No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 29- Break us apart

Thank you for loving me. For coming back to me.

I love you so much.

Forever yours,
Mikha

---

As she read, I saw the way her hands trembled slightly.

I should've looked away, but I didn't.

I wanted to see.

I wanted to see if the words still meant something to her. If I still meant something to her.

"Aiah," I whispered, my voice barely holding itself together.

She lifted her gaze to mine, her eyes shining with something I couldn't quite name.

I swallowed, forcing down the lump in my throat. "Let's eat, love."

I wasn't ready to hear her excuses.

Not yet.

I barely had time to react before Aiah stood up and wrapped her arms around me-tight, as if she was afraid I would disappear.

"I'm sorry," she whispered against my hair. "Mikha, I'm so, so sorry."

Paulit-ulit. Halos pabulong. Halos punit ang boses niya.

I felt my chest tighten. I told myself I wouldn't cry, that I would keep it together. But the moment her warmth surrounded me, the moment I heard the desperation in her voice, my resolve shattered.

A tear slipped down my cheek. Then another. And another.

"Aiah..." My voice wavered as I gripped the back of her shirt. "Bakit ngayon ka lang?"

She pulled back slightly, just enough to cup my face, her thumbs wiping away the tears. "I-I didn't mean to be late. I didn't mean to-" Her voice broke. "Mikha, I messed up."

I let out a shaky laugh, even as more tears fell. "Alam ko."

"Pero please," she pleaded, her forehead pressing against mine, "huwag mo akong iwan."

A deep, aching pain settled in my chest. I didn't want to think about what I saw earlier-the picture of her with someone else, the kiss that made my heart shatter.

Not tonight.

I let out a breath and closed my eyes, leaning into her touch.

"Hindi ko pa kaya," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Aiah stiffened. "Mikha-"

"Let's just... let's just eat, love," I cut her off, opening my eyes to meet hers. "Kasi kapag pinag-usapan natin 'to ngayon... baka hindi ko kayanin."

I saw the torment in her eyes, the guilt, the regret.

But she nodded.

She respected my plea, even though we both knew this conversation was far from over.

For now, I just wanted to hold onto this moment-onto us.

After we finished eating, Aiah went straight to my room, exhausted. She barely lasted a few minutes before sleep took over, her breathing evening out as she lay curled up on my bed.

I, on the other hand, stayed behind to clean up. I needed something-anything-to keep my mind occupied.

I wiped the table, threw away the leftover food, and dimmed the lights. But no matter how much I busied myself, the ache in my chest refused to go away.

Once everything was in order, I finally walked toward my room.

And there she was.

Aiah.