No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 19- Ruin everything

At kahit hindi ko sabihin, alam kong totoo yun.

Kung sakaling may dumating na iba sa buhay ni Mikha... siguro, tatanggapin ko na lang. Kahit masakit.

I took a sip of my drink, letting the burn of the alcohol distract me from the uncomfortable thoughts creeping into my mind. Stacey and Sheena were still laughing about something, but Gwen's question lingered, pressing against my chest like a weight I couldn't shake off.

If Mikha found someone else, would I be able to handle it?

I wanted to say yes. That I'd be happy for her, that I'd let her go and move on. But deep down, I knew that was a lie.

Gusto kong bumalik siya sa akin. Kahit paulit-ulit. Kahit masaktan ako nang paulit-ulit.

"Uy, Aiah, nawala ka na naman sa sarili mo," Sheena teased, waving a hand in front of my face.

I blinked, forcing a smirk. "Hindi. Nag-iisip lang."

"Nag-iisip kung paano pigilan si Mikha na makahanap ng iba?" Gwen pressed, her tone light but her eyes sharp.

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. "Kung may magustuhan siyang iba, siguro tatanggapin ko na lang."

"Tanggapin mo?" Stacey repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Ikaw 'to, Aiah. Hindi kita nakikitang sumusuko nang ganun kadali."

Napangiti ako nang mapait. "Part ng pagmamahal ang masaktan, 'di ba?"

For a moment, walang nagsalita sa aming apat. They just stared at me, as if weighing my words. Then Sheena groaned, throwing an arm around my shoulder.

"Ang drama mo, gago," she said, shaking me lightly. "Ubusin mo na lang 'yang inumin mo, please."

I chuckled and raised my glass. "Cheers na lang ulit."

We clinked our glasses together, but even as I smiled, the thought of Mikha with someone else wouldn't leave my mind.

Pagkatapos naming uminom, ako na naman ang designated driver-like always. Routine na 'to tuwing lumalabas kami. Ako ang laging walang choice kundi ihatid ang mga lasing kong kaibigan.

Unang bumaba si Gwen, tinapik pa ako sa balikat bago lumabas ng kotse. "Aiah, think about what I said, ha?" she murmured, her gaze knowing.

I just rolled my eyes. "Oo na, sige na, pumasok ka na."

She smirked before disappearing inside her condo.

Next was Stacey, who was slumped in the passenger seat, half-asleep. "Aiah," she mumbled, barely opening her eyes.

"Ano?"

"Don't be stupid."

Napakunot ang noo ko. "Ano raw?"

She giggled sleepily and waved me off. "Wala. Ikaw na bahala kay Mikha."

I didn't reply, just watched as she stumbled towards her apartment.

Last na si Sheena. She was a little more sober than the other two, pero halatang may tama pa rin. Nang huminto ako sa harap ng bahay niya, hindi agad siya bumaba.

"Ano na naman?" I sighed, resting my head against the steering wheel.

Sheena smirked. "Wala lang. Gusto ko lang sabihin na kahit anong palabas mo, Aiah, halata namang gusto mo pang balikan si Mikha."