No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 36- Letting go

Tears blurred my vision as I gripped the steering wheel, my hands trembling. The city lights flashed past me, but I barely saw them. My mind was spinning, my heart breaking with every mile that passed.

Aiah couldn't get married.

Because if she did-if this wedding happened-then it would truly be over. There would be no more chances, no more hope.

And I couldn't accept that.

Not after everything.

Not after the pain, the sacrifices, the sleepless nights wondering if she still loved me.

I choked back a sob, pressing harder on the gas. I didn't care what happened to me on the road. I didn't care if I crashed or if the world collapsed around me.

All I knew was that I had to get to her.

I had to stop this.

Because after everything I lost, after all the pain I endured-

This time, I would fight for us.

I wasn't scared anymore.

Not of rejection. Not of the consequences. Not of anything.

And I hoped-God, I hoped-Aiah wasn't scared either.

My tires screeched as I stopped in front of the church. The grand doors stood tall and imposing, and in front of them-bodyguards. Lots of them.

I barely turned off the engine before I shoved the door open, stumbling out of the car. My heart was racing, my chest heaving, but I didn't stop. I ran.

I ran like my life depended on it.

But just as I was about to reach the entrance, strong hands grabbed my arms, stopping me.

"Ma'am, hindi ka pwedeng pumasok."

"Let me go!" I screamed, struggling against them. My voice was hoarse, desperate. "Aiah! AIAH!"

The guards tightened their grip, dragging me back, but I fought harder.

I didn't care how I looked. I didn't care about the people watching. I didn't care if this was humiliating.

"AIAH!" I screamed again, my throat burning, my vision blurring from tears. "Kung naririnig mo ako, lumabas ka! Please, Aiah!"

The church doors remained shut.

I thrashed against the guards, my nails digging into their arms, but they didn't budge.

"AIAH! Kung mahal mo pa ako, lumabas ka!" My voice cracked. "Huwag kang matakot! Please, love... lumabas ka..."

Nothing.

No movement.

No answer.

Just silence.

And then-

The doors creaked.

The doors creaked open.

My breath caught in my throat as I froze, my heart hammering so loudly it drowned out everything else.

And then-

She stepped out.

Aiah.

Dressed in white, glowing under the soft light of the church. Her hair was perfectly styled, her makeup flawless-exactly how a bride should look on her wedding day.

But her eyes-her eyes weren't glowing. They weren't shining with happiness.

They were filled with something else.