No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 29- Break us apart

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A soft, familiar touch on my cheek pulled me from sleep. My eyelids felt heavy, my head pounding slightly from all the crying I did last night.

"Mikha..."

Aiah's voice was soft, almost hesitant. My eyes fluttered open, and there she was-sitting beside me, looking at me with so much guilt and sadness that it made my chest tighten.

"Sorry," she whispered, her thumb gently brushing against my cheek. "I made you cry."

I stared at her for a moment, taking in her tired eyes, the way her lips trembled slightly as if she was afraid I'd push her away.

I should be angry. I should push her away.

But instead, I forced a small smile and shook my head.

"You don't have to say sorry." My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. "Just... please, Aiah. Huwag mo akong saktan."

Her breath hitched.

I looked down, my fingers twisting together. "Ikaw na lang ang meron ako."

Silence filled the space between us. Then, I felt her arms wrap around me tightly, pulling me close.

"I won't," she murmured against my hair. "I swear, Mikha. I won't hurt you again."

I wanted to believe her.

I really did.

So, for now, I let myself lean into her warmth-just for a little while.

Aiah held me close for what felt like forever, as if she was afraid that if she let go, I'd disappear. I wanted to stay in that moment, to forget everything that happened, but the ache in my chest wouldn't go away.

After a while, she pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on my arms. She looked at me with concern, her brows furrowed.

"Mikha, huwag ka munang pumasok sa trabaho ngayon." Her voice was gentle but firm. "Pagod ka. You barely slept, and I know you cried a lot."

I opened my mouth to protest, but she shook her head before I could say anything.

"Please, baby. Just rest for today, okay? Ako nang bahala sa lahat sa office."

I sighed, rubbing my eyes. "But-"

"No buts," she interrupted. "Gusto ko lang na magpahinga ka. For me. Please?"

The way she looked at me, the worry in her eyes-it made it impossible for me to argue.

I sighed in defeat. "Fine. But only for today."

Aiah smiled, leaning in to kiss my forehead. "Thank you."

I wished I could stay in this moment, in her warmth, without the painful thoughts creeping in. But deep inside, I knew-no matter how much I loved her, no matter how much I wanted to hold onto this-things weren't the same anymore.

Something had changed.

And I wasn't sure if we could ever go back to how we were before.

As soon as Aiah left for work, I threw myself into anything that could keep me distracted. I cleaned my condo even though it was already spotless, rearranged things that didn't need rearranging, and even tried watching a random series-anything to keep my mind from spiraling back to last night.

But no matter what I did, the image of that picture kept flashing in my mind.

I needed to get out.

That's when I decided to message Jho.