Chapter 41

Aiah’s POV

Flashback: 1 Month Ago

The gentle hum of the airplane engine was a comforting white noise, but it couldn’t compete with the warmth blooming inside my chest. I looked out the window, watching the clouds pass by, before turning my gaze back to the two most important people in my life.

“Grabe, I can’t believe na nakapag-travel na ulit ako. It’s been a long year,” I whispered, leaning my head against Mikha’s shoulder. “But it’s so worth it, kasi kasama ko kayo ni Janna.”

Mikha shifted slightly, wrapping her arm securely around my waist. She planted a soft kiss on top of my head, her voice deep and carrying that familiar, grounding comfort.

“I’m glad you’re happy, Aiah. And I want to apologize because it took so long. I know how much you love traveling,”

Mikha said, her thumb tracing soothing circles on my arm. “But I promise you, this will not be the last. Pupunta tayong Europe, Japan, and so many other countries.”

“I also want to comeback to thailad hon”Malambing kong sabi

“Alright even Thailand, Lilibutin natin ang mundo..”

Hearing those words, a surge of overwhelming gratitude hit me. I wrapped my arms around her neck, pulling her into a tight, lingering hug.

“Thank you, For everything,” I murmured into her neck, closing my eyes.

As I held her close, the warmth of her embrace instantly pulled my mind backward. It felt like only yesterday, but it had already been a month since that magical night. My mind drifted, completely losing itself in the memory of how we ended up here in the first place…

………

The cool night breeze of the Egyptian coast nipped at my skin, but the thick, oversized cardigan I wore kept me warm. Mikha had insisted we return to this exact spot-the very seashore where our paths first crossed years ago. Janna was safely sound asleep under the watchful eye of the trusted nanny we brought along, leaving the two of us alone under the vast, starlit sky.

The setup was breathtakingly cozy. A low wooden table was set up on the sand, surrounded by plush pillows, flickering lanterns, and a small, crackling fire pit that cast a golden glow over everything.

“This is perfect, Hon,” I breathed out, holding a warm cup of cocoa between my hands as we sat close together. “It feels exactly like before, but… better.”

The nostalgia hit like a sudden wave. I looked at Mikha, my mind drifting back to that fateful first night in Egypt. I remembered the heavy, suffocating feeling in my chest just hours before I met her. That was the night I finally broke it off with my ex. In my mind back then, the blueprint of my life was clear: I didn’t want to marry anyone, and I definitely didn’t want to start a family. I valued my independence too much to tether myself to someone else.

Not until I met Mikha.

“You know what I’m thinking about?” Mikha suddenly asked, a knowing smirk playing on her lips as she looked out at the horizon.

“Hmm ano yun?” I smiled, nudging her side.

“That night we first met. Back when the sky was so clear, and the stars were impossibly bright,” Mikha said, her eyes softening as she looked at me. “The exact moment I saw you. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, there’s something totally different about this girl. You looked so beautiful, but so lost. And then, out of nowhere, you were just this wild spirit who wanted to be kissed on the seashore.”

I burst out laughing, hiding my face in my hands as my cheeks burned a bright crimson.

“Oh my gosh, Mikha! Don’t remind me!” I groaned, but the laughter bubbled out of me anyway. “Okay, fine! Aaminin ko na. May naalala talaga ako sa nangyari nung gabing ‘yun.”

Mikha raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Oh, really? Akala ko ba blackout ka?”

“Slight lang!” I defended myself, hitting her playfully on the arm. “Nung nahalikan kita… my sober brain suddenly kicked in. Extreme panic! Kaya nagkunwari akong nahimatay dahil sa sobrang hiya!”

Mikha let out a loud, hearty laugh, the sound echoing in the quiet night. “I knew it! Sabi ko na nga ba, hindi basta-basta bumagsak ang isang Aiah Arceta nang ganoon!”

“Hey, in my defense, taon ang lumipas bago tayo ulit nagkita!” I laughed, leaning into her side. “Nakalimutan ko na kaya ‘yung mukha mo noon. I just remembered the feeling of how we kiss.”

“Well, now you’re stuck with this face forever,” she teased, pulling me closer as our laughter slowly died down into a comfortable, serene silence.

Mikha didn’t speak for a moment, staring out at the dark expanse of the sea.

