Mikha to pull out a ring or seal it with a kiss right then and there. Wala nang preno-preno, gusto na niyang mag-I Do!

Mikha froze. She blinked, her mouth slightly hanging open. “…Ha?”

The silence that followed was deafening. Aiah, slowly realized something was off.

 Mikha cleared her throat, her entire face turning a fiery shade of red. She squeezed Aiah’s hand tighter, her voice dropping to a nervous whisper.

“I mean… pwede ba kitang ligawan?”

Aiah’s brain did a massive record scratch. “Ligaw? As in… Manliligaw pa lang?! Ghad, I thought she was asking me to be her girlfriend na! Nakakahiya ka aiah! 

Realizing she had reached the finish line while Mikha was still at the starting block, Aiah immediately tried to compose herself. She realized Mikha was too “innocent” to even realize how advanced Aiah’s thoughts were, so she took it as a chance to slow things down—just a little bit.

She leaned back, gently withdrawing her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She looked at Mikha with a soft, mysterious expression, trying to hide the fact that she was already screaming “I’m yours!” inside.

“Ligawan?” Aiah repeated softly, her voice now calm and steady. She gave Mikha a small, thoughtful smile—yung tipong pakipot. “Well… that’s a big step, I mean hindi ko naisip to na dadating tayo sa situation nato Miks. I mean I don’t say I don’t like you..If I say yes to that… can you wait for my answer?”

Mikha’s eyes softened, looking at Aiah with so much sincerity it made Aiah’s heart melt. “I can wait, Aiah. Kahit gaano katagal. I want to prove to you that I’m serious.”

Aiah’s heart did a little dance. The answer was already so obvious in her mind—she was head over heels. But she wanted to experience being pursued by this version of Mikha.

“Okay then,” Aiah said, her eye smile finally peeking through her composed mask. “Let’s see, Mikha.”

Mikha just nodded solemnly, taking the “challenge” with so much focus. Aiah took a slow sip of her Tea, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world, while thinking: “Hay naku, Miks. Kahit next week, pwedeng-pwede na!”

……

Hi guys, namiss ko kayo ♥️
Happy weekdays! Medyo busy lately, pero I’ll try to post little by little 🫶