No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 36- Letting go

Pain.

Regret.

Fear.

I stopped struggling against the guards, my body going numb as we stared at each other.

For a moment, neither of us moved. Neither of us spoke.

And then, with a trembling voice, I whispered, "Aiah... please."

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

I took a shaky step forward. The guards hesitated but didn't stop me this time.

"You don't have to do this," I said, my voice cracking. "You don't have to marry him."

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Mikha... stop."

I shook my head. "No. No, I won't stop. Hindi na ako lalayo, Aiah. Hindi na ako tatahimik. Hindi na ako matatakot." My chest tightened. "Sapat na 'yung sakripisyo ko. Tama na."

Aiah's jaw trembled. "Mikha, please... umuwi ka na."

"Ikaw ang umuwi sa'kin," I choked out. "Tayong dalawa, Aiah. Hindi mo na kailangang piliin sila. Hindi mo na kailangang magpakasal para sa kanila."

Her entire body shook.

I took another step forward, reaching for her. "Come with me."

Tears welled up in her eyes. Her lips trembled.

And then-

"AIAH!" A deep voice boomed from inside the church.

We both turned.

A man stood in the doorway. The groom.

Aiah flinched, her entire body stiffening.

And just like that-

I saw the fear in her eyes win.

She took a step back.

And then another.

My stomach dropped. "Aiah, don't-"

She turned away.

And walked back inside.

The doors slammed shut behind her.

And I felt my entire world collapse.

Something inside me snapped.

I screamed, struggling against the guards as they tightened their grip on my arms. "AIAH! HINDI MO P'WEDE GAWIN 'TO!" My voice cracked, raw with desperation.

I fought harder, twisting and pulling, but the bodyguards were stronger. My nails dug into their arms as I tried to break free. "LET ME GO!"

"AIAH! PLEASE!" My throat burned, my vision blurred with tears. I didn't care if I looked crazy. I didn't care if people were watching.

I just couldn't let her go.

"She's making a mistake!" I sobbed, my knees almost giving out. "Aiah, lumabas ka! LOOK AT ME!"

The heavy doors remained shut. No one came out.

I felt my chest tighten like I couldn't breathe. My heart pounded painfully as the realization set in.

She chose them.

She walked away.

The pain was unbearable. Worse than anything I had ever felt before.

But still, I couldn't stop.

I thrashed against the guards again, my voice breaking. "I LOVE YOU, AIAH!"