When she turned back to me, the playfulness was completely gone. The expression on her face made my heart skip a beat. There was an intense, emotional vulnerability in her eyes that made the breath catch in my throat.

She gently took the cup from my hands and set it down on the table. She took both of my hands in hers, pulling me up so we were standing face-to-face, the cool sand shifting beneath our feet.

“Aiah,” she started, her voice thick with an emotion that instantly made my eyes well up with tears. “Years ago, on this exact shore, I met a girl who changed the trajectory of my entire life. You were a beautiful mystery, a storm I didn’t know I needed.”

She swallowed hard, her grip on my hands tightening slightly, as if she was drawing strength from me.

“Saksi ang Diyos, ang panahon, at ang dagat na ito kung gaano kita kamahal, Aiah,” she said, her voice trembling as a tear escaped her eye. “Dito tayo nagsimula. And here, in front of the world that brought us together, I want to promise my whole life to you.”

My breath hitched. The world seemed to stop moving. The sound of the waves completely faded into the background.

Mikha slowly let go of one of my hands and reached into her jacket pocket. She dropped to one knee on the white sand. Pulling out a small, velvet box, she opened it to reveal a classic, breathtaking diamond ring that caught the light of the fire pit perfectly. I can’t believe it ito na yung matagal kong hinihintay.

“I’m sorry if it took me this long to finally ask you this,” Mikha murmured, her voice cracking as she looked up at me with raw sincerity. “Alam ko, ang dami muna nating pinagdaanan. Sa dami ng nangyari sa atin, sa mga pagsubok na hinarap natin… it took some time. But everything we went through only made me realize one thing.”

She took a deep breath, her eyes shining with pure, unadulterated devotion.

“You gave me a chance, and you gave me Janna. You gave me a home and wala nakong ibang gusto pa kundi makasama ka habang buhay.. Aiah Arceta… will you do me the honor of making me the happiest person alive? Will you marry me?”

The tears were free-falling down my cheeks now. My heart was beating so hard against my chest it felt ecstatic, almost overwhelming. The girl who once feared commitment was completely gone, replaced by a woman who couldn’t imagine a single second without the person kneeling in front of her.

“Yes,” I sobbed out, the word bursting from my lungs. “Yes, Mikha! Infinitely, yes!”

Mikha let out a breathless laugh, quickly sliding the ring onto my finger before standing up and lifting me off my feet. I wrapped my legs around her waist, burying my face in her neck as we both cried, held tightly in each other’s arms, right where our story first began.

……

Present Day

Sabi sa balita sa telebisyon, opisyal nang natapos ang tag-araw. But it wasn’t just a regular transition to the rainy season. Pagbukas mo pa lang ng mga lokal na istasyon ng radyo sa AM band, walang ibang naririnig kundi ang paulit-ulit na babala ng mga announcer.

​”Mga kababayan, maghanda po tayo. Tatlong sunod-sunod na bagyo ang pumasok sa Philippine Area of Responsibility. Ang huling bagyo ang siyang pinakamalakas at inaasahang magdadala ng mapaminsalang hangin at ulan.”

The static hum of the radio announcer’s voice carried a heavy, ominous weight that made my chest tighten.

​But despite the looming threat of the weather, Mikha and I had already grown so accustomed to life here in the province. In the months we stayed here, masasabi ko na ngang isa na kaming ganap na lokal sa baryong ‘to. Kahit malaki at medyo nakabukod ang lupain ng bahay nina Mikha, halos kilala namin ang lahat ng kapitbahay.

​Kilalang-kilala kami sa buong baryo dahil kahit walang okasyon, madalas kaming mamahagi ng tulong sa kanila-bigas, de-lata, at mga gamot. Payak lang naman ang buhay ng mga tao rito sa baryo. Simple at tahimik, pero lahat sila ay napakabubuti. That’s why it was so easy to love this place. It felt like home, far away from the chaotic noise of the city.

​Thankfully, our little girl wasn’t here to experience the looming bad weather. Janna was currently in Manila spending her vacation. Wiling-wili ang pamilya ni Mikha sa kaniya, and my family would often drop by too. Mikha’s parents were always so welcoming, treating my family as their own, which was a huge blessing since our barrio was so far away from the city. At least, safe ang anak namin doon habang binabagtas ng sunod-sunod na bagyo ang probinsya.

