No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 23- Fresh couple

She took a step closer, her movements still fluid, her eyes still locked onto mine. And fuck-I wanted to kiss her so bad.

No, scratch that. I wanted to grab her, pull her onto my lap, and claim her right then and there.

As if sensing my thoughts, she chuckled lowly, leaning in just slightly. "Hmm. Namiss mo 'to, 'no?"

I exhaled sharply. "Mikha, tumigil ka kung ayaw mong gawin ko talaga ang iniisip ko ngayon."

She grinned, slow and sinful. "Eh 'di gawin mo."

A smirk tugged at my lips. "Gawin ko?" I repeated, my voice dropping lower, almost daring her. "Eh 'di gawin ko nga."

Before she could react, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto my lap, causing her to let out a small gasp. The girls screamed louder, Stacey practically losing her mind in the background.

"Tangina, Aiah! Wala ka talagang preno!" Gwen hollered, laughing.

But I didn't care.

Mikha landed against me, her hands gripping my shoulders for balance. Her face was inches from mine, breath warm against my skin. And God, she was breathtaking-flushed cheeks, lips slightly parted, eyes wide yet filled with something dangerously enticing.

"Aiah-"

I cut her off by sliding my hand to the small of her back, pressing her closer. My other hand trailed up her thigh, teasing. "Sabi mo gawin ko, 'di ba?"

Her breath hitched. I could feel the way her body tensed slightly, but she didn't pull away. Instead, her fingers curled against my shirt, clutching onto me as if I was the only thing grounding her.

"Putangina..." she whispered, her voice barely audible over the music.

I leaned in, lips just barely brushing against hers. "Ikaw ang nag-umpisa nito, baby," I murmured. "Wala nang atrasan."

She swallowed hard, her gaze flickering down to my lips. "Aiah..."

"Mikha..."

Before I could close the distance, a loud cough interrupted us.

"Hoy!" Jho shouted, throwing a pillow at us. "Baka maglampungan na kayo rito, may mga bata pa!"

"Mga bata?!" Stacey cackled. "Gaga, ikaw nga number one nagch-cheer!"

I groaned, pressing my forehead against Mikha's shoulder as she burst into laughter.

Damn it.

This wasn't over. Not even close.

"OMG, hindi ako ready makakita ng live scene na ganito!" Sheena shrieked, covering her eyes dramatically but peeking through her fingers.

"Tangina, parang wattpad lang!" Stacey howled, clutching her stomach from laughing too hard.

Jho rolled her eyes. "Aiah, Mikha, gusto niyo ng kwarto? Pwede namang lumipat!"

Gwen, who had been calmly sipping her drink, smirked. "Actually, mukhang hindi na nila kailangan ng kwarto. Mukha namang wala nang pake kahit may audience."

Mikha, still perched on my lap, was laughing-flustered but clearly enjoying all the teasing. I, on the other hand, just grinned. If they thought they could embarrass me, they had another thing coming.

I tightened my hold around her waist, making her jolt slightly. "Bakit, bawal ba maging sweet sa girlfriend ko?" I teased, loud enough for everyone to hear.

The room erupted into chaos.

"PUTANGINA, SINABI NIYANG GIRLFRIEND!" Stacey screamed.

Sheena dramatically collapsed onto the couch. "Hindi ako prepared sa confession na 'to! Aiah, babala naman sana!"

Jho just smirked, shaking her head. "Well, at least official na. About damn time."

Mikha, blushing furiously, smacked my arm. "Aiah!" she hissed, but she was smiling-soft, radiant, like she actually liked hearing me say it.

I smirked, leaning closer to whisper in her ear. "Totoo naman, 'di ba?"

She bit her lip, hesitating for only a second before nodding. "Hmm... oo naman."

And just like that, my smirk widened.

She's mine. Again.

"Edi kayo na may love life!" Gwen scoffed, crossing her arms. "Ang lalandi niyo."

Sheena immediately threw an arm around Gwen's shoulders, dramatically flipping her hair. "Bebe, nandito naman ako. Hindi mo kailangan ng love life."

The whole room burst into laughter. Stacey was already doubled over, clutching her stomach, while Jho just shook her head with a smirk.

"Tangina, Sheena, ikaw na talaga!" Stacey wheezed.

Gwen pretended to wipe away fake tears. "Buti ka pa, Sheena, loyal."

I chuckled, shaking my head as I looked at Mikha, who was giggling beside me. Seeing her this happy, this relaxed-it made everything worth it.

"Okay, okay," Jho interrupted, raising her glass. "Since officially together na kayong dalawa, I think a toast is in order."

We all grabbed our drinks as Jho smirked at us. "To Aiah and Mikha. Sa wakas, hindi na kami mapapagod sa kakapakinig ng kwento tungkol sa past nila. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" everyone echoed, clinking their glasses together.

Mikha turned to me, her eyes shining under the dim apartment lights. I gave her a small smile before gently squeezing her hand.

I had her back. And this time, I wouldn't let go.

Habang abala sina Sheena, Gwen, Stacey, at Jho sa pagkanta at pagtawa sa loob, ako at si Mikha tahimik na lumabas papunta sa balcony. Gusto kong lumanghap ng sariwang hangin, gusto kong sulitin ang sandali kasama siya-ngayon na wala nang alinlangan sa pagitan namin.

Paglabas namin, ramdam ko agad ang malamig na hangin ng gabi. The city lights stretched before us, flickering like tiny stars against the darkness. Tahimik lang kaming dalawa, enjoying the moment without the need for words.

Then, I felt her move behind me.

Mikha slowly slid her arms around my waist, pulling me into a warm embrace from behind. I felt her chin rest lightly on my shoulder, her breath tickling my skin.

"Mmm, ang sarap ng ganito," she murmured, tightening her hold. "Tahimik, walang istorbo... ikaw at ako lang."

I leaned back against her, smiling. "Matagal mo ba 'tong hinintay?"

"Sobra."

Hinawakan ko ang mga kamay niyang nakayakap sa akin, hinaplos ito gamit ang hinlalaki ko. The warmth of her touch, the way she held me like she never wanted to let go-it sent shivers down my spine.

"Alam mo, Mikha..." I whispered.

"Hmm?"

I turned slightly, just enough to meet her eyes. "This time, hindi na kita pakakawalan."

She smirked, pressing a soft kiss on my shoulder before whispering back, "Buti na lang, Aiah. Kasi kahit subukan mo, hindi na rin kita bibitawan."