Her Unwanted Marriage | MikhAiah

Chapter 23

Aiah's POV

I was folding the last of my clothes when I caught myself smiling. I couldn't help it—everything about last night felt surreal. The dinner, the night walk, and most of all, the way Mikhael looked at me. It wasn’t the usual cold, distant gaze I was used to. It was softer, warmer, almost as if she actually cared.

Napalingon ako sa kama. She was still sound asleep, her face relaxed and peaceful. It was such a rare sight that I had to pause and take it in. Sino bang mag-aakala na darating ang araw na ganito kami? Ako na dating parang wala lang sa kanya, ngayon ay kasama niya na at may plano pang mag-travel abroad.

I sighed, shaking my head lightly as I folded another blouse. "This is real," I whispered to myself, trying to let the thought sink in.

Napatingin ulit ako sa kanya. Her arm was draped lazily over her stomach, and her hair was slightly messy from sleep. She looked so different from the always-serious Mikhael I knew. It made my heart swell.

"Ang cute mo rin pala kapag natutulog," I muttered under my breath, a small laugh escaping me.

2 PM pa naman ang flight namin, so I decided to let her rest for a little longer. Inayos ko na lang lahat ng dadalhin namin, making sure na wala akong nakakalimutan. While arranging her things, I noticed a small notebook peeking out of her drawer. I hesitated for a moment, then shook my head.

"No, Aiah. Privacy," I reminded myself, kahit sobrang curious ako kung anong laman nun.

After a while, I sat down on the edge of the bed, watching her stir slightly in her sleep. The way her brows furrowed a bit, as if she was dreaming, made me smile.

"Are you dreaming about me ba, Mikhael?" I whispered teasingly, kahit alam kong hindi niya maririnig.

I chuckled to myself before standing up and continuing to pack. The thought of spending an entire week with her in another country still felt like a dream, but I was determined to make the most out of it.

"Let's see where this goes," I said quietly, a new sense of hope filling me.

Habang nag-aayos ako ng mga gamit, biglang umilaw ang phone ko. Napatingin ako sa kama—tulog pa rin si Mikhael. Naisip ko na baka importante, kaya agad ko itong kinuha. Pagbukas ko, may message galing kay Mama Jovy.

10:34. A.M. Mama Jovy
>"Enjoy your trip, hija. I can see you're really happy these days. You deserve it."

Napangiti ako. Totoo naman. I really am happy—happier than I've been in years. Napabuntong-hininga ako habang iniisip kung paano nag-iba ang takbo ng lahat. Si Mikhael na laging galit at binabalewala ako dati, ngayon ay nagpaplano na ng trip kasama ako.

Napalingon ulit ako sa kanya. She was starting to stir in her sleep, her hand twitching slightly as if hinahanap niya ang kumot. Lumapit ako at maingat na itinakip sa kanya ang kumot na naalis sa katawan niya. She murmured something, her lips barely moving.

Hindi ko napigilang mapangiti ulit. "You're so different when you're like this," I whispered softly, almost to myself.

Maya-maya, gumalaw na siya at dahan-dahang dumilat ang mga mata niya. Halos napatigil ako sa kilos ko nang magtama ang mga mata namin.