By late afternoon, the wind was already howling like a wild animal, slamming mercilessly against the glass windows.

​Inside, however, the atmosphere was the complete opposite.

​”Here’s your coffee, Babi,” I said, walking towards the sofa where Mikha was busy checking the radio. I handed her the steaming mug. “Exactly how you like it. Two teaspoons of coffee, then one teaspoon of sugar. No more, no less.”

​Mikha looked up, a bright smile breaking across her face as she took the mug. She took a slow sip, letting out a satisfied hum. “Perfect. ikaw lang talaga ang nakaka-perfect ng timpla ko. Thank you, Hon.”

​She pulled me down to sit beside her, wrapping a thick fleece blanket around both of us. The house felt so small against the roar of the storm outside, but inside her arms, I felt like I was in a fortress.

​”Aiah, seriously? You’re still wearing that old hoodie? Mukha ka nang lumalakad na kumot,” Mikha teased, poking my side as I snuggled closer.

​”Hoy, ang lamig kaya! Don’t judge my fashion choices, Mikha Lim, Isa pa favorite ko to ikaw kaya nag regalo neto” I shot back, sticking my tongue out at her.

​She laughed, that deep, soulful sound that always made my heart skip. She set her coffee down on the side table and turned to me, her eyes softening into that intense, melt-worthy gaze.

​”Alam mo, bigla-bigla ka na lang nagiging cheesy lately,” I whispered, poking her cheek.

​”Haha, wala lang,” she chuckled, pulling me closer until our noses touched. She looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered in the world. “I’m just so in love with my wife. I really can’t wait to marry you, Aiah. Like, officially. For real. In front of everyone.”

​”Soon babi soon,” I teased, though my heart was doing somersaults.

​”In my heart, asawa na kita. I can’t imagine a future without you and Janna,”she murmured, her voice becoming deep and serious. She leaned closer, her warm breath hitting my lips as she whispered, “Lika nga dito…”

​”Nope! Ayoko, Mikha,” I laughed, playfully pushing her chest. “Ubusin mo muna yung kape mo. Sayang yung timpla ko.”

​”Come here baby…ayaw mo talaga?” she asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

​”Isa, Mikha…” I warned, pointing a finger at her while trying to hide my smile.

“Huwag mo ‘kong simulan, seryoso ako.”

​”Isa?” Mikha repeated, a smirk forming on her lips. “Anong isa? Ganito ba?

“

​”Mikha! Stop!” I shrieked.

​She didn’t listen. She lunged forward and started tickling my sides mercilessly. I tried to wiggle away, but she was too strong, pinning me down on the soft cushions of the sofa.

​”Mikha! Stop it! Hahaha!” I gasped for air, my legs kicking as I struggled through fits of laughter. “Alright stop I will cuddle you na!”

​”Suko na?” she teased, her fingers still dancing on my ribs.

​”Oo na! Suko na! Hahaha!”

​She finally stopped, but she didn’t move away. She stayed hovered over me, our faces just inches apart. The room was filled with the sound of our heavy breathing and the rhythmic drumming of the rain against the roof. Slowly, the laughter died down, replaced by a thick, heavy tension that made my skin tingle.

Suddenly I felt hot.

​Mikha’s gaze dropped to my lips. She cupped my face gently, her thumb tracing my lower lip. “I love you, Aiah. Always remember that,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind.

​”I love you too, Mikha. sobra mahal din kita.”

​She tilted her head and captured my mouth in a slow, deep passionate kiss. I gasped softly, and she took that chance to make the kiss deeper, her tongue tangling with mine.

The world outside-the scary wind, the heavy rain, the whole storm-just disappeared. There was only the taste of her, the smell of coffee on her breath, and the intense heat of her body.

​My hands moved to her neck, my fingers burying into her red hair, pulling her closer because I wanted to be as near to her as possible. Mikha let out a soft groan against my lips, a sound that made my whole body shiver. Her hands gripped my waist tightly, lifting me up easily until I was sitting directly on her lap, straddling her.

​I pressed my body completely against hers, and my breath hitched. There was so much love in the way she held me, a fierce, protective kind of love. Mikha’s hands slid from my waist, moving slowly up my sides under my oversized hoodie.

