No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 19- Ruin everything

I shot her an exasperated look, but deep down, I knew she was right. I was being a bit of a buzzkill. I was just... avoiding the real reason I was acting like this.

"Well, sorry if I don't feel like airing out all my embarrassing moments for you two to laugh at," I replied, rolling my eyes dramatically.

Sheena laughed and nudged Stacey. "Told you, she's too uptight tonight."

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, feeling the weight of the conversation shift from light-hearted teasing to something deeper. But I couldn't bring myself to talk about what really happened between Mikha and me earlier. Not here, not like this.

"Alright, alright," I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. "But no more talk about me dancing or Mikha, okay? I'm begging you."

Stacey and Sheena exchanged a knowing glance, then burst into laughter again. "Okay, okay, we'll drop it," Stacey said, still giggling. "But seriously, Aiah, relax. Enjoy the night. No need to be so serious."

Sheena raised her glass with a wicked grin. "Cheers para kay Aiah na sobrang KJ!"

Stacey burst out laughing and eagerly clinked her glass with Sheena's. "Para kay Miss Cold CEO na ayaw sumayaw!"

Napairap nalang ako at kinuha ang baso ko. "You guys are impossible," bulong ko bago tinapik ang baso ko sa kanila. "Fine, cheers na rin."

"Yan!" Sheena smirked. "At least hindi ka na KJ ng buong-buo."

Tumawa nalang ako at uminom kasabay nila. Kahit na inasar nila ako buong gabi, alam kong ito yung mga moment na nami-miss ko-yung chill na walang kailangang isipin, walang corporate responsibilities, at walang Mikha na nasa isip ko.

Or at least, that's what I told myself.

Habang tumatawa pa rin sina Sheena at Stacey, biglang sumeryoso si Gwen at tumingin sa akin.

"Aiah, what if Mikha finds another guy?" tanong niya, diretso at walang paligoy-ligoy.

Napahinto ako sa pag-inom, hawak pa rin ang baso ko. Tumingin ako kay Gwen, trying to gauge kung seryoso ba siya o nang-aasar lang. Pero hindi siya nakangiti-she was genuinely asking.

Tumahimik saglit ang table namin bago biglang sumabat si Sheena, "Uy, good question 'yan! Ano nga, Aiah?"

Napairap ako at tumikhim, trying to act unbothered. "Then good for her," sagot ko, pilit na hindi nagpapahalata ng emosyon.

"Really?" Stacey raised an eyebrow, obviously doubting my response. "Kasi parang hindi ka convinced sa sarili mong sagot."

I let out a short laugh and shrugged. "Bakit? May karapatan ba akong mag-react kung magkaroon siya ng iba? We're not together anymore."

Ngumisi si Gwen, hindi pa rin ako tinatantanan. "Pero kung may choice ka, would you rather na bumalik siya sa'yo or mapunta siya sa iba?"

Napatingin ako sa baso ko, nilalaro ang natitirang alak doon. I knew the answer, but saying it out loud was a different thing.

"Guys, can we not?" I sighed, looking up at them. "We're here to drink, not to have an interrogation."

Sheena smirked. "Defensive."

Tumawa si Stacey. "Sige na nga! Alam naming hindi ka pa ready sagutin 'yan."

Gwen just smiled knowingly. "Pero one day, Aiah, you'll have to face that question."