No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 18- Mess

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I hurried toward the comfort room, my hands shaking as I touched my lips, still feeling the heat from Aiah's kiss. I needed time alone, to think. I didn't even know what had just happened. Everything was a mess.

But before I could reach the door to the CR, someone blocked my way-Sheena. I wasn't expecting her, and she immediately asked, "Mikha, what happened to your clothes?"

I panicked and quickly checked myself. My shirt was a little disheveled, the buttons not properly fastened, and my hair was a mess. When I looked at my lips, I saw that my lipstick was smeared.

"Sheena, I'm fine," I said, my voice a little shaky. I quickly wiped my lips with my hand.

Sheena clicked her tongue and immediately noticed something was off. "Mikha, your lipstick's all over your face, and your clothes are a mess. Did something happen? Something weird?"

I felt my heart race. She was teasing me, and I didn't know how to react. But her tone didn't help; it almost made it worse.

"Damn it, Mikha, looks like you forgot to fix yourself," she said with a smirk. "Looks like you've been all over the place, huh?"

I couldn't help it. The embarrassment and frustration hit me all at once, and I blurted out, "Shut up, Sheena. It's nothing."

Sheena just laughed, clearly enjoying herself. "Are you sure? You look like you're in a good mood. Something fun happened, huh?"

I couldn't find the words to respond. I just nodded quickly and pushed past her toward the CR, hoping she'd stop questioning me. Inside, I was overwhelmed with confusion and humiliation.

Pagbalik ko sa desk ko, nakita ko na nag-uusap si Aiah at Sheena sa loob ng office. Ayokong makialam, pero hindi ko maiwasang mapansin ang tensyon sa pagitan nila. Uupo na sana ako nang bigla akong tinawag ni Sheena.

"Mikha! Come," sabi ni Sheena, medyo nakangiti at may halong pang-aasar.

Wala akong choice kundi pumasok, kaya't yumuko ako at pumasok sa loob ng office ni Aiah. Pagpasok ko, tumawa si Sheena.

"Damn, mukhang may earthquake na naganap dito sa office ni Aiah," sabi ni Sheena, tinignan ang paligid ng office na sobrang kalat. "Ano sa tingin mo, Mikha?"

Dahil sa tanong niya, hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko. "Gaga, wala akong alam!" Napamura na lang ako, na hindi ko rin inasahan.

Tumawa si Sheena at tinitigan ako. "Hala, Mikha! Mukhang may alam ka, ha. Pero okay lang, di kita pipilitin," sabi niya, may pang-aasar sa tono ng boses niya.

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at nagmamadaling lumabas ng office.

When I returned to my desk, I immediately felt Aiah's gaze on me. When I looked up, I saw her smiling at me, that sweet, knowing smile. It was like she was waiting for something, but I couldn't quite figure out what.

I bit my lip, unsure of how to react. But deep down, I knew I couldn't pretend anymore. I could feel the tension rising between us again, and I hated it.

I rolled my eyes at her, then quickly went back to my work, trying to ignore the way my heart was pounding. I wasn't ready to face whatever she was expecting from me just yet.

I tried to focus on my work, but it was impossible. Every time I looked up, Aiah was still there, her eyes on me, that smile never fading. It was like she was trying to get a reaction from me, and I didn't know if I should give in or keep my distance.

As I struggled to concentrate, Stacey walked in, breaking my train of thought. She flashed me a smile, her energy as bright as ever.

"Hoy, Mikha! Nagugutom ako," she said, leaning against my desk. "There's this new place that just opened nearby. Want to grab something to eat?"

I glanced at her, relieved for the distraction. A small part of me wanted to decline and stay cooped up in this office, but I knew I needed to get out, to clear my head.

"Sure," I said with a sigh, pushing my papers aside. "I could use a break."

Stacey gave me a wide grin. "I knew you'd say yes. Let's go!"

Habang naglalakad kami papunta sa bagong kainan, hindi mapigilan ni Stacey ang mang-asar. Bawat ilang hakbang, tinitingnan niya ako ng may mischievous na ngiti, at ramdam ko ang mga mata niyang nagtatanong.

"So," simula niya, medyo casual pero may halong curiosity, "anong nangyari sa inyo ni Aiah kanina? Parang... may something."

Napahinto ako saglit, hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin, tapos bigla ko na lang sinabi, "Wala!" Medyo mataas pa ang tono ko kaysa sa inaasahan ko.

Tumigil si Stacey at tinanong ako gamit ang isang raised eyebrow, kitang-kita ang gulat sa mukha niya dahil sa pagiging defensive ko. "Whoa, Mikha. Medyo intense ah. Ang tinatanong ko lang, nag-away ba kayo ulit?"

Namula ang pisngi ko sa hiya. "I-I... uh, sorry, kasi...," hindi ko na alam kung anong sasabihin.

Ngumisi si Stacey at tinapik ako sa balikat. "Gaga, alam ko na ang nasa isip mo. Sex, 'no? Yun ang naiisip mo, tama?"

Mas lalo akong namula at tumingin sa gilid. "I-I'm not thinking about that," Bulalas ko, nahihiya.

Tumawa si Stacey at tinapik pa ulit ako sa balikat. "Ang dali mong maasar, Mikha. Huwag mong seryosohin, pinapangiti lang kita. Pero seryoso, anong nangyari sa inyo ni Aiah? Kung may Sama ka pa rin nang loob kay Aiah, sabihin mo, ah."

Nagpatuloy na kami sa palakad at hindi ko na pinansin yung nakakainis na ngiti ni Stacey.