When her bare palms touched the skin of my waist, a sharp rush of adrenaline hit me. Her hands were a bit cool against my warm skin, sending a wild fire straight through my veins. It was a beautiful, overwhelming fire that made me go crazy with want.

​She treasures me so much, and I could feel it in every touch. She dragged her lips away from my mouth, but she didn’t stop. She started kissing my jawline, moving down to my neck, leaving a trail of burning kisses. I arched my back, a helpless sound escaping my lips as she bit softly on the sensitive spot near my collarbone. It wasn’t painful; it was incredibly hot, refueling the fire inside me. Her hands moved higher up my back, pulling my chest tightly against hers, holding me like she never wanted to let go, pouring all her love into this single night.

​”Mikha…” I breathed out her name, my fingers pulling her hair as her lips went back to my mouth for a wilder, more desperate kiss.

​We were both gasping for air, our bodies melting into each other on the sofa, the fire between us burning so hot that we forgot about the danger outside-

​BZZZZT.

​The house plunged into total darkness. The sudden blackout was like a cold bucket of water thrown over us. We both stopped, breathing heavily, our foreheads resting against each other in the pitch black, the residual heat of our skin still warm.

​”Panira talaga ang kuryente,” Mikha whispered, kissing me one last time before reaching for her phone. “Wait here, Hon. Bubuhayin ko lang yung generator. I’ll be back, and then… we’ll continue this.”

​She went back outside to check with her flashlight, and when she came back in, she was scratching her head. “Damn it. Naubos ‘yung krudo ng generator. I thought Jayson refilled it yesterday.”

​”Hayaan mo na, Hon,” I said, holding her arm, a sudden prickle of anxiety washing over me. “We have emergency lights anyway. Huwag mo na labasan, lumalakas ng yung hangin sa labas.”

​”its okay bab, Peak ng bagyo mamayang hatinggabi sabi sa radyo. We need the electricity for the pump and the radios just in case,” she argued gently, already grabbing her thick yellow raincoat. “May extra tayong krudo sa bodega. Don’t worry, kukunin ko lang tapos balik agad ako. I’ll finish that coffee when I get back, okay?”

​”Mikha, Don’t go I will miss you agad,” I pleaded, my voice cracking as a loud crack of thunder shook the entire house.

​She cupped my face, kissing my forehead one last time. “I’ll be back before you even miss me, okay? I love you.”

​She pulled her hood up, grabbed the heavy-duty flashlight, and stepped out into the raging torrents of rain. I stood by the window, watching that small beam of light get swallowed by the darkness, her unfinished mug of coffee still warm in my hands.

But…

​Ten minutes passed.

Then twenty.

​The wind reached a terrifying crescendo. It sounded like the very earth was being ripped apart. Then, a sound I will never forget-a sharp, deafening CRACK followed by a heavy thud that vibrated through the floor.

​My chest tightened. Something is wrong. Suddenly, frantic beams of light cut through the yard. Someone was running towards the house, stumbling through the mud.

​”Ma’am Aiah! Ma’am Aiah! Buksan niyo ‘to!”

​I threw the door open. It was Kuya Jayson, drenched and trembling, his face pale with pure terror.

​”Kuya Jayson?! Bakit po anong nangyare?!” I shouted over the roar of the wind.

​”Si Ma’am Mikha po!” he choked out, gasping for air. “Nasa loob po siya ng lumang bodega… may dambuhalang puno po na nabuwal sa lakas ng hangin! Bumagsak po mismo sa bubong! Napuruhan po ang ulo niya, Ma’am! Duguan po siya… walang malay!”

​The world shattered. The mug of coffee slipped from my hands, shattering on the floor. My knees buckled, and for a second, I couldn’t breathe.

​”Isinakay na po namin siya sa truck ng rancho!” Kuya Jayson yelled, grabbing my arm to pull me out. “Itatakbo na po namin siya sa ospital sa bayan! Tara na po, Ma’am! Kailangan po tayo ni Ma’am Mikha!”

​I didn’t even grab a jacket or shoes. I ran out into the freezing, blood-soaked rain, screaming her name into the unyielding darkness as we rushed towards the truck.

Ang bilis ng takbo ng truck, pero pakiramdam ko, mas mabilis ang pagtibok ng puso ko sa sobrang takot. Nakasandal ang ulo ni Mikha sa kandungan ko. My hands were trembling as I tried to put pressure on the wound on her head, but the blood… it was so warm, so much, and it was soaking through my clothes.

