Out of Reach | Mikhaiah

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: This is pure fiction. Any similarities to real people, places, or events are purely coincidental. Read, enjoy, and don't take it too seriously!

- ✦ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 ✦ -

Mikhazra's POV:

After that chaotic dinner, I find myself back at the mansion, all because my mom called. I love her too much to ever say no.

"My love!" she greets me warmly the moment I step inside, her arms wide open.

I smile and melt into her embrace. No matter how old I get, I'll always be my mom's baby.

We settle in the living room, catching up like we always do. The main topic? The Los Angeles branch that Dad keeps pressuring me about. Mom, ever the gentle one, listens patiently, nodding along. She's always been the opposite of Dad-understanding, soft-spoken, never one to push too hard.

Our conversation drifts for a while until she suddenly shifts the topic.

"Anak..." she starts.

"Yes, Mom?" I respond, sipping the tea she made for me.

"How's Arisha, hmmm?" she asks, a teasing glint in her eyes.

I nearly choke on my drink. "O-okay naman siya, Mom. Why are you asking so suddenly?"

"Nothing~" she hums. "I just happened to see her pictures on your iPad earlier. It was an accident, anak, I swear. You forgot to turn it off."

My entire body tenses. "W-what?! I don't like her, and I wasn't stalking her!" My voice comes out a little too defensive, a little too fast.

Mom laughs, shaking her head. "I never said you liked her, anak. You're the one insisting~"

I groan, burying my face in my hands. "She's so annoying, Mom. Since high school, I've hated her, and she's hated me just as much! But now, I guess... we talk more naturally. Unlike before, when she only saw me as her rival-like just standing in front of her was enough to make her want to throw up or something."

Mom giggles, patting my head. "Oh, my poor baby," she teases. "Hate is a strong word, but love is stronger~"

I groan even louder. "Mom!"

She only chuckles and pulls me into a warm hug, stroking my hair like she used to when I was a kid. "No matter what happens, anak, just follow your heart, okay?"

I nod against her shoulder, but deep down, my heart is already a mess.

After a while, I pull away and force a small smile. "I'll head to my room, Mom. Medyo pagod lang ako."

"Alright, my love," she says, her knowing smile never fading. "But don't overthink, okay?"

I wish it were that easy.

As soon as I step into my room, I close the door and lean against it, exhaling sharply. My chest feels heavy-too heavy.

My eyes wander to my study table, where an old photo album peeks out from under a pile of books. My fingers hesitate before reaching for it. It's been years since I last touched this.

I slowly flip through the pages, scanning through old memories until I find that picture.

My high school class photo.

My gaze lands on her immediately.

Arisha.

She's standing a few feet away from me in the picture. There's a distance between us-one that looks normal to others but feels like a thousand miles to me.