No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 33- Letter

When we finally reached my place, I wiped my face and turned to them with a small, tired smile. "Salamat, Sheena... Gwen. Pero pwede na kayong umalis. Gusto ko munang mapag-isa."

Gwen frowned. "Sigurado ka, Mikha? Baka mas mabuti kung may kasama ka muna."

Sheena sighed, crossing her arms. "Yeah. We're worried about you."

I forced a weak chuckle. "Hindi ako magpapakamatay kung yun ang iniisip niyo." I looked down, twisting my fingers together. "Gusto ko lang... gusto ko lang magpahinga."

Sheena hesitated before nodding slowly. "Okay. Pero tawagan mo kami, ha? Kapag kailangan mo ng kausap."

I nodded, stepping out of the car. "Oo... promise."

As they drove away, I stood by the door for a moment, staring at the quiet street. The silence was deafening.

Pagpasok ko sa apartment, agad akong bumagsak sa kama.

Aiah's scent was still on the pillows, clinging to the sheets like a ghost refusing to leave.

I curled into myself, hugging the blanket tightly.

"Akala ko tayo na talaga, Aiah," I whispered into the empty room. "Akala ko wala nang iwanan."

And for the first time in a long time... I let myself cry until sleep finally took me.

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Mikha's Dream

The warmth of the afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting golden patches on the grass. UP Diliman had always been beautiful during this time of day, the breeze gentle, the world slow and quiet.

I found myself sitting on the Sunken Garden, leaning back on my hands as I watched Aiah beside me, a soft smirk playing on her lips.

"Ang corny mo pala minsan," Aiah teased, tilting her head slightly.

I scoffed, nudging her shoulder. "Tingin mo ikaw hindi? Huli na 'to, Aiah. Na-adopt mo na 'yung pagiging cheesy ko."

She rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she leaned back on her arms, gazing up at the sky.

"Ten years from now," I started, watching her. "Ano kaya tayo?"

Aiah hummed, as if seriously considering my question. "Hmm. Ikaw siguro... nasa corporate world na. Maybe running your own business. Ako?" She glanced at me with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Malamang asawa mo na."

My face heated, and I smacked her arm lightly. "Gagi ka! Ang bilis naman!"

She chuckled, her laughter soft but rich, like a melody I wanted to hear forever.

"Pero seryoso," Aiah continued, her voice turning softer. "Sana, Mikha... kahit anong mangyari, kahit saan man tayo mapunta, magkakasama pa rin tayo."

I turned to her, my heart aching with something I couldn't name.

"Siyempre naman," I whispered. "Aiah, hindi kita bibitawan. Kahit anong mangyari, magkakasama tayo."

She smiled then, the kind of smile that made my chest feel light and warm.

"Promise?" she asked, offering her pinky.

I intertwined mine with hers without hesitation. "Promise."

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I woke up with a sharp gasp, my chest rising and falling rapidly as I tried to catch my breath. My fingers instinctively reached out to the other side of the bed-empty. Cold.