No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 33- Letter

"Aiah!" I screamed, my voice breaking as I called for her, hoping-praying-that somehow, she'd hear me and come back.

But the apartment remained silent.

The walls didn't echo her laughter. The air didn't carry her scent. The warmth that once filled this space was gone.

She was gone.

I grabbed the letter, crumpling it in my hands as if destroying it would make the words disappear. As if tearing it apart would bring her back.

"This is just a dream... This is just a dream..." I chanted, rocking myself back and forth.

Because if this was real-

If Aiah truly left me-

Then how the hell was I supposed to survive?

A knock on the door echoed through the empty apartment, but I was too lost in my pain to move. My body felt heavy, like all the strength had been drained from me.

Another knock, this time louder.

Then voices.

"Mikha?"

It was Sheena.

"Buksan mo 'to, dali!" Gwen added, her voice laced with urgency.

I didn't respond. I couldn't.

The door suddenly opened, and both of them rushed inside. Their eyes widened when they saw me on the floor, hugging my knees, my hands gripping the crumpled letter like it was the last thing keeping me together.

"Mikha!" Sheena knelt beside me, gripping my shoulders. "Ano'ng nangyari?"

Gwen's eyes darted around the room. "Where's Aiah?"

Hearing her name made my chest tighten even more. My lips parted, but no words came out. Only a broken sob.

Sheena and Gwen exchanged worried glances before Sheena gently pried the letter from my trembling hands. As she read, her face darkened.

"Aiah called us," Gwen suddenly said, voice soft but firm. "She told us to come here."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my mind spinning. "She called you?" My voice was barely above a whisper.

Sheena nodded. "Yeah... she said you'd need us."

At that moment, the weight of Aiah's actions hit me even harder. She planned this. She knew I'd be broken, so she made sure I wouldn't be alone.

I clenched my fists, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks.

"She left me..." My voice cracked. "She really left me..."

Sheena and Gwen wrapped their arms around me as I shattered completely.

I sobbed into Sheena's shoulder, my body trembling from the sheer force of my grief.

"I want to see Aiah," I choked out between cries. "I need her. I want her back."

Sheena tightened her arms around me while Gwen rubbed my back in slow, soothing motions. But it didn't help. Nothing could.

"She can't just leave like this," my voice broke, desperation clawing at my chest. "She loves me... she loves me, right? Bakit niya 'to ginagawa?"

Gwen sighed, her voice soft yet filled with sadness. "Mikha... alam mong hindi niya ginusto 'to."

"She still did it." I gripped the fabric of Sheena's shirt like it was the only thing keeping me from falling apart. "She left me, Gwen. She made me promise to hold her forever, but she's the one who let go."