No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 30- Truth

But what was I supposed to do?

I had no plan. No escape.

Just fear.

Just Mikha.

I exhaled sharply, trying to calm myself down as I unlocked my phone and typed a message.

Aiah: Pauwi na ako, love.

I stared at the message for a long moment before pressing send.

A part of me wanted to tell her everything-to run into her arms, break down, and beg her to tell me what to do. But I couldn't.

Mikha was my weakness.

And my parents knew it.

If I let her see the cracks in me, she would start asking questions. She would start looking for answers.

And the moment she did, she would become a target.

I had to act normal. I had to pretend everything was fine.

Even if my entire world was already crumbling.

As soon as I opened the door to Mikha's apartment, my heart dropped.

Everything was a mess.

The couch was overturned, picture frames shattered on the floor, papers scattered everywhere. It looked like someone had come in and deliberately destroyed everything.

"Mikha!" I shouted, panic rising in my chest. "Mikha, nasaan ka?!"

Then I heard it-a soft sniffle from the bedroom.

I turned just in time to see Mikha stepping out, her face streaked with tears. She looked shaken, her hands trembling.

The moment her eyes met mine, she ran toward me.

I barely had time to react before she threw herself into my arms, her body shaking violently as she clung to me.

"Aiah..." she sobbed, burying her face into my chest. "May mga lalaking pumunta dito... Sinira nila ang mga gamit ko... Akala ko..."

I held her tighter, anger and fear twisting inside me.

"Shh, I'm here. I'm here, love," I whispered, stroking her back.

I pulled away slightly, cupping her tear-streaked face. "Sinaktan ka ba nila? May ginawa ba sila sa'yo?"

She shook her head quickly. "Hindi... Pero takot na takot ako, Aiah..."

I clenched my jaw, my blood boiling.

I knew who did this.

I knew exactly who sent them.

And I swore-I wouldn't let them touch Mikha again.

I held Mikha close, my hands gently rubbing her back, trying to soothe her shaking body. But I could still feel the way she trembled in my arms.

Then, in a broken voice, she started talking.

"Pag-uwi ko galing kay Jho... napansin ko na parang may nakamasid sa akin. Pero inisip ko baka guni-guni ko lang," she whispered. "Then, pagpasok ko sa apartment... may mga lalaking nando'n na. Hindi ko sila kilala, Aiah."

I felt my fists clench.

"Anong ginawa nila sa'yo?" I asked, my voice dangerously low.

Mikha shook her head. "Wala. Hindi nila ako ginalaw, pero..." She swallowed hard. "Sinira nila ang gamit ko. Parang gusto lang nila akong takutin."

My jaw tightened. This wasn't a warning. It was a threat.

"Ano pa ang sinabi nila?" I pressed, needing to hear it all.

Mikha hesitated, then pulled away slightly to look at me. Her eyes were filled with fear and confusion.

"Sabi nila... wala akong karapatan sa buhay na meron ako ngayon," she said, her voice breaking. "Na hindi ko dapat tinatahak ang mundong 'to. Na... wala akong laban sa kanila."

I sucked in a breath, fury washing over me.

"Putangina," I muttered under my breath. I knew exactly what this was. My parents were proving a point. They were showing me what they could do-how easily they could reach Mikha.

How easily they could destroy her.

Mikha's grip on my shirt tightened. "Aiah... sino sila?"

I wanted to tell her. I wanted to explain everything.

But could I?

Could I tell her that the people who did this were my own parents?

Could I tell her that the person she loved was the very reason she was in danger?

I cupped Mikha's face gently, wiping away the tears that continued to fall. My chest ached seeing her like this-scared, hurt, and confused.

"I don't know," I whispered, forcing myself to meet her eyes. "But I promise to protect you, Mikha. Hinding-hindi ko hahayaang mangyari ulit 'to."

Mikha let out a shaky breath, but I saw the doubt flicker in her eyes. She wasn't sure if she could believe me.

And I didn't blame her.

I had already failed her once-last night, when I broke her heart.

And now, I was failing her again-by not telling her the truth.

But how could I?

How could I look her in the eyes and admit that the people responsible for this... were my own parents?

That they saw her as nothing more than an obstacle? That they would do anything to take her away from me?

No.

I couldn't.

Not yet.

"Aiah... natatakot ako," she admitted in a small voice.

My arms tightened around her. "Alam ko, love. But I won't let them touch you again. You're safe with me."

She didn't say anything, just buried her face in my chest, gripping my shirt tightly-like she was holding onto me for dear life.

And in that moment, I made a silent vow.

I would protect Mikha.

Even if it meant going against my own family.