No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 44- Priceless

Mikha’s POV

I held Aiah tightly, my sobs muffled against her neck. My whole body was trembling as if the grief would consume me whole.

Then, all of a sudden—

“I can’t breathe, love…”

My body froze.

Slowly, I pulled back, my breath hitching. Aiah’s lips curled into a weak, teasing smile as her eyes fluttered open.

I stumbled backward in shock. “A-Aiah?”

The room was silent for a moment. Then—

“IT’S A PRANK!!!”

A loud chorus of laughter erupted from my so-called friends. Stacey, Jho, and Sheena were nearly rolling on the floor, their hands covering their mouths as they cackled.

My mind struggled to process what just happened. What… the hell?

I turned back to Aiah, who had the audacity to grin despite looking like she had actually died five minutes ago. “Love,” she croaked out, still weak. “You should’ve seen your face.”

A sudden wave of emotions crashed over me—shock, relief, then pure, unfiltered rage.

“PUTANGINA NYO!!!” I shrieked, grabbing the nearest pillow and throwing it at Stacey, who yelped and ducked. “I ALMOST DIED FROM A HEART ATTACK!”

Aiah chuckled, her voice hoarse. “But you cried so hard. Awww, love, you really love me.”

I shot her a murderous glare. “You DIED for ten minutes! What kind of sick joke is this?!”

Sheena was wiping tears of laughter. “We just wanted to test how much you love her.”

“BULLSHIT!” I snapped.

Aiah reached for my hand, her fingers weak but warm. “I love you, too, Mikha.”

Despite my burning anger, my heart clenched at her words.

I sighed in defeat, gripping her hand tightly. “If you ever do that again,” I muttered, voice shaking, “I swear, Aiah, I’ll kill you myself.”

She only smiled. “Then I’ll let you hold me in your arms again.”

I groaned, covering my face as my friends started laughing again.

I was going to need therapy after this.

I was still shaking from shock, my heart pounding in my chest. My hands clenched into fists as I glared at everyone in the room.

“SINO ANG NAKAISIP NITO?!” I yelled, my voice sharp and filled with fury.

Stacey and Sheena immediately pointed at Jho, who gasped and smacked their arms. “Mga traydor kayo!” she hissed before flashing me a nervous smile. “Uh… technically, collective decision siya—”

“I don’t care!” I snapped. Then, I turned to Aiah, who was still lying on the hospital bed, looking at me with an amused but guilty expression. “And you, Ms. Navarro!” I jabbed a finger at her. “Bakit ka pumayag sa ganito?!”

Aiah pouted, trying to look innocent. “Love, I just woke up from a near-death experience. Shouldn’t you be kissing me instead of scolding me?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t test me, Aiah. Don’t.”

She bit her lip to stop herself from smiling. “Sorry na…”

I crossed my arms, refusing to be swayed. “You died for ten minutes, Aiah. Akala ko—” My voice cracked slightly, and I quickly looked away, trying to regain my composure.