No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 41- Chasing after her

Sheena smiled mischievously. "Sige, we'll let it go. But don't think we've forgotten. We'll catch you at the right moment!"

Jho joined in, both of them clearly having fun at my expense. "Alam mo na, Mikha. Wala kaming patawad!"

I let out a small laugh, realizing I could never hide anything from them. "Fine, fine. But can we talk about something else for now?"

They both nodded, though I could see that they weren't done digging into this subject just yet. I couldn't help but smile. They were my support system-no matter how much they teased me. They always had my back.

We continued talking, but in the back of my mind, I knew this wasn't the end of the conversation about Aiah. Not by a long shot.

After our conversation, the laughter faded as Jho and Sheena left to head their separate ways. I stayed behind for a moment, finishing the last sip of my drink. My mind wasn't fully on the conversation we had; it kept drifting back to Aiah and the things she had said. Her words echoed in my mind, and I couldn't shake the image of her face, so familiar yet so distant now.

Shaking my head, I decided to clear my thoughts. I stood up, grabbing my bag, and walked out of the café, the cool night air greeting me as I stepped outside.

I had barely taken a few steps toward my car when I felt a sudden pull at my sleeve.

I spun around, startled, my heart racing.

A woman, her face hidden beneath a scarf and large sunglasses, stood there. She yanked me closer, and before I could react, she wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace.

I stiffened in shock, instinctively trying to pull back. But then, her voice-soft and shaky-whispered in my ear, sending a chill down my spine.

"Mikha..." she breathed, her voice full of longing and something else-something I couldn't place.

My heart stopped. I didn't need to look at her face to know who it was.

"Aiah?" I whispered, my voice almost lost in the night.

She pulled back just slightly, enough for me to see her eyes-those eyes I used to know so well. The same familiar warmth, the same quiet desperation. The same love.

"I missed you so much," she said softly, her hands trembling as she clung to me. "Always remember that ginagawa ko ito dahil mahal na mahal kita. At kahit hindi mo na ako mahal, mahal na mahal pa rin kita. I will do everything. Itatama ko lahat... bigyan mo lang ako ng oras."

I stood there, frozen in place. My breath caught in my throat as I processed her words. She hadn't changed. Still the same Aiah, still carrying that same burden of love and regret.

But this... this wasn't what I expected. I wasn't ready for this.

I slowly pulled back, my hands still held by hers, and looked at her in the dim light. "Aiah... this is-this is too much," I said, trying to steady my voice. "You have Adrian, you have your life now. I... I'm not a part of it anymore."

Tears welled in her eyes, and she shook her head. "I don't care about Adrian. I don't care about anyone else, Mikha. I only care about you. I know I've hurt you, but please... just give me a chance to make it right. I'll do whatever it takes. Please."

Her plea hung in the air, and for a moment, everything inside me wavered. I felt that familiar pull toward her, the ache in my heart that I thought I had long buried.

But deep down, I knew. This couldn't happen. Not now. Not when I had already moved forward.

I gently took a step back, pulling my hands away from hers. "Aiah, I can't. I've moved on. And you... you need to do the same."

She looked at me with that heartbreakingly familiar expression, her lips trembling as she swallowed the words she wanted to say. "Please, Mikha, just give me time. Please don't walk away from me. I still love you."

I shook my head slowly, my voice soft but firm. "I can't be a part of this anymore, Aiah."

I turned away from her, the weight of the past and the present pressing down on my chest. I couldn't look back-not this time.

I got into my car, starting the engine, the sound filling the silence that had settled between us. As I drove away, I couldn't help but feel the sting of her words, but deep down, I knew it was for the best.

My heart pounded in my chest, still reeling from the encounter with Aiah. The weight of her words, the desperation in her eyes-it all felt like a crushing wave that I couldn't escape.

But the further I drove, the clearer my thoughts became. The truth was undeniable: I had to let go. It wasn't easy. I could feel the sting of her love still wrapped around my heart, but I had to be strong.

This wasn't a moment for weakness. This was for me. I had built a life that was finally moving forward, one that didn't revolve around Aiah or the past. And if she wanted me back, it was time for her to work for it.

I had always been the one to chase after her, to fight for her. I had always been the one to sacrifice my own peace for the chance to make things right. But not anymore.

This time, I had to let her chase me.

I let out a long breath, finally allowing myself to relax a little. I wasn't going to keep running after something that was broken. Not when I had worked so hard to put myself back together.

As I pulled into the parking garage of my building, I turned off the engine, leaning back in my seat for a moment. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I glanced down. It was a message from Sheena.

Sheena: "Mikha, you good? Jho and I were just messing with you earlier. Don't let Aiah get to you. We're here for you!"

I smiled a little, appreciating the gesture. I needed people like Jho and Sheena in my life. People who could remind me that I wasn't alone, even when I felt like I was.

I texted back: "Thanks, Sheena. I'm fine. Just... working through some stuff."

I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. As I walked into the building, the weight of the day still hung on me, but it felt a little lighter now.

Aiah wanted me back. But I had learned one thing: If she truly loved me, she would fight for me. And this time, it was her turn to chase.

I wasn't going to wait around anymore. I had a life to live, and I was finally choosing to live it for me.

Tama, Mikha. Hayaan mo siyang maghabol sa'yo this time...hanggang sa mapagod din siya kagaya mo.

With that thought in my mind, I headed toward the elevator, ready to face whatever tomorrow might bring. But for now, I knew one thing for sure: I wasn't going to be her second choice. Not again.

"Pagod na 'ko, Aiah. Iniwan mo ako sa laban na sinabi mong pareho tayong mananalo. Iniwan mo akong mag-isang lumalaban...pero hindi na ngayon. Now, it's your turn to fight and chase after me, and I'll make sure you won't win the battle you're trying to enter now."