​”Hon, please… Mikha, wake up. Huwag kang ganyan,” I whispered, my voice breaking. I brushed the wet, blood-stained hair away from her face. Her skin was so pale, so cold, a far cry from the warmth of her touch just minutes ago.

I was whispering to her, but my mind was starting to drift. Parang nawawala ako sa sarili. I felt like I was underwater. Everything was muffled-the sound of the engine, the shouting of the men in the truck, the violent rain.

​”Hon… please. Wake up. Mikha, gising na, oh,” bulong ko, pero ang boses ko ay halos hindi ko na makilala. It was a broken, hollow sound. “Lika na… ‘di ba sabi mo babalik ka agad? ‘Di ba sabi mo babalik ka agad pag na miss kita? Mikha, miss na miss na kita… sobrang natatakot nako.”

​It was suffocating. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant hand, making it impossible to breathe. Every gasp for air felt like I was swallowing glass.

​Lord, please… not like this. Kani-kanina lang, masaya kami. Kani-kanina lang, nangangako siya ng kasal. Ramdam ko pa yung tamis ng kape sa labi ko. Ramdam ko pa yung init ng yakap niya nung nag-aasaran pa kami sa sofa. How can something so full of life turn so cold and still in an instant?

​”Mikha, lumaban ka… please,” I choked out, leaning down to press my face against her bloody cheek. Hindi ko na pansin ang dumi, ang mahalaga lang ay maramdaman ko siya. “Saksi ang Diyos, Mikha… Kung gaano moko kamahal kaya please hon huwag mo ‘kong iwan sa gitna ng bagyo. Hindi ko kaya… hindi ko kayang mag-isa.”

​I looked at her pale face, and memories flashed before my eyes-the first time we met in Egypt, the way she held me during the proposal, her laugh when she was tickling me kanina lang. Everything we built, everything we planned… everything was slipping through my fingers like the rain outside.

​”You promised…” I wailed, my voice finally breaking into a raw, agonizing scream that was swallowed by the storm. “Sabi mo lilibutin pa natin ang mundo! Sabi mag papakasal pa tayo! Panindigan mo ‘to, Mikha! Please… don’t do this to me.”

​Nung huminto ang truck sa harap ng ospital, parang tumigil na rin ang mundo ko. The back doors swung open, and the bright, sterile white lights of the emergency room blinded me. Agad na dinaluhan ng mga nurse ang walang malay na katawan ni Mikha.

​”Babi gagaling ka okay, hihintayin kita,” nanlalabo na yung paningin ko sa sobrang pag iyak “hon please, wag moko iiwan huh” bukong ko habang pilit akong humahawak sa gurney na kinalalagyan niya. Sumasabay ako sa pagtakbo ng mga medical staff, hindi ko kayang bitawan ang kamay niya.

​Pero pagdating sa malaking double doors ng ER, hinarang ako ng isang security guard at nurse.

​”Ma’am, hanggang dito na lang po kayo. Bawal po pumasok sa loob,” pigil nila sa akin.

​”Hindi! Mikha! Bitawan niyo ako! Kailangan niya ako ni Mikha!” I fought them, my hands-still wet with her blood-clawing at the air, trying to reach for the girl who was being rushed away from me.

​The heavy doors swung shut with a cold, final thud.

​Naiwan akong nakatayo, nanginginig, at mag-isa sa gitna ng malamig na hallway. I looked down at my hands-her blood was already starting to dry under my fingernails, turning dark and haunting.

My heart felt so heavy, so broken, it was as if it had finally stopped beating along with the peace I felt just an hour ago.

​I collapsed against the wall, sliding down until I was sitting on the floor, my knees pulled to my chest. I stared at the “Emergency” sign that flickered in red, the silence of the hallway now more terrifying than the roar of the storm outside.

​I closed my eyes, the image of her pale, lifeless face burned into my mind. I whispered her name one last time into the empty air, my voice disappearing into a sob.

​”Please… come back to me.”

​And then, in that cold, lonely corner, the world finally went black.

……..

🌈🌈🌈 Love is terrifying sometimes.
It can heal you and destroy you at the same time.

….
Hi Guys how are you?