No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 23- Fresh couple

And that was all that mattered.

The teasing didn't stop there.

"So, anong plano niyo bukas? Date ulit?" Gwen wiggled her eyebrows at us.

Before I could answer, Sheena chimed in, "Baka naman gusto niyong may audience? Para sure na 'di na makakatakas si Mikha!"

Mikha groaned, finally pulling her hand away-though I noticed she didn't move too far. "Pwede ba kayong tumigil? Hindi ako tatakas, okay?!"

Jho smirked. "So, confirm? May date nga?"

I leaned back against the couch, arms crossed as I smirked at Mikha. "Depende sa sagot niya. May date ba tayo, babe?"

Mikha's eyes widened at the sudden term of endearment, and the way she froze for a second made my grin widen.

"'Babe' agad?!" Stacey nearly fell off the couch laughing.

Mikha covered her face with both hands. "Aiah, tumigil ka nga-ang kakapal ng mukha niyo!"

I just chuckled, enjoying the way her ears turned red. "Oh, bakit? Hindi mo gusto?"

She peeked at me through her fingers, then huffed in defeat. "Tsk. Sige na nga. May date tayo bukas."

The whole room erupted into cheers.

"YES! May nanalo na!" Gwen clapped dramatically.

Sheena pretended to wipe tears from her eyes. "Ang tagal kong hinintay 'to. Parang teleserye lang, pero mas intense."

Jho raised her glass. "To fresh starts and second chances!"

Everyone joined in the toast, and despite the teasing, I could feel the genuine happiness radiating from our friends.

Mikha sighed beside me, shaking her head. "Grabe kayo. Pero..." she turned to me, her eyes softer now. "Salamat, Aiah."

I squeezed her hand under the table, smiling. "Always."

After dinner, the energy in the room shifted. Gwen clapped her hands together, grinning. "Alright! Since we're celebrating this fresh couple, drinks naman!"

Sheena shot up from her seat. "Tama! Hindi pwedeng walang inuman 'to!"

"Uy, hindi naman 'to engagement, ha," Mikha muttered, but she was smiling.

"Baka naman gusto mo muna, Mikha?" Stacey teased, winking.

Mikha rolled her eyes. "Bumalik na naman kayo!"

I chuckled, standing up. "Sige na, kuha ako ng drinks. May wine ako sa kitchen, baka gusto niyo rin ng whiskey?"

"May beer ka?" Jho asked, raising a brow.

"Meron, pero hindi malamig," I replied.

"Pwede na 'yun," Sheena shrugged. "Kailangan lang natin ng something to celebrate."

As I walked to the kitchen, I felt a presence behind me. Turning, I found Mikha leaning against the counter, arms crossed.

"Nag-eenjoy ka sa pang-aasar nila, ano?" she said, raising a brow.

I smirked. "A little."

She sighed but smiled anyway. "Alam mo, ang tagal ko rin palang na-miss 'to. 'Yung ganito. Tayo. Kahit na sobrang kulit nila."

My chest tightened at her words, but I played it cool. I stepped closer, my voice softer now. "Then let's not miss it anymore."

For a second, she just stared at me, something unreadable in her eyes. Then, with a small shake of her head, she grabbed the beer bottle from my hand and walked back to the others.